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Author Topic:   SONAR Installation

cubanwhaler posted 05-04-2007 11:04 AM ET (US)
I am installing a SONAR on my SPORT 15. How do I run the wire from the unit to the transducer on the transom? Do I drill through the transom? Or should I just loop it over the transom? What is the preferred method. Please direct me to any links that might help too. Thanks!
Bella con23 posted 05-04-2007 11:15 AM ET (US)
I would start with this link - http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/sonarTransducer.html
cubanwhaler posted 05-04-2007 02:10 PM ET (US)
Thanks. [The reference article] looks like it is a well thought out discussion. I have one more question: if I loop [the cable from the transducer to the SONAR] over the transom, with what do I attach the loose wire to the transom?
Another question, do I directly link to the battery or the fuse box? The unit I have already has a 3-amp in-line fuse. Thanks again.
Buckda posted 05-04-2007 02:54 PM ET (US)
I would use the small cable stays that are available from any marine chandlery. They are white/offwhite plastic and take one screw. Pre-drill a shallow hole in the transom, apply silicone/sealant and install the screw and cable tie. Do this in a straight line up the transom to the top and then blend in the wire with the rigging for the engine.
I'd attach the power through your fuse block with an appropriate sided fuse, if you have the room in your fuse block.
Chuck Tribolet posted 05-04-2007 06:22 PM ET (US)
I wouldn't blend the transducer cable into the engine wiring
until the engine wiring was pretty close to where it ducks
under the deck. Remember that the engines swings port and
starboard, the transducer does not.
You probably have an Acc switch on your sport 15. I'd wire
to that.
Don't use anything you bought at the hardware store or auto
parts store. Marine grade really means something in
electricals. Ancor and Blue Seas are two good brands.

Chuck
jimh posted 05-05-2007 12:16 AM ET (US)
You can use nylon cable clamps of the appropriate size to secure cable to a surface. You can also use stainless steel clamps if you prefer. You can find these sorts of electrical wiring accessories for marine use at most any place that sells marine electronics and electrical accessories. They are a good way to secure the cable from the transducer to the transom.
The power demands of a modern solid-state SONAR are modest so there is no particular reason to wire its power leads directly to the primary distribution wiring or the battery itself on your boat. You can connect the SONAR unit to a secondary battery distribution branch circuit.
(Moderator's note: Rather than consolidate a wide variety of questions about boat electrical and electronic topics into a single thread, please begin a new thread when you begin a different topic or have a new question not related to the installation of your SONAR.)
highanddry posted 05-05-2007 01:19 PM ET (US)
Woooooooo Nellie, no.

As you may know sometimes electronic items including transducers do not function, sometimes you are not satisfied with the performance and choose to upgrade. With a new sonar I would not drill, cut, saw or do anything to my boat until you have water tested the unit and decided it works to your satisfaction and you like it and wnat to keep it.
OK, you can run the transducer cable in through the transom drain or over the transom. Go to an auto parts store and purchase clear vinyl tape used for seat repair. It will adhere the cable at several locations just fine while testing.
Since I do not have a good picture of your boat in my head I will not say what to do after testing, most likely you will drill a hole and route it through the rigging tunnel.

I did cut my console for my Humminbird 987 but I left the transducer cable in a transom drain and then up and under my Dri-Dek, it sits in a groove in the floor. The Dri-Dek protects the cable just fine. I am installing a second sonar so I will eventually pull both cables through the rigging tunnel together.
Also, I recommend a KING Starboard or similar material to make a transducer mouting plate on the transom. Many boat shops have generic ones but I custom made mine.

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Author	Topic: SONAR Installation
cubanwhaler	posted 05-04-2007 11:04 AM ET (US) I am installing a SONAR on my SPORT 15. How do I run the wire from the unit to the transducer on the transom? Do I drill through the transom? Or should I just loop it over the transom? What is the preferred method. Please direct me to any links that might help too. Thanks!
Bella con23	posted 05-04-2007 11:15 AM ET (US) I would start with this link - http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/sonarTransducer.html
cubanwhaler	posted 05-04-2007 02:10 PM ET (US) Thanks. [The reference article] looks like it is a well thought out discussion. I have one more question: if I loop [the cable from the transducer to the SONAR] over the transom, with what do I attach the loose wire to the transom? Another question, do I directly link to the battery or the fuse box? The unit I have already has a 3-amp in-line fuse. Thanks again.
Buckda	posted 05-04-2007 02:54 PM ET (US) I would use the small cable stays that are available from any marine chandlery. They are white/offwhite plastic and take one screw. Pre-drill a shallow hole in the transom, apply silicone/sealant and install the screw and cable tie. Do this in a straight line up the transom to the top and then blend in the wire with the rigging for the engine. I'd attach the power through your fuse block with an appropriate sided fuse, if you have the room in your fuse block.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 05-04-2007 06:22 PM ET (US) I wouldn't blend the transducer cable into the engine wiring until the engine wiring was pretty close to where it ducks under the deck. Remember that the engines swings port and starboard, the transducer does not. You probably have an Acc switch on your sport 15. I'd wire to that. Don't use anything you bought at the hardware store or auto parts store. Marine grade really means something in electricals. Ancor and Blue Seas are two good brands. Chuck
jimh	posted 05-05-2007 12:16 AM ET (US) You can use nylon cable clamps of the appropriate size to secure cable to a surface. You can also use stainless steel clamps if you prefer. You can find these sorts of electrical wiring accessories for marine use at most any place that sells marine electronics and electrical accessories. They are a good way to secure the cable from the transducer to the transom. The power demands of a modern solid-state SONAR are modest so there is no particular reason to wire its power leads directly to the primary distribution wiring or the battery itself on your boat. You can connect the SONAR unit to a secondary battery distribution branch circuit. (Moderator's note: Rather than consolidate a wide variety of questions about boat electrical and electronic topics into a single thread, please begin a new thread when you begin a different topic or have a new question not related to the installation of your SONAR.)
highanddry	posted 05-05-2007 01:19 PM ET (US) Woooooooo Nellie, no. As you may know sometimes electronic items including transducers do not function, sometimes you are not satisfied with the performance and choose to upgrade. With a new sonar I would not drill, cut, saw or do anything to my boat until you have water tested the unit and decided it works to your satisfaction and you like it and wnat to keep it. OK, you can run the transducer cable in through the transom drain or over the transom. Go to an auto parts store and purchase clear vinyl tape used for seat repair. It will adhere the cable at several locations just fine while testing. Since I do not have a good picture of your boat in my head I will not say what to do after testing, most likely you will drill a hole and route it through the rigging tunnel. I did cut my console for my Humminbird 987 but I left the transducer cable in a transom drain and then up and under my Dri-Dek, it sits in a groove in the floor. The Dri-Dek protects the cable just fine. I am installing a second sonar so I will eventually pull both cables through the rigging tunnel together. Also, I recommend a KING Starboard or similar material to make a transducer mouting plate on the transom. Many boat shops have generic ones but I custom made mine.