Wiring a fish finder

[soccs11]

Please help and don't make fun of me. I have a 2021 Bass Buggy 18 and my kids bought my a fish finder. I don't know where to get the electric needed to power it. Do I splice into something else; like the radio; or do I have to go to some more direct power source? The very limited instructions shows that it needs a 3.0 A Fuse going to a 12 Vdc battery. I do have a 12 Volt outlet on the console. Could I get the correct male plug and use that?

 

[dingbat]

Please help and don't make fun of me. I have a 2021 Bass Buggy 18 and my kids bought my a fish finder. I don't know where to get the electric needed to power it. Do I splice into something else; like the radio; or do I have to go to some more direct power source? The very limited instructions shows that it needs a 3.0 A Fuse going to a 12 Vdc battery. I do have a 12 Volt outlet on the console. Could I get the correct male plug and use that?

Yes to all of your questions.

The only real criteria is that you don’t want it powered through a switch, ie ignition,

Ideally you would wire to the distribution panel (fuse panel) at the helm and fused there

 

[legalfee]

If you don't have a house battery you're running off your starting battery which you could run down. I just bought a motorcycle battery and run my fishfinder and stereo off of it.

 

[Silvertip]

No need for separate battery for the fish finder. It would run all day without impacting the starting battery unless the starting battery itself is undersized or just tired. Now forgetting to unplug the fish finder and leaving the boat unattended for a week or so would indeed leave you with a dead battery.

 

[jlh3rd]

mine receives power from a battery master console switch I installed.

 

[briangcc]

Mine's powered off an always on circuit (unless I throw the main battery switch - which I do when its on the trailer).

IF a single fish finder is draining your starting battery where it won't start your motor you have a weak battery that probably needs replacing. I've run mine for hours on end with the motor off with no issues.

 

[soccs11]

I ordered a 12 - 24V Male Car Cigarette, Lighter Aux Socket Plug Connector with Fuse Red LED to attach my fish finder to. I have the socket right on my console for quick plug in and out. I will let you know how it works. Thanks.

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[soccs11]

The cigarette lighter plug worker, but I didn't like the way it looked. I was able to go under the console and unplug the cigarette lighter receiver and use those wires for the fish finder. All looks good and it is working. Thanks to all that responded to my request. Cheers.