The BM version you can find on Amazon comes in two sizes. I've used the smaller version on my 750 kite reels and bottom fishing in OR.

 

I ended up wiring my boat up with the two prong plugs that my Scotty Depthmaster Downriggers connect into, but prior to that I used an 20 AH AGM motorcycle battery that is at Wal-Mart. I’ve used that motorcycle battery on friends boats, when I jumped on party boats and it has lasted for years. I currently use it with a small inverter to run my electric fillet knife from Mister Twister since I’m too cheap to switch over to cordless lithium ion batteries and knives.

My motto is if it’s not broke… Don’t fix it. I think I’d watch the Bi-Mart ad as they typically have a small lawnmower batter on sale in the spring for $24.99 plus the core. It’s lead acid and likely a bit heavy, so it won’t be as safe, light or convenient than AGM or lithium ion.

I don’t know enough about lithium ion battery packs, but I’d imagine that a pack that powers r/c cars, helicopters and airplanes would be fairly cheap easy and quick to charge and extremely lightweight. I bought a jump starter thinking I’d convert a power cord, but I never got around to it.

 

I posted this video a while back. Its what I use for portability for two of the rods.
The other two rods on board use the built-in downrigger sockets.
The forward two rods use this battery box. I also use the battery box when going on a buddy boat...I can take the rod and the battery box with me.
Its light because its LiFepo4 batteries. 20Ah gives plenty of run time...much more run time than you are going to get with the smaller Electric Reel battery packs.

 

I do a very similar thing with a couple standard ammo boxes and Scotty sockets and regular sealed motorcycle batteries.

 

Thanks All !

 

I bought one of these in the 7.8hr version. I used it once and it lasted most of a long day of halibut fishing in 300’ of water. Its small enough to fit in your pocket.

 

I saw these, but they are kind of spendy. For those of us that pay sales tax, The 7.8Ah battery is about $200 and the 15Ah battery is about $350.

Right now, I'm leaning towards the battery in an ammo can situation.

Thanks

 

That should work great if you want an ammo can taking up space on the boat. But if you want to use a real battery just use your boat batteries.

 

I thought about getting those strap to your rod battery packs but though they would be unwieldy in a rod holder. It would nice not to have a cord underfoot, but Jon, Hans Solo, said one time he hung his cord over the side so it wasn't on the deck. (where's that doooh! icon) That works great and my ammo can batts last several days before needing a charge. Even that's pretty simple on the boat - plug them into a cigarette lighter plug while underway. But, to each his own, choices are wonderful.

 

I just spotted that Bi-Mart is running a sale on a couple of different Exide lead acid batteries. Hard to beat $24.99 for the lawn and garden battery if you don’t mind the 19 lbs of weight. Hell of a deal as just a core charge is $15 to $20 now days… 🧐

 

Thanks Captain K-Dogg

 

Make your own with 18650. 3 Samsung 3500mah batteries for a total of 10500mah. This battery is 12.6v. Batteries = $15, case = $3, cable = $6, battery gauge = $2, on/off button = $4, 3S BMS = $3. Took it fishing with the Daiwa Seaborg 500MJ, battery lasted all day with 2 bars still showing.

 

That’s pretty crafty. I would want it on a cord but super cool.

 

Here is one I made to be strapped to the rod or bottom of the reel.

Currently making a larger one that will last 2-3 days of use without recharging (31500mah), WIP.

 

Very cool.
what I really want to know, do they let you past airport security with that?
J/k

 

Good thinking. I ordered some that should fit in the rod handle, with modifications. I'll post if I can make it work

 

Has anyone tried the lithium jump starters? Seems like they are affordable and well packaged with lots of juice. Have not tested the output voltage on the jump port but seems like it might work.

 

I used to fish on the party boats out of Depoe Bay and saw quite a few people use them. I carry a 2000A Audew Jump Starter I sourced from Wal-Mart that has an EC5 connection. I sourced a Gomexus plug of eBay for very cheap but I’ve never actually used it. I use my 20lb Everstart AGM motorcycle battery that I toss into a waterproof bag whenever I need an electric reel and I occasionally walk-on and walk-off a party boat these days. Eventually I’ll get around to the fanny pack (jump starter) approach or I’ll just cut the EC5 connection and make another Scotty #2127 Marinco backup plug that’s wired into a G31 deep cycle battery on the boat. 🔌

 

We wired our boat for five reels. It is important to have the power ports switched so you can limit corrosion. When not in use the switch is off. Otherwise salt spray + 12VDC = corroded crap.

 

Dialectic grease is your best friend on electrical connections. Even when I’ve added a healthy amount of it, I seem to have to use baking soda, vinegar and pipe cleaners on all the plugs and connection’s in the off season.