Topic: Powering off the boat.

[keeponkeepnon]

I bought a 110v to 12v adapter rated for 800ma.  The unit did not power up so I am assuming that 800ma is not enough.  I had to cut the wire to splice in the Humminbird plug so it can't be returned.  I don't want to do that again, so does anybody know how many milliamps I will need to run the unit?  Thanks, Brant.

[LocDown]

I think for close to what you paid for that adapter you could've bought  a small 12v battery. As for how many mA you will need, I could not tell you.

[sonar2000]

The fuse for the unit is 3 amp. I would think it may take 1 amp or a bit more. I dont think 800 ma is sufficient..

Chuck

[Bob B]

The 798 is supposed to draw 615 ma....but it will draw more than that at startup.....  You will probably be OK.

[Roddy]

KpKp, Radio Shake, 8 AA batt holder, 8AA batt and 1 ft wire. Or order one from Humminbird $$$$$.

Roddy

[keeponkeepnon]

  If I buy a adapter capable of putting out more juice than it needs can that fry the unit or is that safe?  I guess I could put a fuse in line to be safe.  If the stock fuse is 3 amp then I guess I could go for a adapter capable of 3 amps and put a 3amp fuse in line.

  A 12v battery for the house would be another way to go, didn't think of that one.

  Thanks for all the input.

[sonar2000]

The supply will be fine as the unit will only request what it needs. If it request more then the 3 amp will protect it.

Chuck

[Bob B]

  If I buy a adapter capable of putting out more juice than it needs can that fry the unit or is that safe?  I guess I could put a fuse in line to be safe.  If the stock fuse is 3 amp then I guess I could go for a adapter capable of 3 amps and put a 3amp fuse in line.

  A 12v battery for the house would be another way to go, didn't think of that one.

  Thanks for all the input.

The 3Amp fuse that is recommended is actually to protect the wiring / battery......not the unit.

A 12V battery can supply an amazing amount of current if you accidentally get a short in the wiring.  This is why you should always put the fuse at the battery.....That way if you get a short in the cable the fuse will keep you from burning up your wiring or causing a battery to blow.
If the fuse is placed at the unit, a short in the wiring will burn up the wiring.....the fuse won't blow because the current is not going thru the fuse.

I've got an aluminum boat and was blowing a fuse the first time out with it.  I found that the boat dealer had ran some wires through a hole at the console.....hadn't even put anything in to protect the wires from the sharp edge for the hole they drilled.  Luckily the fused saved the wiring.