Building a portable power; water resistant; Charging Station; for 2-3 12aH wire parallel batteries:

The intent of this parallel portable power pack is for primitive camping areas. Having the ability to charge devices, power LED lighting and even run a small 12V fan in your tent can keep you very comfortable!

Materials needed:

• Water Resistant Ammo Case
• Volt Meter, 12V Receptacle, USB
• (6) Female Spade Crimp On Connectors
• (2) 18″ length – 14 AWG Copper stranded wire w/ insulation Red & Black
• (2) Butt Connectors
• Fuse Block or Inline Fuse
• Parallel battery harnesses (previously made here)

Tools:

• Wire strippers/crimps
• Power Drill
• Heat Gun
• Hole Saw
• Screwdrivers

Using an Ammo Crate I purchased from Amazon.com the portable power battery pack can be expanded to run from a total of one to three batteries this size. Using the box creates a water resistant seal for all the electronics. Also adding a latching switch along with a 12V receptacle, USB charging port, and a volt meter.

The combination of the 3 can be purchased on Amazon.com.

The ammo crate is not water proof but water resistant. It does however have a gasket in the lid. The primary use of this battery box is for charging things such as phones and other electronics while camping. It will also be set up for Running a 12V oscillating fan on hot tent nights.

For a kayak battery box with parallel batteries I would recommend a smaller box first of all and the PVC style LFP battery packs.

Installing the port plate:

Remove the USB, Volt Meter, and the Cigarette lighter receptacle from the plate. Locate where you would like to mount it. Remember the receptacles will protrude inside the box 3″ also require room for spade connectors to wire them. So install where there  be about 4″ if rear clearance. Score a center line for each hole to be drilled. Using a hole saw drill out the 3 holes. Reinsert the accessories into the plate. Recess them into the box. Silicone the plate (optional) then drill 4 holes for the corner screws.

Wire each accessory to the positive and negative sides. Wire int he switch and your battery box is complete.

Want to extend the run time of your kayak electronics for longer fishing trips or tournaments? This article focuses on How To Connect 12V Batteries in Parallel. This can be easily acquired with the addition of a second SLA or LFP battery (LiFePO4) wired parallel. The second battery will need to be the same voltage as the first or they will work against each other which may result in heat issues or decreased run time. Also if you are using a SLA you must use the same type of battery in parallel due to the voltage issue.

You can create a parallel connection between 2 batteries with a few materials simply right at home.

Materials needed:

• (4) Female Spade Crimp On Connectors
• (2) 18″ length – 14 AWG Copper stranded wire w/ insulation Red & Black
• (2) Butt Connectors (optional)
• Fuse Block or Inline Fuse
• Blade Fuses

Tools:

• Wire strippers/crimps
• Heat Gun

Fabricating a Parallel Wire Harness:

Most small 12v batteries have male spade connectors on the top as battery terminals. Although some have other connectors its best to match them so you may disconnect the battery from the harness. Since the battery harness will be used in a wet marine environment its best to use marine grade heat shrink connectors.

The parallel harness will simply connect two batteries together on the same polarity. Positive to Positive and Negative to Negative. Seen in the diagram on the left, you will to wire in an inline fuse or fuse block on the positive side. Then adding a latching switch adds safety while plugging and unplugging devices around water.

If using an inline fuse the switch can be spliced in after. If using a fuse block a switch can be added before the block as a master switch.  Also you may want a switch to control power to every accessory. In that case switch all positive leads from the fuse block. This comes in handy when running say lighting and a fish finder. Separate switches will operate each electrical device.

My Parallel Battery Project includes (2) 12V 12 aH LFP (LiFePO4) batteries. When completed total output will be 12V 24aH. This will extend the run time of the battery but will still power the same electronics.

For building the battery box check out my post: Portable Water Resistant Enclosure & Switching 

Portable Power Charging Station

SLA or LFP Accessory Battery for your Kayak

In a short period of time Fishing kayaks in most cases a single user vessel have begun using many of the electronics that power boats use. Portable power has become a necessity. Running Fish Finders on a battery pack of AA batteries is a thing of the past. In the present we have Fish Finder/Chart Plotter combos, kayak lighting, and  the ability to charge battery powered devices while away from home is important.

Previously we built a waterproof battery box for a fish-finder/chart plotter. Since then there have been many advancements in batteries. This article explains the difference between the traditional Sealed Lead Acid Battery (SLA) and the latest Lithium-iron-phosphate battery (LFP). Here I list the pros and cons of both. You make the decision!

A SLA battery

SLA Battery Pros:

• Inexpensive (Economically Friendly)
• Fully Sealed Package
• Rechargeable
• Recyclable

SLA Battery Cons:

• Poor weight-to-energy (8 lbs 12aH)
• Cannot be stored in a discharged condition
• Inconstant discharge voltage
• Limited number of full discharge cycles
• Lifespan (300 charge cycles)
• Sulfation
• Memory
• Not Environmentally Friendly
• Contains Lead

There are many cons to the SLA battery for use on a kayak the first being weight. The 12aH SLA will weigh in at 8 lbs. That’s a lot of weight to travel with on any kayak. Battery life is another issue you may get a season or two total out of the lifespan.

New and improved Lithium-iron-phosphate batteries (LiFePO4 or LFP) are slowly replacing Traditional SLA batteries. Although still pricey LFP batteries have many advantages over the previous generation technology of SLA’s.

LFP Battery Pros:

• Excellent Weight-to-energy (3.5 lbs 12aH)
• Very constant discharge voltage
• Low Discharge Rate compared to SLA
• Rechargeable
• No Memory (Can Be fully Discharged without cell damage)
• Lifespan (2000+ charge cycles 5-10+ years)
• Recyclable
• Thermal and chemical stable aka Safer (as opposed to Lithium Ion cells)
• No Environmental Thermal concerns (provides maximum output at hot or cold temps)

LiFePO4 Battery Cons:

• Cost (Expensive)
• Contains Phosphates

Looking forward to this conversion. Will report on the experience in the near future.