what battery for fishfinder ?

I am about to buy a Lowreance 4x and want to know what battery to buy. I will have to get a box to put it in also. Do these batteries need some sort of recharger also?

If you get an SLA, I wouldn't bother with a box, and any charger should work.

I have a lithium iron phosphate battery (K2 Energy is the brand), which weighs a lot less than SLA, and I keep it in a box. A lot of people here use lithium ion batteries. Although lithium iron phosphate is not as light as a comparable lithium ion battery, it's supposed to last a lot longer, and it won't overheat, as lithium ion batteries have been known to do.

If you want a box, Walmart sells a waterproof box that is just the right size...

I use a little sealed lead acid battery. It's great but only runs the FF for about 4 hrs. I am looking to upgrade as my paddle times are getting longer. Does anyone run multiple batteries in series? Or have a long lasting small lightweight battery?  Mine is 12v 7a/h. And I run a humminbird 688ci.

I am about to buy a Lowreance 4x and want to know what battery to buy. I will have to get a box to put it in also. Do these batteries need some sort of recharger also?

I'll be getting a LiPo when I finally get my FF. Any battery will need a charger (presuming you want to use it more than once) and different battery chemistry will require different chargers. You'll generally narrow that down once you decide on the type of battery you want.

SLA batteries are simple and have been around forever, so they're easy to find and easy to charge (you may already have one). I would recommend a battery tender as they're gentle on the battery and will maintain the charge until you use it. They tend to be heavy, inexpensive and hold less charge for the weight.

This page has a lot of good info about the different lithium rechargeable battery chemistries.
http://www.cobox-ebikes.com/296/basic-understanding-of-lipo-li-ion-and-lifepo4.html

The lithium rechargeables will need a specific charger and it will need to be rated to charge the voltage(# of cells) and discharge/charge rating ("c" rating) of your battery. Many of these chargers actually need a DC power supply as well. If you go this route you should get a 'balanced' charger that can keep the different cells at the same voltage to prevent one cell getting over-discharged while the others seem fine.

A simpler to get a lithium battery (not my choice, YMMV) would be to get a battery that is meant as a backup for USB powered devices as many of them have their own charger. Personally I trust batteries meant for RC more because their customer base is more discerning so the company is less likely to get away with mediocre products, however I've heard of at least one kayaker who was happy with that solution.

Just do a bit more searching here and on google. You'll find a good bit of information out there.

I use a little sealed lead acid battery. It's great but only runs the FF for about 4 hrs. I am looking to upgrade as my paddle times are getting longer. Does anyone run multiple batteries in series? Or have a long lasting small lightweight battery?  Mine is 12v 7a/h. And I run a humminbird 688ci.

this thread has lots of good info and this post shows goldfish's setup using two batteries in series.

And a good video on charging lipos:

10000mah lipo to power 7 inch Chirp unit.  20 trips on it and very happy.  Using this charger.   http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__58285__IMAX_B6AC_V2_Professional_Balance_Charger_Discharger.html

If you go lipo,do your research and be safe.lipos have a reputation for catching fire and or exploding due to over charging

I recently purchased an Expert Power AGM 12v 22Ah (SLA) with the intention of powering a aerator pump for my livewell and lowrance Elite 5 (its on the xmas/wish list).  Also got a battery tender jr.  Been keeping it in a dry bag, running the wires to a switch in a Plano1612, then to the livewell.  Used it a few times for full days of fishing and it is still running on the first charge. This is the temporary setup, and has worked fairly well.  I plan to make a box, a place to hang it in the hull, and do a bit of wiring over the winter.

When it comes to deciding what size battery you need, find out what the draw is for the FF then do a bit of math.  It doesn't hurt to go a bit bigger, incase you decide to add other accessories like lights, stereo, and margaritaville margarita maker.     Make sure you

If you go lipo,do your research and be safe.lipos have a reputation for catching fire and or exploding due to over charging

That's why I use a lithium iron phosphate (LFP, or sometimes LiFePO4) battery. Seems to me that it's the best combination of weight and safety. It also charges quickly and provides a steady voltage when in use.

I think most FF draw less than 1 amp (I know mine does), so a 7ah battery should last at least 7 hours.

If you go lipo,do your research and be safe.lipos have a reputation for catching fire and or exploding due to over charging

The video shows a lithuim-ion battery not Lipo.  FYI  most modern laptop, tablet, e-book reader, cell phone, MP3 player, cordless screwdriver or drill, etc. –  uses lithium-ion batteries.

LiPo (Lithium Polymer) batteries are widely used by 1000's of Radio Control hobbyist.  As SeaBird said these people are very critical of their batteries.   A custom made RC Helicopter can cost more than a fully rigged kayak.

If you go lipo,do your research and be safe.lipos have a reputation for catching fire and or exploding due to over charging

The video shows a lithuim-ion battery not Lipo.  FYI  most modern laptop, tablet, e-book reader, cell phone, MP3 player, cordless screwdriver or drill, etc. –  uses lithium-ion batteries.

LiPo (Lithium Polymer) batteries are widely used by 1000's of Radio Control hobbyist.  As SeaBird said these people are very critical of their batteries.   A custom made RC Helicopter can cost more than a fully rigged kayak.

Yeah I know but the danger is still there,I've got six lipo batteries for two trucks and two quads (drones) some get hot and others don't ,depends on size,capacity and so on.i just don't want to see a "warning post" later on down the line where half of someone's wall got set on fire due to a battery fire that's all.02 cents out

I use a shorai 12 v and charger. Very light and seems to power Lawrence Elite 5 for a long time. May be a pricy choice but I've been happy with it. Got it on amazon.

And a good video on charging lipos:

I don't think you can buy that model anymore. This is the latest product:
http://www.skyrc.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=217

Instruction say it has wifi control, but I have never used that feature.  I got mine at ebay from a local reseller.  It can charge  Li-ion, LiPo, LiFe,  Ni-Cd,  NiMH and PB batteries.  I even use to it charge my kids Barbie ATV 12V SLA battery.

If you go lipo,do your research and be safe.lipos have a reputation for catching fire and or exploding due to over charging

The video shows a lithuim-ion battery not Lipo.  FYI  most modern laptop, tablet, e-book reader, cell phone, MP3 player, cordless screwdriver or drill, etc. –  uses lithium-ion batteries.

LiPo (Lithium Polymer) batteries are widely used by 1000's of Radio Control hobbyist.  As SeaBird said these people are very critical of their batteries.   A custom made RC Helicopter can cost more than a fully rigged kayak.

Meinboy is spot on. Li-Pos are more temperamental than other chemistries and need to be respected but they can be perfectly safe if you understand what makes them angry and avoid it. I'm almost certainly going to use them myself for both my FF and my bait well and you bet your butt I'll sooner search for fish blind than let them get overdischarged.