www.iFourWinns.com

Having survived catholic school I would never subject anyone else to the ruler. Or a pointer, or a thrown eraser. Ah, childhood memories.

Sounds like you've got a good handle on the issues involved. If you can dig up some specs on the depth stuff you could use that to be sure about what sort of wiring is necessary for it. You want to make sure to be using heavy enough gauge wire to carry the necessary load over the distance. And that the rest of the circuit supplying power to it is also up to the job. There is the possibility that the depth stuff (which I assume is just the gauge and the sensor, right?) isn't working properly. No amount of correct wiring will overcome a defective piece of gear. Once you know what load it requires (from the specs) you could confirm it's not exceeding that amount with an ammeter (which measures load).

And if you're moving toward using a chartplotter (and presumably a new depth sender) then it might be a moot point. You'd do well to set up a whole new circuit for that gear anyway. That way you'll know everything's set up properly from the get-go. And if you go with network sensors you could replace that existing gauge with a digital one. The new digital gauges can display lots more data too. Like also showing GPS or even fuel consumption info (if you add fuel flow senders). I've got a lowrance gauge with flow sensors to see fuel data, but it also picks up the GPS, depth and water temp data from the other sensors on the NMEA network.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

The old depth finder was digital and worked fine till this point. The location was terrible as I had to look at my feet to read it.

It was a Hawkeye unit. I am suprised they did not make it with a heavy enough gauge wire.
http://www.boatersland.com/df1000d.html


I think the burnt wire is a perfect excuse to dump the old depth gauge and get my new Garmin 541s Chartplotter Sounder! Maybe the Admiral needs a Father's Day gift idea

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4

Might be a good time to add a new cupholder to fill the gap where the old depthfinder was too!

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Jim you saying I like to be double fisted with my beer and need two cupholders in the Helm?

I was trying to figure out what to do there and so far that was the only thing I could see installing there was a second cupholder.

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4