Helix 7 running off car booster pack test results

I decided to see if I could run my helix 7 sonar off one of those car booster packs and what the performance is like and I was pleasantly surprised how it turned out.

I purchased two of these at Costco when they were on sale for 94$ each, I did a little research on these before I purchased as my intention is to use them as emergency car boosters, it turns out allot of these are total crap so you want to research these before you buy but this one being sold by Costco I was not as worried and if it turns out to be junk I can return in store.

https://www.costco.ca/Boostmi-Pro-Portable-....100410499.html

here are the specs according to manufacturer related to using it as a battery pack supply
Lithium iron phosphate battery @ 18,000 mah capacity
12v supply @ 10a maximum draw

My helix 7 is the Sonar G2 model and Hummingbird says it draws 800mah

I ran my Helix 7 last night outside with temps ranging from +2 degrees to +4 degrees when the pack shut down. I did this test with full screen brightness (10) and ultra setting for screen refresh rate to see what I could get using the maximum draw of this unit but I normally only use 4 -6 screen brightness as that is plenty bright for me and saved allot of battery life when powered by the lead acid battery.

Test started at 8pm +2 temp and ran until 3:38am +4 temp for a total of 7:38min according to my Nest Cam

Conclusion:
Despite it not lasting as long as the math would say for 18,000 mah capacity @ 800mah draw; I was very pleased with the results. If I had run this at 4 or 5 screen brightness I am sure I would have gotten a few more hours out of it and well into the goldilocks zone of 8 to 10 hrs of run time.
While I wish it was colder out for this test and ice making reasons; the temps are ok with me because in a hut or with hand warmers I could maintain this type of temp with little issues.

Here is the biggest reason I will be using this pack this year over the lead acid: weight
quite simply it’s the best weight to hrs of run time ratio for me, I weighed each battery option I have used to power this unit and here are the comparisons

Lead Acid 7Amp = 5.5lbs
M18 adaptor with 5.0amp battery = just under 2lbs about 1.9lbs
M18 adaptor with 9.0amp battery = 2.75lbs
Boostmi pro pack = 1.4lbs

I really want to get some of those Dakota Lithium 12v batteries but cannot find any Canadian sellers but this is a great option to hold me over and shaves 4lbs off my current set up with lead acid, I use the M18 adapter as backup as my drill is the m18 so I am always covered for power.

lead acid weight

M18 9.0 weight

M18 5.0 weight

Boostmi battery pack weight

One thing to keep in mind when picking a battery or booster pack is that a lot of them mislead about the capacity.
This 18000 maH advertised capacity is most likely based on the LI cell voltage (3.6-3.7V)
That works out to 66-67 wH, which is 5,550 maH at 12V, which gives you roughly 7 hours at a constant 800 ma draw.

yup, you are bang on I really wish the industry would set a proper standard as this is so confusing to most people or misleading, I use allot of tools and its surprising to me how many people tell me Dewalt is better because they have 20v vs Milwaukee or Bosh at 18v and I usually just walk away from that fight, yet they all do this with the 12v lines in NA as they rate without load for 12v yet some rate under load for 18v. Reason I said to research for yourself is so others dont hold me to the manufactures claims. That said I think this thing must have decent cells to last the 7.5 hrs; being LFP cells I’m guessing how they come up with this number is 6 @ 1500 in series = 9,000 and 6 more in parallel for 18,000 mah charged, reason i think this is the config is because it has a 19v port as well.

You ever hear the one that Milwaukee has the best lithium cells because they make “red lithium” man the manufactures must think we are branding idiots

Another option is the Nocqua Pro Power Kit 10ah lithium battery. i just got mine for my kayak (and for on the ice) but I haven't used it yet. However I have friends with them and they are happy.

https://nocqua.com/product/pro-power-kit/

You can get it at Fogh Marine in Toronto - ask for the "Hobie Pro Power Kit", it's a Hobie part in their book.

Keeping the Lithium battery above zero Celsius is critical.
A warmer in a pouch will keep your battery alive longer with load.
Negative temperature kills a Li-Ion batery in no time.
Check it with your cell phone.

I leave my drill outside my hut all day long in the cold and never notice a difference ...the batteries last for ever and I punch alot of holes.

Good test Lanternman....glad I piqued your interest and thank you for doing the test.....you proved exactly the reason that I was going towards full lithium battery packs.

Interesting post, thanks for sharing.. I purchased the ION ice auger from CTC and have noticed the extreme cold temps effect the performance. I will try the pouch and warmer in it this year, if it ever gets cold enough LOL

I myself know how lithiums are affected by cold but as a contractor working with the newer Milwaukee and DeWalt cordless lithium tools outside even in -20 degree weather those batteries can still go all day on tools. Maybe when I am running them on drills and saws etc the load on them heat the cells up alittle and stop them from freezing but their battery tech has gotten very good for cold weather.