Re: Depth Finder
 

Has anyone with a diablo put a cigarette lighter plug in? Where the best wires to hook it to?

Re: Depth Finder
 

Fuse block if available circuit , or direct to battery with fuse.(My choice) :)
I'd probably run a 10 to 20 amp fuse. It just depends on what you want to power.

Re: Depth Finder
 

Any ideas for the best socket to buy that fits best in the hole that is already there?

Re: Depth Finder
 

I don't believe I have ever had any problems with false readings and it seems accurate. Granted it will occasionally blip some odd number up at full speed or while crossing wake, but I just assumed that to be normal. I also ran the lowrance temp gauge outside and can check the water temps. I got lucky and purchased the whole setup from Cabela's in the bargain cave for 49.99. It came with the transom mount transducer and a black factory trim ring. I called lowrance to ask about the thru hull - they ended up sending me the thru hull unit and a free gold trim ring. All I had to do was send them my transom mount unit back... which was a heck of a deal. I also bought my smart tabs from the bargain gave for around the same price lol.

As for a lighter.. I purchased and installed one identical to this one:

Cigarette Lighter With Chart Light - Overton's

It works and looks nice.. but functionally it's a bad location. I would say I regret it.. but it does look nice. Here are a few reasons why it's not so functional...

#1 the stainless gets warm in the sun
#2 if plugged in it sticks out fairly far and almost touches the steering wheel
#3 the little light isn't LED and isn't as cool as I had hoped lol
#4 I had to buy a flat usb type plug in order to plug in my phone and clear the steering wheel. The normal charger was to big.

Also - if your boat is like mine you can tap into the auxiliary switch above and ground by the fuse block. I put mine on the switch so I could easily turn off whatever may be plugged into it.

Does your boat have a tilt steering wheel? if so you may have more or less clearance behind the wheel.

I also purchased a multi-outlet 12v port with USB outlet - something designed similar to this:

Amazon.com: Multi-Use Vehicle Charger with Dual USB Ports and Dual 12 Volt Sockets - Magnadyne: Explore similar items.

I'm not sure where I purchased mine from but the ports light up, have rubber cabs over them, and it came with two types of plugs (one is made to plug it into another 12v port and the other is made to hard wire it). I will be mounting it inside the pocked by my hand controls with the hard wire.. and will leave the other cord in the glove box incase I need to plug it in elsewhere.

Hope this helps.

Re: Depth Finder
 

Here is the unit I bought... I just remembered it came from radio shack. Apparently my memory is bad.. as I thought it had USB ports and covers. I also purchased really heavy duty velcro to hold it in place against the carpet inside the pocket.

Enercell 12VDC 3-Outlet Vehicle Power Adapter : Adapters | RadioShack.com

The reviews on these are really high - it's not a cheapo like you can pick up at walmart or some of the other local big box stores around here. I know my cousin has one in his police car and it gets abused.. they break everything lol. And it has held up.