Photo: Dave Mull - Drained. You overestimated your motor-powered yakâs battery charge and now youâre dead in the water. Drained is how you might feel when you pedal or paddle back to the launch site, too. Certified electrician Josh Pierre of Kalamazoo, Mich., says a power station and onboard charger gives him approximately 50% more juice for his Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 and its lead-acid battery, while adding little weight. All captions: Dave MullPhoto: Dave Mull - Components are a Schumacher Battery Extender power pack ($119) and a Deltran 1.25-amp Battery Tender and Maintainer ($39.99). Both models are out of production, but nearly identical options exist. Plus, other brands of power stations and chargers can do the job.
Photo: Dave Mull - The power pack nestles between Pierreâs tackle crate and seat. Pierre says it has gotten wet with no ill effects, but he plans to encase it in its own crate to keep water away.Photo: Dave Mull - The charger fits under the AutoPilot 120âs seat. Pierre said he will install it more permanently under the deck, where waves and rain wonât contact it.Photo: Dave Mull - The Battery Tenderâs charger cables attach to the battery posts. The charger plugs into the Battery Extenderâs AC outlet to the rear and forward into the cables to add battery power. Easily unplug the charger to take it out of the boat.