If you have become interested in fishing, you may want to enhance the experience by using relevant gadgets and electronics. In this article, you will learn how you can wire a fishfinder to your fuse box, which will be extremely useful when you go fishing in deep waters.
Before we begin discussing the steps of how to wire a fishfinder to the fuse box, here is some advice. Make sure to keep the fuse in close proximity to the power source.
We recommend keeping the two as close as possible to minimize the risk of a pinched wire overheating and causing a fire. You would not want that. So let’s take a look at the correct and safe process.
What About The Inline Fuses?
You will not require inline fuses as you will be using a different fuse box. This is not an unnecessary step but will instead help you remain safe. Get rid of all the inline fuses by cutting them, as you will learn to wire the fish finder to the fuse box.
What About the Circuit Breakers?
It is always wise to install a circuit breaker especially for trolling motors. Hence, having a circuit breaker is recommended as it will shield the wires that you will connect to the fuse box.
Begin by bolting a 50-ampere circuit breaker to the battery. After doing this, you can bolt your fish finder safely. Also, be mindful of keeping the fuse box near the accessories. For instance, you can locate it under or in the console. Next, you will be learning how to wire a fishfinder to a fuse box.
Things You Will Need For Wiring A Fish Finder To A Fuse Box
- Fish finder
- Battery for your device
- Battery charger for your fish finder
- Mount kit
- Goop adhesive/sealant
- Electrical tape
- Terminal connectors (preferably insulated)
- Heat-shrink wrap
Now, we will demonstrate how you can wire your fish finder to your ship on your own.
Step 1
Decide the location where you would mount the fish finder’s binnacle. You should place it close to the helm of the ship and at a height so that you can look at it easily from anywhere on the ship.
When you place the binnacle, seal it with the goop adhesive.
Step 2
Assuming that your fish finder comes with its fuse kit, you will get all your connectors and wires.
Insert the wires into butt connectors so you can then bolt them into your battery’s male heads.
Take the connectors straight to the battery. Do not worry about getting a waterproof battery or taking other unnecessary measures to keep it safe from water. At the end of the whole process, keep the whole thing inside a bag and that will be sufficient.
Step 3
Pick your wire cutter and your box cutter. Time to get your heat shrink wrap and rolls of electrical tape out.
First, place your wrap on the black wire and then put the female end on the wire tip. For this step, you must buy the correct wire gauge and the butt connector so that they are the perfect fit.
Next, use your crimper to tighten the connectors and further secure them with electrical tape.
Step 4
Now, you will have to do the same step again with the ground wire. Secure the wire with some electrical tape that is different in color from the one you used before.
It is better that you use a different tape than the one used before so that you can distinguish between red wire and ground.
Step 5
Recheck that all your wires are tight and sung. Also, cover bolts and holes with goop sealant so that they remain protected from moisture.
Do not be careless and miss this step. This is a crucial step, as security comes first.
Following this, start the fish finder to check if it is working.
Step 6
The fish finder should be working if you have correctly followed the steps discussed above and if its battery is charged sufficiently. If it is working, the final step is to wire the transducer.
Step 7
Finally, place the transducer far from the propeller and by the aluminum hulls. This will prevent turbulence which could hamper the working of the fish finder.
Connect the transducer to the unit head. The transducer has only one wire. You don’t have to connect this to the fuse box or the batter. Connect it to the unit head.
Final Thoughts
Now you know everything you need when it comes to knowing how to wire fish finder to fuse box. Due to safety concerns, it is best to connect the fish finder to the fuse box instead of connecting it directly to the battery.
As you can now tell, connecting the fish finder to the fuse box is a simple process. You can follow the steps discussed above and easily connect your fish finder to the fuse box without anyone’s assistance.