Transducer Location w/ Smart Tabs

[CntrySngr]

Re: Transducer Location w/ Smart Tabs

Originally posted by John McFarlane:<br /> Did you replace the starter solenoid?

I replaced the whole starter. The starter was stuck in with the gears exposed. Roommate and dad both recommended replacing the entire unit. Also, the solenoid was on there with these "star" bolts and we didn't have anything to remove them with.

 

[ufm82]

Re: Transducer Location w/ Smart Tabs

Country- try this...<br />I realize you have already drilled the holes for the bracket for the transducer. But that doesn't mean you have to use them! In fact, it has been my experience that most finders lose bottom after about 25 mph when mounted on the transom. I never really cared much before when I was bass fishing as I wasn't running in the water I was fishing in. But, my fishing style has changed and I have to search out spots at speed now. I wanted to be able to look at the bottom when I'm running at 40+ mph and the only way to do it was to mount my 'ducer internally. I just laid the skimmer 'ducer in the hull at first to see where it read the best and then I laid a beanbag on top of it to hold it in place. It read flawlessly up to WOT, which is about 50 on my boat. So, I prepped an area dead center in my bilge and epoxied the 'ducer right there. The cable ran under the floor in the engine cable conduit and it's clean and easy. No holes in the transom and no bracket to mess with. <br /><br /> Someday I'll buy an actual Shoot-Thru 'ducer and get even better results. Doing it this way is by far the ideal way to mount a finder. <br /><br />UFM82

 

[inthesticksnow]

Re: Transducer Location w/ Smart Tabs

UFM82,<br /><br />I have been keeping my ears open regarding a depth-finder myself, but do not want to mount a transducer to the transom, nor do I want to drill through the hull. <br /><br />We have an 18’ runabout, I/O, fiberglass hull, and run on the Illinois River for recreation. I have no interest in finding fish… just some insight on just what is below us and how far… especially when spotting an otherwise perfect place to beach.<br /><br />The only boating source around here is a bass boat dealer… but the guy over there recommended (can’t remember brand) a simple depth gage, with a transducer that is mounted inside the bottom of the hull, as you have described. This dealer isn’t cheap, but has something for me @ about $200… and he said he has the same ’ducer setup, and works great. The only thing he said he did, was fiberglass over the ‘ducer down there in the bilge… which I thought was a great idea.<br /><br />I like YOUR idea of predetermining an optimum location first before permanently epoxying glassing it in. <br /><br />Can we get a brand or a link from you please? This is definitely the way I am going to go… so much appreciate.

 

[stevens]

Re: Transducer Location w/ Smart Tabs

If you download this file, it has a very detailed chapter on transducer installation. It will tell you almost everything there is to know about the subject, both transom mount and shoot-through-hull installations.<br /><br /> Lowrance LMS337CDF Pdf- Manual Download <br /><br />Edit: that link doesn't seem to work. Here's another page where you can download a manual with the same transducer installation info.<br /><br /> Lowrance LMS332C

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Transducer Location w/ Smart Tabs

Cntrysngr I had the same thing happen with my starter (outboard) after doing some service work on the powerhead this spring. Turned the key to start, motor fired up then the starter cog dropped just below the flywheel teeth and continued to spin. Turned the key off and it continued to spin. Disconnected the battery to stop it. How strange I thought. How can it continue to run without power getting to it. Checked everything out carefully but never did find the cause. Only did it once and that was 3 months ago.

 

[CntrySngr]

Re: Transducer Location w/ Smart Tabs

It was very strange, RodC. Freaked me out and ticked me off. I was looking forward to a night of tubing and skiing as it has been very hot and humid down here. But, I guess it was best it happened then and not on the holiday we have coming up this weekend in the states.<br /><br />I plan on going out this evening in the boat, so I will test the FF and let you all know how it goes.

 

[ufm82]

Re: Transducer Location w/ Smart Tabs

inthesticks- <br /> You can buy a cheap fishfinder like a "Cuda" or similar model. They will run you less than $100 and are so cheap anymore that they just come in a blister pack- not even a box anymore. They hang them on shelves like a bag of candy. They'll do a fine job of doing what you want. <br /><br /> Or, go to Faria's website and look at their depth gauge- it goes in a 2" gauge hole in your dash and has a transducer that epoxies in your bilge just like below. It reads to 200' and I see them on E-bay all the time for less than $70 for a complete kit. Hawkeye makes one as does Teleflex. <br /><br /> I don't know a specific link to an install site, but it's pretty simple. Locate a spot in your bilge area that isn't right over a chine or strake or rib in your hull. I was able to put mine dead center as I have a smooth bottom with no strakes. Simply route your wiring the way you want it and check the operation of the finder unit like I described above. Then clean the area thoroughly with a good degreaser and then sand it a bit with some 100 sandpaper to rough it up a bit. Use a good quality 2-part epoxy and mix enough to make a spot as big as the 'ducer and about 1/2"-3/4" thick. Press the 'ducer down into the epoxy and wiggle it a bit to eliminate any bubbles. Let it set up overnight and it should work great. The transducer housing basically becomes continuous with the epoxy and the fiberglass hull and it works fine. The sound travels through all three mediums like it was one piece of plastic. You never have to drill holes or make any marks on the outside of your hull. And I certainly wouldn't "glass" OVER the transducer- I don't understand the reaoning behind that. That would make it nearly impossible to get out if you were to ever want to remove it. Just stick it in the epoxy and let it go. <br /><br /> There are true "shoot-thru" 'ducers sold for nearly every brand of finder made. I just used the bullet shaped Skimmer that came with my Lowrance, but they offer a puck-style shoot thru that I will buy eventually. It's designed to be mounted just like that. <br /><br /> You can go to www.vexilar.com to see other items for finders, including a really cool transducer that is designed to be mounted in the bilge of ALUMINUM boats the same way as the one I just described. That is cool- I wish they had been out when I had my SeaNymph. I would have bought one in a heartbeat. <br /><br />UFM82<br /><br />It's the only way to go.

