Best way to run wire for transducer?

[yzfmik]

Hello, I am new to the boating world and have what is probably a simple question. I am taking delivery of a Hurricane 188OB next week and am wondering how to route the wire from the transducer to the helm? Every boat I see has a transducer on the back, but I just don't see an easy way to do it. Any help would be really appreciated. BTW I have a Garmin Echo 150. I really have no interest in fish, just depth & water temp.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Best way to run wire for transducer?

Hello, I am new to the boating world and have what is probably a simple question. I am taking delivery of a Hurricane 188OB next week and am wondering how to route the wire from the transducer to the helm? Every boat I see has a transducer on the back, but I just don't see an easy way to do it. Any help would be really appreciated. BTW I have a Garmin Echo 150. I really have no interest in fish, just depth & water temp.

First, you'll need to drill a hole through the transom a couple of feet above the waterline. A favored method on this forum here is to drill the hole larger than you need, pack it with epoxy (like MarineTex) to seal the edges of the hole against water, then (when it's dry) redrill through the epoxy to the size you need for the transducer wire.

Once the wiring is inside the boat, the short answer is to run it 'any way you can' along the inside of the transom, along the inside of the hull, and to your mounting point on the dash. There will already be wiring in place from the dash to the transom for your instruments and such, so follow that path as best you can. You can use zip ties along the run to hold the transducer wiring to the existing harness. Does that answer your question? Here's a link to the Garmin installation instructions...

http://support.garmin.com/support/manuals/manuals.htm?partNo=010-00951-00&language=en&country=US

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Best way to run wire for transducer?

It's really going to vary depending on how your boat is laid out etc., and you're going to basically have to figure it out for yourself (and it's probably going to involve a lot of standing on your head while holding a flashlight with one foot, pulling the cable with one hand, .... you get the idea).

With that being said, for a lot of boats the easiest way would be to run the transducer cable alongside the steering cable, loosely cinching it to the steering cable with tie-wraps.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Best way to run wire for transducer?

I am also going to be installing a transducer very soon. I think I need a 1 inch hole for the cable on my Humminbird.
Has anyone ever used self adhesive cable ties to fix the cable to the transom? One large hole is all I want to be drilling for the transducer. I notice many boats use a screw and a cable tie/clip to secure the cable.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Best way to run wire for transducer?

I am also going to be installing a transducer very soon. I think I need a 1 inch hole for the cable on my Humminbird.
Has anyone ever used self adhesive cable ties to fix the cable to the transom? One large hole is all I want to be drilling for the. I notice many boats use a screw and a cable tie/clip to secure tha cable.

I don't believe the self adhesive ties would stay put. If you have nothing else to secure the transducer cable to then screwing a clip into the transom is probably your best bet - be absolutely certain to seal the screw hole with 3M 5200. Is it possible to use tie-wraps to secure the cable to the pitot hose, then bring it in through the opening for your steering cable?

 

[jdlough]

Re: Best way to run wire for transducer?

I "temporarily" just ran my Humminbird transducer wire through one of the splashwell drain holes. The splashwell still drains fine past the wire, so I'll probably just leave it that way.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Best way to run wire for transducer?

My Islander is an i/o, so no splashwell.
I want as few holes as possible so I am also going to use a Sternmate mount. My last boat looked like swiss cheese. I think the previous owner switched transducers and fish finders as often as he changed underwear.
I wonder if a clip secured with 5200 would do it?

 

[yzfmik]

Re: Best way to run wire for transducer?

Yes I'll have to look at it when I get it to see if there's a easy path to run the wire. I'm hoping someone with a Hurricane can offer some advice.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Best way to run wire for transducer?

I quit the external mount years ago. I mount them all internal. Some boats have had two, one in the normal position and one under the front seat....if the boat didn't have one on the trolling motor which is preferred.

Normal position for me is just off the keel and about 2" forward of the transom. Glass or alum hull doesn't matter as we are talking about sound waves and both substances transmit sound just fine for this. Only thing with glass is to ensure that you have a solid bottom between the transducer and the water. Most boats do back there, but some boats, years ago used a balsa filled floor to help satisfy the flotation requirement and that wouldn't work as sound doesn't go through balsa or foam to speak of.

Epoxy is the glue of choice because it sets up hard and the harder the glue the better the sound transmission. Glue needs to be between the transducer face and the boat and when you mix it, do it carefully to avoid bubbles as much as possible as bubbles don't transmit sound well either. Pour out an adequate amount on the hull and press the transducer into it and that's it. For most shallow water applications, say 100' or less, the beam width of the transducer will make up for boats with dead rise at the transom. If you are worried about it, build a solid epoxy level area where you want to mount it and after curing, mount it there. I mounted one in the bow of a bass boat once and did just that as there was a lot of v in the hull. Worked great.

On temp, I currently have one inboard and one on the trolling motor and they run within a couple of degrees of each other so you aren't going to introduce all that much error on your internal mounting and there are no holes to drill and it's not out there where a swimmer/water sports person or water debris/trailer can damage it. Routing the wiring is a walk in the park as the engine wiring is right there and you just run it along with that.

Mark

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Best way to run wire for transducer?

Not to state the obvious, but the easiest way to do it is to get someone else to do it. If you are not comfortable putting holes in your transom and sealing them, find someone who is.

That being said, it really isn't that hard. Just be sure you double check the inside of the transom for any kind of conflict BEFORE you drill. There is plenty of good info on the forum in regards to drilling through fiberglass if you have never done it. Not sure what Hurricane uses in their hulls, but my boat has kevlar woven into the glass. That stuff will dull a bit like you wouldn't believe.