12-28-2004, 06:39 PM
You just need the transducer submerged. You can put the transducer in the same hole you fish through, though I recommend having a separate hole so the fishing line doesn't get tangled in the transducer line.
It can actually work if you cut partway into the ice and fill the hole with water as long as there are no major air pockets below the hole. This can be useful if you have a hand auger and want to find out your depth before drilling all the way through the ice.
A 12 v. motorcycle battery should work, but won't last as long. Motorcycle batteries are not built to have the power drawn down like the lead acid batteries (gel cell) batteries are. This is the reason trolling motors use 'deep cycle' batteries. They are designed to have the power drawn down. The gel cell batteries are often used in emergency back-up lighting in businesses and they are smaller than motorcycle batteries. You can get one at Sportsman's for about $20 or I got a bunch at NPS for about $4.
Then there is the matter of the liquid acid in the motorcycle batteries. You have to keep them upright. You don't have to do that with gel cells. Just make sure you don't tip them over in the back of the truck bed and short out the posts!
Let me know if you have any other questions.
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It can actually work if you cut partway into the ice and fill the hole with water as long as there are no major air pockets below the hole. This can be useful if you have a hand auger and want to find out your depth before drilling all the way through the ice.
A 12 v. motorcycle battery should work, but won't last as long. Motorcycle batteries are not built to have the power drawn down like the lead acid batteries (gel cell) batteries are. This is the reason trolling motors use 'deep cycle' batteries. They are designed to have the power drawn down. The gel cell batteries are often used in emergency back-up lighting in businesses and they are smaller than motorcycle batteries. You can get one at Sportsman's for about $20 or I got a bunch at NPS for about $4.
Then there is the matter of the liquid acid in the motorcycle batteries. You have to keep them upright. You don't have to do that with gel cells. Just make sure you don't tip them over in the back of the truck bed and short out the posts!
Let me know if you have any other questions.
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