 

[inthesticksnow]

Re: Transducer Location w/ Smart Tabs

UFM82,<br /><br />You da man!<br /><br />I also found it odd about the glassing bit, but I was just repeating what the guy told me. <br /><br />Thank you for your time and advice! This is exactly what I’m talkin-ma-bout!<br /><br />Again, thanks.

 

[inthesticksnow]

Re: Transducer Location w/ Smart Tabs

UFM82,<br /><br />Pretty much all they have on Ebay right now are Hawkeye DF1000D-B's for $89.00 Buy Now. This sounds good to me... you think?<br /><br />The Faria's look cool, but I can't find them with the shoot-through-the-hull transducers. I'm really not picky.

 

[CntrySngr]

Re: Transducer Location w/ Smart Tabs

Transducer is working fine, but man, I need to learn how to use this FF. The signal I receive doesn't look anything like in the "book". And no arches...I guess that's something to do with the Garmin 250, I dunno. Honestly, the depth notice is awesome, but the FF part is a bit confusing. I'll play some more and get back to y'all.

 

[ufm82]

Re: Transducer Location w/ Smart Tabs

The Hawkeyes are on there all the time- the Farias show up occasionally. You just have to keep your eyes open for them. I think any of them would work fine for you- I just happen to have Faria gauges in my boat. <br /><br /> Country, you probably have a few different views to pick from. Can you switch from a Fish ID screen to a raw data screen? I can do three on my Lowrance- Fish ID, Fish ID with depth of mark and raw data screen that will show the arches. I use the raw screen as I can read it better as to what is down there. <br /><br />Did you mount the 'ducer on the transom after all? <br /><br /> Are there any fish under your boat in the first place??? They have to be there to show up on the screen. <br /><br />UFM82

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Transducer Location w/ Smart Tabs

Original quote from UFM82<br />"Are there any fish under your boat in the first place??? They have to be there to show up on the screen"<br /><br />No they don't. Just turn on the DEMO feature and you will have all the fish you can desire represented in perfect fish arch form

 

[CntrySngr]

Re: Transducer Location w/ Smart Tabs

With the Fish ID on, I can see fish often. If I turn it off, then they become "blots" on the screen. I thought they would be arches, but they're not...I've tried adjusting but I don't understand what and how to adjust the things I need to in order to see arches. I'll run the demo to see what it shows.<br /><br />I did mount the ducer on the transom. Works perfectly, even at WOT. Although I must admit when I am in shallow water the readings it returns are garbage...then again, in 3 ft of water, you can see the bottom!

 

[dingbat]

Re: Transducer Location w/ Smart Tabs

I've tried adjusting but I don't understand

This should help somewhat. <br /><br />fish arches <br /><br />For what it's worth I could count the number of arches I've seen on my machine over the last 5 years on both hands. Some species of fish willn't arch no matter waht you do.

 

[inthesticksnow]

Re: Transducer Location w/ Smart Tabs

Thanks, UFM82. I have ordered a Hawkeye, due on Friday… I’m sure it will be great with the shoot-through hull transducer, and I will take your advice and do test trials for the best hull location for the ‘ducer before it gets glued down.<br /><br />BTW, to those who say all works great, even at WOT… how do you know this? <br /><br />My depth sounder is primarily going to be used for looking at the depth close to shore, while carefully nosing in for beaching. That, and to acquire a general “feel” for the areas along the Illinois River where we mostly boat. So tell me please, how far ahead will these things ping????

 

[ufm82]

Re: Transducer Location w/ Smart Tabs

The finders will have a specific cone angle- how far ahead of your boat it will "see" depends on how deep the water is. <br /><br />If I am nosed into the bank and the stern is still in 20' of water, my finder will pretty much say 20', but my 'ducer is all the way in the back of the bilge. If you have access to the hull in the front of your boat, mount the 'ducer up there. It will read better for you if you are using it for beaching.<br /><br /> Country- you will only see the perfect "arch" if the fish comes into the cone, through it and then back out. That gives you the arch. Most often the fish is in the side of the cone or comes in and turns away. Also, the Fish ID will show anything as a fish be it a tree limb, a floating piece of debris or whatever. The raw data will give you a better idea of what you are looking at. Did you know that you can somewhat tell what kind of fish you are looking at? If I zoom in on arches and really pay attention, I can see the difference between a scaled fish, (carp, gar, etc) and smooth-skinned fish,(catfish, paddlefish, etc.) by the grayline on the return. Scaled fish give a stronger echo- thus a thinner arch. It takes a bit of practice but just work on it and you'll be amazed at what the finder can tell you. <br /><br /> UFM82

 

[inthesticksnow]

Re: Transducer Location w/ Smart Tabs

Thanks, UFM82, I have an access hatch just between pilot and passenger seats, so about mid way... Should be a good location for my intended use. Thanks again.