battery power Options - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

tomahawk · 03-04-2013, 09:15 PM

Wondering what you guys think. I was thinking a single 12V battery to run both bait tank and FF. Use a 12V output for the FF and step down the Voltage to 6V for the bait tank. Thoughts? What size 12V would you use (how many amp hours).

boxturtle · 03-05-2013, 06:14 AM

which model ff are you running?

Baja_Traveler · 03-05-2013, 06:15 AM

You may as well put a 12 volt pump on the bait tank - it will use just as much power as stepping down from 12V to 6V (unless you are going to use a switching voltage regulator). When you step down you are just burning off electricity to heat through resistors - 25% efficiency at best.

Lipripper92592 · 03-05-2013, 09:19 AM

run the oex bait tank timer with your 12 volt system, you can adjust the on/off cycles and reduce drain on the battery.

ful-rac · 03-05-2013, 10:31 AM

I would run 2 batteries, 12v main for FF and 6v for the bait tank.

ful-rac · 03-05-2013, 10:42 AM

Also what size battery is dependent on how much your FF draws and how long you plan to stay on the water. 7amh might be ok for you but if you fish all day or have a more powerful FF a 10amph or more might be more suited for your needs.

The bait tank timer is ok, but its really unneccesary in my opinion. A 6v battery will have your bait tank running all day long, and you don't have to worry about draining out your 12v for your FF.

kobra · 03-05-2013, 06:06 PM

tomahawk · 03-06-2013, 09:32 PM

thanks for the feedback. The FF is TBD. I usually fish 4 to 8 hours depending on the conditions. bait tank is a run on a tsunami 500.
Tom

03-04-2013, 09:15 PM	#1
tomahawk Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 109	battery power Options Wondering what you guys think. I was thinking a single 12V battery to run both bait tank and FF. Use a 12V output for the FF and step down the Voltage to 6V for the bait tank. Thoughts? What size 12V would you use (how many amp hours).

03-05-2013, 10:31 AM	#5
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	I would run 2 batteries, 12v main for FF and 6v for the bait tank. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

03-05-2013, 10:42 AM	#6
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Also what size battery is dependent on how much your FF draws and how long you plan to stay on the water. 7amh might be ok for you but if you fish all day or have a more powerful FF a 10amph or more might be more suited for your needs. The bait tank timer is ok, but its really unneccesary in my opinion. A 6v battery will have your bait tank running all day long, and you don't have to worry about draining out your 12v for your FF. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

03-05-2013, 06:14 AM	#2
boxturtle Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 291	which model ff are you running?

03-05-2013, 06:15 AM	#3
Baja_Traveler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Table 17, Bay Park Fish Co. Posts: 943	You may as well put a 12 volt pump on the bait tank - it will use just as much power as stepping down from 12V to 6V (unless you are going to use a switching voltage regulator). When you step down you are just burning off electricity to heat through resistors - 25% efficiency at best.

03-05-2013, 09:19 AM	#4
Lipripper92592 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 516	run the oex bait tank timer with your 12 volt system, you can adjust the on/off cycles and reduce drain on the battery.

03-05-2013, 06:06 PM	#7
kobra Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: oceanside Posts: 880

03-06-2013, 09:32 PM	#8
tomahawk Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 109	thanks for the feedback. The FF is TBD. I usually fish 4 to 8 hours depending on the conditions. bait tank is a run on a tsunami 500. Tom