Check your battery!

[polokid]

[font "Arial"][red][size 3]In the past I never took care of my ice fishing sonar battery when I stored it for the summer. Just put it in storage and forgot about it. On my first trip out for the past seasons I would be majorly disappointed when my battery would only work for a short amount of time due to built up "battery memory."[/size][/red][/font]
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[font "Arial"][red][size 3]So last year I bought one of these:[/size][/red][/font]
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[font "Arial"][red][size 3]I know some people on this board have built in battery gauges, but this only cost $11. I periodically checked the battery over the summer and put a charge on it when it would get low. [/size][/red][/font]
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[font "Arial"][red][size 3]In anticipation of the ice season I hooked my sonar up and let it run on sonar simulator for 2 hours just to check the battery capacity. Now I have more confidence this year that my battery will last longer than 30 minutes on my first trip and have to buy a new battery when I get home. Just some advice! [/size][/red][/font]
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[DKSRenegade]

I read a post from someone that found their battery was bad the first trip out ice fishing this year. He went back to his truck and got his emergency jump starter/light and used it to power his finder.
I think that I will pick up one of those. They look to come in very handy.
In fact,that will go on my Christmas wish list!
I like your idea about drainning the battery and charging it before taking it on the ice.I will do that this weekend.
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[Theekillerbee]

It's a good reminder. No fun to fish "blind" after you are spoiled with a good finder.
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[polokid]

I dont necessarily drain the battery, but check it for overall endurance from a full charge. BTW. I picked that juice gauge up from sportsmans last year here in Midvale. I know marcum makes one that you wire into your battery system, ask petty about it he has one. Mine is produced by minn kota.
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[Gumbo]

Different battery technologies behave differently--and must be treated differently. If your battery is a NiCad, then yes, it will develop memory. But not if it's a NiMH, which have all but replaced NiCads. Likewise, lead-acid batteries are an entirely different beast.

Either way, you're right. They all need to be cared for properly. So know what kind of battery you have and how best to maintain it.
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