Eagle Cuda 250 from the Brown Truck

I believe the advantage is primarily less weight.  In the early days, everyone used really heavy 7aH 12V batteries that weighed about 10 lbs each.  I think now that people have managed to find a lot of smaller single sealed batteries in the 2-3 aH range (plenty for a day on the water) there really isn't a big advantage anymore.   If anything there are more places for the battery unit to fail with the gang of AAs.

Brian

I have a 4amp hour surveillance amera battery, running my Lowrance X-85 gives about 6-8 hours, and the last hour or so the display is flickery and weak.  Thinking about a combo unit, preferably one with a bright TFT screen.  THe CUda is the right size, but monochrome and not particularly bright.

I have been calling around trying to find a cuda $250 locally... So far Sportsman's warehouse is out, Fisherman's has one (demo unit) for $219. $20 higher than cabelas shipped and it's a demo unit... d'oh

Any ideas on other places to look in the Portland metro area?

Thanks

Which Fisherman's did you talk to. I bought mine at the Delta Park store about 2 weeks ago.

Jay

Called both, the Delta park one was a demo for sure, and the OC store made it sounds like a demo as well "I see it right here in front of me, let me look down below and see if we got any in the boxes...

Did you pay $220?

Called both, the Delta park one was a demo for sure, and the OC store made it sounds like a demo as well "I see it right here in front of me, let me look down below and see if we got any in the boxes...

Did you pay $220?

Yep, that was the price. I've been tettering back and forth between a AA and small marine battery power supply. I've already got most everything for the AA setup and just last night changed my mind and ordered a 4.5Ah battery. I'm going to put it into a waterproof, fireproof enclosure and just strap it into the battery tray. Now I've got to get out and get some closed cell foam to mount the xducer. I'm hoping to smoke test it this Sunday or Monday if all the parts arrive.

Jay

I believe the advantage is primarily less weight.  In the early days, everyone used really heavy 7aH 12V batteries that weighed about 10 lbs each.  I think now that people have managed to find a lot of smaller single sealed batteries in the 2-3 aH range (plenty for a day on the water) there really isn't a big advantage anymore.   If anything there are more places for the battery unit to fail with the gang of AAs.

Brian

I'm still an advocate for the 7amp hr gel cell. It's good for a few days on the water and if I'm not mistaken, the ff/gps has a bigger draw than the ff alone. I also like the idea of fewer connections especially in the salt. The weight for me is not much on an issue. Besides, a little more weight down low in the hull makes the boat more stable.

I picked up my Trident 13 today from Outdoorplay, and got to looking at the battery bag that is up under the bow.   Going to have to look at what options I have with either AA batteries, or gel cell.  Whichever fits the bag best will most likely be my final power source.

My small gel cell and it's waterproof box fit perfectly in my T13's battery bay. Now I just need to install the actual fish finder.

Brian

My small gel cell and it's waterproof box fit perfectly in my T13's battery bay. Now I just need to install the actual fish finder.

Brian

What gel cell battery are you running, and where'd ya get it?  I'm need to go on a battery hunt tomorrow.   

I actually got that battery from a friend who purchased them in bulk from Ebay.    It's out in my shed right now, I'll make a note of it the next time I have it out.  Basically it's a 12 V 3.5Ah battery that's probably 2" x 3" x 5"

Brian

For those of you who have the gang of AA batteries, is there any particualr advantage to that solution, vs a 12V 4 or 7 am/hr single sealed battery???

I don't think there is an advantage overall, but for me they fit in my box for the fish finder. The only problem is how i have it now it's not waterproof. I'm probably gonna end up going with a sealled battery in the end.

The AA's work fine and last for plenty of hours for a few days fishing, If you have a charger that will charge all of them at once. I only have a 4 spot charger so that's two times i have to remember to put more batteries in it...  .You do save a small amount of weight if that's an issue.

I would say if i had to do all it over from the beginning, i would just get a sealed 12v battery.

How's about this deal?  Two 12V 8Ah batteries, and a charger for $49.99?  The battery bag in the T13 is 4"H x 6"L x 4"W.  These batteries are 4"H x 6"L x 2.5"W.

I looked at rechargeable AA's today, and for ten 2450mh Energizer NiMH AA's, and an eight slot charger, I was looking at $71. 

I'm leaning towards the double pack of 12v'rs from Cabelas.

Two batteries with a charger, that is a pretty good deal, but you won't be able to fit the battery in a watertight box and then the battery bag.  Then again, with the bag hanging off the bottom, maybe you don't need to worry about the watertight box.

Two 8 Ah batteries will give you >48 hrs of power for you fish finder.  That might last me 6 months.

Probably won't need to be in a water tight box, I could just seal the connections, and wrap it up in plastic.