GLS 10 Black Box power consumption?

[electritek]

Just finished installation of Garmin 8412, GLS 10 Box and LVS 32 Ducer. Question, does GLS 10 eat battery when 8412 is off or does 8412 "wake up" GLS 10 when powered up?

[Todd Driscoll]

With a stand-alone LiveScope installation like yours, yes the GLS10 does get switched on and off by the MFD, but it does pull a trickle of current while in the “off” state when still connected to power but it's less than 20 mA. This is why switched power to the GLS10 box is recommended so that when the boat is trailered and stored, the box isn't continually drawing this trickle current.

[monsterbuck3613]

What type of switch is the best to use?

[electritek]

With a stand-alone LiveScope installation like yours, yes the GLS10 does get switched on and off by the MFD, but it does pull a trickle of current while in the “off” state when still connected to power but it's less than 20 mA. This is why switched power to the GLS10 box is recommended so that when the boat is trailered and stored, the box isn't continually drawing this trickle current.

Thanks Todd. Had researched and couldn't find a definite answer. Rig is garage kept, I only live 1 1/2 miles from the ramp. Garmin is wired through Main Power Disconnect on Ranger. I always switch off when in the garage or trailering outta town. My concern is when I meet up with friends on the lake and have lunch, didn't want GLS 10 eating battery for an hour. 20 ma parasitic is OK. Thanks again.

[aarchdale]

I have mine connected to directly to the battery with no switch, and haven't noticed any power draw. Tested it with a multi tester after a week of sitting and it was nothing significant. 12.8 down to 12.6

[1BADAIR]

I have mine on a 10amp switchable breaker .

[Olebiker]

I have mine on a 10amp switchable breaker .

I am having trouble finding a 10 amp switchable breaker. Could you show what you are using?

[DR. DROP]

I used this in a 30 amp on #10 awg wire. Feeds my circuit with black box and 3 Garmin Ultras.

https://www.hodgesmarine.com/blu7181...ace-mount.html

[1BADAIR]

I am having trouble finding a 10 amp switchable breaker. Could you show what you are using?

When I put the ultrex on my ranger I couldn’t find 60 amp to fit in their spark aresstor cover . I took that housing and got a blue sea 10 amp and used it for my livescope A7BCA982-30FA-4A99-BEF0-8E85AA92CC0B.jpeg

[BuzzBait53]

I just pull the fuse when I'm done. Problem solved.

[Pigdog72]

Mine is straight to power no switch have tested it many times it doesn't draw power had it tested professionally just to make sure.

[JR19]

I have mine connected to directly to the battery with no switch, and haven't noticed any power draw. Tested it with a multi tester after a week of sitting and it was nothing significant. 12.8 down to 12.6

Although .2 does not sound like much its actually more than what most people will think, especially for just one week. Pending what type material the internals of your battery is made of 12.6 may be 90% charged. Losing 10% in one week is a decent size parasite draw in my opinion. Do a google search for fully charged marine battery voltage and make sure the chart you find list the specific battery type you have. There is a small difference in what's considered 100%, 75% or fully discharged between AGM, lead acid and Lithium. Granted the difference is small but .10 can be the difference between being 90% or 80% in some specific situations.

A good quality battery disconnect cost about $14 and is pretty easy to install. Here is a link to one that is overkill because it has way more power rating than you need but you could hook everything coming off you cranking battery to it if you chose to do so...https://www.amazon.com/Ampper-Batter...1952138&sr=8-4

[KRC18D]

If accessible you can just unplug the power cable from the black box or remove the fuse. Gives you less areas of potential problems down the line.

[Olebiker]

If accessible you can just unplug the power cable from the black box or remove the fuse. Gives you less areas of potential problems down the line.

I found a separate switch on Amazon and will install that on the positive lead before a fuse.

[Treeguyus]

My advice kill the power to the whole boat including the outboard with a switch like this one. You will not be sorry you did.

[1BADAIR]

1 question for those of you that have yours powered direct from battery. You do have that wire fused near the battery , correct?

[ifishinxs]

My advice kill the power to the whole boat including the outboard with a switch like this one. You will not be sorry you did.

Absolutely!