Through Hull routing of transducer cable question(s)

[fourwinns170]

Greetings,

Just purchased a hummingbird depth sounder, however they want me to drill a 5/8 hole in my transom to route the freakin transducer cable. I have a four winns 170 horizon I/O and routing the cable over the transom would look hideous to say the least....can i cut the transducer cable, route it through a MUCH MUCH smaller hole than solder the wires back together? Or sill that screw up the signal ??????? I'd hate to drill that big of a hole in my transom just to fit the frickin huge plug at the end of the wire....

If not, is there a fish finder that has a much smaller connector where i wouldn't need to drill a 5/8 hole??? I dont care much about quality of pic, i ski normally just want to know depth and temp. THANKS!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Through Hull routing of transducer cable question(s)

drill the hole well above the water line and seal with 4200. cutting and soldering will interfere with the signal. i have a hummingbird piranha 20.

 

[fourwinns170]

Re: Through Hull routing of transducer cable question(s)

any tips for drilling then?? i dont want to crack the fiberglass!!! or create strees cracks!! i will be buying a new 5/8 bit for this too

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Through Hull routing of transducer cable question(s)

I wish the hole I had to drill for my transducer was that small....I had to drill 1" for mine!

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Through Hull routing of transducer cable question(s)

Do some googeling on shoot thru the hull transducers. You may be able to epoxy it to the floor in the bilge under the engine and not have to drill a hole in the transom.

You might use the "advanced search" function here on iboats for this information also.

Someone else my chime in with more explanations on how to test your hulls capability for shoot thru. Be patient before drilling.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Through Hull routing of transducer cable question(s)

Make sure you know what is on the other side of that hole you are drilling. I miscalculated once and almost went into my wiring loom.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Through Hull routing of transducer cable question(s)

i would start with a 3/8" bit, then the 5/8", then counter sink the hole, just bit, to keep it chipping and cracking. then seal hell out of it. besure to be well above the water line.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Through Hull routing of transducer cable question(s)

Do some googeling on shoot thru the hull transducers. You may be able to epoxy it to the floor in the bilge under the engine and not have to drill a hole in the transom.

You might use the "advanced search" function here on iboats for this information also.

Someone else my chime in with more explanations on how to test your hulls capability for shoot thru. Be patient before drilling.

That will work but he won't get water temp.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Through Hull routing of transducer cable question(s)

I wouldn't drill the hole.

Transducers produce sound waves. Different depths use different frequencies usually in the range of 50 to 20 kilohertz.

Sound travels through solids very well and (at least part of ) your hull is solid. Alum (hull material) is best, glass a close second, and wood a sloppy third.

The transducer needs to be hard mounted with epoxy and for best response, no bubbles. I know that Lowrance recommends and will recommend the best epoxy for the job but other epoxys will work. Main point is minimum bubbles. Why? cause bubbles are full of air and air compresses; solids don't.....compression of the sound waves reduces their intensity and adversly affects sensitivity. One way to get that is to stir (the 2 parts) slowly and after application knead the epoxy before installing the transducer.

Most glass boats of today have no keel; just laid up mat and in the area where the keel was on wooden boats..... is the perfect place to mount it, near the transom; as close as is feasible.

What I would do is to take the boat out to a "normal to you" depth and stop. The deeper the better as that will make you work harder for the best response and yield the best installation position.

Put some water in the bottom of the boat and immerse the (bottom of the) transducer in the water. Now you have nothing but solids between the the "ping" and the return "pong".

Have someone watch the display and move the transducer around till you get the best signal. Record that position and attitude.

When you get home, clean everything up real good (per the epoxy's instructions) and glue her down just the way you had her positioned.

You already know how it will work and no one will see it.

Any boat I buy new, or that didn't have a sonar before gets it's transducers mounted this way.....including the additional ones I put up front for when I am fishing from the front chair. Besides the unsightly mess and water spout caused by it being outside, it is vulnerable to damage from swimmers and trees and limbs when fishing timber.

Good luck

Mark

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: Through Hull routing of transducer cable question(s)

Mounting inside will give you depth, but not water temp as the sensor needs to be in contact with the water. If you do drill a hole, use a deep throated hole saw instead. No chance of chipping the gel coat that way. Just start with only a little pressure as you start the hole. FF should have come with a very nice looking hole cover to dress it up in the end.

Would suggest use fast cure 4200 instead of 5200. It is easier to remove if and when you should get a newer model FF which is not at all uncommon and you don't really need the holding power of 5200, just good sealing.

Be sure to seal all screw holes also and to chamfer the screw hole with counterssink before installing the screw. This prevents gel coat chipping and also provides an extra place for the sealant to go to for a better seal.

BTW, Mineral Spirits is very good at cleaning up either product and doesn't have the strong fumes or have the possibility of damaging gel coat as does Acetone.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Through Hull routing of transducer cable question(s)

I don't know about that. Most waters are pretty constant within a few degrees and after the boat has been in the water for awhile it will assume the water's temp within a degree or two.

We did just fine for a lot of years without knowing what it was and it seems that he is more interested in water sports as compared to fishing.

My 2c,

Mark

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: Through Hull routing of transducer cable question(s)

I only mentioned the problem with water temp if sensor mounted inside as FW stated he wanted it. Don't agree w/Mark on inside reading being only a few degrees different as fiberglass is a good insulator and inside surface I would suspect is more subject to air temperature. Also, don't transducers produce a little heat while operating. May be conducted to temp sensor by fixed mounting without contact with moving water.

Agree with Mark though that unless your fishing water temp is not very important. Only shows the surface temperature anyway, so don't know how important for fishing either.

Mounting mine inside on my new old boat for all the reasons others have stated.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Through Hull routing of transducer cable question(s)

Not being arguementative Bill, but woven glass, like used to insulate your house, yes. Solid glass like's on the bottom of your boat, no. Reason, air is the insulator and there isn't any (not supposed to be any) air "bubbles" in the hull.
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Really, I'd do a handstand before I'd mount one overboard if I could help it.

Will cost him nothing but a little time to try. Take the transducer and try it for sensitivity and temp (if you want) before you drill any holes or mount it.

One thing's for sure. Once he mounts it on his transom, it's there. With him mounting it inside he has the opportunity to try different places for the best results; at rest or underway.

And remember, inside means no rooster tail.

Mark