I have the transom mount transducer which the manual states is ok to use as a "shoot thru hull" installation. It also states to use a special type epoxy. I can't figure out why? Is it ok to use clear west systems you think? Id rather use clear silicone in case I want to remove one day. Ideas appreciated
transducer installation....question
- Thread starter gwp
- Start date
- Status
Some have used a wax toilet bowl gasket to figure if the location works. I've used WEST epoxy on a couple boats, mainly because I always have some of their products around. Other epoxies will work. I cleaned the surfaces and coated with un-thickened epoxy. Then mixed in their high strength powder. Mix gentle so you don't get any air bubbles in the mixture. Apply some of the thickened epoxy to both the transducer and the hull and gently install. Some will naturally squeeze out, that's OK. The main thing is to not have any air bubbles, no matter which brand of epoxy you use. Tape in place and let it cure. Transducers don't go bad, or at least not often. The problem is normally the wiring, the head unit, or a connection. If the transducer does go bad, chip and grind in off.....it's bad anyway.
Works like a champ!
Don
Don
Works like a champ!
Don
Don
I have used both. both worked on solid glass hulls. Test the location first. Put some water in a zip lock bag put the transducer in the bag, put it in the planned location. See if you get a reasonable reading. Some hulls have voids .
For sloping locations, I have buildt dams with playdoh and poured epoxy in. Made a second pour and lightly coated the 'ducer with epoxy then place it on the surface and pressed gently and slowly to eliminate air bubbles. I have also very carefully squeezed a whole mess of silicon caulk into a pile with no air bubbles, then squished the 'ducer into the pile slowly and eyeballed level.
Both worked, but then I only care about single and double digits. More care is probably needed if you worry about the difference between a thousand feet and eleven hundred feet.
For sloping locations, I have buildt dams with playdoh and poured epoxy in. Made a second pour and lightly coated the 'ducer with epoxy then place it on the surface and pressed gently and slowly to eliminate air bubbles. I have also very carefully squeezed a whole mess of silicon caulk into a pile with no air bubbles, then squished the 'ducer into the pile slowly and eyeballed level.
Both worked, but then I only care about single and double digits. More care is probably needed if you worry about the difference between a thousand feet and eleven hundred feet.
Transducer Installation
I have used a plumbers wax ring. It works great,easy to install and a cheap fix.
I have used a plumbers wax ring. It works great,easy to install and a cheap fix.
Thanks for the posts. I have checked it with a zip lock bag and all seems ok. The manual warns of not using "rubber" type caulk but I bet silicone would work just fine. If it will shoot thru 3/4" FBGLS, a thin layer of silicone shouldn't effect? I have a slight amount of slope on the target hull area. If I go with unthickened epoxy guess I could dam up with wax paper over duct tape.....no play dough here. Wish I felt more comfortable with silicone. Thx to all.....
Don't spare the silicone.
A buddy and I recently installed his transducer in a large bubble free mound of silicone and it has worked perfectly ever since. If it works well through a Ziplock baggie of water, it will work even better through silicone. Less interfaces to got through.
Actually, I would suspect ALL transducers today will go through the hull in a silicone bed and I still wonder about transducers of a few years ago.
A buddy and I recently installed his transducer in a large bubble free mound of silicone and it has worked perfectly ever since. If it works well through a Ziplock baggie of water, it will work even better through silicone. Less interfaces to got through.
Actually, I would suspect ALL transducers today will go through the hull in a silicone bed and I still wonder about transducers of a few years ago.
My inclination is to not use silicone directly under the transducer, but if others have had success with it, I yield to their experience over my inclination.
I tested our hull with the baggie idea. All tested locations worked, so I fiberglassed a base ring to a piece of PVC pipe to make an open-bottomed 'tank', then siliconed the tank to the hull. I put the transducer in there and added water (non-toxic antifreeze would be better) . This has worked great but still makes it possible to remove or change the trransducer.
I tested our hull with the baggie idea. All tested locations worked, so I fiberglassed a base ring to a piece of PVC pipe to make an open-bottomed 'tank', then siliconed the tank to the hull. I put the transducer in there and added water (non-toxic antifreeze would be better) . This has worked great but still makes it possible to remove or change the trransducer.
- Status