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How To Install A Fish Finder
Whether you are an amateur or an experienced fisherman, knowing how to correctly install a fish finder is a skill you cannot afford to miss. It is therefore important to know the Do’s and Don’ts while fixing the device in your vessel so that it can give good service to you. First and foremost, let us see the tools that we need to fully install a fish finder. It is advisable to make a list of the things that you require so as to save time, and purchase the ones that you do not have in advance before you start the process of installing it.
Tools that you need
- Fish tape. This is useful when running the cables from the power source to the main unit.
- Drill (Power drill). This comes in handy when you start drilling holes that will be used when running the wires and mounting the transducer.
- Masking tape. This becomes useful especially when we have drilled holes into fiberglass. The tape is used to cover the holes preventing cracks while drilling.
- Cable ties. This will be used to secure the installation and makes your work neat and pleasant to look at.
- A fuse kit. Since you will be dealing with electric wires, it is advisable to use an inline fuse holder to protect the unit from voltage spikes.
- Try as much as you can, utilize stainless steel hardware such as screws and nuts. They should have enough length to reach underneath the boat.
Location
The next step is to find a suitable location to fix the transducer. This depends on the type of transducer you are working with. If you opt for a transom mount transducer, it is something you can put together on your own with tools you can easily find in your garage. If it is a thru-hull transducer however, you will need some professional assistance as it involves drilling a hole underneath the vessel.
Keeping in mind that the transducer should be fully submerged in water at all times, then it goes without mentioning, find a location that is always underwater. Make sure that where the transducer is located is always under water. The location should also be free from too much disturbance as this may affect the accuracy of the readings.
Installation Process
Once the location has been determined, drill the mounting holes with a power drill. Make sure the hole is large enough to accommodate all the unit’s wires; and of course it is probably best to place the transducer before doing anything with the aim of getting a rough idea of how it will fit. It is also a good way of knowing whether the wires that are going to be run will rub against one another once put in place. In order to avoid drilling unnecessary holes in your vessel, the transducer should be mounted on a plastic block.
The next step is running the wires from the power source to the main unit. In other words, the wires should run from the power source to the transducer and to the fish finder, which will be located in the boat. The wires are responsible for transmitting current, red being positive and black being negative. Secure these wires with clamps to avoid unnecessary movement, about every eighteen inches.
- Do not cut the wires as it may invalidate the warranty. If they are too long, better coil them, then clamp them near the main unit.
Mount the fish finder
The fish finder, including the display can be mounted on the dashboard, which is where most people place it. It is a convenient location for easy reading and interpretation of results.
As I conclude, there are a few tips to consider if you want to make the installation a success.
- Make sure you register your fish finder. As we mentioned earlier what not to do so as to avoid invalidation of the warranty, fish finder registration is what will activate the warranty. While you are at it, confirm the company’s email address. This becomes useful if you want to receive alerts and updates on the latest regarding the product.
- Due to the advancement in technology, most modern fish finders have computers as units and run on software. It is obvious that carrying out updates once in a while is essential for efficiency.
- For a fish finder to operate smoothly, having a clean source of income is vital. The power source needs to supply enough power and must have an inbuilt fuse between it and the main unit. The purpose of this fuse is to prevent voltage spikes from damaging the equipment.
Once you take these few points into consideration, your fish finder is ready. Take it for a spin and have fun.