Power drain from sounder

Quick question,
Running a sounder, in my case a Lowrance HDS 5, is the battery going to feel the effects of constant use whilst the engine is not running? Out the other day doing about 5-6 drifts all around 15 mins each, I was weary on battery use, I don't want to be out there on my own and have my ski not start - and would like to know what others do or is it not really an issue.
Ski is brand new with 18hrs on it, so new battery. I know some people charge them overnight, although that means pulling it out I guess.

Any advice on this would be appreciated.

Mike

Modern electronics dont draw alot so the Jetski battery should easily handle that..that said, I run a 2nd separate SLA battery to run my gps/fishfinder as well as my Nav lights (LED so low draw also). More of a case of being cautious than anything, although last year my main battery completely died (dead cell) and I still had the use of my gps to give the coastguard co ords for a jump start, so not only does it save my main battery, it is a back up for safety.

Hi Mike,
I run a Lowrance 522 on one main battery. Many guys only run off their main one also. However it would be nice to have a safety backup.
your ski will have a "low voltage" displayed on the dash when low, and which has happened to me a number of times. At that time I have turned off the sounder and taken the ski for a quick blast for a little burst for the battery. (just a little teething issue i'm having but not all have this issue)

bottem line is i feel, if u r happy to pay for it, why not for xtra safety. (i will once funds are a little better)

hope this helps,
Eddie

Running the Chartplotter/Sounder combos seems to put enough drain on the batteries that after sometime of drifting with no longer run period between drifts affecting the voltage. I would advise getting a 2nd one fitted to run accessories off but have an easy to get to isolating switch so you can charge one or both and start the ski off either if need be. (I am sure this can be done) On my Seadoos I ran seperate battery (just a small 12V rechargable SLA, your combo would chew through it each trip, so a recharge each time would be needed) but am yet to do on my Yamaha.

I use a 2nd battery on my jetski to run gps/FF - think it cost about $35 from Jaycar electronics in either Newmarket or Manukau.
Charge the battery up using a normal adaptor for other items and some wires with conectors on overnight and it lasts well over a days fishing.

As for charging the ski battery I used to remove from jetski but now have started to put the alligator clps onto battery whilst in the jetski as a whole lot easier (hope I'm not harming anything else electronic in the jetski). I use a cheap trickle charger from Trademe and leave on about 10 - 12 hours

Andrew

Hi, i am, using a Lowrance HDS-5 CP/ FF/ GPS combo on my 2006 Yamaha XLT1200. Brett Ingold from Bretts Marine in Forest Hill (known him personally for 20 years) said the draw off the unit should last for a few hours easily, and any engine use between drifts will extend it slightly. He installed the unit in my ski, and did a great job of wiring with fuse etc. he also suggested that i charge the battery from time to time using a trickle charge as the ski is not great at charging batteries unlike a car. i do this most times i go out using a trickle charger the night before connected by aligator clips directly to the battery terminal. no probelms to date.
a second battery is extra protection. if i get the nav lights in the future, i will stretch for the second battery to run both accessories and keep the engine separate.

cheers,
Peter J

Thanks for all the info guy's, second battery it is. I need nav lights anyway, so might as well get it all sorted at once. Just don't like the annoying thought of a flat battery out there drifting around... I was wondering how fast the battery recharged when in use, thanks for that.
What sort of trickle chargers are these that you're using? Any recommended?

Cheers
Mike

I use a charger like this
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Hunting-shooting/Accessories/Other/auction-259384332.htm

to charge both jetski battery and SLA battery - leave on for 12 hours roughly and put voltage on battery over 13 volts so good enough for a days fishing. Always use overnight before going out as don't use ski often enough to guarantee having enough charge.

I use 2nd battery as per:
http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=SB2484&keywords=sla&form=KEYWORD

Then ran cable to my GPS/FF unit. I couldn't work out haow to mount the battery so used a plastic lunch box and bolted that to back of front storage bin and mounted the GPS mushroom on top.





Devised a wire adaptor to charge the SLA battery off a 12 volt household charger as often need to charge both on the same night before going fishing.

Looking at specs on the strip lights the SLA battery above should last the trip with lights and GPS/FF (not sure about Myron's new bung lights though as they look quite bright

Hey Andrew L,
thanks for the link,.. i will need to copy your idea soon. cheers

Looks like it's cost effective too!!

If you want to come out Saturday morning I'll show you the simple setup - of Scottish heritage so had to be done cost-effectively.

I too will be looking out window at Howick beach and wondering about the 4 musscateers slaying fish.

I was out this morning it was mint .Theres a heap of fish out there .Did some slaying of my own .........


One of the mouseketeers did a no show ...........

keen for a early morning fish. Alex is keen.

Myron, it goes without saying,...u r always filling your bin! nice work!

might have to do a flyby Marks place and get the air horns going..lol "WAKE UP MARK" As Mark mentioned, when you live the closest, u r always the last to get up..lol

hope u all had a good time

Looking OK for tomorrow morning so will try and be at BB ramp or eastern Beach (which best in SSE wind?) by 5:30am

Which ramp will it be? Is the ramp always locked at eastern Beach or was it just the other day ??
Don't mind which but Eastern Beach closer to Waiheke and will be full tide on return.

Andrew

Eastern does sound a good option. lets touch base later tonight.
Its just whether the gate would be locked