Wiring two screens? Do both need to have separate electrical wire straight to the terminals?

johnwest80 · Nov 14, 2024

I have a hummingbird with mega 360 and 12" screen, and i'm about to add a garmin 12" screen for livescope. I currently have a dedicated battery and wire just for the hummingbird.

My question is: it will be hard for me to run another wire from the battery at the back to the front of the boat where the screens and transducers are. Can I just share the wire for the hummingbird equipment and split it at the front of the boat to power the hummingbird and the garmin equipment (the wire gauge can handle the amps, so it's really about possible interference)? I know you shouldn't share a wire for trolling motor and screen, but can't find a straight answer on two screens/transducers sharing the same wire.

Thoughts? Will this be ok?

MrGiggles · Nov 15, 2024

I think you'll be just fine.

Bantou · Nov 16, 2024

If the wire will handle the load, I don't see why it would be an issue. I'm not super familiar with DC power though, so take that with a grain of salt.

FuzzyGrub · Nov 16, 2024

If the wire feeding it and its fuse is sized to that wire, can handle the total current, you will need an inline fuse for each of the units, to protect the smaller wire feeding each.

I don't think you will have interferance from the shared wire, but if the transducer frequencies are close, might get some noise from that.

OldSailor85 · Nov 17, 2024

^^^ 100%

David Atkins · Nov 18, 2024

johnwest80 said:
I have a hummingbird with mega 360 and 12" screen, and i'm about to add a garmin 12" screen for livescope. I currently have a dedicated battery and wire just for the hummingbird.

My question is: it will be hard for me to run another wire from the battery at the back to the front of the boat where the screens and transducers are. Can I just share the wire for the hummingbird equipment and split it at the front of the boat to power the hummingbird and the garmin equipment (the wire gauge can handle the amps, so it's really about possible interference)? I know you shouldn't share a wire for trolling motor and screen, but can't find a straight answer on two screens/transducers sharing the same wire.

Thoughts? Will this be ok?

not sure how your is wired but in the past when I worked in Wahoo as Production Mgr. I used to use the original wire and add new wires to it and pull them through to the location, I also added another pull string for added convenience if there was ever another need!