using AAC1 - forward EIM on 2004 280DA

adamsse5225

New Member
Aug 26, 2009
11
Cheasapeake Bay
Boat Info
280 Sundancer 2004
Engines
496 Merc BravoIII
I am trying to install a new chartplotter on my 2004 280 DA. I was planing on using the ACC1 switch on the helm. I was expecting to find a place to connect the power somewhere behind the helm. Do I need to route the power to the forward EIM, undo the cover to the EIM and plug it in there (like with a breaker panel at home) or is there a line coming out of the EIM that I should be able to find? Or should I just go ahead and splice into an existing line? Honestly I was hoping there'd be a fuse box where I could plug in addiotnal equipment like a car but that would just be silly, too easy for boating. I do know that I don't want to risk killing the EIM (pricey and no boating till it gets fixed).

And a follow up - I'f I do need to get into the EIM, how the heck to you undo the bottom three screws without disconnecting and unmounting the entire unit?

thanks for your help.

Thanks,
-Steve
"Another Girl"
2004 280 Sundancer
496 Mag Bravo III
 
Hi Steve - I would think SR has left the wire for the ACC1 switch outside. If you can find the manual - you look at the electrical schematic and find the wire number/colour for ACC1. SR usually leaves "spare cables" everywhere from options not installed - so I would be surprised if the ACC1 is not "available
 
As kaz said, these spare circuit leads are generally available but the harnesses are made custom for each boat so there is always a chance the guy working that day did not wire the spares. Check your schematics for circuit/wire number and color. Also you will see what circuits come out of which EIM. I dont recall wether ACC1 comes off the AFT or FORWARD EIM. You should find it taped off buried in the wire bundle 5-6 inches long coming out of the harness plug that connects to the EIM. As far as using one off the forward EIM, I think the biggest problem is going to be accessing the harness in the area you need to get to the spare circuit wire. Cant really advise you there as I have never removed my forward EIM. The spare I found was off the AFT EIM located in the ER. Also, make sure the breaker for the circuit you pick is suitable for the device you plan to connect.
 
There is a spare wire coming out of the forward EIM. It's hard to locate as it ends right behind the wall. You have to get into the bundle and carefully sort through it. Have your wiring schematic handy before you begin.
 
Thanks everyone, I'll go look for the spare wire. The wiring diagram labels the ACC1 wire as being "1" no color indicated. I'll cut the zip tie on the bundle and see what I can figure out.

Thanks,
-Steve
 
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The only issue you face is whether ACC1 has the correct current rating. The power wires exiting the EIM are connected to circuit breakers contained in the EIM. If the GPS is just that, you may be ok. If you are planning to run something where the MFD also provides power to a radar scanner, transducers and nmea2000 network, etc., then the EIM breaker may be too small.

For this reason I installed a fuse box powered from the EIM power feed to supply power to all of my electronics.

Henry


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Recall the wire being red. Also, I wired a Garmin radome into the AFT EIM ACC line without any additional breakers or wiring. Worked fine. Not sure you could put more than 4-5 Amps of power through the existing wiring.
 

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