See full version: Gluing a Transducer Inside A Boat Hull (Glue-In Transducer)
Let’s begin by establishing a baseline for the depth finder readings. Anchor/Moor the vessel in a body of water away from other boat traffic. Make sure you turn off all other sonar devices on your boat and locate the vessel at least 50 feet from the nearest vessel.
If during these tests three-dash readings constantly appear, then the transducer cannot be mounted inside your hull. Follow the instructions for transom mounting the transducer, or contact us and ask about exchanging your transducer for one that is more suitable for your vessel. [links]
Method 3: Petroleum Jelly more
DO NOT proceed to the next step until you are satisfied with the readings. If you have difficulties please repeat steps 1 thru 10 above until you find a location that produces optimal results here
If “---” readings appear or the readings are noticeably different from the depth displayed when the transducer was hung over the side of the boat, you will need to find another location. If the readings are similar, mark the spot in the hull and proceed to # 7. more
IMPORTANT: The area where you are going to glue in the transducer must have a smooth surface area that is a little larger in diameter than the base of the transducer. [links]
Plug the transducer cable into the back of the depth sounder display and turn the display ON. Once the display is turned ON, it will display the test sequence and then display the current depth. Make sure the Keel Offset feature is turned OFF.
Place the transducer close to your ear (do not press up against your ear). If the transducer is properly connected it will be emitting a ticking sound (similar to a wristwatch). If you do not hear this ticking sound, recheck your connections or visit our Customer Service Center for advanced troubleshooting.
I also found some of the new Downward Scanning graphs are coming down in price. I was very interested in this option until reading the manual that led me to believe that a shoot-thru-hull installation is not recommended. These new DS graphs need to be in the water for full capabilities.
Is there an alternative to drilling holes, especially below the water line, to mount the transducer? can I use a super strong glue or something similar?
Anyone ever tried something else other than the conventional drill holes, mount, and seal?
The trick was doing this through fiberglass rather than aluminum or wood. Lowrance even mentioned that sandwiched fiberglass was a bad thing. But as Racereddie pointed out, a test with water in the bilge will let you know how much sensitivity you lose. That should be done each time before mounting permanantly with epoxy.
I placed my transducer infront of the jet pump intake and behind the bilge pump. Don't use super glue or even any type of quick epoxy. Use a slow cure epoxy. Also make sure your transducer can function as an in-hull mount. You can see in the pictures the small pocket the transducer fits in. The white epoxy is a loctite marine epoxy from lowes, approx $5.00 here
Please share your ideas, and a picture is always worth a thousand words.
Thanks more
They say that there is some loss but that is more based on the material or the thickness. I tested my in place without it being secured, just held in place with a bag full of water and I would loose some readings. Once I secured it with epoxy it worked great at both low and high speeds (40 mph). I confirmed it with another boat that had a factory installed depth finder and they matched. here
Anyway you mount it you should put a cable tie or something to hold the cable close to the transducer.
This is just it case you hit a log or something that rips it off the transom.
Without the cable tie near the transducer the transducer would fly off the transom,
and swing on the cable up and around into the boat and likely hit someone in the back of the boat.
I have mounted mine both for testing and just used silicone glue and it held fine.
One of mine is a big 8 degree transducer.
Has been working fine for over 20 years on a Aluminum hull.
With Silcone seal you can remove with out too much effort.
If you use 5200 or 4200 will take more work to remove.
The advantage to these plates is if you buy ten diferent tranducer over the
life of your boat you still only have to make two holes.
I belive any plate you can screw your transducer to bigger
than 4 by 4 inches will hold even with silicone seal.
Want to be sure then use 5200 or 4200. here
Go to Cabela's and type in mounting plate and it will come up on the first page.
Click on it and it will show both vertical and horizontal mounting plates. more
Mine I use silicone seal and mounted so I could use one of the screws from the pitot tube to hold one side. here