HDS battery experience/suggestions
 

I run a Hobie Outback that I am outfitting this weekend with my HDS-5. I have used the HDS-5 for ice fishing for a year an a half and just decided to rig my kayak up for it too.

I am not sure what battery I should use for it. I am going on a seven day on water fishing trip in a few weeks and I most likely will not have anywhere to recharge. I was thinking about possibly buying a 20 amp hour battery. The footprint isn't too annoying and if I had two I could put one at front of boat and one at back to even out weight.

They make 35 amp hour ones but stuffing one of those into the hull seems kind of silly. Maybe everyone thinks two 20 amp hour ones is silly too, but I really like having the depth finder along on the trip, so just trying to see what other people's experiences are.

That's a big ass battery!

I would go with two smaller batteries, and exchange them as needed. I don't think anyone in here uses any monster batteries like that, but you never know.

You could also rig up a small solar panel from Harbor Freight? Just a thought.

strap it down
 

dont let it fly around inside the hull, or konk you in the head when you roll it in the surf. :kayak-surfer:

Hehe...yeah good advice..

But, I am inland, and the main purpose for this big battery is on a seven day river trip that is pretty gentle...very few rapids and the current is nice, so I can concentrate on fishing and not paddling so much! Kind of just let the river take ya and fish. So as long as I can find a nice place for it under hull, I'll secure it and she won't move.

IMO, I would just purchase 10 or 12 amp hr batteries, in the number you see fit, it's not like you go 7 days often, then you could sell off the excess when you get back, easier than gettig rid of the larger ones that are not as desired..........

Try checking into a small solar recharger.

7 day trip huu
Vegas to laughen on the colorado river?
Something like 89 miles.
Allways wanted to do that trip

Like all good things in life...buy the best cry once.
I used to road race motorcycles, and by far one of my best sponsors was
Shorai batteries. Lithium ion as opposed to lead-acid.
This is personally what I run my HDS 5.2 on, but you can go smaller.

http://www.shoraipower.com/p-155-lfx18a1-bs12.aspx

I ran the tiniest 12V in my race bike, as it was just to start the bike over.
No signals, lights, horn or anything like that to power, and its all about weight. 5% reduction in weight is the same as a 5% increase in HP, right?


18 A/hrs. and the thing weighs 2 pounds. Compare that to a regular lead-acid one and that'll be 7/9/10/12 A/hrs. and weigh 6-8 pounds.

I've mentioned these batteries to CJ at OEX MB. I'm sure he can order these as people want them, but doubt he'll stock them due to the cost factor.

Personally I think it's awesome. I can go for a few trips w/o having to charge it. With the HDS-5.2 using .75 A/hrs, you've got some serious juice to carry you through multiple trips, and at 2 pounds, you can really feel the difference .

RobFish

Robfish now that is what I am talking about!

Excellent suggestion! Now will I need a specific charger for that too? I have to imagine my regular sla charger won't work.

It is pricey but I think I might swing it because I was considering two 20 amp hour SLA's anyways.

That sounds like an awesome trip. I am actually back in Wisconsin...we have a 90 mile stretch of river in the northwestern part of the state that is part of the National Scenic River system, so it is mostly undeveloped. Namekagon river if you want to check it out. You get a lot of people that paddling it, but very few that actually take the time to fish and man is it fun! Primitive campsites along the stretch of the entire stretch of river and it is just a blast. We are going about 65 miles over the seven days. We like to keep our per day mileage a little lower so we can fish spots for a long time if we find good ones. We put the emphasis on fishing, not getting to the next checkpoint.