Will Wright Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 Hey guys just wondering is there such thing as a portable fish finder? As in one you charge at home then take onto the water? I don't like the idea and hassle of a battery on my kayak. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 I had a Hummingbird Piranamax 160 which I still use the portable housing that has the 12V battery in it but have replaced the hummingbird screen & transducer for a Lowrance Not sure they do them here anymore?? https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/193919452595?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28 https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/303753824512?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Wright Posted March 8, 2021 Author Share Posted March 8, 2021 4 minutes ago, kingie chaser said: I had a Hummingbird Piranamax 160 which I still use the portable housing that has the 12V battery in it but have replaced the hummingbird screen & transducer for a Lowrance Not sure they do them here anymore?? https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/193919452595?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28 https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/303753824512?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28 Is there anywhere you can buy the housing with the battery on its own? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelm Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 A small battery to run a sounder will weigh next to nothing, and the right type won't spill if tipped over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SquibblyDibbly Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 I found this one online, takes batteries, can attach to kayak, not a clue if it is any good 😂 https://www.a shop.com.au/Portable-Fishing-Handheld-Fishfinder-Transducer/dp/B07DLR7F9V/ref=asc_df_B07DLR7F9V/?tag=googleshopmob-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=341792260016&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7070221977397161454&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9071931&hvtargid=pla-874672189573&psc=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 (edited) 37 minutes ago, Will Wright said: Is there anywhere you can buy the housing with the battery on its own? The battery is just a 12V 7ah battery you can get anywhere like battery world or Jaycar, no idea about the housing, I double they sell them on their own?. Hummingbird still have the Piranhamax on their Aus website so maybe send them an inquiry https://humminbird.com.au/piranhamax-series/ Edited March 8, 2021 by kingie chaser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 (edited) Pretty sure Garmin do a stiker verson of a similar thing to the HB as well except with just using 2xAA's https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Garmin-Striker-4-Portable-Bundle-3-5-CHIRP-Fishfinder-with-GPS-Portable-Kit-/172866750125 Again, not sure how available they are here but just look them up. Edited March 8, 2021 by kingie chaser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Wright Posted March 8, 2021 Author Share Posted March 8, 2021 1 hour ago, kingie chaser said: The battery is just a 12V 7ah battery you can get anywhere like battery world or Jaycar, no idea about the housing, I double they sell them on their own?. Hummingbird still have the Piranhamax on their Aus website so maybe send them an inquiry https://humminbird.com.au/piranhamax-series/ Would this battery do? And how long would it last with a electric and the sounder hooked up on it? https://www.jaycar.com.au/12v-7-2ah-sla-battery-nbn-back-up-battery/p/SB2486 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 1 minute ago, Will Wright said: Would this battery do? And how long would it last with a electric and the sounder hooked up on it? https://www.jaycar.com.au/12v-7-2ah-sla-battery-nbn-back-up-battery/p/SB2486 Electric ???? Thats the exact one I have, run time depends on the size/draw, you need to look at the draw of all the items being powered to work out how long you can get out of it but I would say I would get 3 or 4 four hour sessions out of mine. I still charge it after a couple of trips anyway, lead acid batteries dont like to be drawn down more than 50% otherwise they reduce their lifespan. If you look at that Garmin it runs on 2AA's, wont last that long, you would need to charge them every session. I have a Garmin handheld GPS that uses the same rechargable batteries, if they run low I just pop in some normal AA's into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Wright Posted March 8, 2021 Author Share Posted March 8, 2021 11 minutes ago, kingie chaser said: Electric ???? Thats the exact one I have, run time depends on the size/draw, you need to look at the draw of all the items being powered to work out how long you can get out of it but I would say I would get 3 or 4 four hour sessions out of mine. I still charge it after a couple of trips anyway, lead acid batteries dont like to be drawn down more than 50% otherwise they reduce their lifespan. If you look at that Garmin it runs on 2AA's, wont last that long, you would need to charge them every session. I have a Garmin handheld GPS that uses the same rechargable batteries, if they run low I just pop in some normal AA's into it. Ok thanks, would I be able to run an electric motor and a fish finder on that battery? