Troubleshooting Challenger 2000

[WAJetboating]

NOT the Humminbird 600 series. It's proven very unreliable at speeds above 30 MPH.

If I had it to do over again, I'd probably look at an inexpensive fish finder with an LCD screen that shows the lake bottom's profile. I've seen those for under $100 lately.

 

[gerrychuck]

Thanks. I did do a search on the forum here, and had seen some of the problems people have had with the Hummingbirds. As far as the in-dash units go, the Hawkeyes seem to be somewhat better. I've been going back and forth between an in-dash unit and a fish finder as you mention. That's what I have in my old boat, and I would miss the bottom profile info if I went with a built-in unit. Decisions, decisions..

 

[gerrychuck]

I had mentioned earlier that my steering assist did not seem to work; today I had a look behind the instrument panel as suggested and found that the cable is attached, but has so much slack that it never activates the throttle. The cable is attached at both ends, but seems to be about 2 inches too long. Is there any way to take that slack out of the cable? There does appear to be some adjustment in the cable, but it doesn't look like the turnbuckle adjustments would be nearly enough, at least at the steering wheel end. I haven't gotten right into the engine compartment to be able to actually see the cable end at the engine, so I haven't been able to see what adjustment capability there is at that end.

Second, I bought an Eagle 320 fish finder/depth finder which uses a transom mounted depth and temperature transducer. I am trying to figure out where to mount the transducer and would appreciate any advice from others running a skiimer type transducer on their Challenger. On the same topic, what do people typically do to run wires from the engine compartment to the instrument panel, and what power wire do you recommend I tap (or is it better to run the power straight from the battery?). Thanks in advance.