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My Fish Finder Main => General Fishing Discussion => Topic started by: taxid on Jun 11, 2019, 09:01 PM

Title: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: taxid on Jun 11, 2019, 09:01 PM
Have tried Cabelas, Dick's, and L.L. Bean while I'm on the road headed to my vacation destination in Maine from Indiana. All have 12 volt batteries for the big boats that are too heavy for the kayak. LL Bean said no problem we have a small 35 pound battery. Huh? That's too heavy for my kayak! The nose would be buried in the water!

All the above stores probably would have the battery I need in the winter, as in for ice fishing fish finders but not now!

What gripes me is they are all into selling kayaks but when you ask about a battery for one to use with a fish finder they are confused. You put a fish finder on a kayak? Well Yeah!

Trouble is I'm on vacation and ordering would take a few days.

I could pick up a motorcycle battery from Walmart but it won't be deep cycle.

Any ideas?
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: meandcuznalfy on Jun 12, 2019, 12:22 AM
Might try a interstate battery store if there's one along your route.

That's sad those stores don't realize what accessories people are putting on kayaks now.i know a lot of people are using portables on boats also, they probably don't realize that either and that there's a need for parts for them.
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: rgfixit on Jun 12, 2019, 02:34 AM
Stop at Lowes and buy a garden tractor battery or a 12 v SLA. You could use a motorcycle battery too, but they're more expensive..

Rg
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: taxid on Jun 12, 2019, 04:14 AM
Thank you for the suggestions gentlemen!
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: ship of fools on Jun 12, 2019, 04:31 AM
ADI is an alarm equipment distributor with locations nationwide.

They will have several options in stock for you.
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: Mac Attack on Jun 12, 2019, 06:46 AM
Amazon - 2 day delivery with Prime.
Or pay for overnight.
Can you have it shipped to your destination.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=gell+cell+batteries&crid=OXANHU89KAQ1&sprefix=gell+cell%2Caps%2C184&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_9 (https://www.amazon.com/s?k=gell+cell+batteries&crid=OXANHU89KAQ1&sprefix=gell+cell%2Caps%2C184&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_9)
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: lowaccord66 on Jun 12, 2019, 08:12 AM
Amazon - 2 day delivery with Prime.
Or pay for overnight.
Can you have it shipped to your destination.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=gell+cell+batteries&crid=OXANHU89KAQ1&sprefix=gell+cell%2Caps%2C184&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_9 (https://www.amazon.com/s?k=gell+cell+batteries&crid=OXANHU89KAQ1&sprefix=gell+cell%2Caps%2C184&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_9)

Yup!
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: bigal409 on Jun 12, 2019, 10:49 AM
Any NAPA store would have the smaller batteries. I get mine for my Vexilar there.
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: taxid on Jun 12, 2019, 11:10 AM
I got lucky! I tried another Dick's Sporting Good's in nearby Augusta, Maine and brought my old battery inside. Manager was on the ball and took me right to who I needed to talk to and she had several Vexilar batteries. I bought two. May or may not wire the together with clips in parallel. Will see how one does to determine if I do that. Since I'm right on a lake I can easily come in and switch out the batteries for a meal break, restroom break etc.
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: Fishermantim on Jun 12, 2019, 03:31 PM
I learned the important battery question when I was looking for a replacement one.

Don't look in the automotive section...

Also, consider the strength of the battery you want. There is a formula for calculating how long a battery will last during normal use.

I believe it's Voltage X Amps divided by power draw of device being used.

So a 12v 10ah battery and a fish finder that draws 8 comes out to 12X10 divided by 8, or rather 15 hours of approximate run time.

I could be wrong, but that's my rough guess at the formula I've read....
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: Mac Attack on Jun 12, 2019, 05:09 PM
I learned the important battery question when I was looking for a replacement one.

Don't look in the automotive section...

Also, consider the strength of the battery you want. There is a formula for calculating how long a battery will last during normal use.

I believe it's Voltage X Amps divided by power draw of device being used.

So a 12v 10ah battery and a fish finder that draws 8 comes out to 12X10 divided by 8, or rather 15 hours of approximate run time.

I could be wrong, but that's my rough guess at the formula I've read....

