Need help with Fishfinder

I've been looking at the Lowrance M68c, I believe.   I have a basic idea of how to placement and drilling, but my question lies within the battery. 

What size and where and how to keep it dry?

If anyone has purchased a new Kayak and is looking to install a fishfinder soon, please let me know.  I would like to watch.  I've watched some youtube videos, they are great, but are lacking information on the battery.
 

If there is a Fishfinder installation 101, please let me know.  I would love to get a Fishfinder on my Kayak. thanks.


Information I missed on the 1st post: 
Kayak: Hobie Pro Angler  (Bare bone)

So much to learn: 
I am also interested in seeing an  trolley anchor system install as well. 


much appreciated... 

most guys use a sealed lead acid battery between 5AH and 12AH. Any kind of water tight box works good for storage. Some guys use pelican boxes. I have a plastic kitcken storage box that is probably water tight but not 100% water proof and I haven't had a problem. Wire a fuse inline and you are safe if there is a short.
Have fun.

Not sure what kayak you have, but I've installed a 7aH Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery in an OK T13A and a Hobie Revo.

T13 - http://www.demonick.com/kayak/FF.GPS/Power.html
Revo - http://www.demonick.com/kayak/HMR/Battery.Transducer.Hull/HMR.Battery.Transducer.html

Many folks put their battery in sealing plastic ware something like this:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-20-Piece-Food-Storage-Set/11018654

Just seal the hole drilled for the cable with Marine Goop (MG) or a silicone seal (SS).  Cover any soldered connections with shrink wrap AND MG or SS.

Remember, you will need to charge the battery as often as you use it.  Charging should be easy and convenient.  On both kayaks I have wired my battery to a marine grade power plug, placed an adapter on my FF and charger and use the power plug to run the FF and recharge the battery.  Many other configurations are conceivable. 

thanks for the quick responds; Fungunnin and demonick. 

Just what I needed...  " 5ah, 7ah and 12ah" 

I have the Hobie Pro Angler.   I like the idea of the seal plastic. 

GPS brings up more questions.  Is the GPS a separate unit?  the M68c has GPS with it, it is also colored and will drain a bit of battery.   so the 12ah is what I am looking for.   I will pay batteries plus a visit sometime this week. 

Charging brings up another question, but I'll ask the people at BP today. 


This I would love to see in person to understand.... 

On both kayaks I have wired my battery to a marine grade power plug, placed an adapter on my FF and charger and use the power plug to run the FF and recharge the battery.  Many other configurations are conceivable.

 

thank you

If you have a pro angler and color and GPS then get a big battery! I just have mine on a quick connect and it is a simple plug in and unplug. I can charge straight to the battery with the aligator clip charger. Marine goop and dieletric grease are your friends.

While I was up at NAVSTA EVERETT for meetings I stopped by a battery store on my way to I-5 and picked up a 12ah battery for my HB 597.  My digital charger brought it up to 100% and I began testing.  I quit after three total hours and measured voltage drop at one tenth of a volt.  Think it will do just fine.  Good thing too as it barely fits in the T-13's battery bag!  LOL.

Sunfish,   

If your battery shopping and anywhere near the Beaverton area,  I can get you batteries for around 1/2 that of retail sources.   We use them a great bit in my industry and I have a distributor down that way.
http://www.tri-ed.com/BranchLocation.aspx?id=298

I'd take Craig up on his offer.....mine was a cool 50 before tax.....

Sunfish,   

If your battery shopping and anywhere near the Beaverton area,  I can get you batteries for around 1/2 that of retail sources.   We use them a great bit in my industry and I have a distributor down that way.
http://www.tri-ed.com/BranchLocation.aspx?id=298

thanks. 
Possibly this Thursday I will stop by with my many questions. 

Here is what I did. It give me about 12 to 16 hrs of life. I used it yesterday for the Bass Classic and it worked like a champ. I have a Eagle Cuda 350 FF.

Here is what I did. It give me about 12 to 16 hrs of life. I used it yesterday for the Bass Classic and it worked like a champ. I have a Eagle Cuda 350 FF.

The Eagle will run on 6 volts?

No there are 8 AA batteries there. 4 on each side of the battery pack that I bought at Frys. I am going to get rechargeable but have not gone to pick them up yet.

Here is what I did. It give me about 12 to 16 hrs of life. I used it yesterday for the Bass Classic and it worked like a champ. I have a Eagle Cuda 350 FF.

The Eagle will run on 6 volts?

Ah....of course did not see the 4 batts on the other side.   So this battery bank idea has me pondering.  What would work the best (overall current / longevity) on a FF that's input range is 10-20vdc.....D cells in series?  Matched pairs of 9V in parallel (18vdc)?  The experimenter in me wants to know....


 

I did the same as firebunker23, but I used a couple cheap tupperware containers from some Schwann's terriyaki bowls I had laying around.  I also use 8 2500 maH AA batteries.  I built two identical packs.  One as a back-up, or for longer trips.  Yesterday, I had mine on from 7:30 am until 3:00 pm and still had plenty of juice.  I would have bought a larger battery, but I had a bunch of these rechargeables lying around so I chose them.  Another thing I like is that I can always buy AA s from the store if necessary. 

I have a Eagle Cuda 350 FF.

How is that working out for you? I am targeting that FF for my my yak, and am interested in hearing pluses and minuses.