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So, what size of SLA battery are you running for your ice sonar? Mine died and I'm looking around for a new one. I have a 12v, 7ah battery. Just curious what sizes everyone else is running? Also, what charger are you using? I've been using my car battery charger set to 2amp output and my last SLA battery last at least 10 years! What are you using to charge your mini batteries?
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Scott,
I've went to lithium batteries and use 10 amp-hour batteries and they last me a full trip, but I don't fish 12 hours a day very often. Check Amazon and they have some cheaper lithium's and I've had pretty good luck with the one I got. Those batteries have come with a charger when I bought them so it takes care of your charger issue as well... Good luck... PS... I did get one of the Marcum Brute Lithium's and its been really good for my fish finder, but it was a little more expensive... Seems like it has been worth it... Later Jeff
When things get stressful think I'll go fish'en and worry about it tomorrow!
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Five minutes ago I ordered a 12 V 9 AH Mighty Mite from amazon. The reason for Mighty Mite is that I used that brand to power the 12 volt minn kota I used on my canoe (the banana boat). It held up well and did a good job. Hopefully this will too.
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I use a 7 ah. It usually last longer than I do. I use a NOCO charger. I use the same battery in the summer to power an inverter to watch movies while camping.
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Thanks for the replys. I ordered another 12v, 7Ah SLA. My last SLA lasted 10 years, maybe 12? The Lithiums are nice, but when they are that small, there isn't a lot of weight savings compared to group 27 or 31 sized boat batteries. A 7Ah battery will power my new depth finder for something like 26-31 hours depending on backlighting, etc. which is WAY more than enough for me. My ice trips are 4 to maybe 6 hrs long. I did pick up a 1.3 amp (1300miliamp) charger so I won't have to use my large car charger at 2 amps any more. Cabelas has the 7Ah batteries on sale for $19.99. I needed a reason for a Cableas trip to pick it up!
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Remember, unless you have a LiPo4 battery w/temp control, you have to charge indoors!! Same goes for your LiP04 batteries for your Trolling mtr's!!