Yup
Wrong
Sorry

It’s ah/a=h
Amp hours divided by amps = hours

So your example would be

10/8=1.25 hrs

Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: woodsman on Jun 14, 2019, 11:39 PM
Have tried Cabelas, Dick's, and L.L. Bean while I'm on the road headed to my vacation destination in Maine from Indiana. All have 12 volt batteries for the big boats that are too heavy for the kayak.
Did you try "I need a battery for my portable fish finder/ice fishing depth finder at those stores?
Some less experienced employees might not know about generally out of season product.
Also ask at the counter where they sell the depth finders. Employees there may have a better knowledge.
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: taxid on Jun 14, 2019, 11:51 PM
Did you try "I need a battery for my portable fish finder/ice fishing depth finder at those stores?
Some less experienced employees might not know about generally out of season product.
Also ask at the counter where they sell the depth finders. Employees there may have a better knowledge.

See a few posts above. Was able to find a couple at another store. And yes some of the big box store employees aren't as knowledgable as others. 
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: charlys1954 on Jun 19, 2019, 06:59 PM
You already bought what you need but if you need another in the future just get them at Walmart online or on ebay. Ebay you can get shipped to your house and Walmart you can get free shipping to you local store for pickup or pay for shipping to you house.

Last winter I bought 2 mighty max ML8-12(8a) for my Vexilar from Walmart for $31.99. It beats wasting gas driving all over looking for some. And I doubt you find them cheaper at a sports store.

Also if you don't need the higher amp battery you can get them smaller. Found one on ebay that's 1.5 amp and measures Length 3.82 Width 1.69 Height 2.28
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mighty-Max-12V-1-3Ah-EnerSys-NP1-2-12-Replacement-SLA-Sealed-Lead-Acid-Battery/131152888583?epid=1389591415&hash=item1e89524307:g:X5EAAOSwOmtcyHas (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mighty-Max-12V-1-3Ah-EnerSys-NP1-2-12-Replacement-SLA-Sealed-Lead-Acid-Battery/131152888583?epid=1389591415&hash=item1e89524307:g:X5EAAOSwOmtcyHas)
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: taxid on Jun 19, 2019, 07:18 PM
Thank you Gentlemen!
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: Fishermantim on Jun 20, 2019, 01:11 PM
Yup
Wrong
Sorry

It’s ah/a=h
Amp hours divided by amps = hours

So your example would be

10/8=1.25 hrs

Sorry, but I just checked online to find the formula I mentioned, and it is:

The formula is 10 x battery capacity in Amp hours divided by load power (device power draw).

So a 12v 9ah battery and a 10.5 W fish finder would be 10 x 9 / 10.5 or 8.5 hours.

(kind of a "right church, wrong pew" scenario)
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: Mac Attack on Jun 20, 2019, 02:22 PM
Sorry, but I just checked online to find the formula I mentioned, and it is:

The formula is 10 x battery capacity in Amp hours divided by load power (device power draw).

So a 12v 9ah battery and a 10.5 W fish finder would be 10 x 9 / 10.5 or 8.5 hours.

(kind of a "right church, wrong pew" scenario)

W/V=A

10.5 watts / 12 volts = .875 amps

And again, ah/a=h

9ah /  .875 = 10.3 hrs
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: icejohn on Jun 21, 2019, 10:20 PM
This is a good one to remember....
So my 12ah battery with a 10.5w device should last me bout 13.7hrs.
Thanks for sharing Mac.
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: woodsman on Jun 21, 2019, 10:40 PM
This is a good one to remember....
So my 12ah battery with a 10.5w device should last me bout 13.7hrs.
Thanks for sharing Mac.
That's also assuming your battery is up to it's full potential.
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: icejohn on Jun 21, 2019, 10:43 PM
Yup...brand new....for my kayak fishfinder...also have usb plug on it for my phone.
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: Mac Attack on Jun 22, 2019, 09:11 AM
That's also assuming your battery is up to it's full potential.

Yup - for sure!
The ampere hours (capacity) diminishes as a battery ages.
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: seamonkey84 on Jun 22, 2019, 11:11 PM
Yup - for sure!
The ampere hours (capacity) diminishes as a battery ages.
Also with cold temps, as any of us ice fishers can tell you hehe.
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: Mac Attack on Jun 23, 2019, 08:24 AM
Also with cold temps, as any of us ice fishers can tell you hehe.

yup yup

Heat too!!

Batteries get fried in places like Florida
Title: Re: Why's so hard to find a 12 volt smaller battery my fish finder on the kayak?
Post by: lowaccord66 on Jun 29, 2019, 07:32 AM
yup yup

Heat too!!

Batteries get fried in places like Florida

I have to go back to Orlando next April...blah!