I finally broke down and purchased a new 1199ci HDSI unit and am hoping to install it on a 2002 Monark Sea King 160. As I've never had a side imaging unit I wanted to get the forums thoughts on some best tips for a successful installation as well as getting some input on where the best location for the transducer would be. A few of the specific installation questions I have are below but I would appreciate any other advice you would be willing to share:

1) I've read that it's best to run power directly from battery to the unit. Would it be ok to use the cranking battery as the power source?
2) What I've read also states that as far as power source goes the bigger the gauge wire used from the battery to the unit is better. In that case would 10 gauge wire with a 3 amp fuse be appropriate or would that be overkill for a single unit? IF 10 gauge is too aggressive what would you suggest for this unit?
3) From the picture below, would mounting the HDSI transducer in a location similar to the transducer that is already there work?




Thanks for any help you can provide.

1. Yes, that is what most do

2. 14 gauge is OK to the console, 10 is better than OK

3. Yes, just remove the pitot tube

1. & 2. http://www.shut-up-and-fish.com/advanced...pce&submit=

# 3 like Wayne stated.

You may have to trim up some when using SI. The 1199 has a long transducer and it would be possible to get an echo off of the lower unit if it is in the path of the SI beam.

Thanks y'all's help is much appreciated.

I appreciate all of the responses and they definitely made for an easy (as could be expected) installation. Finally had a chance to try out the unit and while I am able to get readings of depth on plane, which was a goal, I seem to be getting a lot of clutter/interference when using down imaging and within the water column on side imaging view. Do you think the clutter/interference could be corrected by lowering the transducer some? Also getting a little bit of a rooster tail when on plane so was hoping lowering the unit might solve that problem as well. I've provided pictures below of my current install for reference.

Thanks,
David

Using a board to provide reference of transducer placement in respect to bottom of hull


Installation from the side


View of Bottom of boat

You will get a roostertail with that transducer when installed to give you on-plane depth readings.

Lowering the mount bracket will make it worse.

You should not need that much angle to get a good water flow across the transducer face.

Post a screen shot of the "interference". Not a photograph, a Snapshot with the unit on a memory card.

Wayne thanks for the quick response. I don't currently have a screenshot saved of the interference but will be sure to get one next time out if it continues after adjusting the transducer to level it some.

Thanks,
David