conecting a portable sonar to 12 volt battery

[hardwater fisherman]

my nephew has a portable sonar. its a humminbird not sure what model. it takes 2- 6 volts. we are wanting to run it off a 12 volt battery. should i connect the 2 positive and the 2 negative together and run a wire from the battery to the negative and positive on one side?

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: conecting a portable sonar to 12 volt battery

no that's a bad idea. The unit is either 12v or 6v. They used 2 batteries to either make 12v or to extend the life of the 6v required. Unless you know which you will need a volt meter and then connect the (2) batteries and measure the voltage at the terminals. If its 12v between 2 terminals then you can put a jumper between the other positive and negative then hook 12v across the 2 terminals you measured 12v on (watch where the positive wire goes). If you measure between the 2 batteries and you only get 6v then you will not be able to hook to a 12v battery.

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Re: conecting a portable sonar to 12 volt battery

yes thanks i thought about it and your right that is a bad idea. i will do the test and see before doing anything.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: connecting a portable sonar to 12 volt battery

Re: connecting a portable sonar to 12 volt battery

I am not sure Humminbird has made a 6 volt sonar for an extremely long time, if ever.
I am guessing it is a portable unit intended to be operated from 2, 6 volt lantern batteries.
If so, it is really 12 volts.
How Old is it? Antique?

And #1; What Model is it?

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Re: connecting a portable sonar to 12 volt battery

Re: connecting a portable sonar to 12 volt battery

i found out that it is a model 100sx. and it is portable it has the case that holds it and the 2 6 volts.

 

[MickLovin]

Re: conecting a portable sonar to 12 volt battery

You could use a dc/dc converter they sell 18w ones pretty cheaply (12V to 6V DC-DC Buck Converter Step Down Module Power Supply Voltage Regulator - AU$4.67 | Eachbuyer.com)

 

[MickLovin]

Re: connecting a portable sonar to 12 volt battery

Re: connecting a portable sonar to 12 volt battery

Wouldn't that depend on if the batteries are in series or parallel?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: conecting a portable sonar to 12 volt battery

Until you determine whether the batteries are wired in series or parallel, all discussion here is a waste of time. Here is a diagram that illustrates the difference between SERIES and PARALLEL wiring. Two 6V in series = 12 volts. Two 6V in parallel = 6V but twice the capacity of one single cell. Look at how the POSITIVE and NEGATIVE terminals are connected in your unit. If the POSITIVES on both batteries are connected together the batteries are in parallel. If positive on one battery conencts to the negative on the other the batteries are in series. The batteries shown in the diagram are 12 volts each but it makes no difference for the series/parallel discussion. The concept is same regardless of battery voltage.

 

[dingbat]

Re: conecting a portable sonar to 12 volt battery

If all else fails, read the manual.......

http://www.gps-info.com.ua/wp-content/downloads/manuals/kart_echo/humminbird/manual_hm_100_SX.pdf

Step Two - Connect the Power Cable to the Boat
A 6? (2m) long power cable is included to supply power to the
fishfinder. You may shorten or lengthen the cable using 18 gauge
multi- stranded copper wire.

CAUTION: Some boats have 24 or 36 volt electric systems. Be
sure your unit is connected to a 12 VDC power supply.

The Power can be connected to the boat's electrical system at two places: a fuse panel, usually located near the console, or directly to the battery. If a fuse terminal is available, use crimp-on type electrical connectors (not
included) that match the terminal on the fuse panel. Attach the black wire to ground, and the red wire to 12 VDC power (Figure 20). Be sure to use a one amp fuse in the connection. If you must wire the control head directly to a battery, be sure to install an inline fuse holder

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: conecting a portable sonar to 12 volt battery

If all else fails, read the manual.......

http://www.gps-info.com.ua/wp-content/downloads/manuals/kart_echo/humminbird/manual_hm_100_SX.pdf

Step Two - Connect the Power Cable to the Boat
A 6’ (2m) long power cable is included to supply power to the
fishfinder. You may shorten or lengthen the cable using 18 gauge
multi- stranded copper wire.

