Hey guys, I am putting a Garmin striker 4 on the bow of my boat. Is there any issues with putting the transducer on the trolling motor and letting the wire hang, secured by zip ties?

I've watched a bunch of videos and it seems to be a common way to attach it.

My worry is possible damage from the water or such

Thanks 

It depends on the type of rolling motor but on my Ultrex I use tape.

You'll be fine as long as you leave a service loop allowing the trolling motor full rotation.

I'm a firm believer in the right tool for the job.

Over the years folks have come up with 'several' ways to approach this deal, 

myself included.  And most all of them will get the job done. 

Currently I'm using a combination of wire ties and electric tape for down-the-shaft cable management. 

Both need to be replaced annually, as they tend to need it. 

Recently I came across these two options from DD26.

https://dd26fishing.com/search?query_length=3&predictive-search-types=collection-true&predictive-search-types=article-true&predictive-search-types=page-true&filter.p.product_type=&q=cable+ties&options[prefix]=last&tabs-template--predictive-search=on

I use DD26 steering stops and transom motor mount, and both are quality products IMO. 

Over the winter I'll be changing my current deal to one of the above in the link.

Both seem on point; I just haven't decided which one is right for my configuration.

Good Luck

A-Jay

Mine is attached to the shaft of the Maxxum.  The dealer did this way back in 2015 when they rigged it.  They did it with zip ties.  Over the years I've replaced them and also added electrical tape in various locations.

 

They key here is two fold:

Don't pull the zip ties so tight that they damage the cord, and

Don't let the cord get stuck or pressed anywhere there's a pinch point

 

No problem with zip ties or tape, your choice.  Use the black zip ties, they last much longer.

If you have an ulterra, terrova, or any other motor that the shaft slide down through the mount on the bow plate then you may or may not be able to anchor the wire to the shaft.  Just keep that in mind.  

5 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

You'll be fine as long as you leave a service loop allowing the trolling motor full rotation.

This is important!!! ☝️ Equally important is securing the cable in a manner that won't allow it to get pinched when deploying and stowing.

1 hour ago, Alex from GA said:

No problem with zip ties or tape, your choice.  Use the black zip ties, they last much longer.

 I used black 8" ties.They're still holding fine after 7-8 years. 

Another question,

Any issue with the fish finder being plugged into the boat battery or should it be plugged into its own battery?

My main concern here is that the transducer wire is going to be exposed to the water plenty and I am unsure if this is going to raise any electrical issues.

Thanks for the replies so far yall.

As it could be shown, I am new with this all. 

fish finder into the starting battery will be fine.  That unit will draw negligible amperage.  Don't plug it into the trolling motor battery.

 

Transducer wire is waterproof.  Al you need to worry about is the final end connection back into the head unit.  Lube it with dielectric grease, assemble it, and leave it there.  Just watch for pinching it and abrasion.

2 hours ago, Backroad Angler said:

Any issue with the fish finder being plugged into the boat battery or should it be plugged into its own battery?

 

I have Lowrance FS12, Active Target, and Elite Ti2 9" units on my Ranger.  They're powered by my house battery.  I ran my own 8 gauge power/ground.  It works just fine.

2 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

fish finder into the starting battery will be fine.  That unit will draw negligible amperage.  Don't plug it into the trolling motor battery.

 

Transducer wire is waterproof.  Al you need to worry about is the final end connection back into the head unit.  Lube it with dielectric grease, assemble it, and leave it there.  Just watch for pinching it and abrasion.

 

2 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

 

I have Lowrance FS12, Active Target, and Elite Ti2 9" units on my Ranger.  They're powered by my house battery.  I ran my own 8 gauge power/ground.  It works just fine.

Got it, thanks guys. 
follow up, I have a tracker 175. There’s a cord already set up in the bow to connect to the fish finder. I assume this is connected to the boat battery, not the trolling motor battery?

 Thanks

2 hours ago, Backroad Angler said:

 

Got it, thanks guys. 
follow up, I have a tracker 175. There’s a cord already set up in the bow to connect to the fish finder. I assume this is connected to the boat battery, not the trolling motor battery?

 Thanks

I have a 175. Yes the pre rigged wires go to the starting battery.

The transducer cable is a shielded jacket wire to prevent interference. The key using quick ties is don’t over tighten just snug up. Leave enough slack so the motor can turn 180 degrees and doesn’t get pinched in the scissor mount.

Black is UV resistant, 8” is about right.

Tom