Lithium Blue Battery Feedback

I don't have a picture, but it's simply a tupperware type of container that I glued some foam in to hold the battery securely, then I drilled a hole exactly where the power plug needs to go.  Nothing fancy and it isn't waterproof (only because of the hole).  I can't see how water is going to be an issue unless I've got the hatch open and a tidal wave hits me, in which case my heirs can lament my stupidity.

I got the Anker 20,000 as listed here;

http://www.amazon.com/20000mAh-Aluminum-Multi-Voltage-PowerIQTM-Technology/dp/B005NGLTZQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1421783063&sr=1-1&keywords=anker+charger+20%2C000

I haven't used it enough to get a sense of battery life, but so far it appears that it is more than sufficient and it handles the 12 volt system fine.  Plug it in and turn on the DF within a half a minute or so and you're set.  I can't see why I couldn't be charging my cell phone on it at the same time but I haven't tried that yet.

One thing about these is if there is no current draw, they turn themselves off.  So if you turn your FF off then you may need to open the case and turn the battery back on again later.  WillBD added a usb cable and leaves his phone charging at the same time in the same dry box so it prevents the battery from turning off if you turn the FF off. Brilliant solution and a fully charged phone too.

I was looking into doing the same thing, and don't really want to wait for something from China.  Would this battery work?
http://www.amazon.com/EZOPower-High-capacity-Rechargable--10000mAh-Blackberry/dp/B005XQSN9G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360872258&sr=8-1&keywords=Li-ion+Super+Rechargeable+Battery+12+V+9800

I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work.  Looks like a nice option since it has all the compatibility in the world.

We will find out cause I just ordered one .  I like the idea that I could top my cell phone/gopro/etc off if needed (could come in handy for remote trips etc)

This is probably a really dumb question and the answer is also probably very easy, but, my knowledge and electrical ability rivals a 3 year olds, so I'm going to ask anyway,
I looked at one of those to power my as yet unpurchased ff, but how do you adapt a bare wire to plug into the adapter on that?  Any thought, I know it's been done, so has to be an easy way, or an adapter you can buy.
Thanks
John

It comes with a 12 cord, and you'll have to buy a plug that fits it, or cut the cord that comes with it and splice the wires.

It comes with a 12 cord, and you'll have to buy a plug that fits it, or cut the cord that comes with it and splice the wires.

I didn't explain myself properly, I realize the ff comes with a power wire set that has a plug on one end that goes into the FF, the other end has three bare wires, one hot, one ground, one that appears not to do anything. How do I adapt the hot and ground from the FF to plug into the plugs on the EZO battery?  Hope that makes sense this time, sorry for the confusion.
John

You'll want to cut off the end of the output connector and strip those wires and connect them to the fishfinder power leads.  Either directly, using solder, or by adding some type of water proof connectors to the ends of the fishfinder power cable and the battery cable.  I hope this helps.

It comes with a 12 cord, and you'll have to buy a plug that fits it, or cut the cord that comes with it and splice the wires.

I didn't explain myself properly, I realize the ff comes with a power wire set that has a plug on one end that goes into the FF, the other end has three bare wires, one hot, one ground, one that appears not to do anything. How do I adapt the hot and ground from the FF to plug into the plugs on the EZO battery?  Hope that makes sense this time, sorry for the confusion.
John

So you're saying there are three wires on the bare-wire end of you ff power cable? You'll need to consult the users manual to find out what that third wire is for to be sure. But yes, just connect red to red, and black to black once you have a 12 volt DC plug that fits into the power jack on the battery. Best way is with solder since those wires can get pretty darn small. Shrink butt connectors are a pretty awesome solution too. Point is that you'll want something more than just twisting the wires together or using wire nuts. When you're done making the connections, wrap it all up tight with a good length of electrical tape. This will give the connections some support and keep them from bending too much. Don't forget to add a fuse on the red wire too!

Really appreciate all the advice,
Yes, three wires come out of the power cable for the FF, red, black, and a yellow, manual says yellow is N/C, so not worried about that.
My biggest concern was cutting into to power outlet cable for the little battery, wasn't sure what I would find, and wanted to check before I ruined something. So what hdpwipmonkey said was correct, found two wires inside the power outlet cable, connected them to the red and black on the FF power cable, viola, power, so good to go. The little EZO battery/charger looks like it's going to work well, so more good advice from people here.
Now if it was only that easy to catch fish.


John

If it were that easy fishing it would be called catching.

The yellow wire is an accessory wire, which is useless for us in kayaks.  Just clip it off and heat shrink tubing over it so it's sealed up. 

I use heat shrink crimp connectors and then put heat shrink tubing over those, just to be waterproof.  The fishfinder red and black wires are very small, so I usually strip off a little extra and double the exposed wire back on itself so there is more for the crimping to grab.

I prefer to solder all wire to wire connections, and then cover with heat shrink tubing. 

I would strongly encourage using an inline fuse "just in case"  This is a very poorly drawn example of how I have wired mine up.  using an inline fuse and a waterproof connector between my battery box and leads to fish finder.  I started using waterproof 3.5mm connectors which allow me to easily disconnect my FF and plug in the charger.

I like those connectors.  I am using accel 2 pin connectors.  They say weatherproof not waterproof.   That worries me...

I use the Bulgin mini Bucaneer connectors. They are IP68, which is rated for immersion. I've used them at work in washdown applications and they work well. They are pretty simple, and you can get dust caps to protect the connectors when they are not mated - that really helps keep them corrosion free.

http://www.bulgin.co.uk/Products/Buccaneer/BuccaneerMini.html

I know I have bought them direct, with a $25 minimum.

I like those connectors.  I am using accel 2 pin connectors.  They say weatherproof not waterproof.   That worries me...

Found dirt cheap if you do a search on ebay for LED WATERPROOF CONNECTOR and don't mind the wait on shipping.  Typically under $2 a set shipping included.

I have used them for other applications where they have sat submerged in water over the winter without fail.  Every other time that I separate the connections I just toss a bit of Dielectric Grease not only on the connector itself but a little around the threads and O-Rings to keep them in good shape.