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 23 minutes ago, Will Wright said: Ok thanks, would I be able to run an electric motor and a fish finder on that battery? I have pretty much of answered your question as best I can from this side of the computer screen, find out hour many amps or watts all the items draw & use a calculator like one of these to determine. https://www.caravansplus.com.au/guides/calculating-how-big-your-battery-needs-to-be-a-44.html https://www.batterystuff.com/kb/tools/calculator-sizing-a-battery-to-a-load.html http://www.referencedesigner.com/cal/cal_54.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volitan Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 I had the same need so bought a Garmin 301c and a sla battery and mounted them in a hard case I bought from Bunnings. It works well and is quite compact, although if you don’t have the transducer mounted then they are never very convenient. I have the same 7 ah battery as mentioned, plus a 5ah one which is about half the size and usually enough for a session. I also have one of the Lucky units which Squidly-Dibbly showed. I bought it very cheaply just as a quick and easy way to get depth measurements and haven’t really used it for finding fish. It’s quite a robust unit and accurate for depth and bottom type but I doubt it’s usefulness for finding fish. I think they are popular with ice fisherman who have a static view of the bottom so when a fish swims past its quite unequivocal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Wright Posted March 8, 2021 Author Share Posted March 8, 2021 3 hours ago, kingie chaser said: I have pretty much of answered your question as best I can from this side of the computer screen, find out hour many amps or watts all the items draw & use a calculator like one of these to determine. https://www.caravansplus.com.au/guides/calculating-how-big-your-battery-needs-to-be-a-44.html https://www.batterystuff.com/kb/tools/calculator-sizing-a-battery-to-a-load.html http://www.referencedesigner.com/cal/cal_54.php Cheers mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savit Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 My setup is portable - DIY, may be considered a bit ugly, however cheap, light and does a job for a kayak. - Lowrance 4 or 4.5"? with sonar/downvision/Navionics - 5L? waterproof bag from Kmart (holds finder + battery on the bottom and protects from most splashes and any water inside kayak) - battery box -small Sistema from Wollies, - batteries - rechargable AAs from Aldi, aprx a dozen from memory. - wiring/ AA batteries case- from Jaycar - removable transducer arm - cut and bent aluminium 'stick' from Bunnings. Lasts 3 of 2-3hrs sessions (enough for me), all batteries have to be removed at home and charged, then packed back. Total weight of battery setup - 300-350gram. Almost forgot - removable fishfinder hood (protects from direct sunlight and also splashes) - half-cut 1L Weiss ice cream box. I think they do not sell it here anymore since the company sale, all goes for export. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingie chaser Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 (edited) 6 hours ago, savit said: My setup is portable - DIY, may be considered a bit ugly, however cheap, light and does a job for a kayak. - Lowrance 4 or 4.5"? with sonar/downvision/Navionics - 5L? waterproof bag from Kmart (holds finder + battery on the bottom and protects from most splashes and any water inside kayak) - battery box -small Sistema from Wollies, - batteries - rechargable AAs from Aldi, aprx a dozen from memory. - wiring/ AA batteries case- from Jaycar - removable transducer arm - cut and bent aluminium 'stick' from Bunnings. Lasts 3 of 2-3hrs sessions (enough for me), all batteries have to be removed at home and charged, then packed back. Total weight of battery setup - 300-350gram. Almost forgot - removable fishfinder hood (protects from direct sunlight and also splashes) - half-cut 1L Weiss ice cream box. I think they do not sell it here anymore since the company sale, all goes for export. I like people who can think outside the square & come up with DIY solutions I'd like to see a picture if you have one? During Covid lockdown & when I was out of work for a prolonged time I installed my own dual battery system in my 4x4, some of it was with things I bought like power control box & 1500w invertor but had to learn how about 12v power systems, wiring & put it all together. Pretty rewarding & probably saved me about $1500/2000. Edited March 8, 2021 by kingie chaser 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwibrown Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 15 hours ago, SquibblyDibbly said: I found