Power source

[captras]

Looking for suggestions on best spot to wire into power for new Garming 43 DV installation. I was thinking about just hooking into the 12V accessory plug below the instrument panel? Good? Bad? Ugly?

 

[Andy S]

Depends. Will you be using the acc plug and GPS at the same time? If so, I would run a new power & ground led from the battery to the helm for the GPS. If not, then yes wiring to the acc plug will be fine.

 

[captras]

The only thing that I would be running out of the ACC plug would be a cell phone charger. ..2 amps max.

 

[Andy S]

The only thing that I would be running out of the ACC plug would be a cell phone charger. ..2 amps max.

You should be fine. I believe the breaker on the acc is 10 amps so plenty of room for both.

 

[captras]

Yea. .best I can tell the Garmin draw is not more than an amp. Thanks for your time!

 

[Mainah]

The fuse rating is in the owners manual under specifications. My manual (2016 242 LS) lists 20 amps for the accessory fuse. I am dubious on that though as I know the aceesory port in the swim deck port seat back storage area is 20 amp. Could be they both are but not listed separately.

The Garmin is specd for 5 watt draw so 5 watts/12 volts = 0.41 amps. I think you will be more than fine.

 

[captras]

Great, I knew it was 5W and 12 V, but couldnt remember the formula however one source seemed to reference 5xxma, so I figured it would be ok. Thanks!!

 

[Mainah]

Amps * Volts = Watts . Once you remember that you can flip it around to get any of the three knowing the other two. Works for AC as well.

I would verify that the outlet is switched just in case you forget to shut off your batteries. If it is not then you can use a relay to make it switched.

 

[swatski]

Amps * Volts = Watts . Once you remember that you can flip it around to get any of the three knowing the other two. Works for AC as well.

I would verify that the outlet is switched just in case you forget to shut off your batteries. If it is not then you can use a relay to make it switched.

What would you use for that relay? A power antenna (blue wire) from the HU?

I used the yellow/red-stripe wire from the ignition as a source of switched power, will need it again for Perfect Pass.

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[AZDANSX230HO]

Looking for suggestions on best spot to wire into power for new Garming 43 DV installation. I was thinking about just hooking into the 12V accessory plug below the instrument panel? Good? Bad? Ugly?

Our depth gauge did not work when I bought our boat, so I tapped into the wiring for the depth gauge since our SIMRAD unit takes care of Depth, GPS, etc. It is switched power which I like, so when the boat is not running I can leave the key on while we are fishing, it has worked well for us so far.

 

[Mainah]

The depth gauge receives low current 12 volt courtesy of it being NMEA. That is fine for the trigger on a relay. I am going to be adding a lot to my boat so I am adding a switched fuse panel in the helm. I already have direct from battery 0 gauge run to a distribution block in the helm so I am going to run a 50 amp continuous duty relay off that to a fuse panel so I have a whole switched panel. I will use the yellow red from the ignition for the trigger.

That way I can hook up ballast pumps, perfect pass, and a chartplotter with no issues and less risk of leaving something on and draining the battery.

I do recommend the yellow red ignition wire as the switched trigger for relays.

 

[swatski]

I do recommend the yellow red ignition wire as the switched trigger for relays.

Thanks for clarifying that!
Will you pleeeese post your set up when done.

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[Bill D]

@Mainah are you using the relay to shut the fuse panel off because of the push button start mod? I often use accessories powered by the aux panel I added behind the helm with the engines off, so I'm just curious.

 

[AZDANSX230HO]

The depth gauge receives low current 12 volt courtesy of it being NMEA. That is fine for the trigger on a relay. I am going to be adding a lot to my boat so I am adding a switched fuse panel in the helm. I already have direct from battery 0 gauge run to a distribution block in the helm so I am going to run a 50 amp continuous duty relay off that to a fuse panel so I have a whole switched panel. I will use the yellow red from the ignition for the trigger.

That way I can hook up ballast pumps, perfect pass, and a chartplotter with no issues and less risk of leaving something on and draining the battery.

I do recommend the yellow red ignition wire as the switched trigger for relays.

If I remember correctly the depth gauge wiring were tied directly to the ignition switch power and ground.

 

[Mainah]

I will. I must sound like a broken record with the boat is wrapped excuse but that, the freezing cold weather, and feet of snow should be pretty good excuses. Below is the current photo. I am going to add an 8 channel JL amp and a switched sub panel off of the two remaining distribution fuse slots. I will likley locate the new panel to hold all of that opposite my current one under the helm on the seatback wall. So I will run two 4 awg pairs around the helm. I really like the helm for electronics as opposed to under the seats given that even if left open it is still a dry spot and less likley that items will interfere with heat dissipation.

 

[blacksapphirez]

I used wires that went to the power outlet. Guaranteed 12v and no guessing which one is power. then again I like to keep things simple. no fuse box, no relay, least amount of electronics possible lol

 

[Mainah]

If I remember correctly the depth gauge wiring were tied directly to the ignition switch power and ground.

Certainly could be. The 12v power just needs to be introduced from a source the communication happens on the other wires. I am just wary of tapping into anything that may introduce noise, either to what I am adding or what is already there.

 

[Mainah]

I used wires that went to the power outlet. Guaranteed 12v and no guessing which one is power. then again I like to keep things simple. no fuse box, no relay, least amount of electronics possible lol

In line fuse for the Garmin at least?

 

[blacksapphirez]

In line fuse for the Garmin at least?

isn't the 12v cig jack already fused? (i don't have a garmin)

 

[Mainah]

isn't the 12v cig jack already fused? (i don't have a garmin)

Sorry Garmin came from what started the thread. Yes the cig jack is fused. The reason why you would want a fuse between that and a chartplottker or other low amperage device is to protect that high dollar low amperage device. If the cig lighter is fused at 20 amps and the chartplotter only draws half an amp then you want to use a 1 amp inline fuse for the plotter.