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SD2OR with a trophy fall walleye

Topic: Low current ff/chart plotter recommendations?  (Read 2136 times)

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Kyle M

  • Salmon
  • ******
  • Location: Portland, Oregon
  • Date Registered: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 952
I'm replacing my lowrance HDS5 for more battery time. I'm fine with a 4" screen. I don't really trust posted specs, but maybe they are correct? Anyway, actual experience would be good to hear about, and I'd like to get a full day on an SLA. The Lowrance online manuals say 1.1amp draw for the Hook4 through 9, and that can't be right.
thanks!

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« Last Edit: September 22, 2017, 07:11:41 AM by Kyle M »


rogerdodger

  • Fish Retriever
  • Sturgeon
  • *******
  • roger
  • Location: Florence OR
  • Date Registered: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 1490
I think the larger screen size units (>"5") will absolutely draw more current than 1.1amp.

I am very pleased with the "4" series Lowrance, mine is an Elite4chip, my guess is the newer versions have similar current draw and I can run all day on a small $10 SLA battery that weights 4#:

https://www.atbatt.com/amstron-12v-6ah-ap-1250f2-sealed-lead-acid-battery.asp
« Last Edit: September 22, 2017, 04:15:18 PM by rogerdodger »
2019 Hobie Outback (Fish Retriever)



JasonM

  • Lingcod
  • *****
  • Location: Snohomish
  • Date Registered: Jun 2017
  • Posts: 282
I have a Lowrance Hook 4. The highest draw that I have seen from it in a few rounds of testing was 508mA briefly during startup after being reset to factory defaults, with typical draw around 320 to 330mA with the brightness set to max (where I always keep it). I bought it at West Marine for $200 because it was in a package with a cover and a maps card. It was cheaper than the Hook 4 alone because the package deal was getting discontinued. I got the package with the Lake Insights Pro card but they still have the package with the Nautic Pro card for that price.

Lowrance Hook-4 Fishfinder/Chartplotter with CHIRP, DownScan Transducer, Nautic Insight™ Pro Cartography
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/lowrance--hook-4-fishfinder-chartplotter-with-chirp-downscan-transducer-nautic-insight-pro-cartography--17933805

I can't say that I care that much about either of those maps cards, but the cover is nice and I saved money compared to just buying the fish finder itself. I like it so far, but I haven't really used it to its fullest potential yet. It can do a lot more than I know how to do with it.  :D


Cosmo

  • Salmon
  • ******
  • Integrity-It's What You Do When No One's Looking
  • DADventurerNW
  • Location: Tualatin, Oregon
  • Date Registered: Mar 2013
  • Posts: 518
Kyle,

I have a Hook 5 and an Elite 5. Both draw about 1amp per hour, but that is on full brightness 10.  I run split screens all the time, and like the brightness turned up.  I run a 9 amp hour battery, Cabelas makes a pretty compact one that's only $30.  I can run all day on this battery, with all the bells and whistles on.

However, if you turn down the brightness to 5 or 6, it cuts the power draw by almost half.

Aside from the power draw, why do you want to downsize the screen?  When I moved up from a 4 to a 5, it was a huge difference, especially when running split screens.
Cosmo
2 Hobie Mirage Outbacks 2014


AKFishOn

  • Lingcod
  • *****
  • Location: Kodiak, Alaska
  • Date Registered: Dec 2015
  • Posts: 271
Not sure about different fishfinders, but I picked up a 12v, 12AH Duracell AGM for $48 at Batteries Plus, should be able to power any fishfinder for a good while. Got sick of buying smaller SLA batteries only to have them die after less than a year of moderate use.  I've had an AGM in my truck for 10 years so far with no problems. https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sla12=12f2
"If your hands ain't bleeding, you ain't fishing hard enough!"


Kyle M

  • Salmon
  • ******
  • Location: Portland, Oregon
  • Date Registered: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 952
Thanks for the advice. I don't really want to downsize the screen, but simply want to increase battery life. I'll look into the ff and battery suggestions.

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Tinker

  • Sturgeon
  • *******
  • Kevin
  • Location: 42.74°N 124.5°W
  • Date Registered: May 2013
  • Posts: 3304
I have an Elite-4 CHIRP and a HOOK-5.  I can run either all day on a 8 amp SLA with either set to the brightest screen setting and using the DSI screen.  I went with 8amps to fit an existing battery box.

The Elite-4 will draw the battery down from 12.6 volts (full charge) to 12.3 volts after 8 hours.

The HOOK-5 will draw it down to 12.1 volts after 8 hours.

Using an 18,000 mAh blue brick, either the Elite or the HOOK will drop the voltage from 12.1 (full charge) to ~11.2 in 6 hours.  There's pretty much no difference in battery life between the two finders.  I don't use that battery for extended trips.

I don't know how old your battery may be, but they do get old and start to discharge quickly.

Hope that helps.
« Last Edit: September 22, 2017, 04:25:28 PM by Tinker »
I expected the worst, but it was worse than I expected...


Kyle M

  • Salmon
  • ******
  • Location: Portland, Oregon
  • Date Registered: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 952
I think my battery may be getting old, but decided to order the Hook4. I'll be getting a new SLA as well.

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