Whether you're fishing from a boat, off the dock, or deep in the middle of a frozen lake, having a clean, portable, and water resistant way to power and connect your sonar system is essential. At Accuphy, we know that good sonar is only as useful as the gear that supports it—so we decided to solve a common problem with a DIY solution.
We wanted a quick, reliable way to power our PingLive system and WiFi router without dragging around a mess of cables and exposed batteries—especially in cold, wet, or cramped conditions. So we built our own.
The result? A water resistant box that holds a small lithium battery and our router (or Type-C brick, depending on the setup). It’s compact, lightweight, and fits in a backpack or dry compartment on the boat.
We used a small Pelican-style case that cost about $35, a 12V 10Ah battery ($75), and a toggle switch ($15). All in, the build came to around $125 CAD including wiring, cable glands, and the waterproof switch. Not bad for something this handy.
A few tips from our build:
- Max battery size: Anything over 150mm x 65mm x 95mm gets tight—especially if you also want to include a router and keep the cables neat.
- Router/Brick fit: The router/Brick just fits along the side, but the antenna clearance is close. We had to angle it slightly.
- Switch placement: Put the toggle switch on the short end of the box so it’s easy to reach even if the case is stored upright.
Whether we’re using it for ice fishing, tossing it into a kayak, or rigging it to the boat deck, it’s held up really well. Everything stays dry, stays powered, and just works.
Why We Built It
When you're out fishing, whether it's summer or the dead of winter, your setup needs to be:
- Quick to deploy
- Protected from the elements
- Efficient with power
- Tidy and portable
We found ourselves frustrated with loose cables, exposed battery packs, and WiFi routers dangling in the open. So, we created a compact box that solves all of those problems in one go.
This solution works seamlessly with our PingLive Sonar system and connects wirelessly to your iOS device via a dedicated Wi-Fi Router housed safely inside. It also supports our Type-C brick if you prefer a hardwired connection.
Hardware Overview: What You’ll Need
We designed the system to be modular, easy to build, and customizable to your fishing needs. Here’s what goes into our water resistant box:
- Water Resistant Case – A rugged, sealed plastic enclosure (we used a hard case water resistant box from Amazon).
- Lithium Battery – Compact 12V 6Ah lithium battery with enough capacity to run a full day on the ice or water
- Wi-Fi Router/ USB-C Brick – Low-draw of ~3W for the Brick and ~6W for the Router.
- On/Off Toggle Switch – Water resistant external switch for quick power control (example picture switch here)
Key Features
Simple Setup
All it takes is flipping a switch. The internal wiring connects the battery to the router/brick and then you can connect either the router or brick to your iOS device. There's no fumbling for multiple connectors or digging through bags when you’re trying to get set up.
Water Resistant & Weather Resistant
Every part of the box is designed to handle splashes, rain, and snow. Whether you’re ice fishing or dealing with waves, your battery and router stay completely dry.
Portable & Compact
The entire box is small enough to fit in a backpack or a dry storage bin on your boat. No more juggling loose gear or awkward mounts. The total weight of this set up including the components in the water resistant box is 6 pounds!
Versatile Use Cases
- Boat Fishing: Keeps your electronics safe from splashes, water spray, and foot traffic.
- Ice Fishing: Easy to carry out to your hole, set up in seconds, and run all day.
- Kayaks & Canoes: Keeps your setup minimal and safe in smaller vessels with limited mounting space.
Interested in Building Your Own?
Let us know if you'd be interested—we’re happy to share our internal build notes with anyone looking to create their own water resistant fishing tech box. If you have questions, ideas, or want to show us your build, tag us on Instagram @accuphy or drop us a message.