earth ground?

[bushrod]

I am wireing in a furuno fishfinder which requires an "earth ground connection" in addition to the 12 volt + and - connections that provide power to the unit.This is a fiberglass boat. Any advice?<br /><br />Can an earth ground be achieved through a wire grounded to the I/O unit?

 

[22WRF]

Re: earth ground?

You have to install a thru hull ground plate on the out side of your hull. <br />Available at most marine/boat stores.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: earth ground?

Bushrod.. I would first contact Furuno to get the info directly from them before doing anything else...<br /><br />The directions may be refering to connecting the fishfinder to a boats bonding system which many small boats do not have, especially on boats with outboard motors... So that "earth ground connection" may just end up being connected to a negative terminal, or Furuno may inform you that you may need to add a grounding plate to your boat...<br /><br />A bonding system basicly ties in all of a boats underwater metal parts like thru-hull fittings, running gear and so on to the negative side of the battery to help protect underwater metals from electrolysis and to protect from lightning strikes...

 

[Snydersc]

Re: earth ground?

What it is asking for is a ground. It boils down to a translation issue. Alot of times when instructions are written they are translated to english when the items are not made here. Sometimes they dont spend the money to have someone check the meaning of the translation.

 

[22WRF]

Re: earth ground?

Grounding to the Neg Batt terminal is inviting engine interferance.<br /><br />Do it right the first time and use the thru hull bronze ground plate.

 

[bushrod]

Re: earth ground?

Thanks LCM-8 Will do! I was brown shoe navy and worked on A4 skyhawks.

 

[Reel Appeal]

Re: earth ground?

bushrod,<br /> You may be able to get away using the outboard itself as your ground.I did this once with a loran-c with no interference and good signal.I drilled a small hole in the front of the transom bracket and screwed in a eye ring solderless connector.The bracket(and zinc) is in contact with water with the zinc being the unpainted ground plate.I don't know,it worked for me,thats all I can say.

 

[AndyL]

Re: earth ground?

I have an LS6000 Furuno and have not grounded it for the same reason as you. It works fine on my boat, but that is not to say it is correct.