Batteries for echo sounder: tips for choosing, best models, price, reviews

In fishing, additional gadgets are widely used, which not only increase the productivity of fishing, but also facilitate the process of landing fish.

One of the most commonly used gadgets are echo sounders; for longer operation of the product, batteries for an echo sounder are often used. When choosing a battery, the type of echo sounder and its characteristics are of great importance.

Why does a fish finder need a battery?

When fishing for a long time, very often additional fishing gadgets are discharged and require additional recharging.

When using an echo sounder, the battery is usually sufficient for 4-5 hours of continuous operation, depending on the product model. Therefore, very often devices are purchased for recharging.

Let's celebrate! For echo sounders, special types of batteries are used, which are specifically designed for this type of product.

Battery for echo sounder

The choice of battery for an echo sounder depends primarily on the current and voltage consumed by the echo sounder and on the duration of use of the device. The longer you scan the bottom, the more powerful (higher capacity) battery you need. As for the current consumed by the echo sounder, this value depends on the type of sensor and the power of its radiation and on the display (color or b/w, diagonal size, resolution in pixels). A more powerful sensor that penetrates to a depth of more than 300 meters will consume more energy than 100 meter emitters. Also, color, high-contrast displays with high resolution are more power-hungry and require a battery with a larger capacity for prolonged use. Don’t forget about the time of day during which you are going to fish with an echo sounder. In the evening or at night, the display needs backlighting, which significantly increases energy consumption, by about 40-90 milliamps, which can often amount to up to 1/3 of the total energy consumed by the echo sounder.

For example: a Humminibird 718 echo sounder with a 13 cm diagonal monochrome display, with a resolution of 320*320 pixels, during the day without backlight we consume approximately 200 milliamps, and at night, with the backlight on, it is already 250 milliamps. Noticeable increase.

Formula for calculating the battery capacity for an echo sounder

(daytime without backlight*energy consumption)+(nighttime with backlight*energy consumption)=result in ampere hours

Based on the experience of using echo sounders while fishing, it takes approximately 4 hours of battery operation of the echo sounder to find fish throughout the day. Just in case, we’ll add one more evening hour, in case we had to linger a little and fish an interesting area. Based on these data, let's try to calculate the battery power for the Humminbird 718 fish finder.

(4h*0.2A)+(1h*0.250A) = 1.05 Ah

In addition to the above, be sure to take into account the technical features of your echo sounder. If you have it combined with a chartplotter and you use GLONASS or GPS positioning, this will also increase its energy consumption. To accurately calculate everything and not be left on the water without electricity and communications, take a look at the instruction manual for your device.

As for mounting the battery for an echo sounder on board a boat or boat, there are no ready-made and universal solutions for this. There are, of course, special cases for echo sounders, where a special place is provided for them, but then you will have to specifically select a battery of a certain size for them. But this does not completely solve the problem, because... The case itself in the boat is also often nowhere to be secured, and you will have to look for a solution to this issue yourself.

You can read about the types of boat batteries themselves and the features of their selection here and here.

Tags
equipment echo sounder

Types of batteries for echo sounders

When choosing a device to recharge the echo sounder, you can use the following types of batteries:

Lead-acid batteries are the most common and high-quality batteries used for recharging. However, such products are large in size, which in some cases can cause discomfort during transportation. Despite the large dimensions of the batteries, they have a low level of self-discharge and quickly charge echo sounders.
Lead-acid gel batteries are used for devices that are fully discharged. Batteries charge echo sounders efficiently and quickly, but they have some disadvantages, such as poor tolerance to low temperatures and a high level of battery self-discharge.
Alkaline batteries - used for portable products that are often carried while fishing. The advantage of such a battery is that the batteries are light in weight and can always be with the fisherman. However, such batteries have a short lifespan and typically require constant recharging.

Note! When choosing a battery, you must first take into account the power of the product, as well as the duration of fishing.

Batteries for 12 volt echo sounder

Some types of products have high power and a large number of functions, so to recharge them it is necessary to use more powerful batteries that have 12 Volts.

Using a 12-volt echo sounder battery in winter

There are models of echo sounders that are able to view the water column through the ice. These echo sounders are used by fishermen during ice fishing. Their use imposes certain requirements on batteries used in winter. A prerequisite is to store the battery in a constantly charged state.

In addition, when choosing a battery for use in winter, you must remember that AGM batteries provide operation at ambient temperatures down to -20 degrees Celsius, losing up to 30% of their capacity.

How to choose a battery?

When choosing a battery, you must consider the following features:

size;
the presence of additional functions and the power consumption capacity of the device;
the ability to operate the battery in any position;
the device’s light weight and dimensions allow the battery to be moved during transportation;
the type of device that will be used for charging;
the battery must be protected from moisture and placed in a waterproof case;
the ability to recharge at different times of the year.

