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fitgers1	08/22/2012 12:48PM   I've taken the old portable Hummingbird Wide Eye up to the Bdub twice now this summer. I have been using the 6 volt batteries as originally designed. It is kind of heavy so for my fall trip I am going to try one of the suggested battery set-ups added to the post. That's a pretty sweet set-up LamboSleeper. Looks like a pipe bomb though - I'd hate to try to explain it to a ranger or conservation officer! haha I'm planning an early October weekend up there so hopefully I can add some info about how it goes after that. Thanks again all! Happy paddling. ps It's an old unit but it is still working quite well.
RainGearRight	08/22/2012 02:19PM   I just stumbled across one of these at my cabin las weekend. It hadn't been used in years but fresh batteries and it fired right up. I'll be taking it with me tomorrow, heavy 6v batteries and all.
Bonvicken	05/16/2012 09:25PM   Fitgers, you need to determine how much current draw the unit has and what the input voltage range is. As has been stated on other recent threads, current Piranhamax units will operate from 10-20 VDC and draw somewhere between 65-120 milliamps, depending on the unit. Take the amp-hour rating of the battery you are using and divide by the current draw and you'll get a rough idea of how long you can run. You also need to take into account how much voltage you have left when the batteries completely die; that's somewhere around 1 V. If you are using 8 cells, the batteries are dead at 8V; if your locator shuts down at 10V, you aren't able to use the entire capacity of the batteries. In this case, you're better off using 10 batteries. Someone in another thread suggested using Lithium Ion rechargeables, as they have the highest power/weight ratio, but they are expensive and you need to be careful of how you use them. Contact Humminbird product support and ask them the following questions: 1. Current draw at 12V (with and without the light operating) 2. Operating voltage range 3. Whether or not it is a constant power load (current goes down as voltage goes up). Given this info, you'll be able to determine how long your unit will run using a given battery type. AA alkalines are around 2.5 amp hours; if your unit draws 100ma you'll get 25 hours assuming you're using the entire capacity of the battery. Let us know what you find out.
fitgers1	05/17/2012 07:34AM   Bonvicken, Thanks for that outstanding input. I did locate a copy of the manual on the Hummingbird website. I'll see if any of that information is in it and if not I'll give them a call and see if they can assist. Thanks again.
Sierra1	05/16/2012 07:05PM   I can let you know how the closed cell battery worked when I get back. Like I said I'm more concerned with how long the battery lasts and that it's rechargeable. I know they are heavy but I kind of put up with that because it works and I don't mind the extra weight. I haven't figured out how to recharge it in the woods yet. :)
Arlo Pankook	05/16/2012 08:13PM   I'm interested in how AA batteries would work too. I have two portables but the 12v batteries are just way too heavy for me. I have been bringing my little marcum "the flashlight" but I kind of miss having a screen.
Arlo Pankook	05/16/2012 12:01PM   Thread.
salukiguy	05/16/2012 12:18PM   I have the exact same locator. I love the portability but its too darm heavy to portage. Last trip one of the guys brought a different model that ran on AA batteries and the weight was probably 75% less.
Sierra1	05/16/2012 12:28PM   I posted a thread a couple of days ago about using a closed cell 12v battery in place of a holder with 8 D-cells in my Eagle Strada portable. I went with the closed cell in order to see if the time between charges would be longer than the time between battery changes. I'll find out next week if my theory is correct. I also have a Lowrance Green Box that uses the 6v lantern batteries. It's heavy but it works well and the batteries last a long time. I just don't know how 8 AA-cells would hold up for any length of time. The D-cells are physically larger so to me would hold a charge longer than the AA's. They would be alot heavier though....
