Battery for a Lowrance 4 HDI

#2 is a USB output, meaning it only gives 5v output. It ain't gonna power your FF.

#1 is Lithium (LiFePO4) battery. The specs on it is sketchy. It says "Lead-Acid Replacement Range: 7-9(Ah)", but it's not saying what is the battery capacity. In my experience, a LiFePO that size is roughly 2ah only. I hate manufacturers that don't provide all the facts. If you decide on this one, make sure you get Lithium battery charger for it.

Please understand there are two types of batteries used by us kayakers, SLA (lead acid or variant) and Lithium Ion (or variant). There are pros and cons for both. Take the time to understand them before deciding. I have some experience with Lithium batteries and I'm biased toward them. Half the size, half the weight of SLA. Not have to worry about the battery depleting from storage.

You just need to figure out the draw from your FF, how long you want the FF to operate, then decide on the capacity of the battery that you need. From there, if size/weight is an issue, Lithium is an option.

Here's a link to some of my batteries and boxes I use on my FF...
http://s1238.photobucket.com/user/luck13ncka/library/FF%20batteries?sort=3&page=1


ernest

Really big help. Thank you!

On the XTPower, and I may be TOTALLY wrong on this one, but someone recently posted the output results of this (or similar model) as about 1/2 -3/4 of what it stated.  It does look to be quite small though!

Take a look at this one on Home Depot.  This is what I am using with my Elite 7 HDI unit.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Mighty-Mule-12-Volt-Battery-for-Automatic-Gate-Opener-FM150/100016474

Thank you Bill on both the charger and battery. I am fabricating a box to see if I can get it in my hatch port. And make sure, I can have room for a small waterproof box too

I just bought this battery from amazon and it will fit through a hole 4 5/8" around. I got a bag for it from amazon also. It is a small bag designed for a battery tender but it fits the battery good and has double zippers so I can close it up on the wire nicely. I'm planning on just tethering in the front so it doesn't slide around and cover all terminals with die grease. If the battery gets under water I got bigger problems than my fish finder not working. The hard part for you will be trying to get both hands in that hatch at the same time to install stuff

I just bought this battery from amazon and it will fit through a hole 4 5/8" around. I got a bag for it from amazon also. It is a small bag designed for a battery tender but it fits the battery good and has double zippers so I can close it up on the wire nicely. I'm planning on just tethering in the front so it doesn't slide around and cover all terminals with die grease. If the battery gets under water I got bigger problems than my fish finder not working. The hard part for you will be trying to get both hands in that hatch at the same time to install stuff

That is the smallest 12V I have found yet. Great find! My wife just reminded me that was the first one she found    The battery pouch is a great idea...This will definitely work! Thank you!

I also have a 3 amp fuse in my ff power cable so I'm hoping is it ever did get too wet that would pop first. Another thought on a box is a Tupperware or similar container gooped down to the bottom of the kayak. I saw a picture of one once on here somewhere. You might be able to find one to fit the battery pretty close and flex it to fit in the hole. Notch the top for the wire then just snap the lid on in place. Maybe add foam to stabilize the battery in the Tupperware if necessary

somebody smarter than me, please explain why.
i had flooded a battery compartment in a pb. actually swamped the boat.
battery under water as with all connections, fish finder, gps and trolling motor
all funtional.
my son damn near sjnks his sit inside kayak, battery under water, fish finder still operational.
as of now my battery is velcro to the bottom of my yak and not in a sealed box.
good or bad ?

somebody smarter than me, please explain why.
i had flooded a battery compartment in a pb. actually swamped the boat.
battery under water as with all connections, fish finder, gps and trolling motor
all funtional.
my son damn near sjnks his sit inside kayak, battery under water, fish finder still operational.
as of now my battery is velcro to the bottom of my yak and not in a sealed box.
good or bad ?

Why not?

-Allen

I also have a 3 amp fuse in my ff power cable so I'm hoping is it ever did get too wet that would pop first. Another thought on a box is a Tupperware or similar container gooped down to the bottom of the kayak. I saw a picture of one once on here somewhere. You might be able to find one to fit the battery pretty close and flex it to fit in the hole. Notch the top for the wire then just snap the lid on in place. Maybe add foam to stabilize the battery in the Tupperware if necessary

Thanks Scooter. Great idea. I like the foam. I will do either a dry bag or tupperwear inside the foam.  As for the fuse, for sure....part of my parts list. That, grease, marine cable connectors....I think a few others too. LOL

-Quinn

On the XTPower, and I may be TOTALLY wrong on this one, but someone recently posted the output results of this (or similar model) as about 1/2 -3/4 of what it stated.  It does look to be quite small though!

Take a look at this one on Home Depot.  This is what I am using with my Elite 7 HDI unit.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Mighty-Mule-12-Volt-Battery-for-Automatic-Gate-Opener-FM150/100016474

I bought that battery, it only lasts about 5 hours.  I switched to a deep cycle battery and it lasts over 10 hours for my Dragonfly 7.

Thanks FishingAddict. Funny you mention that, my father in law stopped me before pulling the trigger and said to do the same thing... Both of these will fit in my hatch. Any prefrences?

1. http://www.amazon.com/PowerStar-Sealed-Cycle-Battery-Warranty/dp/B00FA33GR6

2. http://www.amazon.com/VMAX63-Battery-Terminals-UPGRADES-BATTERIES/dp/B00J0T48WI/ref=sr_1_16?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1415760480&sr=1-16&keywords=12+volt+deep+cycle+sealed

This should be plenty good:   http://www.amazon.com/PowerStar-Sealed-Cycle-Battery-Warranty/dp/B00FA33GR6

Thats what I have.  Its designed to be regularly deeply discharged using most of its capacity which is how we use our FF.

Looks like a good choice Mel.

Thanks FishingAddict and Thank you Bill. I will keep you guys posted. Lowrance comes this weekend, and I will start the install when I get the parts from yakattack

Seriously a big thanks!