CAUTION: Some boats have 24 or 36 volt electric systems. Be
sure your unit is connected to a 12 VDC power supply.

The Power can be connected to the boat's electrical system at two places: a fuse panel, usually located near the console, or directly to the battery. If a fuse terminal is available, use crimp-on type electrical connectors (not
included) that match the terminal on the fuse panel. Attach the black wire to ground, and the red wire to 12 VDC power (Figure 20). Be sure to use a one amp fuse in the connection. If you must wire the control head directly to a battery, be sure to install an inline fuse holder

good advice.

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Re: conecting a portable sonar to 12 volt battery

yes it is good advice but the sonar does not have a 12 volt power cord. i am sure if i bought one i could follow those instructions.

 

[dingbat]

Re: conecting a portable sonar to 12 volt battery

Are you using this?

BAP :: Humminbird
Either way, we've confirmed the unit is 12 VDC. No problems wiring it to your battery with a properly sized fus.,

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Re: conecting a portable sonar to 12 volt battery

thanks i got it working its now running on a 12 volt battery.

 

[MickLovin]

Re: conecting a portable sonar to 12 volt battery

Until you determine whether the batteries are wired in series or parallel, all discussion here is a waste of time. Here is a diagram that illustrates the difference between SERIES and PARALLEL wiring. Two 6V in series = 12 volts. Two 6V in parallel = 6V but twice the capacity of one single cell. Look at how the POSITIVE and NEGATIVE terminals are connected in your unit. If the POSITIVES on both batteries are connected together the batteries are in parallel. If positive on one battery conencts to the negative on the other the batteries are in series. The batteries shown in the diagram are 12 volts each but it makes no difference for the series/parallel discussion. The concept is same regardless of battery voltage.

So I was correct you do need to establish if it is 6 volt or 12 volt by checking if they are in series or parallel, as an electrician I could have hardly been wrong

 

[Silvertip]

Re: conecting a portable sonar to 12 volt battery

So I was correct you do need to establish if it is 6 volt or 12 volt by checking if they are in series or parallel, as an electrician I could have hardly been wrong

Nobody said you were wrong. There is a difference between "telling" someone what to look for and "showing" them what they were told to look for so they understand the difference and the ramifications of what happens if they do this incorrectly.

 

[MickLovin]

Re: conecting a portable sonar to 12 volt battery

I understand what you are saying about "telling someone" and "showing someone" but my initial response was really in relation to Uncle Willies statement of saying 2 x 6 volt batteries = 12 volts, hence the statement that it is dependant on being in series or parallel, it was my mistake not to "reply with quote" as this wasn't intended as advice more a warning about presuming it to be 12 volt. Your response to it was quite correct and very visually educational for those unaware of battery connections. I had also previously advise of a DC converter if it had been 6 volt. I think it really comes down to how much information is given by the person asking the question.
As glenn property of pam had explained to test it first, even his response had a floor hence my statement about the converter.
I am sorry if I haven't approached this forum correctly.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: conecting a portable sonar to 12 volt battery

I understand what you are saying about "telling someone" and "showing someone" but my initial response was really in relation to Uncle Willies statement of saying 2 x 6 volt batteries = 12 volts, hence the statement that it is dependant on being in series or parallel, it was my mistake not to "reply with quote" as this wasn't intended as advice more a warning about presuming it to be 12 volt. Your response to it was quite correct and very visually educational for those unaware of battery connections. I had also previously advise of a DC converter if it had been 6 volt. I think it really comes down to how much information is given by the person asking the question.
As glenn property of pam had explained to test it first, even his response had a floor hence my statement about the converter.
I am sorry if I haven't approached this forum correctly.

relax....Its a forum so the best anyone can do is to give advise based on what information the op gave in the first place. Some advice you will give will be wrong which is where the words maybe, probably, possible can be used. Some advice you will give will be spot on but explained in a way that only a electrician would understand. Pictures will always work better than words. At the end of the day the op got the fish finder wired to the battery with out letting out the magic smoke so as a forum group we have helped the op.