this one online, takes batteries, can attach to kayak, not a clue if it is any good 😂 https://www.a shop.com.au/Portable-Fishing-Handheld-Fishfinder-Transducer/dp/B07DLR7F9V/ref=asc_df_B07DLR7F9V/?tag=googleshopmob-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=341792260016&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7070221977397161454&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9071931&hvtargid=pla-874672189573&psc=1 i've got one of these as it seemed like a really easy/lazy option for someone with little diy capability. Didnt want the hassle of installation on my kayak which is just one of the generic online jobs. I cant compare it to other sounders but by all accounts its pretty accurate re depth and bottom make up. I'm not too sure about its accuracy in marking fish. I mainly use it as a depth reader but somehow now feel a bit naked without it. Its as easy to use as youd think. Drop the reader thingy over the side about 15cm underwater and turn it on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savit Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 (edited) 3 hours ago, kingie chaser said: I like people who can think outside the square & come up with DIY solutions I'd like to see a picture if you have one? During Covid lockdown & when I was out of work for a prolonged time I installed my own dual battery system in my 4x4, some of it was with things I bought like power control box & 1500w invertor but had to learn how about 12v power systems, wiring & put it all together. Pretty rewarding & probably saved me about $1500/2000. Photo attached. Could not find the one on a 'boat' as old photos were back uped somewhere during old phone replacement. A few other things. - another/bigger waterproof bag - to keep a small bag (with finder/battery) and a transducer with its cabling together and as extra layer of protection - when transporting or going through surf with some chance of U-boating. - blue promotional bottle cooler with zipper protects transducer when moving places - blue foam ring helps keep trans leg in a fixed position related to kayak. - carabiners - to keep the bag with goods connected to a kayak. - 1.5l water bottle is just for a size comparison. A bit of sweaty challenge in this DIY project was a making a hole in a softer Alu stick (to connect a transducer) with a screwdriver LOL (due to limited tools in availability), the rest was a piece of chalk 😀. Edited March 8, 2021 by savit 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobson Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 Hi I own a "Lucky" brand hand held fish finder/sounder that I bought on line from "Wish" in China. I have used it for about 3 years , it's USB rechargeable , does everything the cheaper fixed units can do and has been really reliable /has a floating transducer that I have tethered to an old hand caster It's waterproof but make sure you get the better ones as I can't speak for the sub $100 units Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthman Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 as some may have said above, consider the following setup - little bit of effort upfront, but then very easy to setup when you go out: 1. Small sounder - Striker series, for example 2. Install sounder in a "through-hull" configuration. Basically inside your kayak you make a little mould for your transducer, with space all around and above, and silicone it - make sure there are no bubbles : 3. Make a little box for a lifepo4 battery - very very light and will last all day. Make box from a spare tupperware container, modded to pass through cables and sealed with silicone 4. drill hole to allow signal cable through to the top where you would mount/dismount your sounder (i use a spare rod holder slot - modded a PVC tube to hold the sounder). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volitan Posted April 17, 2021 Share Posted April 17, 2021 Hey Anthman, I hadn’t heard of Lifepo4 till you mentioned it. Looks interesting but can’t get the details I want with Google. Can you show us your battery - and give us details like price, weight, size and ruggedness. cheers Volitan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthman Posted April 18, 2021 Share Posted April 18, 2021 (edited) On 4/17/2021 at 7:28 PM, Volitan said: Hey Anthman, I hadn’t heard of Lifepo4 till you mentioned it. Looks interesting but can’t get the details I want with Google. Can you show us your battery - and give us details like price, weight, size and ruggedness. cheers Volitan Hey Volitan, I got it wrong, it's lipo not lifepo4 (though you can buy lifepo4 aswell, it's not what I have). Here is the link to the exact battery I use: https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy-battery-5000mah-3s-25c-lipo-pack-xt-90.html?___store=en_us Depending on your budget, Id prob go a 5ah lifepo4 for better ruggedness and chemical stability (lower risk of blowing up supposedly!) Edited April 18, 2021 by anthman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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