Proper electrical wire for sonar unit

DaveH · Post by **DaveH** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 9:42 am

Whats the right wire to use from the battery to the front unit, marine wire, gage, where to buy ?
I keep having corrosion on my negative side? thanks in advance

Ken Sauret · Post by **Ken Sauret** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 5:14 pm

You need to have a power disconnect within 6 inches of the starting battery to eliminate the build up of electrolysis. If you leave the power on in your boat when it is not in the water you will experience corrosion. Install a Perko master disconnect to be able to shut off the power to your wiring.

DaveH · Post by **DaveH** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 9:34 pm

So Ken should I connect both units to the perko directly, I have setup for the motor, I heard use 10 gauge wire with the fuses at the battery side?

Ken Sauret · Post by **Ken Sauret** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 4:46 pm

Take power and ground from the battery to the shut off master switch, not more than 6 inches to the switch. Then run negative and positive to the console and then on to the bow and put the fuse on the positive where you connect to the power cable for each unit. The heavier the wire the better the carry of power. 10 gauge should be fine. This can be a separate connection to the battery along with the new S/O switch. Leave the other wiring as it is, the bilge pumps, livewell pumps, lights, etc.

ACRon · Post by **ACRon** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 10:42 am

Ken, I have both my Sonar Units, my Nmea, my LSS's, and my Network Expansion all on master or individual accessory switches is there still a need for the Master Disconnect??

Is the disconnect only needed on the cranking battery/electronics supply side or are you saying we need one on the trolling motor side also?

Ken Sauret · Post by **Ken Sauret** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 1:00 pm

If you were to shut off all those switches then you wouldn't need a master switch. I like to shut off one switch and be done. You shouldn't leave the power on to any device while the boat is being stored or the batteries charged. Electrolysis can result and cause a new set of problems.