Wireless Depth Finder

[mitiempo]

Epoxy is the best way to attach a transducer to the hull. Sealants such as silicone will have an impact on depth sounder performance. Humminbird agrees.
Brian

[scottyt]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

Why did you wax it?
Brian

so if i ever need to pop it loose i can, then i could use a new thin layer to put a new one in the same spot ( assuming same trans ). then i would not have 2, 3, or 4 globs of gel coat under the settee from each new one.

[DropTop]

I've been told by the guys at west marine to avoid the hummingbird brand sounders because the transducers are essentially unique to the model display you have them attached to. If you decide to upgrade at a later date to something with a bigger or color screen or add a chartplotter etc or the unit fails and you need to replace it in a couple of years, you will have to remove the epoxy or whatever you use to secure the transducer to the hull so you can replace it with another model, or leave it there and install another transducer next to it.

Garmin and Raymarine (among others I'm sure) have standard connection transducers that will work with just about any model display you want.

Whatever you choose to do, make sure you are thinking ahead for future upgrades and changes (and possible equipment failures), not just what you need to do today.

[DropTop]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

Epoxy is the best way to attach a transducer to the hull. Sealants such as silicone will have an impact on depth sounder performance. Humminbird agrees.
Brian

I've been told the same thing about silicone under the transducer, I didn't do that.

Between the transducer and the hull is ultrasound gel. It's designed specifically to act as a high grade interface between a sonar transducer and another surface (afterall the sounders, fish finders and bottom plotters we use are just lower grade and lower frequency versions of the same things neonatal doctors use when a women goes in for a pregnancy checkup).

I used 3M 4000 sealant / adhesive only around the outside edge of the transducer to Dam the gel underneath the transducer and prevent it from leaking out, while also holding the transducer in place.

So far it's worked incrediblly well. I have actually seen the box shape of a lobster pot show up on the sonar display when I got a little too close to a bouy once, as well as the line going up to the surface bouy.

It also has the significant benefit of being easily removable should the transducer fail and need replacing for any reason in the future...

We'll see how well it works after sitting for the winter and the gel freezes... Worst case I go to the trusty old epoxy meathod next spring

[mitiempo]

If you use epoxy and have to remove it just hit it sideways with a hammer - it'll break free without a problem. No liquids tro keep in place by damming area.
Brian

[jetdrvr393]

Ok, I'm thinking of going a differetn route now. Today I noticed that my knotmeter is not working either. My boat currently has a Moore knotmeter installed with a thru hull transducer. I have been thinking of upgrading to a Raymarine ST40 bidata system that will do speed, temp and depth. Will their transducers fit in the holes that are already in the hull for the Moore system?
Do you guys think this is a better way to go?

Thanks

[mitiempo]

Sounds logical in your case as the hole is there and a combined unit makes sense. As far as size, I think you will have to either measure the hole or get the measurement from the owners manual which you may have filed. I couldn't find any info about Moore on the web that is useful. Maybe someone has one, but it's possible there were different sized transducers.
Brian

[jetdrvr393]

Ok thanks, if anyone knows if the two sizes match please let me know.

Thanks
Joe