Humminbird 5-port switch placement

[stk44]

Hi all,

 

After 10+ years of waiting I am finally getting my first bass boat. I will be running a helix 10 at the bow and console. I plan on adding another graph at the bow in the future, which leads me to my question— where is the best place to install the 5-port switch. The dealer recommended the port side rod locke, but I wanted to get some other perspectives as well.

 

thanks in advance,

steve 

[GaryH]

Mine is inside the console behind the mounting plate for the FF. The plate below the graphs

[stk44]

Thanks! That is where I originally thought about putting it, but I wasn’t sure if there is any benefit of putting it there versus the rod locker like the dealer recommended? I would be interested to hear pros and cons of both if possible.

 

thanks! 

[casts_by_fly]

consider the amount of cable you need to run, how much of it you need to hide, and ability to access the port later.  Slightly different circumstance, but I just installed mega live into my kayak.  I had to run extra through hull ports to hide all of the wires and still have the connections accessible to me.  Humminbird has standard wire lengths so consider where the wires are running to and from.

 

rick

[GaryH]

49 minutes ago, stk44 said:

Thanks! That is where I originally thought about putting it, but I wasn’t sure if there is any benefit of putting it there versus the rod locker like the dealer recommended? I would be interested to hear pros and cons of both if possible.

 

thanks! 

My benefit was I believe it’s a good place to keep it dry. 

[WIGuide]

Some of that may really depend on the boat itself. The starboard side locker is where a lot of accessories like that get mounted as they offer good access and it's in a dry storage. They generally have enough flat real estate to mount accessories as well and many also offer reasonable access to the bow so you won't need to sneak wires around access as much. 

[stk44]

@WIGuide I’m getting a Nitro Z18. Given that if I add more graphs I will likely put them at the bow, does it make more sense to go the rod locker route in your opinion? These are things that I will likely find out along the way, but I am getting this installed in a week or so when my boat ships to BPS. 
 

thanks,

steve 

[J Francho]

Every rod locker in every boat gets wet in the rain. Not because they leak, but because you have to open them to get stuff out. Not sure how water/moisture proof those switches are. Something to consider as well. 

[stk44]

@J Francho Good point. Do you think under the console would be any better as far as that is concerned? I have seen guys mount them up near the trolling motor, so I assume they can take some water, but I am going to research that as well. 

[Tennessee Boy]

I put mine up front under the deck because I have three things connected to it up front and only one thing at the console.  I was a little concerned that the extra vibration and wake impacts up front would be a problem but it’s been working fine for five years.  The switch is rated IP54 which is splash resistant not waterproof.  

[J Francho]

12 minutes ago, stk44 said:

@J Francho Good point. Do you think under the console would be any better as far as that is concerned? I have seen guys mount them up near the trolling motor, so I assume they can take some water, but I am going to research that as well. 

Things stay pretty dry under the console, but it looks like several are having good results installing it elsewhere. 

[Jig Man]

Mine is on the starboard rod locker next to the console a few inches above the floor.  That keeps the wires on the opposite side of the trolling motor wires to lessen interference.

[BayouSlide]

Since I have a smaller boat with only a central rod locker, I installed mine right of bow centerline on the deck below the riser mount for my two Helix 10s.

[WIGuide]

20 hours ago, stk44 said:

@WIGuide I’m getting a Nitro Z18. Given that if I add more graphs I will likely put them at the bow, does it make more sense to go the rod locker route in your opinion? These are things that I will likely find out along the way, but I am getting this installed in a week or so when my boat ships to BPS. 
 

thanks,

steve 

Congratulations on the new boat first of all!  I'm thinking it would still make the most sense to put it in there, or maybe even up in the bow. It looks like the locker has a little different shape in those and may not have quite as much room right in front of the console, but I still think it'd work well to put it inside there somewhere. Less vibration and impact than the bow, and easier to troubleshoot on the water if something happens. 

[stk44]

@WIGuide Thanks! I’m pretty excited. I think I will probably go the rod locker route and try to research the best location. Thanks so much for the input!