New battery cables

88wellcraft

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 9, 2007
Messages
208
Any reason I couldn't hook up accessories to the little pigtail thet came on my new cables? Always wondered what they're for....:confused:
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: New battery cables

That's not what they are for. On GM cars, that pigtail went to the alternator. On the ground cable it tied to the chassis of the car. Sure you can add accessories to it. But why not add them at the fuse panel (unless you don't have a console).
 

88wellcraft

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 9, 2007
Messages
208
Re: New battery cables

Well....In the manual for the fish finder I got it says, if possible, to hook it up direct to the battery with an inline fuse. Apparently, there is less chance of interference from other electrical stuff?
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: New battery cables

I have locators all over my boat and none of them have any interference. In fact the transducer for one of them is mounted on the trolling motor and it doesn't have a problem. The shortest route to the locator is the best route and will result in the least chance for interference. It certainly won't hurt, but in my view there is more electrical noise at the back of the boat where the engine lives. Why run power wires along the engine harness all the way to back of the boat. That harness can harbor alternator noise and ignition noise and the tach pickup is in that harness as well. It's an over-stated suggestion in my view and experience.
 

88wellcraft

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 9, 2007
Messages
208
Re: New battery cables

Cool, thanks for the advice. I'll just hook up to the fuse block then, and see what happens. :D
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,587
Re: New battery cables

I don't like connecting fishfinders to the fuse block. I like to run a twisted power ground pair back to the battery or to a bus bar near the battery.
 
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