See full version: Q; A: Can We Install A Bronze Transducer In Our Aluminum Boat
Answer: I would not recommend installing a bronze through hull on an aluminum boat, even if it is isolated from the aluminum; there is just too much risk of electrolysis. Also, if there is any dampness, and there will be, copper salts will form on the bronze and drip into the bilge…not good.
The next challenge is to get all this installed and safely watertight. You could weld the donut in, but this is messy and it is very difficult to get everything lined up perfectly when welding, due to heat distortion of the surrounding plate. To get around this we used Plexus adhesive to glue the donut down before drilling the hole. The cool thing is that Plexus sticks to aluminum brilliantly, particularly if you use the Plexus aluminum primer, and it will gap fill up to ½” so you can use it to make any small adjustments to the leveling of the donut. Once the Plexus is dry, drill the hole through the donut and the outside plate making sure it is absolutely vertical. more
Before starting this project make sure the boat is level on the ground, both fore and aft and side to side. Remember, you are trying to level the actual water line (scum line) since you want the beam from the sounder to be parallel to it. If you want to get really anal retentive about it you could rent a self leveling laser that surveyors use to line up buildings. We rented one for a recent project for about US$100 and it was great, although it is probably overkill for this. This process will drive your travel lift operator crazy, but is the only way to get things right. more
– the only brand of transducer mount trusted by all of the best boating and fishing retailers in the world more
– protects your investment by preventing transom rot, water logged foam cores, other issues caused by water infiltration more
The Stern Saver is available in the 4 colors below
– the only transducer mount available in four colors and two sizes to best match your boat more
In other words, you won't be able to read as deep or detect fish as well with an in-hull transducer as with one that's transom mounted or thru-hull mounted. [links]
Axiom RV & DV Systems. Legacy a, c, e and eS Series models ending in 7
See all transducers for Instrument Displays
Through-hull transducers are mounted through a hole drilled in the bottom of the boat and protrude directly into the water. This type of transducer generally provides the best performance. [links]
As the name implies, transom mount transducers are installed on the boat's transom, directly in the water and typically sticking a little below the hull. Transom mounts are composed of plastic and tend to be less expensive than other transducers. here
ANSWER: We have found that the hull of your boats needs to be at least 60 degrees or higher to get the A.C.E. Epoxy to bond with the Aluminum. Even if you prepared the surface correctly, about 20% of the installs may not take. You will need to remove the AlumaDucer and re-mount it when the air temperatures are above 60 degrees for at least 12 hours. here
QUESTION: I installed my AlumaDucer last winter and when I went fishing this spring, it didn’t work at all. here
ANSWER: Vexilar has been testing the AlumaDucer for years to insure its performance and reliability. One of the key differences between fiberglass and aluminum hulls is that in time, some aluminum hulls change their shape, the hull may have been damaged by impacts or the hull could change shape if you have a sitting on a roller style trailer. The ever changing shape of your flexible aluminum hull might change the performance of your AlumaDucer over time, so re-installing the transducer in a new location may be needed. [links]
The AlumaDucer was designed to be simple to install and easy to use. Our goal is to have you put it in and forget about it! This said there are exceptions to every rule and your boat might be one of them. The following are a few of the most commonly asked questions about the AlumaDucer that might help you.
QUESTION: I installed the AlumaDucer this morning and it worked just fine, but on the second day, I turned on my unit and never got a depth reading, is my AlumaDucer broke? more
Dry out the bilge completely and clean the hull surface where the transducer will be mounted. The transducer will be attached to the hull with a two-part epoxy glue and water or dirt will degrade the inherent sound transmission characteristics of the glue. here
Increase the boat speed until the boat is up "on plane." If the depth reading is not scrambled, mark the location with a waterproof pen or by some other means. However, if the depth reading becomes garbled, this means the transducer is picking up feedback from the wake generated by the boat and the transducer must again be moved around until good depth readings are obtained. Once good depth readings at speed are found, reduce the boat speed and check the location at slow speed again. Repeat this process until a good location for the transducer is found. here
To prevent air bubbles in the glue (another factor that distorts sound transmission), mix the glue and spread a thick layer on the hull at the chosen location. Then push the transducer down into the glue and move it around slightly to work out any air bubbles and allow the glue to dry completely before connecting the 3-pin push-and-screw connector (attached to the transducer) to the depth finder to complete the installation. [links]
There are two types of hull installations for a marine transducer: through-hull and in hull. Through-hull installations are critical for some applications, such as the operation of a recording fathometer on an oceanographic research vessel or for certain commercial fishing activities. However, where a through-hull installation requires the boat owner to put a hole in the bottom of the boat, in-hull transducers are entirely inside the hull and respond to sound conducted through the hull. They work well and give a good reading at any speed when properly installed.
Test specific locations on the hull before permanently installing the transducer by putting just enough water in the bilge to cover the transducer, then have a friend hold the transducer in place while the boat is under way. At slow speeds, the transducer should provide clear, unscrambled depth readings. If it does not, then move the transducer around until good depth readings are obtained. more