I fitted my fish finder at last

[johnlegg]

The bracket finely arrived after a 3 month wait but it is very strong and when I pack it a way there is only a small bracket left on the kayak









Not shore about the transducer yet ,I don't fancy vassaling as i transport my kayak up side down and it can get hot on the roof of the land rover in the summer.
so i have used mastic for the first test.
I will test it next Saturday (1st April)

[speciman]

Nice writeup John. Is that the mini (short arm) ram mount for the finder?

I've got the smaller screen version of that finder which I'll be fitting to my next yak. I know the manufacturers advise against shortening the transducer cable but I may just do that if theres a lot left over.

What size battery will you use? I think our finders use a bit more juice than most.

[johnlegg]

Yes it is the short arm it is strong and easy to use

www.ram-mount-uk.com/ram-111-b.htm

I'm not sure how good the battery is but I'm told it will last a long time
12volt 7.2ah

[speciman]

That battery should be plenty.

[starvinmarvin]

John, not sure from the photo's if you have an inline fuse, I was advised to use one.

If your screen is B/W which it looks as if it is, then your battery is going to plenty big enough, probably be able to run your nav lights off it as well. I use a 3.3amp and it rarely needs charging. Had mine for 30 months and no problems with it at all, a well sealed unit, have to admit I was a little suspect with it being Maplin's own brand.

That ram-mount is a nice bit of kit as well.

SM

[johnlegg]

hi starvinmarvin
I hadn't put the fuse in at that point but is is there now
The unit is colour do you think that will make a big deference
john

I am hoping to try it out this Sunday with the rest of are lot

[zebra]

john dont forget to pack some spare fuses in your kit .you would be surprised how oftern you will need to change it .

[zebra]

forget to add your battery is plenty john it will run your colour finder for about 30 hours between charges but dont let it get flat and leave it uncharged .in order to maximias your battery you need to discharge it about every 6 weeks so the best way to do this is with a small torch bulb and a couple of bits of wire conect the bulb to the battery and leave on for about 12/14 hours then fully charge your battery battery will last about 4/5 years then .dont fully discharge it though this will buckle the cells in the battery .

[speciman]

Hi John

Our finders are very powerful.. down to 2000ft under certain conditions .I think thats why we need a bit extra in the battery. For a one day session you may not need as much as 7amp but there should be enough for a weekends fishing with one. I'll probably get two different sizes - one for day and one for multiday trips.

[zebra]

hi speciman just get yourself a car charger it will recycle a near full charge in about 30 mins at high tickover .saves carrying extra batterys.

[speciman]

Hi Zebra

Top tip. Thanks.

[zebra]

maplin online about £8.00 but the catch is £4.00 postage

[starvinmarvin]

Hi John,

like Zebra has already said your battery will be fine for a colour display.

On the charger front, I'd be very careful, each battery in the Maplin range requires a different charger, the charger for the 3.3amp shouldn't be used on the 7.2amp battery. I've been using the 3.3amp on my Humminbird 565 and it will be fine for a 3 day expedition, have to admit I haven't logged the number of hours it lasts. I do check the voltage a couple of days before a trip though.

SM

[martinw]

just been looking through the replies on this thread about batteries, i was looking at them in maplins today, didnt buy one because i was unsure on which to get, any ideas out there? i need it to run a garmin 140.

[zebra]

hi martin will post model number later