12-13-2019, 05:51 PM
[#0000FF]I assume you are talking about the little 12 volt SLA (sealed lead acid) batteries.[/#0000FF]
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"[#0000FF][#000000][size 3]In the past my experience has been that they last longer than a full day on the ice....usually have lasted two trips before needing a charge." [/size][/#000000][/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]First of all, they are not originally intended to be "deep cycle" batteries...running them to failure before recharging. But that is the best shot we have for a small battery for sonar applications.
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[#0000FF]Probably the single most important factor...for long life and good output is to charge them fully before each use and then again as soon as you get home from a trip. Use a small .5 to .8 amp trickle charger and not a high amp charger for auto batteries.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Try to get a charger with an indicator light to show when the battery is charged...or one that maintains the battery at full charge when not in use. Also, instead of a multimeter, get a simple voltage tester.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Most good SLA 12 volt batteries will show over 13 volts when fully charged. But most will maintain a "resting charge" of about 12.7 volts. If your battery drops much below that in a short time after a full charge you probably need to replace it. They last several years with proper use and maintenance but they all fail...especially when completely drained before charging and when allowed to sit uncharged for long periods.
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[#0000FF]There is a lot of difference in how much juice a sonar sucks from your batteries. Some can run all day on a 7 amp/hour battery. Others need at least a 9 a/h or higher. Always a good idea to carry an extra for long days on the ice...and to not run them clear to failure before replacing with a fully charged one.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Like all batteries, SLA batteries last longer and have better output if kept warm. Cold kills batteries. So if you can keep your battery in an insulated container...maybe with a hand warmer packet...you will get longer life on cold days.
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"[#0000FF][#000000][size 3]In the past my experience has been that they last longer than a full day on the ice....usually have lasted two trips before needing a charge." [/size][/#000000][/#0000FF]
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[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]First of all, they are not originally intended to be "deep cycle" batteries...running them to failure before recharging. But that is the best shot we have for a small battery for sonar applications.
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]Probably the single most important factor...for long life and good output is to charge them fully before each use and then again as soon as you get home from a trip. Use a small .5 to .8 amp trickle charger and not a high amp charger for auto batteries.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]Try to get a charger with an indicator light to show when the battery is charged...or one that maintains the battery at full charge when not in use. Also, instead of a multimeter, get a simple voltage tester.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]Most good SLA 12 volt batteries will show over 13 volts when fully charged. But most will maintain a "resting charge" of about 12.7 volts. If your battery drops much below that in a short time after a full charge you probably need to replace it. They last several years with proper use and maintenance but they all fail...especially when completely drained before charging and when allowed to sit uncharged for long periods.
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]There is a lot of difference in how much juice a sonar sucks from your batteries. Some can run all day on a 7 amp/hour battery. Others need at least a 9 a/h or higher. Always a good idea to carry an extra for long days on the ice...and to not run them clear to failure before replacing with a fully charged one.[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]
[/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]Like all batteries, SLA batteries last longer and have better output if kept warm. Cold kills batteries. So if you can keep your battery in an insulated container...maybe with a hand warmer packet...you will get longer life on cold days.
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