Fish finder wiring question

[gnrboyd]

I have an Eagle Fishmark 320 that I will be mounting on my bow. I have an empty slot on my fuse panel at the console that I want to use. I will run wiring from the panel to the bow which I would guess will be around 12' of wire for each color. These wires will be dedicated to the locator and nothing else.

The manual says to use a 3 amp fuse. The unit also comes with an in-line fuse. Do I need to also wire in this fuse near the unit or will the one at the console be sufficient. I really can't see why I would need the 2nd one at the bow since the locator is all that is on these wires. If I do need both, should I use a 3 amp at the fuse panel also?

I also would like to know what size wire I should use. I know there isn't much juice used on a locator. I have some red 16 ga and black 14 ga already at home. I know this is probably too big but will it hurt anything? Is it okay to mix wire sizes on positive/negative as long as the both are big enough?

Thanks for your input.​

 

[Boatist]

Re: Fish finder wiring question

I see no need for a fuse near the unit. I want the fuse at the power source or fuse box. If the wire should rub the insulation off and short out then I want the fuse between the battery and the wire.

As far as the wire size I think your should be ok with a black ground wire of 14 guage and Red 16 guage hot wire. I would not want the hot wire to be bigger than the the ground wire. The 14 guage is good for up to 15 amps and the 16 guage for sure good for over 3 amps.

I like to run a pair of wires with a second outer cover like a extention cord. It keeps the wires together and give another layer of insulation. Marine wire is tougher than regular stranded wire. I would not go less than 16 guage.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Fish finder wiring question

How many wires do you have for powering that unit? I wired mine (which is only 2 wires) to my fuse block. I used 18 gage wire to run to the bow for the other fish finder. If a 3 amp fuse is what it recommends then that would be what I would use, no more no less. One fuse should be sufficient.

Here is a link to the wire gage selection chart that I drew up a copy of. I couldn't post a picture on here do to the size and dimension of the pictures. If need be click the "full size" option to enlarge the picture.

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/...iew&current=Wire20Gauge20Selection20Table.jpg

 

[gnrboyd]

Re: Fish finder wiring question

wildmaninal - Just 2 wires on the unit. Thanks for the wire size chart. That might come in handy down the road.

Boatist... I just taped the 2 wires together about every foot or so. Not as good as your solution but I wanted to use the wire I already had.

Looks like I'm ok with my original plans with one fuse and my "in stock" wire. Thanks for the info guys...​