Bottomline fishfinder and ignition switch still a problem

[rookieboater]

I want to have my ff powered from the hot side and auxillary side of the ignition switch. I tried to wire my ff onto the auxillary side of the ignition switch (refer to July 03, 2004 post) so I can use it with the motor running (boat running) and with the key switched onto auxillary (boat not running just sitting). My ignition switch has only 4 terminals on the back and only one (I used an amp meter) is hot with the switch on auxillary (radio is also hooked to this terminal and works with switch on aux). When I connect to it, I have power to the ff (when switch is switched to aux.) but the hot side of the switch (the one the ff is hooked to with the switch turned on) also is getting power from the aux. connector. Hope I haven't confused everyone. My question is this, how do I connect to both sides of the switch without energizing the other connector? How can I separate the two sides of the switch and have power to my ff, the stereo runs off both. Again, thanks for your wisdom and help......rookieboater

 

[imported_JD__]

Re: Bottomline fishfinder and ignition switch still a problem

Maybe this isn't important to you but all ff manufacturers recommend going directly to the battery with a separate power lead. This will help to insure you don't have voltage loss and cut down on interference from radios, engine, etc.<br />I always wire mine this way.<br />JD

 

[rookieboater]

Re: Bottomline fishfinder and ignition switch still a problem

Thought about doing it that way, but I don't want to forget and leave the ff on and possibly run the battery down.<br />rookie boater

 

[cp]

Re: Bottomline fishfinder and ignition switch still a problem

"...how do I connect to both sides of the switch without energizing the other connector?"

You can't. By connecting your fishfinder to both the Aux and Run terminals you've made the finder a common tie point, so voltage on the Aux terminal will also be on the Run terminal, and everything on those two terminals will be energized up to their individual On/Off switches if they have one. The simple way around this is to use a different wafer on the ignition switch, but it sounds like your switch has only one wafer, so you're stuck with what you've got .<br /><br />Just my 2¢ but you might want to reconsider wiring the finder directly to your battery (or power buss) since having everything connected to both the Aux and Run terminals energized at the same time might run your battery down faster than if you just had the finder On by itself.

 

[rookieboater]

Re: Bottomline fishfinder and ignition switch still a problem

I bow to your wisdom (JD_ and pchonda) I'll hook it to the battery and just have to remember to turn the ff off whe I finish with it. I guess, if I have to jumpstart the boat I'll remember next time....thanks for your help and suggestions......rookieboater