fitgers1	05/16/2012 07:38AM   A couple weeks ago I had a quick post about batteries for a locator. I wanted to add some photos but haven't, until now. It is a Hummingbird Wide Eye locator. I did find some information on it. It goes down to about 600 feet. I have the temp sensor. It requires 12V does operate on two 6 volt batteries. So my original question concerning this is concerning the batteries. Seems I have read that 8 AA batteries can be put together to get the 12 volts. This can be done by buying an 8 AA battery holder pack from someplace like Radio Shack. Has anyone else here tried something like this? Can anyone confirm that the 8AA batteries should do the trick and supply the required voltage? I have never taken this to the BWCA because of the weight. Well, if I can replace two big 6V batteries with 8 AA batteries, I might bring it with this year on my first trip and give it a try. Neat thing about this locator is that it is set up with an early version of the side imaging sonar. I need a special transducer for this though. Basically it can be used for straight down and to the sides locating at the same time. Thanks and have a great day.
Arlo Pankook	05/16/2012 12:00PM   Well there is this Tread.
Ragged	05/17/2012 10:47AM   quote Bonvicken: " if your unit draws 100ma you'll get 25 hours assuming you're using the entire capacity of the battery. " Your post was pretty spot on but with an 10 volt min voltage you wont be able to use the entire capacity of the battery, not even close, voltage drops as the battery is dishcharged (I'm sure you know thisjust posting it for others), 100mah is a pretty low draw rate as well, my guess is this hog is going to be 150mah or more, also depending on the battery and draw I would think you would be lucky to see 1800mah of use out of 8 AA's, assuming a 10v min they will be useless by the time they discharge below 1.25 volts per cell and that will happen fairly quick. Still assuming a 1500 mah draw and 1800 mah of usable capacity puts you at over 10 hours of constant use, not bad. In my opinion the absolute holy grail of portable summer use fish finder batteries is what I’m running/developing right now, 14.8V Lithium polymer system, capacity is 100% usable, packs start at 16 volts and turn off at 12. Weight is 1/4 that of lead acid, it just doesn’t get any better than that! My packs are weather proof and use water tight trail-tec connectors, no bulky container to tote around.
Moosehopper	05/17/2012 07:20AM   I have had the same Hummingbird fish finder for many years and it has been an awesome unit. I just use the 6Volts and call it a day. I don't bring it up every year, but I am going to bring it this year. It is heavy, but I like seeing the structure of the lake and I really get excited every time I hear the beep of a fish under the canoe. I have to fly up to Duluth with this thing, and use it as a carry on, Oh well. Good luck to you and happy canoeing.
fitgers1	05/18/2012 07:34AM   Great information here bonvicken and ragged. thanks!
fitgers1	05/16/2012 01:33PM   quote Arlo Pankook: "Well there is this Tread. " Thank-you. I'll read through that tonight.
fitgers1	05/16/2012 01:36PM   quote Sierra1: "I posted a thread a couple of days ago about using a closed cell 12v battery in place of a holder with 8 D-cells in my Eagle Strada portable. I went with the closed cell in order to see if the time between charges would be longer than the time between battery changes. I'll find out next week if my theory is correct. I also have a Lowrance Green Box that uses the 6v lantern batteries. It's heavy but it works well and the batteries last a long time. I just don't know how 8 AA-cells would hold up for any length of time. The D-cells are physically larger so to me would hold a charge longer than the AA's. They would be alot heavier though...." I did read that thread Sierra. I quick thought was you are talking about the types of batteries in an ice fishing locator correct? Those are fairly hefty as well. I am interested in hearing how that battery works out for you. Concerning the AA vs D batteries, I figured it would be easier to carry a set or two of AA spares than it would the D's. Also, the D's would nearly take up the same amount of room as the 6V and as you stated, wouldn't save much weight. I suppose over all, it would be simpler to not screw with it and just deal with the 6V's eh?
blutofish1	05/16/2012 11:27AM   I haven't used a double a's but I have used 8 D cells. Worked great but much heavier.
fitgers1	05/16/2012 01:34PM   quote salukiguy: "I have the exact same locator. I love the portability but its too darm heavy to portage. Last trip one of the guys brought a different model that ran on AA batteries and the weight was probably 75% less. " Was it one of those Fishing Buddy things? I have looked at those but they seem to be more bulky and cumbersome to be portaging. I'd rather carry the box. I have looked at a portable model that Eagle has but I really didn't want that as I would prefer to try to get this one to adapt to less/lighter battery. This is a good locator. I bought it back in the 90's and haven't used it much in over 10 years. Hopefully it will be back into service this summer.
