Humminbird wiring questions.

I'm getting ready to install the following in my boat and could use some knowledge on the wiring.

• Bow-Helix 9 Gen4 Mega DI+
• Bow-Mega 360
• Counsel- Helix 9 Gen4 Mega SI+
• Counsel-Ethernet Port
• Bow-Future Purchase- Mega Live

Being a former electrician, I hear people are having problems with power and it appears they go overboard on the wire size. A 5 amp circuit doesn't need #10 gauge wiring, but that seems to be what people are running.

What are you guys doing for wiring?
Adding a fuse block at teh counsel and running each component to the fuse block?
If so, what gauge wire are you running to the bow? Or are you using the stock 10' power cable. It will reach to teh counsel on my boat.
If you are running wire to the bow for each component, what gauge and are you cutting the power cables to length?

What about the GPS pucks for TM, how are you wiring it?

I’m OCD - and super cautious ... this is my preferred method ...

Circuit breaker at the battery post (slightly larger than total amp draw on that circuit) - with a short lead to a disconnect switch (Perko or Blue Sea) ...

Then a Blue Sea blade type fuse panel at the front for all bow electronics (and accessories for those electronics) - and a separate Blue Sea blade type fuse panel at the rear for all console electronics (and accessories for those electronics) ...
ST Blade - Blue Sea Systems

*Add up the amp draw on all those things to be connected to each fuse panel ...

*Online calculator for amp draw vs length of run ...
Amps and Wire Gauge in 12V Electrical Circuits

*For the wire gauge between the disconnect switch and the Blue Sea fuse panel - I like 1 or 2 size larger wire than recommended (simply because there’s not that much is difference in price of 1 or 2 wire sizes larger and allows for future expansion of added things to the Blue Sea fuse panel)..
Marine Grade Wire Duplex DC, Tinned Copper USA Made Boat Wiring

*For the wire gauge between Blue Sea fuse panel and a specific device - 1 or 2 size larger wire than recommended in online calculator ... (or 10gauge simply because I buy it by the 100ft roll) ...

Rickie

Minn Kota heading sensor puck only needs 12v power (connected to Blue Sea fuse panel) ...

*HB GPS antennas connect to a HB control head ...
*Lowrance and Garmin GPS antennas connect to a NMEA backbone (which can be powered from the Blue Sea fuse panel) ...

Rickie

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rnvinc

Minn Kota heading sensor puck only needs 12v power (connected to Blue Sea fuse panel) ...

*HB GPS antennas connect to a HB control head ...
*Lowrance and Garmin GPS antennas connect to a NMEA backbone (which can be powered from the Blue Sea fuse panel) ...

Rickie

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Thanks for the help and links. I just ordered everything for wiring the boat electronics. At least I think I ordered everything....lol

Where the problem comes with boat electronics is when you hit the key to start the big motor the drop in voltage that occurs can cause havoc with depth finders. If it was not for the current draw from the big motor most people would never have an issue. My Optimax the smallest they recommend is 1,000 cranking amp battery so there is a ton of draw during start up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bricks

Where the problem comes with boat electronics is when you hit the key to start the big motor the drop in voltage that occurs can cause havoc with depth finders. If it was not for the current draw from the big motor most people would never have an issue. My Optimax the smallest they recommend is 1,000 cranking amp battery so there is a ton of draw during start up.

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My interpretation- Get a cranking battery bigger than you need.
My 75hp Etec needs 640CCA. Right now the boat has a Group 24. Upgrading to a group 31 ought to do the trick.