Note! The duration of recharging is also of great importance. If you frequently use the sensor for fishing, you should give preference to batteries with a power of at least 12 volts, this will ensure uninterrupted operation of the gadget for a long time.

How to choose

For uninterrupted operation of the echo sounder, batteries with an operating voltage of 12 V and a capacity of 1 to 15 Ah are used.

Strange as it may sound, the main parameters influencing the choice of a maintenance-free battery are its overall dimensions. After all, the location for the battery is determined by the design of the echo sounder or floating craft, and the selected battery should fit there without any problems.

It is also necessary to pay attention to its performance in the temperature range from -10 to +40 degrees Celsius and to:

ability to work in any position;
tightness;
light weight;

Batteries connected in series with a voltage of 1.5 V x 8 = 12 V can also be used as a power source for the echo sounder. However, this option is less economical, since during fishing you need to have several spare sets of batteries on hand. In addition, you need to make your own special waterproof container to place them.

The best batteries for echo sounders, their prices

When choosing a battery model, many fishermen may encounter such a problem as a large selection of chargers. It is necessary to highlight the most common battery models, which have repeatedly proven their quality.

FIAMM FG 20451

The battery device, made in Italy, is considered one of the high-quality products that are widely used for charging various types of products.

The battery has the following characteristics:

capacity 12 Volt;
maximum discharge - 45 A;
device weight – 1.58 kg;
size -90-70-102 mm;
service guarantee of at least 5 years;
stamps with a diameter of -4.8 mm.

When purchasing this type of charger, the buyer receives a warranty card. The cost of the battery is from 1300 rubles.

Delta DTM 1209

Chinese product for charging, has the following characteristics:

battery capacity -8.5 Ah;
discharge -100 A;
size -115-65-100;
weight -2.65 kg;
stamps -4.8 mm;
The service life of the battery is at least 5 years.

Cost 1500 rubles.

BB Battery HR 15-12

Product made in China, 12 Volt device, widely used for charging various types of fishing products.

The product has the following characteristics:

capacity -15 Ah;
discharge -180 A;
size – 151-98-98;
weight -4.2 kg;
has a service life of up to 5 years.

Average cost from 1300 rubles.

Battery for 12 volt echo sounder - review of models with prices

When choosing a battery for an echo sounder, you need to pay attention to its quality and reliability. After all, being tempted by a low price, you can purchase a battery from an unknown manufacturer, and the possibility cannot be ruled out that it will let the potential consumer down at the most crucial moment.

Therefore, without paying attention to products of dubious quality, we will consider the technical characteristics of popular models of 12 volt AGM batteries of various capacities, which are in demand among fishing enthusiasts.

FIAMM FG 20451 (Italy) costing from 1072 to 1131 rubles.

capacity, Ah – 4.5;
discharge current, A, max – 45
overall dimensions, mm – 90x70x102;
weight, kg – 1.58;
service life, years, not less than 5;
terminal type – FASTON clamp (4.8 mm).

Delta DTM 1209 (China), the price of which is 1202-1273 rubles.

capacity, Ah – 8.5;
discharge current, A, max – 100;
overall dimensions, mm – 151x65x100;
weight, kg – 2.65;
service life, years, not less than 5.

BB Battery HR 15-12 (China), price – 1189-1347 rub.

capacity, Ah – 15;
discharge current, A, max – 180;
overall dimensions, mm – 151x98x98;
weight, kg – 4.2;
service life, years, not less than -5;
output type – strip T2/T1.

The process of connecting the battery to the echo sounder

In order to connect the device to the battery, you must use a special cable that comes with the charger. This cable has a special connector that is used to connect to the battery.

The second part of the wires does not have any devices and are bare. This is necessary to connect to the battery.

The exposed wires are connected to the terminals, and the fishing gadget begins to charge. After connecting, it is recommended to turn on the device and check for charging.

Battery charger

For helium and lead-acid devices, special chargers are used that allow the battery to be charged. These devices have a certain amount of supplied current; if other chargers are used, the device may become unusable.

Note! The charger has a fuse that stops the flow of current after the battery reaches the required charge. The device also prevents the risk of battery burning in the event of a short circuit or power failure.

Charger

When using chargers, the service life of AGM batteries is from 3 to 5 years. It is also advisable to keep the battery in a constantly charged state.

An echo sounder battery made using AGM technology requires a special charger that operates in automatic mode.

Of course, you can use regular car charging to charge batteries, but its use can lead to failure of the AGM battery due to a violation of the charging algorithm.

The fact is that to charge them, a charging current is required, which is 10% of the battery capacity.

The charger, designed for use in conjunction with AGM batteries, not only provides support for a given charging algorithm, but also independently stops this process upon reaching the required capacity, switching to the battery self-discharge current compensation mode.

In addition, the charger protects the battery from:

short circuit;
overload;
polarity reversal.

There are a large number of different chargers of this type, but most often fishermen use domestic devices “Sonar U3” (charging batteries with a capacity of 4 to 15 Ah) and “Sonar U3 DS (charging batteries from 2 to 10 Ah). The cost of these chargers is no more than 750 rubles.