Arlo Pankook	05/17/2012 08:00AM   I thought I saw a pic of a small Plano waterproof tacklebox that someone used to house their AA's. I would be interested in seeing that again. Was the unit mounted to the box? I can't remember.
Bonvicken	05/17/2012 08:42PM   quote Ragged: " In my opinion the absolute holy grail of portable summer use fish finder batteries is what I’m running/developing right now, 14.8V Lithium polymer system, capacity is 100% usable, packs start at 16 volts and turn off at 12. Weight is 1/4 that of lead acid, it just doesn’t get any better than that! My packs are weather proof and use water tight trail-tec connectors, no bulky container to tote around. " Ragged, could you provide more info re: what batteries, charger, battery holder, and connector you are using? And how much your setup costs? Running a 10 AA alkaline setup is probably the best bang/buck, but I'd be interested in finding out how much I'd have to invest to implement the li-ion solution, obviously the solution with the best power/weight ratio. From there it's just a cost/benefit analysis...how much will you have to spend to get the ultimate lighweight/high power solution? For comparison sake, the 10 AA Alkaline setup weighs in at 9.8 oz. I didn't worry too much about weatherproofing; rainwater isn't conductive and at 15V there's not much to worry about safety-wise. It's definitely not corrosion-proof, though. It's not field-tested yet, but I don't anticipate any problems. Here's my setup: JB-welded two banana jacks to the battery holder; total cost about $5 (got the battery holder off eBay from a seller in Hong Kong). Mounted the locator (screws) and the battery pack (velcro) to a board that wedges up in the bow of my Sundowner. I plan on adding another 10 AA pack to the other side for a backup. I'll have to get some u-bolts to use it in the stern position, but my bow man will be doing all the structure scouting during my upcoming trip in two weeks.
Arlo Pankook	05/18/2012 08:16AM   Keep us updated if you complete a project there fitgers1. I'm thinking I might have to trick out a unit myself. I'm surprised someone hasn't come up with an aftermarket kit for converting your locater to an ultra light setup...hint,hint,hint.
LamboSleeper	05/19/2012 10:52AM   Fitgers, Here's a homemade 10-cell alkaline holder. I've used it with an older Humminbird LCD, as well as my present (but older) Eagle Cuda 168. The battery holder is water resistant, no special o-ring seals (a chance I'm willing to take...the cheapskate that I am. My locators are rated at 800 W peak power (100 watts RMS) I suspect that your portable will have similar output. Therefore, 10 AA alkalines will probably work fine for even a 2 week trip (as long as you remember to turn it off?). I always carry an extra set of batteries, but have never used them on 6 trips to Quetico. I highly recommend using 10 cells instead of 8. Check the voltage specs of your locator (probably 10-17 volts). Using the locator 2-3 hours per day, I've never run out of juice on a 7-10 day Quetico trip. Lithium would be better for cold weather (and slightly lighter), but alkalines are better bang for the buck, especially when you buy them in bulk packages. Any major brand is acceptable, even Radeo Shark (Yeah, I know its misspelled). My transducer is epoxied inside the hull, sternmost as possible. Works great, except temperature reading is off, as expected. I can even track my spoon right under the boat when vertical jigging 75 feet for lakers. A real cheap but compact setup. Let me know if you need any more help. A lot of great feedback on this post.
Bonvicken	05/19/2012 11:16AM   quote LamboSleeper: " Fitgers, Here's a homemade 10-cell alkaline holder. " Lambo, that is SO cool...can't keep my inner geek at bay, that's an awesome design! It probably wouldn't make it thru airport security, though....