Electronics Setup For Small Boats

[Stapsy]

I recently bought a 1036 jon boat and am trying to figure out how the best way to set it up with a fishfinder.  Originally I was planning to hook it up to the trolling motor battery, however I have read that it isn't the best idea.  I don't want to clutter up the boat with another large battery if I can help it. 

 

Does anybody have any suggestions on how to hook everything up?

 

The fishfinder I am looking at is the Helix 5 SI.

 

Thanks!

[Wayne P.]

Depending on the motor, connecting the sonar unit to the trolling motor battery may not be an issue.

 

I did that for about 40 years with jon boats.

 

Variable speed motors have the most issues with electronics.

[Sprocket]

Shouldn't be a huge issue.  I've done that for 20 or so years on my Coleman Crawdad.  Even if you get some interference, it shouldn't be enough to make much of a difference.

 

SE Kansas grass grower

[Comfortably Numb]

Will the Helix Si transducer fit on a trolling motor?

[Wayne P.]

Will the Helix Si transducer fit on a trolling motor?

It is wise to NOT adapt the included Compact SI transom transducer to a trolling motor.

 

It is best to use the proper one for that application XTM 9 SI 180 T. That is trolling motor puck, needs no adapter, and has extra internal shielding to combat possible RFI.

 

Another choice is the XTM 9 HDSI 180 T which will produce sharper images--more expensive.

 

With a new purchase you can contact Humminbird Customer Service to arrange for an exchange of the unused, unopened mount package. There will be a cost difference.

[Nashua Nev]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Nashua Nev]

Those are my current set ups,  the green old town 12 ft pack ( weight is 33 lbs)

 

The red 17 footer (weight is 95 lbs)

 

I had this same set up on my 12 ft jon boat that i have since sold.

 

I bought a much lighter and smaller 12 v battery to run my electronics   Humminbird HD 598 down and side.

i put the transponder on its own pivot so i can pop it on and off as well as up out of the way.

I used wing nuts to hold it on.   I made a similiar table on the jon boat.   its all about convenience and comfort.

 

I have since added a stab in anchor system.

 

 

 

made from a ham radio antenna.   works up to about 12 feet of water.

 

[Comfortably Numb]

Nice setup

[Nashua Nev]

Thank You. 

[MDBowHunter]

I have 1542 Jon and I have my finder hooked to my bow mount battery and have seen no ill effects.

[Nashua Nev]

I always ran my electronics off the same battery as the troller motor.     when i go with no motor i use the small 12v battery seen in the pic.   The electronics use so little juice it runs all day off the little battery.  when i go to charge it , the electronic charger i use says somewhere about  85 % battery left even after 5 or 6 hours of use.  

[Stapsy]

Thanks for the help guys,  I will hook the fish finder up to the trolling motor battery.  If I have problems I will try a small 12v.

 

I was originally looking at the Helix 5 SI however after seeing it in person the screen seems a little small for using a split screen view.  I think that a 7inch screen will be much better for my purposes.  I know that the Helix 7 is coming out in a couple of months however I noticed the Garmin 73sv, which isn't that much more money than the MSRP for the Helix 7 when you consider it comes pre-loaded with a mapping chip.

 

I know the Helix 7 hasn't come out yet but how do you think the Garmin unit would compare with the Helix 5 or 7?  Are there any other units I am missing?

[Nashua Nev]

if i was to get another unit it would be a bigger screen version for sure.