Looking for ideas

have you actually tested it with the FF to make sure you can't turn the FF back on after 30 seconds? I'd try that first if you haven't.

You can not turn on after 30 secs at least with an HB. After 30 secs it is off.

Well I could make you one of these (essentially) in about 10 minutes: 
  Wouldn't look like that, i'd use a USB cable, some heat shrink and a 5v LED.  Would mean having a 5v port open though. 

You could do the same thing with the 12v LED and resister, will consume very little energy.

That could work. I'm also thinking about installing a lighted switch on top of my pod. As long as the switch was lit up the battery would stay on. Maybe I could even use the switch to send power to the FF.

Other than being "techy" and saying "Wilderness Systems" on the side, what does this battery do that a standard SLA doesn't?


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It's specs and price seem to be better than anything that I've seen, even generic stuff from China.  But i'm still on the fence since it's price tag is pretty high compared to the 30$ SLA's i've been used to (and occasionally get for free).  I fear breaking it, which saltwater is extremely unforgiving to electronics.

Add one of these somewhere?  The voltmeter should provide a tiny draw, but a draw nonetheless.  Also, there are similar items for cheaper price if you look for it.


https://www.amazon.com/Cllena-Function-Charger-Voltmeter-Digital/dp/B01D4DMSM2

Other than being "techy" and saying "Wilderness Systems" on the side, what does this battery do that a standard SLA doesn't?


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I agree with Al.  The specs are pretty amazing for the small package size and the 15oz weight. 

1. Weight - Standard 15AH SLA would be something like 8lbs.  These guys are 15oz or so.  a 7AH would be lighter but doesn't honestly have enough juice to run modern electronics all day. 
2. Lithium, so can be stored in any position.  In my experience with SLAs, storing them on their side for more than a short time will kill them.
3. Comes with two 5v USB out ports, so can charge a cell or some other USB device.  Sure, you can install a 12v>5v USB port on your kayak, but that would require drilling more holes and running wires, cost would be about $10 for the parts.
4. Comes with charger included.  If you were starting off today, buying a $30 SLA you'd still have to buy some sort of charger for it.
5. Discharge - SLAs are not supposed to be discharged past a certain percentage.  Lithiums can be discharged much more, meaning more juice. 

These are really only necessary for serious electronics.  If a person is happy with their current power options for their current electronics, just stick with what ya got.  I've been researching batteries for a while as my power hungry elite 7 chirp would just kill my 7AH SLAs so I switched to the multistar 15AH lithiums.

It does not come with a charger. Plug it into usb to charge it.

True that that is not a charger, but it's close enough since I cant just plug my 12v SLA into a 5v USB plug, which I have a dozen or so of and are cheaper than pretty much any sla charger.  Heck, you can buy them in 7-11!   However I do wonder how long it takes to charge at 5V 2A max. 

That sounds strange. What possible benefit is there to having a charged battery "shut down" when there is no power being used?

I think there are potential safety issues that are improved by not having the battery hot all the time. At least I assume that must be the reason, because it seems pretty stupid otherwise. If you're going to keep it out and handy for charging phones etc it's not a problem. Since most kayak FF batteries are stored to stay dry, it's a pita.

If that's the case, then I'd be cautious about overriding that "feature". An hot battery could leave a big hole in a plastic kayak...

After reading Ernest comment in the NOCQUA thread, wonder if that applies the same to this battery?  Is it 15AH at 12V, or 5V? 

Can it be determined if you know the draw in amps of your FF and how long it stays on? 

That sounds strange. What possible benefit is there to having a charged battery "shut down" when there is no power being used?

I think there are potential safety issues that are improved by not having the battery hot all the time. At least I assume that must be the reason, because it seems pretty stupid otherwise. If you're going to keep it out and handy for charging phones etc it's not a problem. Since most kayak FF batteries are stored to stay dry, it's a pita.

If that's the case, then I'd be cautious about overriding that "feature". An hot battery could leave a big hole in a plastic kayak...

Yes it has occurred to me. I was going to ask Rob if he could find out what their reasoning was. I just read a little on Li ion safety and automatic shutdown wasn't mention as a safety need. Maybe somebody in a suit thought automatic shutdown sounded safer. Of course we're not talking about storing it while "on" but just for the day or maybe a weekend at a time.

The cell phone battery packs do the same thing, but I dont believe that it's anything heat related.  These battery packs, and probably this WS one, have circuit boards in them, which would consume electricity if left on, even if nothing plugged in.  It's most likely just a power saving feature.

Uhhhh? you'se guys put too much "emphasis" on the tech stuff. 

Go fishn'....` whether or weather(?), the power is On or Off.

Learn to become a better waterman 1st, then all the other stuff will fall into place.

"Be ALL you can be..." 

The ^above^ should probably(?) be a US Coast Guard quote, instead of the Armys', except for... in this context.

..Just some of my Co2

I Zod Out

Uhhhh? you'se guys put too much "emphasis" on the tech stuff. 

Go fishn'....` whether or weather(?), the power is On or Off.

Learn to become a better waterman 1st, then all the other stuff will fall into place.

"Be ALL you can be..." 

The ^above^ should probably(?) be a US Coast Guard quote, instead of the Armys', except for... in this context.

..Just some of my Co2

I Zod Out

Live and let live I say. I don't think replacing my battery is keeping me from going fishing. I don't see why it should bother you. 

Uhhhh? you'se guys put too much "emphasis" on the tech stuff. 

I do put a lot of emphasis on the tech stuff.  I like technology, and I like fishfinder tech. I can also read water, but can't read structure bobbing on top of it in areas I fish only once a year.  I believe I'm a waterman, but unlike some, I'm on the water to fish first, and enjoying the other stuff is secondary.  I get so little time to fish (maybe 2x a month), that my time on the water is invaluable and I don't want to waste it fishing unproductive territory.  There's nothing wrong with liking technology, and there's zero value to admonishing others for doing so.