Helix wiring question

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02-18-2020, 06:15 PM
slowhand

Helix wiring question

I am getting ready to wire up my Helix. I have a dedicated battery for it at the rear of my stick steer boat. I have a inline blade fuse at the battery connection, and have 10 gauge wire run to the front. The wire is the one Ricky uses, run inside a loom to the front.
My question is can I wire the Helix power wire and the Heading sensor power wire at the same connection to the 10 gauge wire? Planning on soldering them and then heat shrink the connection.
Or will I get interference from the Heading sensor on the Helix?
The connections once made will not be easy to get to, as they will be under the front wooden section of the deck that is removed at the present.
If interference is encountered, I have a 6 slot fuse block I could install, but it would be more wiring and have to be located in an accessable location.
I don't plan on installing any more powered accessories up front, so the fuse block would only be service to the Helix and Heading sensor.
I want to do this right the first time. I hate redos.
Thanks in advance.
02-18-2020, 07:29 PM
Snubby

Don't see why not, I have two helix units, heading sensor, and other accessories ran off my one cranking battery. I have zero issues with interference. You should be fine is my opinion. Hopefully more folks will chime in and offer reassurance!

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02-20-2020, 12:12 PM
Bricks

Be sure you can cut power to the heading sensor as it will draw juice continuously.
02-20-2020, 01:11 PM
slowhand

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bricks

Be sure you can cut power to the heading sensor as it will draw juice continuously.

Hadn't thought of that. Thanks

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02-20-2020, 07:06 PM
Snubby

If I'm not mistaken it's a very minimum draw of power when TM is turned off and not paired to the heading sensor. I've never had any issues with it drawing a battery down, of course I charge my batteries after each use and keep a maintainer charge most times. If you disconnect power completely from the heading sensor then reconnect you have to pair it again and recalibrate the sensor and TM again each time it's disconnected. Atleast that's how it works with my Ultrex in my experience.

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02-20-2020, 07:29 PM
slowhand

That changes things. Thanks for the info. Would not want to recalibrate on each trip. I too, immediately re-charge my batteries upon returning from a trip and keep them on a maintainer until the next trip.

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02-22-2020, 04:54 PM
ezfishn

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowhand

I am getting ready to wire up my Helix. I have a dedicated battery for it at the rear of my stick steer boat. I have a inline blade fuse at the battery connection, and have 10 gauge wire run to the front. The wire is the one Ricky uses, run inside a loom to the front.
My question is can I wire the Helix power wire and the Heading sensor power wire at the same connection to the 10 gauge wire? Planning on soldering them and then heat shrink the connection.
Or will I get interference from the Heading sensor on the Helix?
The connections once made will not be easy to get to, as they will be under the front wooden section of the deck that is removed at the present.
If interference is encountered, I have a 6 slot fuse block I could install, but it would be more wiring and have to be located in an accessable location.
I don't plan on installing any more powered accessories up front, so the fuse block would only be service to the Helix and Heading sensor.
I want to do this right the first time. I hate redos.
Thanks in advance.

Which Heading Sensor are you trying to power? Didn't see a reference to a TM.
02-22-2020, 05:01 PM
ezfishn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snubby

If I'm not mistaken it's a very minimum draw of power when TM is turned off and not paired to the heading sensor. I've never had any issues with it drawing a battery down, of course I charge my batteries after each use and keep a maintainer charge most times. If you disconnect power completely from the heading sensor then reconnect you have to pair it again and recalibrate the sensor and TM again each time it's disconnected. Atleast that's how it works with my Ultrex in my experience.

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Should not have to pair or recalibrate the Ultrex MK Bluetooth Heading Sensor after power is turned off to the TM or sensor. I have battery cutoff switches to isolate both cranking and TM batteries and turn them off every time I store the boat and recharge batteries. I do occasionally recheck the calibration to see if it has changed because I use the TM and Heading Sensor for my GPS/HS source to the bow Helix model.
02-22-2020, 08:35 PM
slowhand

2020 Non-linked Terrova

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02-22-2020, 10:09 PM
jawjatek

You should not have to re-pair nor re-cal the MK heading sensor if power is interrupted after a successful pairing and cal. I disconnected mine several times while installing a new fuse block and getting my boat wiring just how I liked it, and did not have to re-pair.
02-25-2020, 10:22 PM
Bricks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snubby

If I'm not mistaken it's a very minimum draw of power when TM is turned off and not paired to the heading sensor. I've never had any issues with it drawing a battery down, of course I charge my batteries after each use and keep a maintainer charge most times. If you disconnect power completely from the heading sensor then reconnect you have to pair it again and recalibrate the sensor and TM again each time it's disconnected. Atleast that's how it works with my Ultrex in my experience.

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I have never had to do this and my power is shut off by the main power switch shuts the whole boat down and never had to recalibrate.
02-26-2020, 10:56 AM
Snubby

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bricks

I have never had to do this and my power is shut off by the main power switch shuts the whole boat down and never had to recalibrate.

Good to know, I have only had to disconnect the heading sensor 3 times and each time I did I had to recalibrate. Once was when transferring the TM to a new boat so heading sensor was of course moved to a different spot (line of sight changed). The other two times was replacing live well pumps and then new batteries. Maybe I just done it without it being necessary. I still don't think it's necessary to cutoff the heading sensor power after each trip unless the boat will sit for long periods without a maintainer charge from time to time. To each their own though, I will have information in case I ever need to disconnect it in the future though so thanks!