Installing a fishfinder in the 170CC

[cagrove]

I put my unit on the top of the console, left side. Out of the way and convenient to use. And it hold my gloves, hats, sunglasses between it and the windshield...bonus!

[dacanestrari]

Well, I couldn't find a line or plastic tube, so I ended up using one of those tools they use to fish electrical lines through walls, starting at the transom and fishing through to the console (after trying the other direction several times!), and pulling through a nylon line.

Next job is to hook the fishfinder to battery power - any suggestions on best way to do this?

[cagrove]

Originally Posted by dacanestrari

Next job is to hook the fishfinder to battery power - any suggestions on best way to do this?

I originally hooked mine up to the "accessory" switch on the console. I then installed a fuze panel in under the console and wired the fishfinder to that. I would recommend going that route and installing a fuze panel for now and later installations.

Good luck.

[dacanestrari]

Thanks. Unfortunately I do not have an accessory switch so I'll have to find another way (perhaps tie into the 12v receptacle?)

Whats the easiset way to access the wiring behind the console? It looks like you'd have to remove the steering wheel to take the panel off

[cagrove]

Originally Posted by dacanestrari

Whats the easiset way to access the wiring behind the console? It looks like you'd have to remove the steering wheel to take the panel off

On my 2003 model, there are several screws that hold on the panels behind the steering wheel. Remove these screws on the side you need access to and the panel should come out enough to have access to the wiring. You shouldn't need to remove the wheel.

Good luck.

[BarryB]

I have a 2008 170CC and installed a Garmin fish finder.

1. There is a square channel that runs from the helm to the right side of the bilge. I ran an electrican's fish (with the barb cut off) from the center console (where you see the electric and helm controls go) back to the bilge area. My son watched with the access plate off for the fish and after some wrangling, pulled out the fish. I taped the plug (your not supposed to cut the wire) nice and tight making a smooth transition from tape to wire plug (don't want to get caught), and son would feed the wire in while I pulled the tape. The first time, the fish had gotten tangeled in the helm control, after trying a second time, I was able to pull the plug/wire through and up the opening inside the center console.

2. I used a large hole saw and cut a piece of starboard. Using 3-M heavy duty double sided tape, I mounted the starboard over the cup holder. I had some transmission cooler plastic ties and ran one from the pilot hole (the hole saw made it) through the drain of the cup holder and fastened down.

See attached photo.

For power, I ran 8 guage power and ground from a fuse I installed on the transom up through the plastic wire pipe (it's there, reach down in the center console where the wire and helm controls go into the floor) into the center console. I mounted a six fuse bus box for all accessories, fish finder, GPS, VHF, Radio, etc. I'll take a photo of the fuse system and attach at a later date.

[BarryB]

Okay, attached are the photos.

I added one fuse for main power to the center console. The other fuses were already there.

I attached the fuse panel to the inside back of the center console. The screws are hidden by the seat back in front of the center console.

[dacanestrari]

Thanks for all the help on this. Finally got it installed, but never found a tube to snake the wires or a string; ended up using an electricians snake,going from transom through to CC, then pulling through a string. Powered the unit by pulling wire back through directly to battery, with an inline fuse

[suitekids]

I ran a piece of smurf pipe and left the original black one for future use. easy, cheap and fast.

[wpschaef]

I'm almost afraid to ask someone named suitekids what smurf pipe is? No, but really, what is it?
Biff