10-20-2006, 12:08 PM
[cool][#0000ff]I think Sportsmans has them for about $10. They are next to their SLA batteries back in the sonar section.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You can also find them in places like Radio Shack and at some of the specialty Battery Stores, where they sell a lot of the SLA batteries for various electronic needs.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]With the trickle chargers, you can usually just leave the battery on for about an hour for each hour you spend on the water as a guideline. And, if you leave them on longer, they usually won't harm the battery. A charger with a high amp output can damage a battery if you leave it on too long.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]One of the things I purchased a long time ago is a multi-voltage battery tester. It does not just read "Charged"...but actually displays how many volts the battery is putting out. I set it for a 12 volt battery, touch the red to red and black to black and see just how much the battery is charged.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Ideally, your battery will be charged up to about 13 volts at full charge. After a full day on the water it can get down toward the 12 volt mark. You should never let it go below 11 volts. That will still operate most sonars but is not good for the battery.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If your battery has set idle for awhile, since your last trip, use the battery tester to see what the charge is. If it is below 12.5 volts, top it off (to 13 volts) before going fishing. Also, put it on the charger as soon as you get home.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]SLA batteries are not "deep cycle" batteries. They should not be absolutely drained between chargings. They will last a lot longer and serve you better if you keep them charged up between uses and if you charge them after every use.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You can also find them in places like Radio Shack and at some of the specialty Battery Stores, where they sell a lot of the SLA batteries for various electronic needs.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]With the trickle chargers, you can usually just leave the battery on for about an hour for each hour you spend on the water as a guideline. And, if you leave them on longer, they usually won't harm the battery. A charger with a high amp output can damage a battery if you leave it on too long.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]One of the things I purchased a long time ago is a multi-voltage battery tester. It does not just read "Charged"...but actually displays how many volts the battery is putting out. I set it for a 12 volt battery, touch the red to red and black to black and see just how much the battery is charged.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Ideally, your battery will be charged up to about 13 volts at full charge. After a full day on the water it can get down toward the 12 volt mark. You should never let it go below 11 volts. That will still operate most sonars but is not good for the battery.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If your battery has set idle for awhile, since your last trip, use the battery tester to see what the charge is. If it is below 12.5 volts, top it off (to 13 volts) before going fishing. Also, put it on the charger as soon as you get home.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]SLA batteries are not "deep cycle" batteries. They should not be absolutely drained between chargings. They will last a lot longer and serve you better if you keep them charged up between uses and if you charge them after every use.[/#0000ff]
[signature]