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

dsafety · 01-18-2010, 09:18 PM

Wahoo,

I don't think having a rigid or rubber cap makes much of a difference. Most of the rigid ones are threaded so you could end up with some fairly twisted cables unless you pre-twist the opposite way before you put the cap on. Just make sure the transponder is pointed the right direction when you have things tightened down.

I think a rubber cap with hose clamp is a better way to go. You cannot secure a non-threaded rigid cap with a hose clamp the way you can with rubber. You should be able to find a larger rubber cap somewhere.

The inspection plug is a good idea. I had a problem with my FF last time out and thought that the water may have run dry. In ended up having to loosen the hose clamp while on the water to remove the cap to check things out, (it was a PITA). I discovered that there was still plenty of water, however. After putting everything back together, the FF worked fine. Maybe it was just a glitch in the unit.

I think I will add a fill hole to my setup so I can more easily add water if it is needed at some point.

As for cleaning the goop off, I don't have any recommendations. It probably is not necessary to get it all off. You just need to carve away any areas that have bubbles. Is there a solvent for Goop?

Bob

PescadorPete · 01-19-2010, 12:59 PM

If mounted inside a hull, why does it matter which way the transducer is pointed? If mounted through hull, I can see that it would in order to avoid cavitation (bubbles) while the boat is moving.

WahooUSMA · 01-19-2010, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsafety

Wahoo,

I don't think having a rigid or rubber cap makes much of a difference. Most of the rigid ones are threaded so you could end up with some fairly twisted cables unless you pre-twist the opposite way before you put the cap on. Just make sure the transponder is pointed the right direction when you have things tightened down.

I think a rubber cap with hose clamp is a better way to go. You cannot secure a non-threaded rigid cap with a hose clamp the way you can with rubber. You should be able to find a larger rubber cap somewhere.

The inspection plug is a good idea. I had a problem with my FF last time out and thought that the water may have run dry. In ended up having to loosen the hose clamp while on the water to remove the cap to check things out, (it was a PITA). I discovered that there was still plenty of water, however. After putting everything back together, the FF worked fine. Maybe it was just a glitch in the unit.

I think I will add a fill hole to my setup so I can more easily add water if it is needed at some point.

As for cleaning the goop off, I don't have any recommendations. It probably is not necessary to get it all off. You just need to carve away any areas that have bubbles. Is there a solvent for Goop?

Bob

Bob, the 4in. is a rubber cap and does come with the hose clamp, but it is the thickness of the cap and rigidity that worries me. I bought the 3in before I realized my Lowrance transducer was larger than the Hummingbird. The 3in cap is much more flexible.

dsafety · 01-19-2010, 03:32 PM

PescadorePete,

The sonar transponder is directional. If you have the transponder pointing to the stern, your fish finder will show you things you have already passed so what shows up on your screen as you move forward would be what you would have seen if you moved backward had the transducer been aligned correctly.

If all you are using your FF for is to tell the depth of the water, this is probably not a big deal but if you are using it to actually locate fish or bait, you could be making decisions based on reading the data incorrectly.

Wahoo,

I don't think a thicker rubber cap is any big deal. It may make it harder to spread open the hole to get your plug through the rubber but if that is the case, just make the X cuts longer. You will be sealing these cuts with goop later anyway.

If you simply cannot spread the rubber wide enough, just drill a suitable sized hole in the rubber. Thread your plug through the hole and attach the transducer. Tape one side of the cap and fill the former hole with goop making sure you have some overlap on cap. When the goop has cured, go to the other side of the cap and spread a bit more goop there so the "plug you just made will not pop out.

The thicker rubber might actually make it easier to mount the transducer with screws since there will be more material for the screws to grab on to.

When you have completed your installation please post a photo for everyone to see.

Bob

THE CALI HOOKUP! · 01-19-2010, 06:45 PM

can the transducer still read through the abs matirial, Of course it sends a signal down then the signal spreads out untill it hits the bottom of the ocean. will this matirial mess up any readings because of how dense the matirial is.

The only problem I have is mounting the transducer to the cap, but I am sure I can figure it out, I have a question how close can you let the transducer get to the hull of the kayak with this type of install

Pm me if you have the answer

grey zone · 01-20-2010, 12:38 PM

I use a similar system that is a little more simple and works well. I have a small hard plastic box that is directly gooped to the inside of the kayak. The box is big enough for the transducer to sit in and the sides are 3" high. The bottom of the box was not removed so leaks are not a problem. I place the transducer in the box and add 1-2" of water and its good to go. I do not use a lid and water splashing out has never been a problem. You do not need much water. The depth finder I use is a Garmin and the picture is great.

dtownfan · 02-18-2010, 08:00 PM

dsafety...........i keep looking over your wet mount install and second guessing my future attempt at rigging my hummingbird. as of right now i have the hummingbird kit (sitting on the shelf) that craddles the tranny in marine grease. i pick up my yak next weekend and wonder......what will i do. i see the ease of moving the unit to other kayaks (i will only have one option there though) but if the sonar readings are better in water than grease well.....(would the grease make the hummingbird kit a wet mount?) i wonder how well the grease will do upside down if i ever have to store or transport that way.

are you still havin good results from the wet mount?

sorry to bring all this back up - just curious to learn more from your experience. any advice of things you would keep the same/change would be sweet!

dsafety · 02-18-2010, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtownfan

dsafety...........i keep looking over your wet mount install and second guessing my future attempt at rigging my hummingbird. as of right now i have the hummingbird kit (sitting on the shelf) that craddles the tranny in marine grease. i pick up my yak next weekend and wonder......what will i do. i see the ease of moving the unit to other kayaks (i will only have one option there though) but if the sonar readings are better in water than grease well.....(would the grease make the hummingbird kit a wet mount?) i wonder how well the grease will do upside down if i ever have to store or transport that way.

are you still havin good results from the wet mount?

sorry to bring all this back up - just curious to learn more from your experience. any advice of things you would keep the same/change would be sweet!

