How low of a voltage can I run a FF (Lowrance x4 pro) on?

[richg99]

Since I am mounting the unit in a kayak, I want to keep battery weight as low as possible.

I have a couple of NIcad rechargeable model airplane batteries that I would like to use. They put out 9.6 volts. I've run a FF once on 11.2 volts...I see that the unit will measure from 7 to 15 volts.

Seems to me if it will measure such a low voltage, then it is, in fact, running on 7 volts. I am mostly using it as a depth finder in 1 to 10 feet of water. Max accuracy is NOT necessary.

??? thanks Rich

p.s. Better yet, can I run it on 14.4 volts? I have a couple of old drill batteries that put out that much. Much easier to charge for me, too.

 

[dwparker99]

Re: How low of a voltage can I run a FF (Lowrance x4 pro) on?

It should run fine on 14.4 volts. However, you need to be concerned about capacity as much as voltage levels. According to which FF you have, it may only run for a short period on the old drill batteries.

 

[Don S]

Re: How low of a voltage can I run a FF (Lowrance x4 pro) on?

7 volts might run the LED display for voltage, but it probably won't be very accurate or work at all powering the transducer.

It's also very hard on a battery to be discharged that low.

14.5 volts is what an alternator charges batteries with. Typically, a battery will show 12.7 to 13.0 volts when fully charged and not being charged any more.
A battery showing less than 12 volts when not being used for something is a dead battery.

 

[richg99]

Re: How low of a voltage can I run a FF (Lowrance x4 pro) on?

From what I can tell, these little FF's don't draw very much current. Of course, it would help if the manual gave that data!!!!

No GPS; no color screen; I usually only fish for three hours or so...so I suspect the drill battery has way more amperage output than I will need. Nicest thing is that I have a couple of them, so if long-lasting power was an issue, I could just carry two of them.

Rich

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How low of a voltage can I run a FF (Lowrance x4 pro) on?

The manual I looked at had the current draw listed in the specifications on the second to last page. You can figure about 200 milliamps. On a 12 volt drill battery with about 2 amp capacity, the locator should run about 10 hours. You can buy a 7 AHr battery at any sporting good store for about $20 bucks. That would run the locator for days. They are sealed gel batteries and very small.

 

[richg99]

Re: How low of a voltage can I run a FF (Lowrance x4 pro) on?

Thanks, you must have a different manual. However, I did re-start looking at the booklet's beginning (since I didn't find the specs anywhere in the table of contents, nor near the end of the booklet)...and...lo and behold ...(not listed anyplace in the table of contents)..I did find the spec page about five or six pages in from the front. They listed 170 to 230 milliamps depending on whether or not you have the light on.

So, your estimate of 200 milliamps was right on!

It would be a really strange event for me to have the unit on for more than a few hours on any trip. 99% of the water where I fish is three feet or less in depth. I would only use the depth-finder to find a hole or a channel's depth.

Thanks for all of the help. I'll wire it up tomorrow. I have access to a small pond. So if the weather co-operates, I can try it out right near home. I am designing the mounting so I can move it from one kayak to another. regards, Rich

 

[joed]

Re: How low of a voltage can I run a FF (Lowrance x4 pro) on?

From the manual page iii "input power... 10 to 17 VDC", current drain 170 ma lights off.
http://www.lowrance.com/Root/Lowrance-Documents/X-4_OM-IM_EN_988-1014-001_w.pdf

 

[richg99]

Re: How low of a voltage can I run a FF (Lowrance x4 pro) on?

thanks...got it...rich