mounting a transducer

[seasidesix]

i've been told i can mount a transducer for a depth sounder inside my boat in some kind of pvc tube with vegtable oil ?? any ideas

 

[rnsi]

Re: mounting a transducer

Is this for a temporary mount?

 

[moderator1]

Re: mounting a transducer

Moving to Electronics.

 

[ThomWV]

Re: mounting a transducer

Sure, you can do it that way. Just find a large enough section of PVC pipe, a length of about 4~6" will be more than enough. You'll also need a cap for it.<br /><br />What you do is cut the bottom of the tube of PVC (which has to be large enough in diameter to allow your transducer to set down in it) to match your hull bottom as closley as possible.<br /><br />With that done, and the top dead level, you seal the PVC to the bottom of the boat. Just set the pipe on the bottom where it will be mounted and trace a line around it. Then put down a heavy bead of 5200 inside of the line. Then put the pipe down into the 5200 and put another bead around the outside edge. Now let it set for several days. In the mean time take the transducer and mount it in the cap so that it faces straight down and its cord comes through the cap and is sealed (5200 once again). Also drill a small hole in the cap and tap it, 3/8" is fine. With all that done and the sealer set up just fill the tank about half way with mineral oil and press the cap down firmly. Take duct tape and wrap it tightly around the cap/pipe joint. Finish filling the tank through the hole you drilled and tapped and then put a bolt into it of the appropriate size.

 

[Boatist]

Re: mounting a transducer

Seasidesix<br />To start with what type hull do you have. Aluminum or wood then forget about it. Hand layup fiberglass then you may have to grind down thru the fiberglass mats until you get to the gel coat for it to work correctly. Straight fiberglass or a boat that has a spot designed for the transducer then no problem. Many bass boats have a spot made for the transducer.<br /><br />To try it and see if it works can be very simple. Take some modeling clay and build a little dam to hold water or stick down a 2 inch piece of PVC pipe with the clay or some silicone. Put the transducer in and use some tape to hold it pointed straight down. Fill the area with water and go for a ride. If it works then glue down the transducer in that location with slow cure Epoxy. Must be slow cure to allow all the air bubbles to get out.<br /><br /> http://www.lowrance.com/Tutorials/transducerguide.asp

 

[Chris1956]

Re: mounting a transducer

Seaside. There used to be clear plastic bubbles that you could caulk to the hull, fill with mineral oil and install the transducer. I haven't seen them for years, however. <br /><br />I mounted my transducer to the bulkhead in front of my sterndrive, adjusted the mount until the transducer had flush contact with the fiberglass bottom of the hull and wet it with water. It has worked fine for many years. It gives no reading when the bilge is perfectly dry, however. I then toss a cup of water onto it and I'm back in business.