Dumb question

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B

Bill O'D

Is it ill advised to paint the depth transducer with bottompaint? Why?
 
B

Bill O'D

Is it ill advised to paint the depth transducer with bottompaint? Why?
 
K

Kirk

?

Not sure of the correct answer, but mine is covered with paint (and it works.)
 
K

Kirk

?

Not sure of the correct answer, but mine is covered with paint (and it works.)
 

Mike B

.
Apr 15, 2007
1,013
Beneteau 43 Baltimore, MD
Impacts the signal

You have to use paint made specifically for that purpose or it can impact the signal from the transducer and give you false readings.
 

Mike B

.
Apr 15, 2007
1,013
Beneteau 43 Baltimore, MD
Impacts the signal

You have to use paint made specifically for that purpose or it can impact the signal from the transducer and give you false readings.
 
May 21, 2004
172
Hunter 31_83-87 Milwaukee South Shore Yacht Club
If it will work through solid fiberglass.........

There are installations where the transducer is mounted in a water-box against a solid fiberglass hull that work just fine so paint shouldn't matter. Unless it has high copper content, then maybe it would interfere with the signal. I don't paint over mine but I never really thought about it. Not a dumb question. IMHO
 
May 21, 2004
172
Hunter 31_83-87 Milwaukee South Shore Yacht Club
If it will work through solid fiberglass.........

There are installations where the transducer is mounted in a water-box against a solid fiberglass hull that work just fine so paint shouldn't matter. Unless it has high copper content, then maybe it would interfere with the signal. I don't paint over mine but I never really thought about it. Not a dumb question. IMHO
 
W

Warren Milberg

I've been painting my

Datamarine depth sounder transducer with the same ablative bottom paint I use on the boat for years. Never a hiccup; works perfectly. I don't recommend painting a knotmeter paddlewheel with bottom paint as the weight of the paint will impact accuracy (I use zinc oxide ointment, instead -- lasts about half the season here, then I do it again).
 
W

Warren Milberg

I've been painting my

Datamarine depth sounder transducer with the same ablative bottom paint I use on the boat for years. Never a hiccup; works perfectly. I don't recommend painting a knotmeter paddlewheel with bottom paint as the weight of the paint will impact accuracy (I use zinc oxide ointment, instead -- lasts about half the season here, then I do it again).
 

Mike B

.
Apr 15, 2007
1,013
Beneteau 43 Baltimore, MD
Zinc oxide???

Warren is it as simple as coating the paddle with zinc oxide? The same stuff used as sunblock? I had the surrounding area painted but not the paddle itself. It held the barnacles off a bit longer but not all together. The ZO would be an easy fix. Let me know your process. Thanks Mike
 

Mike B

.
Apr 15, 2007
1,013
Beneteau 43 Baltimore, MD
Zinc oxide???

Warren is it as simple as coating the paddle with zinc oxide? The same stuff used as sunblock? I had the surrounding area painted but not the paddle itself. It held the barnacles off a bit longer but not all together. The ZO would be an easy fix. Let me know your process. Thanks Mike
 
D

Dan

My guess is ......

I always thought it was becasue of the solvents in some paints could melt the platstic transducer.
 
D

Dan

My guess is ......

I always thought it was becasue of the solvents in some paints could melt the platstic transducer.
 
Dec 3, 2003
2,101
Hunter Legend 37 Portsmouth, RI
I Use...

...the black transducer paint. I bought a 4 ounce bottle 12 years ago and still use it flawlessly every year.
 
Dec 3, 2003
2,101
Hunter Legend 37 Portsmouth, RI
I Use...

...the black transducer paint. I bought a 4 ounce bottle 12 years ago and still use it flawlessly every year.
 
Aug 9, 2005
772
Hunter 28.5 Palm Coast, FL
I've been painting mine on 4 different boats for 30 years

with no ill effects. Different brands also.
 
Aug 9, 2005
772
Hunter 28.5 Palm Coast, FL
I've been painting mine on 4 different boats for 30 years

with no ill effects. Different brands also.
 
W

Warren Milberg

For Mike re ZO

Yes, I bought a tube of ordinary old zinc oxide at the drug store (very cheap) and use it on the knotmeter paddle wheel. Same stuff as Desitin, only a lot cheaper. I coat each blade using an old tooth brush. In the mid-bay area where I am, we have "moderate fouling." The ZO tends to last until about mid-summer. I then pull the paddlewheel (very difficult location on my H28.5), clean it up, and put some more ZO on it then reinstall. Works for me, perhaps for you, too.
 
W

Warren Milberg

For Mike re ZO

Yes, I bought a tube of ordinary old zinc oxide at the drug store (very cheap) and use it on the knotmeter paddle wheel. Same stuff as Desitin, only a lot cheaper. I coat each blade using an old tooth brush. In the mid-bay area where I am, we have "moderate fouling." The ZO tends to last until about mid-summer. I then pull the paddlewheel (very difficult location on my H28.5), clean it up, and put some more ZO on it then reinstall. Works for me, perhaps for you, too.
 
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