Fish finder blowing fuse

[Derekfish]

My fish finder keeps blowing the in line fuse and can't figure out why. Anybody else ever had this issue?

[mweber02]

I think the fuse is there to protect the FF from the battery. My guess would be it is a battery issue or a short in the wiring.

[lordofthemanor]

Are you sure you have the right sized fuse? Check the owner's manual...

[archeryrob]

What fish finder, how much does it draw and what size fuse are you using?

Lets say you use a 1/2 amp fuse and its draw 330ma or .33amps. Many units draw more power on start and if you have a quick blow fuse, pop.

[Derekfish]

I have the lowrance x4, never had the issue until yesterday. The fuse they recommend is a 3 amp, and it blows it as soon as I connect to the battery. I did solder the battery connectors to the wires for added strength, don't don't think that should do anything different. Puzzling.

[somdsparky]

As rob stated, there will be inrush current but if the manufacturer specs 3A ocpd that should accommodate the draw characteristics of the equipment. Just for sh**s and giggles, Is the fuse inline w/ the positive lead from battery prior to ff? I would troubleshoot dead faults first here.

[Bulldog]

The fuse is there to protect the circuit and all parts, first off does it blow the fuse if fishfinder is not plugged in, if so check your wiring. Next does it blow with fishfinder plugged in but not turned on, if so check your connections and pins on fishfinder and plug. Next if it blows fuse only when you turn on fish finder, check and see if the little rubber flap is sealed tight on bottom, if not let unit sit for a while with that out, you either have a bad fishfinder or a wet one which might dry out.....Jack

PS Checking everything I mentioned first such as wiring , pins and if unit is wet should be done before the troubleshooting phase.

[whisky]

Please check the soldered wires are not touching each other,they should be isolated by shrink wrap on each wire then another shrink wrap over both. I just finished hooking up the same unit on my son's Big Rig without any issues.

Larry

[john from md]

Check your pin connector on the FF to insure you haven't bent any pins and caused them to touch.

John

[Derekfish]

Thanks for the help! It ended up being the pins. Don't know how, but one got bent, and was causing it to pop. Carefully pried it back into place, and it's working like a champ.

[archeryrob]

Its a good thing you had that fuse! That shorted pin would have glowed cherry red and melted the connector and maybe the back of the fish finder. I have seen guys short batteries plenty of times and wires turn into electric heating elements in seconds!

[john from md]

Its a good thing you had that fuse! That shorted pin would have glowed cherry red and melted the connector and maybe the back of the fish finder. I have seen guys short batteries plenty of times and wires turn into electric heating elements in seconds!

+1 and that is with only 12 volts. You should see what happens when a 24 volt aircraft battery shorts out.

John