DIY Battery Box for Camp & Kayak 

I agree, just couldn't find mine. Probably time to pick up a replacement.

Glad you found it beneficial Travis. And you'll love that fishfinder, it's changed the game for me. Tight lines!

Glad you enjoyed it. Have a good one. Tight lines!

Hope it was beneficial. Have a good one!

Thanks!

Glad it was helpful. Tight lines!

Hope it was helpful, and thanks!

Glad to hear! I noticed the same here as well. Lots of additional cost for pretty much the same thing. Best of luck with your build!

Great tip. I was thinking of adding a way to charge via solar soon. Good to know it works. Thanks!

Go for it! They're not too tough to build and come in super handy on the kayak and in camp.

@@TheSpeedofTim could you make one and wire it up for me and ship and ill pay the costs

Thank you my friend

Thanks my friend

Good question. My wiring to my fish finder +which I use this for) already has an online fuse. There's no fuse on the provided charger, so I opted to not have one. Wouldn't hurt though, as long as you're still allowing enough juice through. Glad it was helpful!

I agree! Still need to grab one next time I'm at harbor freight

They definitely make your life easier. I got mine on Amazon

Thanks for the tip! This was my first and I plan to build an improved model in the near future.

Can you describe the change that needs to be done? How do you make it parallel?

@@forgetyourlife Google can probably explain it better, but serial is where your circuit goes from one device to another, to another, to another, etc. You will get a Voltage drop after each device, and if one device goes out your entire circuit will break. Parallel is more like having two trunks, one for positive and one for negative and your devices connect to the trunk....there will still be a voltage drop because power is being used, but it will be the same voltage delivered to all devices rather than stepping down after each device; which can get complicated to compute for voltage sensitive things like LEDs. Also if a device in parallel fails, your circuit will not break.

So on this setup what would I need to change to make it parallel instead of series?

That's super cool! I remember my dad had a friend that was into Ham radio. Always loved check out his gear and chatting. Best of luck on the build!

Ya me too. I just need a bigger battery and a Anderson connection plug. I would like to see a ham build a box but only seems like the fishing guys have it.

@@brianmartin7964look up hamo can Ham have built them for year I use a biger battery Anderson power poles n a set of binder that use banana plugs in along ever thing he used but the fish finer plug but wire in series not parallel N use a hole saw to drill the holes N run it in reverse n a bit slower The hole be cleaner I built a anttna for 20m that set in my kayak i work hf out on the water n i got extra hach for front bulk head so i coud mount a soler panel 73 n good dx n9prf JOE

pictures?

I just use the charger that came with the battery. I wired it to another saw connector so I just just plug it in when I get home. I haven't tried making it fully waterproof. I keep this in the hull of my kayak while out and it has never gotten wet, so don't have many concerns. The biggest thing your have to figure out is waterproof connectors and implements. Best of luck!

That's exactly what I do. I purchased a set of two to make things super easy on me. The clips and exposed connections just made me too nervous.

@@TheSpeedofTim This was the exact question I came into the Comments to ask... charging input through the SAE output. Cheers.

Yeah, definitely need to do that this next season.

@@TheSpeedofTim good content through , I'm new to the channel 🤝

Thanks my friend. I need to get back at it soon. Last year was ROUGH

It's an SAE power plug, and I used 16 gauge wire I had around the house. Here's the SAE plug I used: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V6NJ37P/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just off the top of my head, probably around $50 or so. I'd like to make another one before too long with some enhancements. I like the box as I use it as a general camping battery, helping to keep all things charged when out for the weekend.

@@TheSpeedofTim Okay that's not bad that's pretty cheap. I need to try to find those accessories and the box so I can build me one for When I out fishing and kayak camping.

I found a lot of the switches and such on Ebay. They were in a bundle, usually arranged on a plastic plate next to each other. I just popped them out of that plate and put them where I wanted. This is the one I purchased: www.ebay.com/itm/Dual-USB-Port-Marine-Boat-Car-RV-Voltmeter-12V-Socket-4-Hole-Panel-Switch-Kit-US/383287630051?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Mostly just cost and availability. Would love to do another build with a more powerful, longer lasting battery.

@@TheSpeedofTim - The LiFePO4 batteries cost more, up front, but you really get what you pay for, especially in an application like this.

Nice. I'll take a look for my next build. Thanks for the tip.

Yeah, I'm able to run them all at the same time. I don't do it often though. Would likely need to upgrade the battery, or add a second battery if doing that regularly.

Good question. The power cables for the Garmin we're bare, so I just added a SAE plug to the end of the power cable in my kayak hill. So I just drop the batter in the hull, plug in the power connector, and get to fishing.

I know I want to know what part is that

Sure - I added the below to the description as well: Parts list: Dual USB Port Marine Boat Car RV Voltmeter 12V Socket 4 Hole Panel Switch Kit US: www.ebay.com/itm/Dual-USB-Port-Marine-Boat-Car-RV-Voltmeter-12V-Socket-4-Hole-Panel-Switch-Kit-US/383287630051?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 SAE Power Socket: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V6NJ37P/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Academy Sports Ammo Box: www.academy.com/shop/pdp/academy-sports--outdoors%E2%84%A2-field-ammo-box#repChildCatid=1271964 Cabelas rechargeable battery: www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-rechargeable-12v-battery 16 Gauge wire Insulate Terminals (mine came with the voltmeter and switch linked above) Tools Used: Dremel, hand drill, wire crimps A step bit would have been better for the holes, if you have one handy (or want to pick one up). Hope that helps!

I haven't run into any overheating issues, even with this in the box and in the sealed hull of my kayak on hit days. May be different if it's bigger and with more electric draw

No as it's a sealed lead acid. Doesn't vent and if it gets warm under charge it won't affect anything

Yep, the battery comes with a simple wall charger you can use. I adjusted it to work with my connectors

I'm not sure which part you're referring. I do have the full parts list in the description, which may help.

Hey Jai. I just used some 16 gauge wire I had around the house

Not that I'm aware of, but that's a cool idea. Please holler of you find one.

I believe most USB/C ports equipped on cars are mostly for data transfer and not necessarily for charging. For instance, the USB port that's available on my car only supplies .5amps of charging power, while most adapters put out at least 3amps. If you do buy a 12v (Cigarette plug) to usb charger you need to read how many amps the output is. The ones typically sold at gas stations are only .5 amps. Basically useless, especially when running a gps app on your phone. I prefer ANKER. I've tested their portable batteries and they all come with the advertised capacity. All of their charging devices have a high amp out put and come with a warranty. I hope that helps.

Ha! Yeah, I realized that I didn't quiet do that exactly as normally done. Crimping with the right thing would have been better. This at least worked and all of the connections are still good.

I noticed that also and was yelling at the screen. LOL. But looks like it turned out good and works.

Yeah, had to use what I had available. May build another one soon, with the right tools. Works well though!