Livescope question

[Kevin22]

Well, I went out to check voltage, and the battery was at 12.0V.

So either my battery is dying or my charging system is having issues. I put a charger on the battery. If it charges properly and holds charge, will need to bring an extra battery and check voltage while the engine is running.

Again, thanks for the sharp eyes.

Toss the muffs on the motor and see whats happening. If the voltage rises to 13.8+ then your charging system is probably okay. If the battery falls right back to 12v after an hour or so then the battery is probably getting weak.

Mine is doing the same thing, i cant seem to get more than 2yrs from a starting battery anymore before they go weak. Im going to take all my electrics (console sonar, pumps, lights, etc off the starting batt this spring and see if that helps. I can get a nice lithium for that and leave the "weak" starting battery in for just the motor, and have it come out cheaper than two more good starting batteries in the next couple years.

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[thill]

You know, I used to always use "Dual Purpose" batteries, but I haven't' seen them lately. They are good if you have a lot of accessories. Regular starting batteries don't like constant drain very much.

[Kevin22]

You know, I used to always use "Dual Purpose" batteries, but I haven't' seen them lately. They are good if you have a lot of accessories. Regular starting batteries don't like constant drain very much.

You can still get them, interstate offers a couple of them. The problem is they are low on CCA and my 4 stroke takes a lot of juice to get going, especially in cold weather.

I think i will put my electrics on a 50Ah lithium and get a group 27 interstate starting battery to fix my issues.

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[Danny Lang]

Danny Lang,
Congrats on the retirement and the move to GA! I hope you are really enjoying it. My buddy just moved near Myrtle beach on the NC side and he loves it and has me thinking about it. It's 19 degrees here and 41 there. He says they average 2" of snow per winter, but it rarely sticks.

What I am currently using are (2) 9 AH batteries wired to 24V. Here are the batteries, they are $24 each: Amazon.com
I might move up to the 20AH version if these ever wear out: Amazon.com

I'm happy with the setup. They are small and light. I ran livescope for 3 hours and 2 minutes today. Voltage started out at 25.6 volts. I fell asleep, and just went out to recharge. After sitting in 19 degree temps, they just tested at 24.6 volts. Not bad, for being that cold.

It may be my imagination, but the livescope seemed more sensitive and accurate in the 24V configuration. I could see everything, including a 1/16 ounce hair jig. I'm thrilled. Here are some images:


Attachment 444930 Attachment 444931 Attachment 444932

Those were schools of crappie. I was able to cast to them and watch my jig drop and caught maybe 10 or 12 of them. Not big, mostly around 9", but getting time under my belt was good.

thill thanks for the quick response, looks like you have that livescope under control, I am a little confused about this battery power for this live scope, I am a mechanic not a electrician dont understand it. But right now tring to finish my shop so I can purchase a boat to put in, so I will have a home for my livescope. Then I will be looking, sidescanning, and tring this unit out. I am sure I will go through some batteries until I find what works for me and my fishing style. Yes you need to move out of that cold, white stuff falling from sky state. Here we usually only get a dusting maybe once every 5 years, and I think that’s too much. Good luck with your searching on the scope, looks like you got it under control.

[Les Young]

Regular starting batteries don't like constant drain very much.

Yep starting batteries are for a quick hi amp burst like it takes to start a engine which is why i run deep cycle battery that i use as a starting battery. I had problems running the starting battery on a brand new boat down to the point of jumping it several times. I was fishing nighttime tournaments & running 2 of the old stan sloan black lights & both areators at the same time & if you didn't run a lot they would get weak. I put the same deep cycle as i run on my trolling motor & haven't had to jump one since & just plug the charger up when i get home that night after fishing. That was 2003 & i've done it on every boat i've had since then & have never had to jump start one again so i'm convinced it works way better. That is also why i went with a dedicated battery for my livescope system since they draw a lot of amps & also not getting any interference with it on it's own circuit.

[thill]

In my center console, I run a pair of high MCA class 29 DC batteries for starting and accessories. Never have an issue, and the livewell, (2) GPS and fishfinder units, lights, VHF, stereo, phone chargers, etc. are always running.

This aluminum boat has so little to run that I never thought of running a DC, but maybe it's time. We have some nasty weather coming over the next few days, so not sure when I'll get a chance to check it out, but it may be next week.

My biggest issue is that the cold coming might freeze the lake over. They are talking of single-digits and wind. Last week, the water temps were still in the 50's. Yesterday, they were in the low 40's. If this hits as forecast, it will be in the 30's and may freeze over.

That's how it goes... I finally get Livescope and can't use it until spring. ARGH!

[thill]

thill thanks for the quick response, looks like you have that livescope under control, I am a little confused about this battery power for this live scope, I am a mechanic not a electrician dont understand it. But right now tring to finish my shop so I can purchase a boat to put in, so I will have a home for my livescope. Then I will be looking, sidescanning, and tring this unit out. I am sure I will go through some batteries until I find what works for me and my fishing style. Yes you need to move out of that cold, white stuff falling from sky state. Here we usually only get a dusting maybe once every 5 years, and I think that’s too much. Good luck with your searching on the scope, looks like you got it under control.

Battery power is pretty simple with Livescope. You can use 12 or 24V. A dedicated battery seems best. I like either the dedicated 20AH AGM battery or the 50AH Lithium. I already have (3) of the 9 AH batteries, so that's what I'm using for now, and they work well.

Livescope is pretty easy to use. Just like in the videos, it's point and shoot. Just have to play with the gain and range a little, but not much. Like "3 pound fishing" on YouTube, I turn it up until there is just a little snow on the screen and then back off just a touch. That way I know I'm reading everything.

It's pretty fun to use, even before you start fishing!