Length of wire for Datamarine log/depth sounder

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Bill Armstrong

Length of wire for Datamarine log/depth sounder

Post by Bill Armstrong »

Need advice: I want to move my Datamarine Log/Depth from its current connection to the house battery (now,about 3 feet) to the main panel.
The manual states that the connection should be as close as possible to battery and unit. My change will mean about 7 total feet of wire from the unit to the main panel(an additional 4 feet).
Is this OK, or will the dreaded gremlin strike again? I will not be moving the unit itself. Thanks, Bill



meislandbill@yahoo.com
matt cawthorne

Re: Length of wire for Datamarine log/depth sounder

Post by matt cawthorne »

Bill,
What matters is the voltage drop to the instrument. You can go with longer wire if it is of a larger diameter. Seven feet is not a problem, the instruments don't draw much current so a slightly larger wire size will not cost much. My instruments were wired with a 30 foot round trip for the current. When I re-wired my boat I re-positioned the switch to make the round trip only a few feet from the panel. In the end I can see no difference in performance.

Matt



mcawthor@bellatlantic.net
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