DSM300 Bonding

[oGaryo]

Hi all, I'm finishing off the installation of a DSM300 sounder module and the power lead requires the sheath to be bonded. There's a green bonding wire a couple of feet away from where I've installed the DSM but it's bonding the Fuel deck filler. I suspect it's ok to hook into this connector as all bonding must go back to the same bonding point, right? Or should I steer clear, play safe and bond to the battery negative instead? This is the blurb from the installation manual:

The RED wire must be connected to the feed from the positive (+) battery terminal
and the BLACK wire to the feed from the negative (–) battery terminal. The shield
wire (drain) should be connected to the boat’s RF ground. See “Ground
Connection” on page 18.

Page 18 then goes on to say

Ground Connection
It is important that an effective RF ground is connected to the system. A single
ground point should be used for all equipment. You can ground the sounder
module by connecting the drain wire (shield) of the Power Input cable to the
boat’s RF ground. If you need to extend the wire, the extension wire should be an
8 mm braid or AWG 10 multi-stranded cable. If your boat does not have an RF
system, connect the drain wire to the negative battery terminal.
The DC system should be either:
• Negative grounded, with the negative battery terminal connected to the
boat’s ground.
• Floating, with neither battery terminal connected to the boat’s ground.
This system is not intended for use on “positive” ground vessels.

Many Thanks Gary

 

[David2452]

On the 250s & 300s I have fitted I connected back to the - battery, there being no proper RF ground available on the vessels, they have functioned perfectly well. On my own boat I have an RF ground separate which my 250, Garmin GSD and other electronics are connected to, it does not seem not materially better.

 

[oGaryo]

On the 250s & 300s I have fitted I connected back to the - battery, there being no proper RF ground available on the vessels, they have functioned perfectly well. On my own boat I have an RF ground separate which my 250, Garmin GSD and other electronics are connected to, it does not seem not materially better.

Thanks David, I'll go with the negative battery connection in that case. cheers Gary

 

[omega2]

Nothing bonded on ours they all work, but the manuals all say bond to a ground plate, i.e a big copper plate hanging under the boat. Belt and braces just in case you complain.

 

[rafiki_]

There is a copper plate attached to the hull of my Azi, but I am not sure that this is either usual or necessary. Gary, I agree that you should go back to -ve, but no need to wire back to the battery, unless it makes sense for the wiring run. Just pick up the nearest handy -ve lead, that has sufficient capacity.

 

[oGaryo]

All sorted, thanks guys. Ran the DSM in simulation mode pending installation of the transducer when the boat is lifted and all's well. Loomed up all the wires to make things nice and neat behind the panel.

Bizzy Bee now has

Raymarine C70 Chartplotter
Raymarine 2kw Radar
Raymarine AIS 250 Receiver (installed dedicated aerial this weekend too)
DSM300 fishfinder with 1KW transducer (Depth and Temp)
Raymarine GyroPlus2
Raymarine ST60 Tri Data setup
Glomex TV
AM/FM antenna to bluetooth/Ipod/radio/CD with remote at the helm
DSC/VHF Fixed Radio linked to Raymarine GPS125 via the plotter
VHF Handheld.
Garmin backup handheld chartplotter

Just need to install the transducer and Mente Marine Auto trim tab and I think I'll be ready to sell the boat and get another one to upgrade

 

[rafiki_]

Just need to install the transducer and Mente Marine Auto trim tab and I think I'll be ready to sell the boat and get another one to upgrade

 

[STEVEDUNSTABLE]

All sorted, thanks guys. Ran the DSM in simulation mode pending installation of the transducer when the boat is lifted and all's well. Loomed up all the wires to make things nice and neat behind the panel.

Bizzy Bee now has

Raymarine C70 Chartplotter
Raymarine 2kw Radar
Raymarine AIS 250 Receiver (installed dedicated aerial this weekend too)
DSM300 fishfinder with 1KW transducer (Depth and Temp)
Raymarine GyroPlus2
Raymarine ST60 Tri Data setup
Glomex TV
AM/FM antenna to bluetooth/Ipod/radio/CD with remote at the helm
DSC/VHF Fixed Radio linked to Raymarine GPS125 via the plotter
VHF Handheld.
Garmin backup handheld chartplotter

Just need to install the transducer and Mente Marine Auto trim tab and I think I'll be ready to sell the boat and get another one to upgrade

Pretty please, can I come with you to get it !!!!!!!........................... it wont rain !!

 

[oGaryo]

Steve there's ONE man for delivery trips... you :encouragement: won't be until 2015 at least, house extensions to pay for first