Multiple DF/FF Transducers Question

JoLin

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 18, 2007
Messages
5,146
Be kind- I'm a newbie :)

My boat came with an old Raytheon depth finder/fish finder with transom-mounted transducer that I repaired and would like to keep aboard the boat for now. Transducer is mounted on the starboard side of the transom.

In the meantime I bought a new Garmin GPS/FF combo which, of course, came with another transom-mount transducer.

Where do I want to mount up the second transducer - next to the old one? On the other (port) side of the transom? Any concern that they might somehow interfere with each other, signal-wise?
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Multiple DF/FF Transducers Question

Yes, they may interfere with each other. The closer they are to the same frequency the more they interfere.

My solution to this is to only run one at a time.
 

cbavier

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 8, 2007
Messages
1,363
Re: Multiple DF/FF Transducers Question

Be kind- I'm a newbie :)

My boat came with an old Raytheon depth finder/fish finder with transom-mounted transducer that I repaired and would like to keep aboard the boat for now. Transducer is mounted on the starboard side of the transom.

In the meantime I bought a new Garmin GPS/FF combo which, of course, came with another transom-mount transducer.

Where do I want to mount up the second transducer - next to the old one? On the other (port) side of the transom? Any concern that they might somehow interfere with each other, signal-wise?

Yes they will interfere with one another. Mount the second transducer Port Side and keep all of the wires separated, on the opposite side. I know that's extra work but if you want to run both at the same time. It's a necessary evil. I run two at the same time and I have no problem. I followed the instructions of my owners manuals which said to keep them separate or I would have an issue with interference. Good Luck
 

JoLin

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 18, 2007
Messages
5,146
Re: Multiple DF/FF Transducers Question

Never fails... whether it's the house, car or boat- "everything becomes a project."

Thanks, folks!
 

cbavier

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 8, 2007
Messages
1,363
Re: Multiple DF/FF Transducers Question

Never fails... whether it's the house, car or boat- "everything becomes a project."

Thanks, folks!

I Know the feeling. Really running the wires were not that hard. Just have to get it from Passenger console side throught the ski Locker to the helm. I ran mine up top (in the ski locker) so as not to snag the harness and also to keep the wires dry.
 

JoLin

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 18, 2007
Messages
5,146
Re: Multiple DF/FF Transducers Question

Never fails... whether it's the house, car or boat- "everything becomes a project."

Thanks, folks!
 

Boatist

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2002
Messages
4,552
Re: Multiple DF/FF Transducers Question

It not going to make any difference if you mount it on the other side. If it on the same frequency they will interfeer with each other. This is a sound signal. If your buddy is on the port side of the boat talking to you can you here him? Well the fish finder can here the sound signal from the other side of the boat also.

If units are on different frequencies (one 50 KHZ and the other 200 Khz) then it should work as the unit is looking to here the frequency it sent out.

Turn one off when useing the other.

Another option is to put one on the bow with transducer point slightly foward and put the other on the transom with the transducer point slightly aft. On a boat 19 or 21 this usually works down to about 30 feet before the cones overlap and interfeer.
 

cbavier

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 8, 2007
Messages
1,363
Re: Multiple DF/FF Transducers Question

It not going to make any difference if you mount it on the other side. If it on the same frequency they will interfeer with each other. This is a sound signal. If your buddy is on the port side of the boat talking to you can you here him? Well the fish finder can here the sound signal from the other side of the boat also.

If units are on different frequencies (one 50 KHZ and the other 200 Khz) then it should work as the unit is looking to here the frequency it sent out.

Turn one off when useing the other.

Another option is to put one on the bow with transducer point slightly foward and put the other on the transom with the transducer point slightly aft. On a boat 19 or 21 this usually works down to about 30 before the cones overlap and interfeer.

Mine work just fine together so they must be on different frequencies then. No interference from either. One transducer is mounted Port Side and the other is mounted on the startboard side about four feet apart. The Heads are about 7 ft apart. Wires run up each/ both sides. One is an Eagle the other a Hummingbird.
 
Top