Fish Finder Fuse

I had(ish) to get a new fishfinder this weekend since the transducer on my old one finally completely failed. My new unit (Lowrance Hook 5) came with an inline fuse. I've heard that not using the fuse could void the warranty but I'm not too worried about that. Has anyone ever heard of a fishfinder actually being destroyed by a little 8 amp battery?

Yes.

Things that are cheap:

Fuses
dielectric grease

Things that are not cheap:

Fish finders

Why would you consider foregoing a $1 part that serves as insurance for a $400 fish finder? 

I guess I'll go ahead and break out the soldering iron tonight. Thanks for the input

Yes.

Details please...

Yes.

Details please...

There are at least three cases of overheating, fires, and fish finder frying that I can think of reported at NWKA.  searching fuse and fire there will probably answer the question.

Several years ago, I had one catch fire on the delta.  Luckily the yak was just sitting on the bank.  I went to my  car to get something and looked back ans saw smoke coming from the fish finder. Fortunately, it was just smoldering and disconnecting the battery stopped the burning.  The fish finder was destroyed.  No more "no fuse" installations for me.

Martin

Slightly  different issue:  I notice that I hear a slight "tick" from the head when I connect the wires to the battery, even though the unit shows it is off.  I've read that it's a good idea to disconnect the power source when not in use just to keep the connections from corroding, but never anything about it drawing juice when "off".  So I don't connect it until I'm really ready to use it (I install everything the night before.), in case it would draw down the battery - or God forbid, catch on fire!

Yes.

Can you elaborate on that?

I haven't used a fuse for the last ~10 years and it's never been an issue.

IMHO, more wire connections and extra gadgets equals more opportunities for corrosion.

I'd skip it...


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I didn't install a fuse in my first FF but did on my second. Unlike a car we don't have a chance that the power wire is going to short on the frame and blow the fuse, so that is one less reason to use the fuse. It may be possible for the hot and ground to rub together and come in contact depending on how the wires run, which would benefit from using the fuse. If the short happens in the FF itself then fuse or no fuse the FF is most likely going to be dead. However a fuse might prevent damage to the battery and wiring etc by reducing the length of time juice is flowing through the short. What are the chances something will go wrong? Using the fuse may add an extra spot that could fail causing the FF to not work. Not using the fuse may add an extra spot that could fail causing juice to flow until the circuit melts down breaking the connection. I guess I'd rather rework a corroded connection than a system meltdown.

I've popped a fuse hooking up my charger wrong.  Glad I had it.

I haven't used a fuse for the last ~10 years and it's never been an issue.

I haven't used a fuse for the last ~10 years and it's never been an issue.

That's wholly consistent with Alex's stance on firearm ownership.

  

Yeah, seems like a common theme these days... Some stupid with a gun...

Here are some handy statistics about stupid people with guns, since you brought it up:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/national/mass-shootings-in-america/

I think it's been about 10 years since the last time I shot a gun. I put some holes in an old washing machine. For me, it fun in the same way that jet skis are fun. They make for an exciting afternoon, but then the thrill wears off...


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