Permanent Wet Transducer Installation - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

yakrider · 01-01-2010, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsafety

Just got back from the maiden voyage with this setup. It worked perfectly. More later.

Bob

could you hear the pinging of the tx?
mine is loud as sh*t...

dsafety · 01-02-2010, 09:40 PM

As I mentioned before, this setup worked perfectly. I could not hear anything from the sonar. In fact, I have not heard that this is a problem with any sonars in this class. Yakrider, you must have really good hearing.

There were no leaks from the well and my images were excellent. The fish finder is a new one with higher resolution than my previous unit so I cannot tell you if the improved images are a result of the better FF or the transducer setup.

As expected, the temperature readings were a little misleading for a while. I had the kayak on the top of my truck overnight where the outside temperature got down to the low 40s. When I started to peddle out, the FF said the temperature was 44 degrees. I knew that was wrong as I passed a group of swimmers heading out from the Cove. It took about an hour for the water in the well to warm to the temperature of the ocean. If having accurate temperature readings is important to you, this type of installation my not be the best choice.

If portability and ease of installation are what you are looking for, this is definitely the way to go. Now that I know what to do, I could probably reproduce this installation in about ten minutes.

Bob

crabkracker · 01-02-2010, 09:53 PM

Great idea! My wet well install has worked perfectly for over a year, but this is much better! No more filling it with water or forgetting to... Thanks for sharing!

cappo · 01-04-2010, 04:12 PM

Thats a neat setup. I was thinking of changin to a wet install. This will help alot.
Thanks.

bentrod1 · 01-04-2010, 04:27 PM

I just read some guy used plumbers putty and stuck it inside the hull without a reservoir...

Does it have to be wet? Is there a sensor further up on the transducer that has to detect water? If you seal the transducer (I know you didn't Bob) with putty, glue etc. to the hull then water wouldn't touch the bottom of the transducer anyway...

dsafety · 01-04-2010, 05:27 PM

Plumbers putty would be too weak of a sealant. Goop is much better. It will withstand anything you throw at it.

With my setup, the transducer is suspended in water above the hull. You have to have some solid or liquid connection between the transducer and the ocean. If there is an air gap, the thing will not work.

Bob

peguinpower · 01-05-2010, 06:24 AM

Brilliant! Great job!

Ive heard that Surgilube makes for a great medium and has anti-bacterial stuff that prevents algae and mold build up. Its the same stuff they use on ultrasounds. At 2 bucks for 4oz at your local pharmacy, seems like a good deal.

If you drill in an injection port, later sealed with a screw, you can fill up that reservoir real good.

/bing

WahooUSMA · 01-07-2010, 07:38 AM

Bob,

Great idea, and I am going to re-install my transducer with your method this weekend..Quick question (now that I have read the whole thread). How much space between the hull and the transducer do require? That will determine I guess, the length of PVC needed??? Also, why not mount this at the rear of the yak as they do in boats. The Revo has an access hatch that would make the install easy...I think?

Roger

01-04-2010, 04:27 PM	#5
bentrod1 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Upland Posts: 60	Wet or not to wet? I just read some guy used plumbers putty and stuck it inside the hull without a reservoir... Does it have to be wet? Is there a sensor further up on the transducer that has to detect water? If you seal the transducer (I know you didn't Bob) with putty, glue etc. to the hull then water wouldn't touch the bottom of the transducer anyway...

01-04-2010, 05:27 PM	#6
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	Plumbers putty would be too weak of a sealant. Goop is much better. It will withstand anything you throw at it. With my setup, the transducer is suspended in water above the hull. You have to have some solid or liquid connection between the transducer and the ocean. If there is an air gap, the thing will not work. Bob Last edited by dsafety; 01-05-2010 at 01:51 PM.

01-07-2010, 07:38 AM	#8
WahooUSMA Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Rancho Cucamonga Posts: 753	Bob, Great idea, and I am going to re-install my transducer with your method this weekend..Quick question (now that I have read the whole thread). How much space between the hull and the transducer do require? That will determine I guess, the length of PVC needed??? Also, why not mount this at the rear of the yak as they do in boats. The Revo has an access hatch that would make the install easy...I think? Roger __________________ GO ARMY BEAT NAVY! Bad decisions make great stories!

01-02-2010, 09:40 PM	#2
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	As I mentioned before, this setup worked perfectly. I could not hear anything from the sonar. In fact, I have not heard that this is a problem with any sonars in this class. Yakrider, you must have really good hearing. There were no leaks from the well and my images were excellent. The fish finder is a new one with higher resolution than my previous unit so I cannot tell you if the improved images are a result of the better FF or the transducer setup. As expected, the temperature readings were a little misleading for a while. I had the kayak on the top of my truck overnight where the outside temperature got down to the low 40s. When I started to peddle out, the FF said the temperature was 44 degrees. I knew that was wrong as I passed a group of swimmers heading out from the Cove. It took about an hour for the water in the well to warm to the temperature of the ocean. If having accurate temperature readings is important to you, this type of installation my not be the best choice. If portability and ease of installation are what you are looking for, this is definitely the way to go. Now that I know what to do, I could probably reproduce this installation in about ten minutes. Bob

01-02-2010, 09:53 PM	#3
crabkracker Junior Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: OC Posts: 23	Great idea! My wet well install has worked perfectly for over a year, but this is much better! No more filling it with water or forgetting to... Thanks for sharing!

01-04-2010, 04:12 PM	#4
cappo Junior Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: culver city Posts: 12	Thats a neat setup. I was thinking of changin to a wet install. This will help alot. Thanks.

01-05-2010, 06:24 AM	#7
peguinpower bing! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: socal Posts: 246	Brilliant! Great job! Ive heard that Surgilube makes for a great medium and has anti-bacterial stuff that prevents algae and mold build up. Its the same stuff they use on ultrasounds. At 2 bucks for 4oz at your local pharmacy, seems like a good deal. If you drill in an injection port, later sealed with a screw, you can fill up that reservoir real good. /bing