PHP Warning: Use of undefined constant VBA_SCRIPT - assumed 'VBA_SCRIPT' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in ..../includes/functions_navigation.php(802) : eval()'d code on line 1 Compact Battery Pack!
Tezza,bought a batterypack only on Saturday and run a 47ltr Evakool over night just to see how it went. On the fridge only setting it was still going strong in the morning, when I had to go out so turned it off. I was assured it would give me 15hrs comfortably, but like all these things there are many variables.
I was looking at the Waeco 24ah Outback but there is no more stock from Weaco. I ended up getting a Engel 28ah $300. Bushranger make a 40ah model that looks the goods at $580 but for what I need the Engel will do. I am going to get a Waeco Universal Fast Charge Kit that puts out about 10-12amps to top up the battery as I`m travelling it fixes directly to your battery. I was told that the Engel kit may only charge to 80% of capacity, but the Waeco charge kit is better.
Waeco are bringing out a new model in Feb, apparently more user friendly and a bigger capacity than there run out models. There was one Waeco Thumper 48ah model still available at Waeco at Burley Heads $599 rrp. They are a big and heavy unit. The Bushranger may be worth a look. A 6amp battery charger with the aligator clips removed and replaced with a Hella type plug is also necessary. Hope it helps.
Thanks for the info BJ, but was thinking more towards the 12 volt / 7 amp hr non spillable sealed rechargable Battery which comes with a carry case and separate charger from 240v and switches to trickle as battery nears full charge.
They say its a convenient power source for smaller boats for use on nav lights and fishfinders, I think the set up your talking about is more towards powering a freezer or small fridge, and would need to be much larger, and more expensive!
I have used one for a number of years to run my Sounder(Lowrance X47ex),in fact bought it for $10.00 at the Caboolture Markets 6yrs ago,it has never gone flat on me yet,after a day's fishing I put it on charge for about 30 minutes and that fully charges it ready for the next trip,Cheers Whitto
I just wanted a power source that doesn't take up too much room, and easy to get at without having to make any alterations to the boat, also being transportable can take it out of the boat for use as a back up battery for camping etc.
I bought one of those bright yellow $90 battery packs you see at Super Cheap and BIAS. It was replaced twice within six months before I threw the 3rd one away. All 3 failed to recharge after a couple of months. Avoid like the plague!
Just heard back from the people who sell them to say that because most sounders have very little current drain, I could expect to get 24 hr just using it without the back light and about 4hrs with. Also not suitable for extended use of lighting because of the higher power drain which lights have!
If you do most of your fishing in daylight, then it could be useful. Here is a pic of it, and it looks like its very easy to transport, plug in, and recharge.
Not sure if it is what your after, but I have the dry cell 12 volt battery set up in my tinny.
There is a thread going at the moment that I have put some photo's on. It is at http://www.ausfish.com.au/cgi-ausfis...41764;start=10 .
Not sure if this will work, but it is at page 2 of the boating section.
24 hours is all my bloody foot.... i've got 3 of these little suckers. I use one for the sounder and can go a month (4 trips of about 8 hours each) and its still reading 11v. The other one powers my nav lights and i've had an anchor light on it for about 6 hours and when i put the volt meter on it, it didn't register any less than 12v.
The 7amp ones are great... and to get them really cheap, try calling Signature Security and ask if you can buy the used ones. The security companies run them as backups in their systems and MUST replace them every 12 months in case, they just throw them away.
My 3rd battery i haven't even used yet but its a 12amp one that came out of a computer UPS system... that should last a while.
Thanks for the good feedback! Its what makes this site so good,
Have decided to get 2 batteries, one 12 volt 7amp battery pack with charger, to run the sounder, and the other a 12 volt 12amp to run the lights. They are about $50 ea so if one does happen to go flat, i can just switch over.
Looks like you have a good setup Corry, and also thanks Topender for all that useful info.
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