How to: Install your fish finder the right way

[seabass68]

Hi all,

I did a video a few weeks ago. this way will help you eliminate 95% of your interference if not all.

Don't hesitate to comment on here if you have questions.

https://youtu.be/Ik9FtLECfVc

[yarcraft91]

Some good tips in your video. A couple of thoughts.

For the sonar/GPS and VHF units mounted on the console: Since the ignition and dash wiring run under the starboard gunnel, I run the sonar/GPS and VHF power and transducer cables through the bilge. Any electrical connections in the bilge are mounted as high as possible and waterproofed with silicone dielectric grease. That minimizes picking up ignition noise from the outboards. The power wires go to a headlight relay mounted underneath the dash, away from dash electronics. The relay then provides power to the sonar/GPS, VHF and an NMEA2000 network. These relays are cheap, reliable, waterproof and capable of handling far more current than required here. The relay is controlled by one of the switches on the factory switch panel. This arrangement lets me isolate sonar/GPS, VHF and network power from the typically noisy power on the switch panel, plus lets me use a convenient existing switch (with indicator light) to control power to the electronics. I run an NMEA2000 network, which is powered independently from the sonar/GPS and must be powered off when the boat is not in use.

I found sources of ferrites that can be installed after the electrical connections have all been soldered. I put ferrites on the power wires as well as the transducer cables. My electronics are virtually immune to electrical noise.