ODC 420 and Sonar batteries

[tlspyder13]

So where do people store their sonar batteries on the 420? I hate to waste space in the main pockets for a battery but the smaller pockets seem to be just a 1/4 inch too small to get the battery into. Just wondering if anyone had come up with any way to get a 12volt into one of the smaller pockets.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Are you using the 7 amp or have you tried the smaller 4.4 Amp? I have been using the smaller one for a couple of years and it powers the sonar fine...but fits in pockets better.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I get these at NPS outlet in Salt Lake for 70 cents a pound. A little over $2 apiece. You can afford several for what the 7 Amp batteries cost at Cabelas or SW.[/#0000ff]
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[Therapist]

Please translate "NPS" and information as to location and contact number. Also, our friend from Ireland has posted about battery packs made from "c" and "AA" batteries. Has anyone used them and are they available or do we make our own ????

[tlspyder13]

One is 5 amp and the other is 4.5 amp. Not sure why as I bought them at the same time. They messure about 3.5 x 2 5/8 inches which is just a hair too big to fit in the stupid pockets.

Side note is that both are more then enough to power a Humminbird 575 for the day when kept somewhat warm on the ice. Can't wait to try the new finder on the tube.
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[Dusty_T]

TD hit the nail on the head...the only way to get away from having to use the big pocket is to get a smaller battery. Most "AA in union" solutions I have seen would still be too long to fit in the small pocket (even though you could gain space in height).
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[jnbsigma]

I have been using the bit [url "http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0036388018049a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=12v+battery&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=12v+battery&noImage=0"]7 amp one from Cabelas[/url] and have been able to fit it into the back left small pocket on my ODC 420. The problem with the pocket is the zippers that are too small, so I actually just cut the top of the divider between that pocket and the main one and then slip the battery in through there. It also helps to put the battery in while the bladder is only partially inflated. Keeps it nice & tight.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff][url "http://yellowpages.superpages.com/profile~SRC_portals~N_NPS~R_N~LID_U4tDc1VL%2FRjG1Bl9dOsG5A%3D%3D~attres_true~lbp_1.htm"]HERE IS A LINK[/url] The name stands for National Product Sales. They are a damaged freight outlet that sells lots of STUFF that you never knew you couldn't live without. They have a section for sporting goods and occasionally you can find some really great buys on tackle. Mostly junk.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]They have a section near the back corner with many different sizes and styles of gel-cell batteries...from 2 Amp to 18 Amp 6 volt and 12 volt. They sell them for 70 cents a pound. You can test them at customer service up front. I have only found one (out of MANY) that did not test at least 12.5 volt resting charge.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If anybody from Utah County plans to come up, let me know and I will go with you. That is a big place and I can direct you to the right spot. It is amazing that some of the staff do not even know what you are talking about when you ask them where their SLA or gel-cell batteries are.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]They also have a "CAVE" in the back corner where everything is only a dollar...or less...and frequently 50% off that. Waljustia and I just scored some cool insulated bags for 50 cents apiece. Great for tubing and keeping bait and/or food on warm days. Just don't get your carp meat mixed up with your leftover chicken.[/#0000ff]
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[swedishfish]

I agree, the pockets are "stupid" on the ODC 420. I really like the tube, but the pockets and the placement of the valves inside the main pockets are my biggest complaints.

With that said... I have three 4.4 amp batteries that I rotate, two that I bought from NPS and one that I had previously. Mine actually fit. It is a very tight squeeze to get them through the small opening, but with some work I can get them in and out. I keep all the extra transducer cabling in the front pocket, put the battery in the rear, and keep the middle pocket for tackle.
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[tlspyder13]

This is why I started asking what at first seemed like a stupid question.

The battery is in! If yours fit swedishfish I was going to find out how you did it even if it took all day. The secret to getting it in came from jnbsigma though. Less air in the tube to start with. Thought I had let enough out already but no. Let out more air. Then I pushed and turned until the stupid thing went in.

Thanks everyone.
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[swedishfish]

It's like that brain teaser where you try to get the ring off the two horseshoes. You know it can be done, it just takes forever to figure out how.

[url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMgRzkCyHU0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMgRzkCyHU0[/url]

Stupid pockets.
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[SportfishinSteve]

This is how I do it. The sonar battery is in the self contained box under the unit. The trolling motor battery is in the tray behind the seat. Caught these nice fish just at ice out last year on Deer Creek.
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[Majja]

TL, one of the things I was thinking of doing when I had mine was taking teh zippers out cut them a little bigger in the shape of an U and than make a velcro cover.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]In times past, when we used round tubes, with smaller pockets, we used to strap on a small plastic index card box for 5X7 cards to hold our batteries. (See pic)[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have also rigged up a small cooler with styro compartments to sit down behind the seat.[/#0000ff]
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