SonarPhone under Ice

[papadarv]

Configured my SonarPhone to multi-function. Now good for boat, Ice house, 4 wheeler, and trekking out on foot. I am quite pleased with the SonarPhone fish identification this summer, now wanting to do the same for winter Ice. Found a Plano 300 cart. 30 cal. Ammo box (under $10) at Wally World. Put my Aqua View 12 Volt Battery, the Vexliar T-Box WiFi sonar and some switches / 12V connectors / Fuses in the box. Mounted a Transducer to some ¾ “ PVC pipe to hold the transducer and a 3 point adjustable support for transducer depth control to 40” of ice . The SonarPhone only uses 2.8mW power so the 3.4Ah battery will run for days. Actually tested it for 48 continuous hours still running strong when I shut it off. The 12V plug allows connection to Boat, Ice House and 4 wheeler batteries. Only need the internal battery when Trekking on foot. Because its WiFi, I can use a smart phone, IPad, computer, tablet etc. for the sonar display. Velilar provided a wrist band for my smart phone which is ideal when Trekking. Had frost last two days so it should not be too long before first Ice to test it all out.

 

Tablet used with Navionics Boating App.

 

[DrewFlu33]

Sweet set up!  What a great idea, and very nice job on making it nice and clean and compact.  Any way to charge/maintain your phone or tablet off the same battery the SonarPhone is running off of? I'd like to see a materials list to do something similar if you wouldn't mind.   

I don't have SonarPhone, but my biggest problem when using apps on my phone or a tablet on the ice (such as the Navionics app, for example) has been that they just destroy the battery.  I've got to imagine the SonarPhone does a number on them as well, if for no other reason than the fact that the screen must stay lit up continuously. Admittedly it doesn't use GPS, but I'm also not using WiFi or continuously having my screen active while using Navionics. 

Thanks for sharing!

[papadarv]

Sweet set up!  What a great idea, and very nice job on making it nice and clean and compact.  Any way to charge/maintain your phone or tablet off the same battery the SonarPhone is running off of? I'd like to see a materials list to do something similar if you wouldn't mind.   

I don't have SonarPhone, but my biggest problem when using apps on my phone or a tablet on the ice (such as the Navionics app, for example) has been that they just destroy the battery.  I've got to imagine the SonarPhone does a number on them as well, if for no other reason than the fact that the screen must stay lit up continuously. Admittedly it doesn't use GPS, but I'm also not using WiFi or continuously having my screen active while using Navionics. 

Thanks for sharing!

 

SonarPhone is $149. I bought an extra Transducer for $48 you need to add sales tax, Vexilar is a MN company.

The Plano ammo box from Walmart is 9 ½ L x 4 W x 6 tall. On sale for $5.65

The switch is a double pole – double throw. Two way on with center off. Have them in my junk box from many years ago Control Data Days. Radio Shack will have them.

The Brass slide is a cheap dead-bolt. It covers the External battery plug when running on the internal battery. When slid to open the external plug, it moves the switch to the External position preventing the external (deep cycle) battery from charging the internal battery. Charge current on the internal battery should not exceed 500mA. Deep Cycle battery can produce 400 amps. That WILL cause the small internal battery to explode. You will need more than a few band aid’s if it does explode.

Connectors are 2.1mm x 5.5mm power panel and plug type from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/5-5mmx2-1mm-Solder-Adapter-Straight-Connector/dp/B011NI7XXE

http://www.amazon.com/5-5mmx2-1mm-Power-Supply-Adapter-Socket/dp/B00PZLXD3K/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1443744358&sr=1-6&keywords=5.5mmx2.1mm+female+panel+jack

Battery is same as Aqua View type that sell for about $15 to $20 on amazon. 12 volt 3.4Amp Hour.

Each circuit is fused with in-line 2 amp fuses.

I considered adding a Cigarette lighter type output plug to the box connecting it directly to the battery.  Than plug my charger cable into the 12v outlet. Only time I would use the portable feature would be hole jumping looking for fish. My cell runs about 2 to 3 hours when on the SonarPhone. If I can’t find fish in an hour, I go home. Chose not to add the feature.

When fishing, I am in my wheel house or arctic cat prowler or truck. All have 12 volts.

I use my iPad for the SonarPhone and DigiLand tablet for Navinoics it has GPS. Both run about 6 hours before needing a charge.

[DrewFlu33]

Thank you so much for the detailed response!