10-09-2005, 11:08 AM
[cool][#0000ff]Thanks for the report. You will get better at using your sonar and interpreting the readings as you are able to correlate what you see on the screen and how it translates to real conditions...and fish. Be sure to spend more time with the manual and become proficient with how to change the settings and to read the display.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It is interesting to take a sonar out for the first time on waters we thought we knew pretty well. It is both humbling and entertaining to see how far off we were in our previous ideas. And, as you have now discovered, it is frustrating to "see more fish than you catch". [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The upside of at least seeing the fish is that you can concentrate your efforts in areas and depths that hold fish, rather than just using the old "chuck and chance it" routine. You can waste a lot of casts in water that has no fish. Or, as I put it, "You cain't ketch 'em where they ain't." Lousy grammar but true fishing logic.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]A big part of the success enjoyed by pro anglers is "fishing with confidence". When your sonar lets you know there are fish in the area you are fishing you can concentrate on making good casts and working your lures with more finesses. You will also be more alert for any possible strikes, especially when the bites are very light and might be missed if you are not expecting them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If your charger does not have an automatic shutoff, or a voltage reading, you should invest in a small voltage tester. They are not expensive, but they can help insure both having plenty of charge on your battery before each trip, and keeping your battery healthy longer.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The SLA batteries require different care than acid filled batteries. You should never run them all the way down to failure. They are designed as maintenance batteries, not as deep cycle batteries. Put them on the charger as soon as you return from a trip, and then top them off before you go out again. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have not used a 1000 mA charger, but I do have an 800. I see no reason why the slightly larger one would not work well. Just don't hook it up to one of the heavy duty ones used for auto batteries.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]A good way to work out the timing on both how long you can run the battery and how long it takes to charge it would be to use the voltage tester after topping off the battery, to get a reading. Ideally, it should be putting out just over 13 volts at full charge. Then, when you get home, test it again. It should be no lower than about 11 volts. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Next, put the charger on and time how long it takes to bring the battery back up to the original voltage. Do the math with the amount of time you were on the water and you can get a ratio. Then, test the battery again after it has set a few days and see how fast it loses voltage when idle. Charge it back up to full charge the night before your next trip.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]By the way, I got my voltage tester at Radio Shack for about $20. It does help with peace of mind and I know it will extend the life of my batteries enough to offset the cost. Hope all this helps. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]It is interesting to take a sonar out for the first time on waters we thought we knew pretty well. It is both humbling and entertaining to see how far off we were in our previous ideas. And, as you have now discovered, it is frustrating to "see more fish than you catch". [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The upside of at least seeing the fish is that you can concentrate your efforts in areas and depths that hold fish, rather than just using the old "chuck and chance it" routine. You can waste a lot of casts in water that has no fish. Or, as I put it, "You cain't ketch 'em where they ain't." Lousy grammar but true fishing logic.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]A big part of the success enjoyed by pro anglers is "fishing with confidence". When your sonar lets you know there are fish in the area you are fishing you can concentrate on making good casts and working your lures with more finesses. You will also be more alert for any possible strikes, especially when the bites are very light and might be missed if you are not expecting them.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If your charger does not have an automatic shutoff, or a voltage reading, you should invest in a small voltage tester. They are not expensive, but they can help insure both having plenty of charge on your battery before each trip, and keeping your battery healthy longer.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The SLA batteries require different care than acid filled batteries. You should never run them all the way down to failure. They are designed as maintenance batteries, not as deep cycle batteries. Put them on the charger as soon as you return from a trip, and then top them off before you go out again. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have not used a 1000 mA charger, but I do have an 800. I see no reason why the slightly larger one would not work well. Just don't hook it up to one of the heavy duty ones used for auto batteries.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]A good way to work out the timing on both how long you can run the battery and how long it takes to charge it would be to use the voltage tester after topping off the battery, to get a reading. Ideally, it should be putting out just over 13 volts at full charge. Then, when you get home, test it again. It should be no lower than about 11 volts. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Next, put the charger on and time how long it takes to bring the battery back up to the original voltage. Do the math with the amount of time you were on the water and you can get a ratio. Then, test the battery again after it has set a few days and see how fast it loses voltage when idle. Charge it back up to full charge the night before your next trip.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]By the way, I got my voltage tester at Radio Shack for about $20. It does help with peace of mind and I know it will extend the life of my batteries enough to offset the cost. Hope all this helps. [/#0000ff]
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