Reviews from anglers

I use a lead-acid device for charging. The device is quite bulky, but it charges well and allows you to fish for a long time using an echo sounder. This type of charging device can be used in extreme cold. Grade:

Nikolai

I use a charger from the manufacturer Delta, it has been in service for more than 3 years, and it has never failed. The device has small dimensions, which allows it to be conveniently installed in a boat while fishing. Upon purchase I received a work guarantee coupon. I consider the battery to be of high quality and affordable for most users. Grade:

Igor

The need for a battery arises when using fishing gadgets frequently and for a long time. Despite the fact that the batteries are large, I consider such a device necessary, since in some cases 5 hours of operation of a fishing gadget is not enough. In addition, many echo sounders operate for a much shorter period than indicated in the characteristics. Grade:

Michael

I would like to share my experience of using BB Battery HR 15-12. I have been using the device for a long time. Suitable not only for charging fishing gadgets, but also for other products. The weight of the device is large; however, if you go fishing by car, this does not cause any discomfort. The kit includes a charger and a special cord for connecting to the gadget. The charge holds for a long time in any weather. Grade:

Leonid

I rarely use additional gadgets for fishing and not for a long time, so I use regular batteries, which I charge using a special device for charging alkaline batteries. I believe that there is no need to purchase a battery directly for an echo sounder, unless a person spends most of his time fishing. In order for the echo sounder to work for a long time, it is necessary to choose high-quality models and turn off the product when not in use.

Grade:

Maksim

Rechargeable batteries can be of different types, so when choosing to recharge an echo sounder, you must take into account all the features of the device. The period of use of the product is also of great importance, since many batteries lose their charge at low temperatures and require connection to the electrical network.

Let's celebrate! Experts advise not to save on purchasing batteries, since a high-quality product will last a long time and has a warranty card that will allow you to replace a damaged battery if necessary.

Rules and methods for charging a 12-volt motorcycle battery

Correct selection of the basic parameters of the supplied electricity and procedure time helps to avoid battery damage.

General charging scheme

Using any charging method involves performing the following actions:

Dismantling the battery. The device is removed from the engine compartment. The plugs are removed from the top of the housing. Measure the density of the acid solution using a hydrometer.
Determination of charge level. The electrolyte density of a fully charged battery is 1.23 g/cm³. If the charge is reduced by 50%, the hydrometer will give a reading of 1.2. At a critical discharge, a smaller number appears.
Connecting the charger. Polarity must be observed.
Selecting the required current strength. If the instructions do not indicate recommended readings, set 10% of the nominal battery capacity.
Charger. The process is continued until the electrolyte density increases to 1.25.

Motorcycle battery charging diagram.

Fast charging

The process accelerates when a powerful current is applied. The procedure for performing the actions does not differ from that for standard charging, however, the duration of the procedure is reduced to 6 hours.

It is not recommended to use the method too often. The electrodes begin to crumble, causing the capacitance to decrease or a short circuit to occur. Sometimes the wrong choice of parameters leads to rupture of the case.

Charging an acid battery

To restore battery power, a current of 0.1 *C is supplied, where C is the rated power of the battery. To select a value, use the lever located on the charger body.

When the voltage reaches levels equal to the number of battery cans multiplied by 2, active gas formation begins. This indicates the need to reduce the power of supplied electricity by 50%.

Acid-acid motorcycle battery.

Constant current

To calculate the current, you need to divide the battery capacity by 10. For example, for a battery with a capacity of 60 Ah, this parameter will be 6 A. Constant electricity is obtained using an automatic charger.

The device constantly maintains the required current power and monitors the voltage. When fully charged, the current supplied by the charger decreases sharply.

Charging at a stable voltage

The charging time of a 12-volt battery depends on the voltage supplied by the charger. When supplying 16.4 V, this process will take 24 hours. The charge is restored automatically. There is no need to monitor the electrolyte condition. When the voltage at the terminals of the charger and battery is equalized, the procedure is stopped.

Using a current stabilizer

The introduction of this device into the electrical circuit prevents the electrolyte from boiling or the destruction of the plates. If the voltage increases sharply, the electrodes close. The battery stops gaining charge. The stabilizer equalizes the voltage, preventing overcharging. The current power when using this method is 0.05 *C.

Pulse current

Pulse chargers supply electricity with variable strength and voltage. Indicators change at certain intervals. When applying symmetrical current, the polarity is reversed in each cycle. When pulsating current is applied, the voltage and strength increase at different intervals.

Charging a maintenance free battery

The process is not much different from charging a serviced battery. However, the current power should not exceed 10% of the battery capacity. When connecting the charger to the battery terminals, observe the polarity. During the procedure, parameters are not allowed to increase. If this happens, the indicator is adjusted. The charge level is assessed by the voltage at the terminals.