Fish Finder Power question

[nokiddin]

Hey Everyone. I'm lookin to buy a fishfinder, but have a few questions before I buy. The one I am most interested in needs to be wired into the auxillary power of my boat. However, I remember my uncle having one with a battery that he charged up. My boat only has the one battery which is the battery responsible for starting the boat ( my motor does have a pullstart backup too). Is it scary wiring the fish finder to my starting battery? or do fish finders take such little power that its not a huge concern as long as I start the motor once in awhile? The fish finder I was lookin at is a Garmin Echo 300C.

Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Fish Finder Power question

fish finders take very little power. much less than your radio.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Fish Finder Power question

No! The "locator" will use so little power it is simply not a problem. Besides, you have rope start capability. No issue.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Fish Finder Power question

Is it scary wiring the fish finder to my starting battery?

Yes ... but the issue is not if you will kill your starting battery. Many fishfinders are voltage sensitive, so that when you crank your motor the fishfinder will "freeze" or power off. That's what your uncle was trying to avoid, and a second battery is a good (but not the only) solution.

 

[nokiddin]

Re: Fish Finder Power question

Will this surge of power damage the fishfinder? Or is it simply an annoyance. Also, is there any way to wire it or anything to add into the wiring to prevent the surge? I will probably wire it through one of my empty AUX switches under the dash.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Fish Finder Power question

Stop worrying. If your battery is getting so low that it shuts down the locator, then there are other issues related to the electrical system. Most electronics is high and low voltage protected. Having it trip off is not an issue. Obvously if the starting battery is marginal to begin with, ANY load on it will suck it flat in a hurry. A little 9Amp gel cell will run a locator for days. Here's a test for you. Go to your garage, turn on the car radio and then leave it on overnight. I'm betting the car starts just fine in the morning. The radio draws probably two or three times as much current as the locator.

 

[nokiddin]

Re: Fish Finder Power question

Thanks Silvertip, thats the kind of answer I wanted. Haven't even bought the locator yet, just makin sure I know how to hook er up when I get it.