06-18-2004, 11:34 AM
[cool][blue][size 1]It sounds like you are looking at different kinds of sonars, with different "peak to peak" watts. The higher the wattage, the more juice per hour (amp/hours) it will drain from the battery. Some of the cheaper and less powerful units take less than 1/2 amp per hour, while bigger ones may take 2 or 3. Divide that into the amp/hour rating of the battery and you will see approximately how long it will last under constant load. [/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]As an example, a small 1/2 amp/hour unit will last 12 hours on a 6 amp battery. A 2 amp/hour unit would last only 3 hours. However, as a rule it is not good to drain the battery totally dry before recharging, and it should be recharged as soon as possible when you are through using it.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]If your question was along the lines of how big of a floodlight could you light up with that small battery, you are on your own. As long as you are using a 12 volt system, almost anything will operate off a gel cel for the calculated period of time.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Will a small gel cell start your vehicle if your regular battery goes dead? No. There is not enough "cranking amps" to even make the starter motor hum. I know. I had to hike several miles out to get a jump start once when my vehicle battery died in the Arizona heat...when it was over a hundred degrees...and I was way to heck back in on a remote lake arm. My sonar battery wouldn't get it.[/size][/#0000ff]
[signature]
[#0000ff][size 1]As an example, a small 1/2 amp/hour unit will last 12 hours on a 6 amp battery. A 2 amp/hour unit would last only 3 hours. However, as a rule it is not good to drain the battery totally dry before recharging, and it should be recharged as soon as possible when you are through using it.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]If your question was along the lines of how big of a floodlight could you light up with that small battery, you are on your own. As long as you are using a 12 volt system, almost anything will operate off a gel cel for the calculated period of time.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Will a small gel cell start your vehicle if your regular battery goes dead? No. There is not enough "cranking amps" to even make the starter motor hum. I know. I had to hike several miles out to get a jump start once when my vehicle battery died in the Arizona heat...when it was over a hundred degrees...and I was way to heck back in on a remote lake arm. My sonar battery wouldn't get it.[/size][/#0000ff]
[signature]