I have no experience with the "grease mount" so I cannot help you there. I can tell you that my unit, along with my kayak has been stored upside down for weeks and transported the same way. There have been no leaks and the performance has been excellent, (except for a flaky problem common to many Humminbirds when they suddenly stop showing any depth readings for a while).

My guess is that you could use grease instead of water in my design and everything would work fine. On a really hot day, the grease could liquify and cause some problems, especially if you stored or transported your yak upside down.

I like this design because it is so easy to install and there is virtually no chance of screwing anything up as you can with a goop or epoxy installation. The portability is is nice feature as well.

I hope this helps.

Bob

01-18-2010, 09:18 PM	#1
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	Wahoo, I don't think having a rigid or rubber cap makes much of a difference. Most of the rigid ones are threaded so you could end up with some fairly twisted cables unless you pre-twist the opposite way before you put the cap on. Just make sure the transponder is pointed the right direction when you have things tightened down. I think a rubber cap with hose clamp is a better way to go. You cannot secure a non-threaded rigid cap with a hose clamp the way you can with rubber. You should be able to find a larger rubber cap somewhere. The inspection plug is a good idea. I had a problem with my FF last time out and thought that the water may have run dry. In ended up having to loosen the hose clamp while on the water to remove the cap to check things out, (it was a PITA). I discovered that there was still plenty of water, however. After putting everything back together, the FF worked fine. Maybe it was just a glitch in the unit. I think I will add a fill hole to my setup so I can more easily add water if it is needed at some point. As for cleaning the goop off, I don't have any recommendations. It probably is not necessary to get it all off. You just need to carve away any areas that have bubbles. Is there a solvent for Goop? Bob

01-19-2010, 12:59 PM	#2
PescadorPete Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Leucadia, CA Posts: 261	If mounted inside a hull, why does it matter which way the transducer is pointed? If mounted through hull, I can see that it would in order to avoid cavitation (bubbles) while the boat is moving.

01-19-2010, 03:32 PM	#4
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	PescadorePete, The sonar transponder is directional. If you have the transponder pointing to the stern, your fish finder will show you things you have already passed so what shows up on your screen as you move forward would be what you would have seen if you moved backward had the transducer been aligned correctly. If all you are using your FF for is to tell the depth of the water, this is probably not a big deal but if you are using it to actually locate fish or bait, you could be making decisions based on reading the data incorrectly. Wahoo, I don't think a thicker rubber cap is any big deal. It may make it harder to spread open the hole to get your plug through the rubber but if that is the case, just make the X cuts longer. You will be sealing these cuts with goop later anyway. If you simply cannot spread the rubber wide enough, just drill a suitable sized hole in the rubber. Thread your plug through the hole and attach the transducer. Tape one side of the cap and fill the former hole with goop making sure you have some overlap on cap. When the goop has cured, go to the other side of the cap and spread a bit more goop there so the "plug you just made will not pop out. The thicker rubber might actually make it easier to mount the transducer with screws since there will be more material for the screws to grab on to. When you have completed your installation please post a photo for everyone to see. Bob

01-19-2010, 06:45 PM	#5
THE CALI HOOKUP! Junior Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 17	can the transducer still read through the abs matirial, Of course it sends a signal down then the signal spreads out untill it hits the bottom of the ocean. will this matirial mess up any readings because of how dense the matirial is. The only problem I have is mounting the transducer to the cap, but I am sure I can figure it out, I have a question how close can you let the transducer get to the hull of the kayak with this type of install Pm me if you have the answer

01-20-2010, 12:38 PM	#6
grey zone Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: san diego Posts: 158	I use a similar system that is a little more simple and works well. I have a small hard plastic box that is directly gooped to the inside of the kayak. The box is big enough for the transducer to sit in and the sides are 3" high. The bottom of the box was not removed so leaks are not a problem. I place the transducer in the box and add 1-2" of water and its good to go. I do not use a lid and water splashing out has never been a problem. You do not need much water. The depth finder I use is a Garmin and the picture is great.

02-18-2010, 08:00 PM	#7
dtownfan Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 50	dsafety...........i keep looking over your wet mount install and second guessing my future attempt at rigging my hummingbird. as of right now i have the hummingbird kit (sitting on the shelf) that craddles the tranny in marine grease. i pick up my yak next weekend and wonder......what will i do. i see the ease of moving the unit to other kayaks (i will only have one option there though) but if the sonar readings are better in water than grease well.....(would the grease make the hummingbird kit a wet mount?) i wonder how well the grease will do upside down if i ever have to store or transport that way. are you still havin good results from the wet mount? sorry to bring all this back up - just curious to learn more from your experience. any advice of things you would keep the same/change would be sweet!