I purchased a Lowrance “Elite 4x DSI” sonar, and wanted to figure out how to mount everything. I knew that I didn’t want to drill any holes in the hull, and I knew that I wanted the wiring to be as clean as I could get it. Here’s what I used:
| Scupper Hole Transducer Mount by Lowrance | Cabela’s/Bass Pro/Gander Mtn. |
| Lowrance Elite 4x DSI Sonar | Cabela’s/Bass Pro/Gander Mtn. |
| Stealth Cam 12v Battery w/ Waterproof Box | Cabela’s/Bass Pro/Gander Mtn. |
| 3-amp Fuse | Walmart, Radio Shack, Auto Store |
| Inline Fuse Mount | Walmart, Radio Shack, Auto Store |
| Wire Crimp Connections and Electrical Tape | Walmart, Radio Shack, Auto Store |
| Drill & Bit (1/8”), Screw Driver, Pliers | Walmart, Lowe’s, Home Depot |
| Industrial Strength Velcro® | Walmart, Lowe’s, Home Depot |
1) First I mounted the transducer, following the very simple Lowrance mount instructions. All the hardware is included in the kit.
2) Next I prepared the wiring to connect to the battery. To do this, you must cut the connector that would otherwise go to the trail cam and separate the wires into ground and positive.
3) Assemble the inline fuse and holder.
4) Connect the ground directly to ground wire that is attached to the DSI filter. Connect the positive battery wire to one end of the inline fuse holder, and connect the other end of the fuse holder to the wire coming from the DSI filter. Now you’re ready to plug in to the unit.
Sonar and DSI Installation Manual - Use this link to view the entire manual and below diagram
5) This is a picture of the battery and the Velcro® I used to mount it inside the hull of the boat. The battery is charging in these pictures, so don’t let the other wire confuse you! This battery came with a charger and the waterproof box. I had to trim the knobs on the bottom of the battery with a knife to get the Velcro® to sit flush.
6) Mounted the battery to the hull with Velcro® (an additional strap comes with the battery box that you could also use to secure to the inside of the kayak).
7) I bundled my wiring, secured it with a bungee, and rested it between battery and foam, leaving the transducer and unit wire to run out the middle console lid.
8) I then just mounted the main unit.
9) I ran the wires under the lid, and plugged in the main unit!
Any questions at all, just let me know! I chose this setup because of its simplicity. It’s more portable than a lot of other setups out there, and there is no drilling into the hull. Worst case scenario, you are just buying a new center lid or swapping out the STP. Now if I can just figure out where to mount my GPS... Happy rigging!
About the author: Matt Kramp is new to YakAngler and new to yak fishing. He purchased a Jackson Cuda a few weeks back and wanted to share his experience with installing a depth finder.
Comments
I can't find an amp hour rating for the stealth battery. So I can't help you on that. If you can find the amp/hr rating check out this article on Batteries and Electronics to estimate your life. One 12V battery will run the unit just don't know for how long. http://www.yakangler.com/kayak-rigging/item/2235-fishing-kayak-batteries-and-electronics
Use the fuse size the manual for your fish finder recommends. If it doesn't I would use a 5 Amp
I'll try to help answer your questions, But I don't use this battery.
Sounds like something is up with the wiring out of the battery box. I would use a volt meter to check the voltage across the 2 wire coming out of the box.
If there is 0 Volts there is something wrong with the box, the wiring, or it has a fuse in it that is blown.
If there is less then 10 volts and you have over 12 volts or more at the battery terminals there is a poor connection or something is corroded. I am assuming because this is new it is not corroded.
If you have 12 Volts on the wires try switching them you have them backwards.
Hope this helps some. -Gregg
When I first mounted one in my Cuda I put it in the forward scupper for convenience like the author of this article did. I did find that in rough and choppy water that location was getting aerated and giving me poor performance. When I moved it under my seat I did not have that problem.
When I installed it into my Tuna I put it under the seat because I knew from paddling the Tuna solo the front scuppers come out of the water a lot.
The Lowrance transducer is small enough it fits right up into the Jackson scuppers and is well protected. The only way it would be better protected would be an in hull installation.
I have 2 questions....
1. What does the volt reading on the FF mean?
2. I have an Elite 3x and cannot figure out how to remove the unit from the base without breaking it. Any ideas?
The Volt reading tells you what your battery voltage is so you can see if your battery is dying. You can also use it for troubleshooting.
I can't answer you second question as I used the RAM mounting system and no longer have the unit.
do you have the plug in the finder while trying to take it off? If not it should come right off the unit easily unplugged.