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DIY: Build A Portable Battery Box for My Kayak Fish Finder

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I’ve been using the same battery box for ten years kayak fishing. Its about time for an upgrade something lighter and easier to keep up with.

Materials Needed

Step 1: Attach Cutting Board to the Slide Track

Mark the center line of the cutting board (3in when oriented longways) and drill two 1/4″ holes along the line. One 1″ from the edge and the other 2″ from the opposite edge.

Insert a Mighty Bolt and tighten down with a butterfly nut and the include knob from the YakAttack Switchblade (we will not use the knob for its intended purpose in the YakAttack instructions..we have other plans for it).

Step 2: Attach the Pelican Case to the Cutting Board

The cutting board is going to serve as the mounting plate for the battery box.

Drill down from the inside of the pelican case with a 1/4″ bit. Orient four stainles screws so the nut will be attached inside the case. Cover each nut with Marine Goop and tighten for a watertight seal.

Step 3: Test Fit Battery Into the Case

Remove the foam until the battery can be tucked firmly into the right corner of the Pelican case. The clearance on the left-side will be needed to install the USB port.

Step 4: Prepare the Case for Attaching Ports

Using a razor blade, remove the small lip around the Pelican label and the raised lips in the bottom right corner of the case. This will allow all ports and base to be attached easily later.

Step 5: Install the USB Port

Drill a 1 1/8” hole on the bottom left the side of the Pelican case. Place a bead of Marine Goop around the inner and outer contact points. There will not be clearance for the backing nut so glue it tight

Using the supplied wire, cut the ring terminals. Attach the already supplied spade attachments to the USB port and attach the positive and negative cables to separate Wago 5 Port connectors.

Step 6: Install the Cable Gland

Rather than use a cigarette lighter, I prefer to pass a quick connect, which is significantly more secure, through a waterproof cable gland.

Drill a 5/8″ hole and secure a PG9 cable gland with Marine Goop.

Cut the 2 port quick connect and thread through the cable gland. Tighten to secure.

Connect a length of black, 14ga wire to the negative side. Connect the inline 3amp fuse to to the positive side of the quick connect.

Insert the positive and negative sides into the positive and negative Wago ports.

Step 7: Prepare the Battery

Using a 6in length of red 12AWG wire, crimp a spade connection. Connect the spade to the battery and insert the other stripped end into the positive Wago port. Repeat for the negative side of the battery.

Test for 12v across both circuits using a multimeter.

Step 8: Attach the YakAttack SwitchBlade Base

Using the base as a template, drill holes into the top of the battery box (without the battery in it!). Attach hardware as instructed in the instructions. Secure with stainless hardware and Marine Goop in each hole.

Step 9: Attach Transducer to YakAttack Switchblade

This step will vary by fish finder brand, but I have a Humminbird (which I demonstrate below). Remove the factory, ratcheting connection and use the included hardware from YakAttack (attach order pictured).

Zip tie the cord up the SwitchBlade arm.

Step 10: Attach the Battery Box to the Side Rail

Slide the loosened Mighty Bolts into the rails of your kayak. Use a Ram Mount to attach the Fish Finder to the top of the box.

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