Stupic question about using running lights

[just ducky]

I'm pretty new to having permanent running lights that are wired into the battery. My last boat was smaller, so I just used the portable battery powered lights. But here's my stupid question...I realize that the battery gets charged when the boat is running, but I won't be running long distances to my night fishing spot. Then I'll be anchoring with the navigation lights on, and I may sit in one spot for three or four hours without running the engine. Should I be concerned about having the lights on drawing down my battery too much? I'm guessing they don't draw much by themselves, but when you add on the depth finder, and a couple other electronic items, it will draw more. When should I be concerned? (yeah I know...when the engine won't crank right? :lol: ). Do any of you carry a spare battery just in case?

[lkmifisherman]

I don't know the size of your boat but my boats always have 2 batteries...Or at the bare minimum a jump pack to fire the engine back up...If you have a smaller boat I would probably opt for the jump pack because it can be used elsewhere..

LMF :fish:

[WALLEYE MIKE]

LED lights take minimal energy.

Would depend on the wattage of the lights and how many. While achored you only need an achor light. Use all other lights sparingly and you should be fine. If your engine take a battery to start, you can also get a jumper battery kit and bring it with you.

[bigrackmack]

Just a idea but charge your battery all the way up....and turn your lites and graph and whatever else you plan on running.....in a couple of hours go out and pull your teather or spark plug wire off if its a small outboard and see if it cranks....wait another hour give it another try and so on....will give you some kind of a idea what kind of time you will get out of your battery.....if it is a marine battery running it down shouldn't hurt it either.....Better to fing out when its in the driveway then being stuck on the lake......Mack