170cc gps/finder combo installation

[cipriani]

i have a 05 170cc a plan to install a lowrance m68c myself. i think i have it all figured out, but a few things are still gray.

where on the dash is the best mount? i think i am going to mount it behind the cup holder.

should i run the wire through any type of conduit, or just through the hull?

which side of the transom is recommended?

what type of sealant should i use when drilling the hole in the transom for the wire to the transducer? i have been recommended the rule - elasomeric.

i plan to put a kill switch in the circuit. whick type is the best? ss, brass, plastic, etc.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

bc

[Jim Jenkins]

Cipriani,

On my 2002 170 CC there is a PVC conduit from the hole under the console to the stern in the area of the bilge pump. I believe this would also be a part of the construction on your new 170. Your dealer should confirm if you do not find it on your own.

With a small electrician's fish tape and gentle work, you should be able to feed your wires to the stern via this conduit

[cagrove]

Originally Posted by cipriani

i have a 05 170cc a plan to install a lowrance m68c myself. i think i have it all figured out, but a few things are still gray.

where on the dash is the best mount? i think i am going to mount it behind the cup holder.

should i run the wire through any type of conduit, or just through the hull?

which side of the transom is recommended?

what type of sealant should i use when drilling the hole in the transom for the wire to the transducer? i have been recommended the rule - elasomeric.

i plan to put a kill switch in the circuit. whick type is the best? ss, brass, plastic, etc.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

bc

Here's where I mounted my fish/depth finder:




You can run your cables down through the center console to where your other electrical cables are. There should be a tube there with a string in it in order to run your cables through. It should come out near the aft starboard seat compartment (it may be in the area around the gas tank). From there, most people run them up through the rubber boot that your steering cables go through then out and down the back of the transom for the transducer. Use only Rule (Sudbury) Elastomeric sealant (white) as it is the only stuff that will reliably stick to the Roplene. For power, I ran mine through an accessories switch on the dash board. Already installed and nothing else hooked to it. Good luck and show us some pictures when you're done.

[foxbo]

I remounted my FF to the top of the center console. Dealer installed it between the cup holder and the throttle. It was nice and out of the way, but could not read the bottom of the screen due to the throttle handle. Even when standing I had a hard time seeing the bottom of the screen. One other problem I had was I could not get full throttle with the FF in that area. Throttle forward and the FF would only let it open up to 3/4 throttle.

[fridaysoff]

BC,
I mounted my GPS/FF in front of my instruments on the flat part of the console. I do not need to look at my hour meter or speedometer constantly. I am able to tilt my FF all the way up or down which is important when your are standing up looking for a bottom feature at slow speed. I found anywhere around the cup holder limited the visibility to part of the screen if I was sitting or standing because I could not tilt the unit to where the screen was facing up towards the sky which you need sometimes. I also ran the transducer cable through the electrical conduit already supplied and over the transom and down the back. I put a small fuse block in my console to run my electronics to so they would be fused. I don't see a need for a kill switch since most FF are fused and have their own on/off switch. Like Cagrove the starboard side works well since the conduit pipe and battery is on that side. Two screw holes with elastomeric to mount the transducer and you're good to go. Good Luck!
John D.

[cipriani]

i am having trouble finding the conduit in my boat, and especially the string inside. i think i am going to just use a fish tape and run in in the hull.

any comments

[cagrove]

Originally Posted by cipriani

i am having trouble finding the conduit in my boat, and especially the string inside. i think i am going to just use a fish tape and run in in the hull.

any comments

Be very careful when running the tape around the gas tank...there's not a lot of room. I actually got my fish tape caught and had to cut it off in order to free it without ripping out whatever I was caught on. Before you do that, look for the conduit...it'll save loads of heartache. Get a flashlight and explore the area around the battery compartment and the access area in front of the motor. A little diligence will pay off in less frustration. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

[fridaysoff]

cipriani,
Look in your center console where the hole is in the deck/starboard. You should be able to see the conduit pipe from that end a little easier. Then run your snake through and tie a string to it and pull it back through if you can't find an existing string or cord left by the factory or dealer.
JD

[catfish]

I mounted my lowrance also, right in front of instruments. No need to see my speed and everything else constantly as my lowrance reads ground speed from GPS. I still get good visability through widshield area

[Fischer53]

I mounted my FF behind the cupholder in order to avoid cluttering the top of the dash. There is a small problem with having enough room to tilt as much as I would like, but its perfectly readable. I cannot use my cupholder to hold a can or bottle, but I would rearely use it that way anyway and it works fine to coral the stray jig, the handeld GPS or a tool.