Fish Finder wiring on yak?

[hau]

I need wiring help please.
I bought a 12v fishfinder and want to mount it on my yak. The fishfinder has a red, black and white wire. Instructions say, connect black wire to dc negative, red wire to 12v dc positive and white (drain) wire to "vessels RF ground point. On vessels without an RF ground system, the drain wire should be connected directly to the negative battery terminal." My battery pack is a 8pack of 1.5v AA batteries to equal 12volts, with just a red and black wire.
My question: How do I wire this fishfinder to this battery pack on a kayak and how to wire in a 5a fuse?
Thanks in advance for your help

[Javimahi]

I can't imagine that you would get very much life out of AA batteries wired in series to make 12v, maybe a couple hours if you're lucky. If I were doing this on a kayak I would be looking for a small jetski/lawnmower/atv battery.

Anyways to answer your question, to wire that up all of the batteries would have to be connected in series with fuse between FF red wire and battery positive, then the FF white & black connected to battery negative. The white wire is probably for boats with engines in which case the propeller and drive system are subject to electrolysis.

(FF red)+ +(5A fuse)+ +B- +B- +B- +B- +B- +B- +B- +B- -(FF white & black)

[hau]

Javimahi--Great, thanks for the advice.

What type of waterproof connectors are best in this application to join the fishfinder wires to the battery wires?

[Javimahi]

Definitely want to use heat shrink connectors and terminals. Also you want to use wire crimpers that don't have a tooth which can break the heat shrink and defeat its purpose.

This website is great for marine electrical supply:

http://www.genuinedealz.com/wire-spl...18-awg-10-pack

[hau]

Javimahi---thank you for the help sir.

To any and all who can help. Last question.
Below is a pic of my ff and battery wires. I would like to use some type of connector between the ff wires and battery wires (in my picture) that I could use to plug and unplug the ff and battery. I want to be able to plug and unplug the battery from the ff. Please to keep in mind that these connectors are on a kayak and will probably be getting wet now and then.

What is the best type of connector, in your opinion, to use?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to help me out.

[Javimahi]

I guess I can help with that too

There are couple types of connectors that would work.

1/4" "blade" Male and Female:

http://www.genuinedealz.com/22-18-aw...al-male-5-pack

http://www.genuinedealz.com/22-18-aw...-female-5-pack

Also available are the round bullet type connectors:

http://www.delcity.net/store/Heat-Sh...ctors/p_801750

I prefer the blade style, they hold better in my experience. If the round ones get loose and you try to pinch the female with some pliers they can turn to an oval and get ruined.

[hau]

Originally Posted by Javimahi

I guess I can help with that too

There are couple types of connectors that would work.

1/4" "blade" Male and Female:

http://www.genuinedealz.com/22-18-aw...al-male-5-pack

http://www.genuinedealz.com/22-18-aw...-female-5-pack

Also available are the round bullet type connectors:

http://www.delcity.net/store/Heat-Sh...ctors/p_801750

I prefer the blade style, they hold better in my experience. If the round ones get loose and you try to pinch the female with some pliers they can turn to an oval and get ruined.

PERFECT, thank you very much for helping me. I'll be buying these tomorrow along with a 5A inline fuse and should be ready to fish with it in a day or so.

[Linghunt]

Those are interesting. Pretty good low cost DIY parts. I will make a note of them for future projects.

I had been using these Deutsch Plugs that come in various configurations.

http://www.wirecare.com/deutsch-conn...=dt&contacts=2

These are really nice and not too expensive compared to the Military Spec Metal connectors.

Beware you do need the crimper and it's like $250. I already had one so, no cost there for me to use these.

Anyway, Food for thought for those fighting connector conductivity. -John

[hau]

Originally Posted by Linghunt

Those are interesting. Pretty good low cost DIY parts. I will make a note of them for future projects.

I had been using these Deutsch Plugs that come in various configurations.

http://www.wirecare.com/deutsch-conn...=dt&contacts=2

These are really nice and not too expensive compared to the Military Spec Metal connectors.

Beware you do need the crimper and it's like $250. I already had one so, no cost there for me to use these.

Anyway, Food for thought for those fighting connector conductivity. -John

GREAT information Linghunt. Thanks for taking the time to help me out. Your post is very helpful. Much appreciated.

[Linghunt]

Another cost effective aide is to use some grease in the connector. There are many version to choose from.

A quick search uncovered this one.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...FRRsfgod3UwAGQ

Some of the larger crimps for like 0000 AWG wire has the crimps pre-greased. Use the right grease, not whatever happens to be in your grease gun used on your lawn mower.

[hau]

OK my helpful brothers. What do you think. Do I have this wiring correct?
Thank you

[kwtony]

Looks good, crimp and seal her up. Maybe even try to cover the whole thing with sleeve.

There are some seriously small jet ski AGM batteries that would be perfect for this, my buddy showed up with a battery he uses on his race skis that he "hasn't been able to kill" it was literally half the size of the batteries that are used in the rental skis, (pretty sure) a higher CCA and came with a legit warranty.

My plan is to put two in each ski and put them on a switch, just like a boat....

I just messaged my friend for the info and will post them up here when he gets back with me. A good small solar panel that can be removed and tucked inside the hull would prove a good investment and keep the batts topped off. You could easily wire in a small usb plug and keep your phone/go pro cameras charged on an overnighter to the islands...

[hau]

Thank you sir.

[hau]

Almost last question
Will it hurt or damage my FF (including connected transducer) to turn it on OUT OF THE WATER for an hour?

[kwtony]

I mean, i dont want to say yes and have you mess your stuff up. But i dont see any reason why it would matter. I know ive left my FF on doing what you ask but am unsure of the new fangled setups and if they need water or can overheat outside of it.

was your trans hot?