3 wire fishfinder

I pulled the trigger on a new Elite 5 HDI for the Hobie from Oldfart.  I had an Elite 4 on it before.  The 4 had 2 wires total to pass thru the hull.  Now I have 3 wires to pass thru the hull.  The Hobie through hull fitting will only accommodate  2 wires.  I hesitate to cut another 1 inch hole in the boat to facilitate another Hobie through hull fitting.  Anyone out there use something a little less invasive?  I shudder at the thought of making another hole in my baby.

Sam

Plenty of links regarding this issue.  The second set of wires that come out of the power cord (NMEA 0183) can be cut off leaving ~2-3" exposed.  IF you do this, here is my suggestion ...  Purchase some adhesive lined heat shrink tubing (not the cheap hardware store stuff) such as Ancor brand from West Marine & heat shrink that exposed end.  When you do this, leave ~ 1/4-3/8" of the heat shrink stick out past the end of the cut wires.  While it is still warm/hot from shrinking, pinch the end of it closed to make it watertight.  Now, you are left with only the transducer wire & single power cord to pass thru the fitting.

Background ... the NMEA 0183 wires are an "older" data transfer language wire used when connecting a GPS to, say, a VHF radio.  Since we yak'ers don't do this, there is no need for that bundle of wires ... again, ONLY cut off the NMEA 0183 bundle ... not the 3-wire power bundle 

Sent you  pm

Nothing yet... 

To kololoco ....sorry

 

Thanks for the ideas guys.  I knew if I asked the members of this board I'd get some good answers.  Thanks Worm and FFTC.

Worm ...  please share if you have an alternative idea!  I love hearing how others tackle these small, but important, obstacles.

Bill

Just hacked mine in a couple of weeks ago. Seeing this thread would have been nice. I ended up using the largest single hole plug from the Hobie kit and cramming all three wires in it. Not a really good seal I'm sure but it was so tight I figured minimal water would make it through. Coiled up the wires and excess in the hull with zip ties and put some liquid electrical tape on the exposed ends of unused wires. I like fishingforthecure's way better and will be reworking mine. I didn't want to buy another Hobie or alternate through hull kit and drill another hole for some unused wires. Figured I'd marine fool around the wires if I did see water getting by.

I like your liquid electrical tape use!  Thanks for sharing!

*marine goop .....damn auto correct

Thanks for the tip! Now I can redo mine the right way.

*marine goop .....damn auto correct

As opposed to marine poop?

Lol. Yeah. I was going to heat shrink them originally but only knew that the wires were not needed and didn't know what they did. I have limited electrical experience. I felt better that the liquid tape would isolate each individual wire from each other. Didn't want to find out later or have problems with any of them touching inside the heat shrink. I'll probably cut them short, liquid tape them again and then heat shrink over that.

There ya go!