What size wire?

[wilbur]

To use to run from the Bat. in back to HDS10 upfront about 18 ft. Im hooked up right now to the stock wires upfront on a Bass Tracker 175, but Im loosing 2volts or a little more when unit is on. When I start the big motor the DF flashes off for a second. I was thinking like a 12/2 extension cord . You think that will do it?

[Barnacle Bill]

12 gauge would be an overkill. I don't know the amp draw of a HDS10 but assuming its about 3 amps the voltage drop at 18 feet would be .711 VDC. I would use 16 gauge just for a fudge factor and in case I ever wanted to add something else (small) up there.

[wilbur]

Theres 16 ga. up there now ,but it doesnt go directly to the Bat. It comes from the boats wiring somewhere but I dont know where. All thats connected to the bat is the Bat cables to the starter.

[Barnacle Bill]

It could be feeding some other equipment causing the voltage drop. Or bad connections somewhere.

[Fisherman_Wantabe]

It could be feeding some other equipment causing the voltage drop. Or bad connections somewhere.

Have to agree with the bad connection, I'm using 18ga to power my 1197 with no problems.

[Cane Pole]

Where are you measuring your voltage? What other equipment do you have on when the HDS is on?

[Billbob]

i would use 2-0 copper no drop

[wilbur]

Where are you measuring your voltage? What other equipment do you have on when the HDS is on?

No other equipment turned on. Its a bass tracker 175,under the front deck there were 2 wires not being used so i used them. I assumed they were for a DF.

[wilbur]

Im reading the voltage at the plug witout unit it is 12 something, i plug unit in and the display on the units readout says 10.5 at the end of the day 9.9.

[jaxsprat]

I would trace down that wire to see where its getting its power from, it would be to your advantage power wise & interference wise to hook that wire direct to the battery if you can. Maybe u could call/visit a bass pro boat shop and ask if they know where those wires are powered from...