Installing Depth Finder

[BG RTR]

I need to replace my bow depth finder. I have a 96 Stratos 285. I'm a novice boater with average mechanical ability. Is this a job that is fairly easy? Any recommendations? I'm trying to decide if I should purchase the new unit somewhere where they can also install or picking one up online. Thx.

[CDMeyer]

As to how to do it I can not help you but I can tell you that they are very easy to do

[slonezp]

The power wire from your old depthfinder is either run back to the battery or spliced somewhere in between. If it's spliced in the bow, it should be relatively easy. You will probably have to remove some access panels or cup holders to peek into the nose and find the connection. The wires may or may not be wire tied together with other wires. If you have to cut the ties, be careful not to cut the wires. The power wires should be white for the - and either a solid color or a solid color with a different color stripe for the +. The red wire on the new power line connects to the + and the black wire to the -. You will need a wire stripper, a wire crimper(or a stripper/crimper combo tool) and some heat shrink connectors(could be male/female spade or butt connectors). To shrink the heat shrink connectors, a heat gun or a small benzomatic torch. All of which can be purchased at Home Depot. 

 

If the power wires are run back to the battery, you can either splice into them or run new wires. Splicing is easier, although not likely, it is also a point of failure.

 

As far as the transducer, if the transducer is in the trolling motor, just install the new one same as the old. If the transducer is on the transom, you will need to "fish" the transducer wire from the transom up to the bow. This is done by taping a string to the plug that connects the transducer to the graph. Pull the transducer cable from the bow back to the transom(its possible you may need to remove other points of access to make this happen). Once you have pulled the string all the way thru to the transom, tie the string to the new transducer plug. Go to the bow and pull on the string until the plug is up at the bow. If for some reason the transducer line is not long enough, you should be able to buy an extension.

[slonezp]

I forgot. You need to make sure there is a 3 amp fuse on the + side preferably near the battery 

[BG RTR]

Thx! If I have to run a new power wire do I connect to cranking or TM battery?

[Wayne P.]

Thx! If I have to run a new power wire do I connect to cranking or TM battery?

Cranking battery

[BG RTR]

Cranking battery

Thanks, Wayne!  Some say to only hook up to cranking, other say to hook up to TM.  I'm glad you chimed in as I have a great deal of trust in your input!

[Wayne P.]

Thanks, Wayne!  Some say to only hook up to cranking, other say to hook up to TM.  I'm glad you chimed in as I have a great deal of trust in your input!

You can connect it to the TM battery, BUT the possibility of getting RFI from the trolling motor is high. Some do it anyway since an electric motor is their only boat propulsion.

In your case, do it the correct way.