Depth Sounder Power Switch

[FiremistSLK]

Is it necessary to turn on/off the factory installed Lowrance in my 1998 SR 215? I ask only because I would like to use the switch on the instrument panel for another purpose (cockpit lights). Can the sounder be wired so it is constantly powered up when the battery switch is on? Will this damage the depth sounder? It has an "in hull" transducer (no hole).

 

[Creekwood]

Is it necessary to turn on/off the factory installed Lowrance in my 1998 SR 215? I ask only because I would like to use the switch on the instrument panel for another purpose (cockpit lights). Can the sounder be wired so it is constantly powered up when the battery switch is on? Will this damage the depth sounder? It has an "in hull" transducer (no hole).

Bad idea. You will be drawing power all the time, running the battery down. Why not wire a switch for the cockpit lights separately? There may be space for another carling switch if you want that, or you can use a different style of waterproof marine switch. For cockpit lights a simple push button would work. I installed this one as an on off switch for a USB charge port. You could put one like this on your dash panel somewhere and not have to match it up (easy to install too):

 

[M Simpson]

Agree with Creek. I had this issue on my '82 SB...I have 2 terminal blocks at the flybridge, but something must be wrong with the one that is switched on the ACC breaker, so the previous owner(s) put everything on the always on block. I turned on some stuff to see if it was working and forgot to turn off and killed the battery. Then I had to go get a charger, etc. I'm replacing both blocks and getting things back on the correct circuit and installing extra switches and USB chargers, like Creek did, for my GPS, radio, etc. Having new panels made over this coming winter.

 

[OllieC]

Wouldn’t your battery bank switch turn off the power at the helm when your finished using the boat for the day?

I have my chart plotter on a constant and have for 12 years without issue. When I’m finished for the day I usually turn off my battery switch. If I forget to turn off the switch, I don’t recall ever having an issue with a dead battery because of my chart plotter sitting and powered off.

For the record, that is the only piece of electronics that has constant power when the battery bank switch is turned on. My AMP has constant power because it’s wires directly to the batteries w/ 6/0 cable, however that shuts off when the head unit shuts off.

you should be okay.

 

[FiremistSLK]

yeah.. I agree Ollie, My boat lives on a trailer when not in the water. The battery switch is turned off at the end of the day (after the engine gets flushed with Salt Away). I also considered changing out the momentary Carling horn switch with an on/off switch for the cockpit lights because every boat I owned, the horn NEVER worked for more than a few weeks! Also, I hate having a horn on a boat that sounds like 1957 Plymouth...... I prefer having a whistle on board to satisfy the USCG requirement.

 

[Creekwood]

So when are these cockpit lights going to be used? I assumed that you would be anchored up somewhere at night and using the lights without the engine running. If that is what you will be doing, no need to have the depth sounder running at the same time drawing down the battery.

 

[FiremistSLK]

OK Creekwood... I agree with that. That's why I'm going to either install a separate button for the lights or eliminate the horn switch with a Carling on/off switch to keep my new instrument panel looking nice.

 

[Creekwood]

OK Creekwood... I agree with that. That's why I'm going to either install a separate button for the lights or eliminate the horn switch with a Carling on/off switch to keep my new instrument panel looking nice.
View attachment 106587

I see that the dash has nice symmetry. There is room on both sides for a couple of accessory carling switches that would be easy to install. Sea-Ray parts (Flounder Pounder) or others probably have one that matches yours with the word "cockpit" or "Lights'".

 

[FiremistSLK]

They do have a Carling switch cover/switch that I can install on the dash. I will practice cutting the rectangle hole for the switch using my Dremel tool and a scrap piece of dashboard material I have left over from when I made the instrument panel. I'll post pictures when I'm done.