Running power line and ground for Lowrance HDS

[PUP300]

I originally hooked up my HDS to the trolling motor battery (Because I put the HDS in the front) and I am having some problems with sonar interference. I have now found out that I should run the HDS off the cranking battery. The cranking battery is in the rear of the boat, about 17ft away. What size and type of wire should I run, can I just use thin stranded wire? The unit has very thin gauge out the back and because of the run, I wasn't sure if the gauge wire should be increased or is that only for battery charging. Also, should I move the fuse back closer to the cranking battery or can I leave it where I will splice the new wire?

Thanks for any help.

Paul

 

[seabob4]

Re: Running power line and ground for Lowrance HDS

On a 35' round trip, I'd use 10GA. Won't hurt...

 

[adamsnez2]

Re: Running power line and ground for Lowrance HDS

On a 35' round trip, I'd use 10GA. Won't hurt...

keep the inline fuse 6" from the power source (the battery powering the FF)

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Running power line and ground for Lowrance HDS

14 or 16 gauge would be fine for this. 10 is WAY overkill. They can tolerate a lot of voltage drop and they really don't draw to much current.

 

[adamsnez2]

Re: Running power line and ground for Lowrance HDS

14 or 16 gauge would be fine for this. 10 is WAY overkill. They can tolerate a lot of voltage drop and they really don't draw to much current.

agreed.
how big is the supplied inline fuse (if they gave?). mine has 3A, very small.
It never hurts to go a BIT larger if you're concerned, go 14.
Try and find a GAUGE VS LENGTH table on internet, it has amperage included in it

 

[Boatist]

Re: Running power line and ground for Lowrance HDS

I also agree 14 or even 16 guage is fine. 14 Guage is rated up to 15 amps and that unit will be under a 5 amp fuse.

You want the fuse as close to the battery as is reasonable.
The fuse could be anywhere in the positive line and protect the unit.
what if the wire rubbing against something back near the battery and the two wires short together.
If that spot is before the fuse you could have a fire and burning wires on board.
If that short is after the fuse you just blow the fuse and have no fire.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Running power line and ground for Lowrance HDS

14 or 16 gauge would be fine for this. 10 is WAY overkill. They can tolerate a lot of voltage drop and they really don't draw to much current.

As I said, 10GA won't hurt...overkill? Yes, but I like things to get as much power as they can get...

 

[PUP300]

Re: Running power line and ground for Lowrance HDS

OK, ran 14 gauge wire. The unit has thin wire, not sure what gauge but definately thinner then 18 gauge. I connected the 14 gauge to the thin wire, now can I use the thin wire fuse at the end by the battery? It would be thin wire, then 14 gauge, then thin through a 3 amp fuse (came with the unit) to the battery. Or can I use a bigger fuse and a 14 gauge wire back by the battery? I really don't understand gauge, fuse and stuff like that. Just want to make sure everything is proteceted.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Running power line and ground for Lowrance HDS

You want two fuses really. One at the battery can be 15A and then the one that Lowrance supplies at tnd of the run is the one that protects the unit itself.

 

[PUP300]

Re: Running power line and ground for Lowrance HDS

Called Lowrance, actually got through in about 10 min, the tech said to connect the supplied 3 amp fuse to the 14 awg wire run and connect the other end to the battery. I guess that is what I will do, hopefully he is right, he didn't sound convincing but conformed.

BTW, I told them they have to do something about their connections. You shouldn't have to drill 1" holes through everything to run the cables. Had to drill 1" hole in transome too, it took awhile but I did it. I also stated that if they don't change the size of their connectors that they should supply a through hull grommet of sort. That's a big hole to fill with sealant.

Any other thoughts on the fuse, if not hopefully it will work and those who do this install can learn from this post.

Thanks

 

[seabob4]

Re: Running power line and ground for Lowrance HDS

Called Lowrance, actually got through in about 10 min, the tech said to connect the supplied 3 amp fuse to the 14 awg wire run and connect the other end to the battery. I guess that is what I will do, hopefully he is right, he didn't sound convincing but conformed.

BTW, I told them they have to do something about their connections. You shouldn't have to drill 1" holes through everything to run the cables. Had to drill 1" hole in transome too, it took awhile but I did it. I also stated that if they don't change the size of their connectors that they should supply a through hull grommet of sort. That's a big hole to fill with sealant.

Any other thoughts on the fuse, if not hopefully it will work and those who do this install can learn from this post.

Thanks

Lowrance is not the only manufacturer that puts big plugs on the ends of cables...ever to try to feed a big old radar plug down the leg of a T-Top?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Running power line and ground for Lowrance HDS

Called Lowrance, actually got through in about 10 min, the tech said to connect the supplied 3 amp fuse to the 14 awg wire run and connect the other end to the battery. I guess that is what I will do, hopefully he is right, he didn't sound convincing but conformed.

So what happens if the 14 ga wire shorts to ground between that small fuse and the battery? That is why you want a fuse at the battery.

 

[PUP300]

Re: Running power line and ground for Lowrance HDS

Bruce, I do have the fuse at the battery. It goes thin wire from the unit, to 14 gauge run th thin wire fuse to battery. The fuse is thin wire too, it was supplied by Lowrance.

 

[adamsnez2]

Re: Running power line and ground for Lowrance HDS

in regards to what bruceb said.....
.....two fuses? no thanks.
....15A @ battery? Good luck popping that, IMO.

Fuse AT the battey with supplied wire/fuse combo... Closest to battery is preferrable - 6" give or take....
run your 14Ga between....
connect lowrance unit with thin wires to 14Ga extension...

Fusing BEFORE the 14Ga is imperative.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Running power line and ground for Lowrance HDS

in regards to what bruceb said.....
.....two fuses? no thanks.

He has to have the small fuse to protect the unit. He has to have the larger fuse to protect the wire

What do you think is between the battery and the helm mounted fuse panel right now? There is a fuse or breaker back at the engine and then fuses at the panel. Pretty standard.

 

[adamsnez2]

Re: Running power line and ground for Lowrance HDS

He has to have the small fuse to protect the unit. He has to have the larger fuse to protect the wire

What do you think is between the battery and the helm mounted fuse panel right now? There is a fuse or breaker back at the engine and then fuses at the panel. Pretty standard.

that smaller fuse [at battery] will protect the larger wire regardless SHOULD it even trip.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Running power line and ground for Lowrance HDS

that smaller fuse [at battery] will protect the larger wire regardless SHOULD it even trip.

True.