Lowrance instillation ?

[ready2fish]

was wondering if you people use a on/off switch on you power line from the battery to your ff , my directions say to use a power on off switch. Is the only reason for this is to not were down you battery

[MThook]

Most electronics equipment keep use some voltage even when they are off, maybe a volt or volt and a half. I just installed a new unit and used the existing switch. Altho I disconect the batteries after each trip. Something I learned years ago...if you have a fire on a boat or car the insurance won't pay for the part that failed, weather it's a switch or bare wire so I disconnect so if there is a fire it won't be anything I did wrong.

[mduncan62]

I have mine fused, but not switched. I figure off is close enough to off. I unplug my trolling motor after each use though. I leave my onboard charger plugged in at all times when not on the water.

[CatFan]

If it's got an external GPS, you for sure want a switch somewhere feeding that. The GPS draws power all the time. My boat had two spare accessory wires that are switched by the main power switch that I use for my electronics.

[Barnacle Bill]

I tied mine into an accessory switch. I have it wired so with one flip, everything is off.

[ready2fish]

yes it has a external GPS, looks like i need to install a switch then

thanks all

[PanMan_VA]

After a couple of years, I just installed three switches for my Lowrance unit which is wired directly to the starting battery with two fuses (one for unit power and one for NEMA bus). The three switches cut power to the unit, NEMA bus (GPS), and broadband sounder. The NEMA bus and broadband sounder draw power all the time.

[Cane Pole]

I gotta turn master switch and accessories switch on to get my stuff to come on. I take my sonar/ gps stuff off and disconnect the TM when off the water. I don't leave my charger on all time as the boat has to spend the night by itself sometimes.:o