07-18-2004, 09:01 PM
I wouldn't know about how much is left since I don't concern myself with that on the water. I guess it would take some effort recording the voltage over time. The fact that the SLA batteries need to be charged ASAP after use eliminates the possibility of not charging it till it gets low. The longer you wait to fully charge the faster you shorten the life of the battery.
Actually the manual says 110 miliamps as power drain. I just think of it in terms of a quarter amp per hour just to be safe. I don't think theres any way that you can get a 5 amp and especially a 7.5 amp battery down to unsafe levels in a days fishing using our sonar units. I would think if using a voltometer you wouldn't want the output to get below 12 amps or it will be empty.
I attached the spec sheet for my 5 amp battery. I use the numbers in there to determine if it's full or close to it. The reason I asked which battery you have is to find out if it has pressure release valves. I'm not sure if all SLA bateries do but if it does there is no way to over fill it and when you hear that high pitched squeaking sound under charge it is full. At full my battery reads around 13.2 volts and I keep it on the charger till it gets a reading (under charge) of 14.8 volts. This is usually around the time It starts to "squeak" do to over filling.
You can actually charge the battery till it releases gas then take a reading and thats your full point under charge. then take a reading a few min. after you take it off the charger and thats the reading at full charge. during the off season check it from time to time and if it is much below that number charge it up alittle more.
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Actually the manual says 110 miliamps as power drain. I just think of it in terms of a quarter amp per hour just to be safe. I don't think theres any way that you can get a 5 amp and especially a 7.5 amp battery down to unsafe levels in a days fishing using our sonar units. I would think if using a voltometer you wouldn't want the output to get below 12 amps or it will be empty.
I attached the spec sheet for my 5 amp battery. I use the numbers in there to determine if it's full or close to it. The reason I asked which battery you have is to find out if it has pressure release valves. I'm not sure if all SLA bateries do but if it does there is no way to over fill it and when you hear that high pitched squeaking sound under charge it is full. At full my battery reads around 13.2 volts and I keep it on the charger till it gets a reading (under charge) of 14.8 volts. This is usually around the time It starts to "squeak" do to over filling.
You can actually charge the battery till it releases gas then take a reading and thats your full point under charge. then take a reading a few min. after you take it off the charger and thats the reading at full charge. during the off season check it from time to time and if it is much below that number charge it up alittle more.
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