I have been having some issues trying to get my brand new depthfinder to work at all. Hooked up the transducer and everything up, I used a switch I bought at the auto parts store as the on and off switch for the depthfinder. Ran the negative from the depthfinder to the negative part on the switch, hooked the positive to the positive side and then ran the 12v supply wire from the battery to the switch. The depthfinder will NOT turn on and the switch has a light that glows when its on but its not so Im guessing it's not getting any power at the switch? Does that mean the wire I used from the battery to the switch is bad? what exactly is going on????

Negative from the depth finder needs to go to boat ground. The negative on the switch is ground for the light in the switch. When the switch is turned on then it will light (assuming that is the type of switch you bought). So to recap ground from depth finder and ground from switch need to go to boat ground.

I will definitely try that and see if that finally solves my issues thanks

My first thought when I read your post before the reading the responses was.....the switch is not grounded to anything.

Yeap that was it! It works prefectly now!!!! thanks everyone for their help. This site is really helpful and is a great site. Once again wanted to say thanks for helping me

That would of been a short cut too. Baja your welcome..

What kind of depth finder did you go with. I have an 86 357SR1 with datamarine unit that need replacing. Need new transducer and since the datamarine guage is obsolete need to replace everything. Any suggestions?