Gluing Transducer

[agallant80]

I am going to glue my transducer to the inside of the hull. I know the process but was wondering what Epoxy I should use? Just the standard two part and mix? What will produce the least amount of bubbles?

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Gluing Transducer

Be sure to check and make sure it will read thru the hull before applying the epoxy. I tried every spot possible and could not get a reliable reading on mine so I had to mount it on the transom. The Dealer her sold me just a regular two part slow drying epoxy because he said the five minute kinda would have bubbles.

 

[jbetzelb]

Re: Gluing Transducer

Be sure to check and make sure it will read thru the hull before applying the epoxy. I tried every spot possible and could not get a reliable reading on mine so I had to mount it on the transom. The Dealer her sold me just a regular two part slow drying epoxy because he said the five minute kinda would have bubbles.

Interesting you couldn't find a spot for a good reading. I had that problem and was told "trust me" glue it down and it would work. I took the gamble, glued it solid and it works perfect.

Ditto on slower drying epoxy. Make sure you have a decent layer of epoxy between the transducer and the place you are gluing it to. A dry spot or air pocket will hurt you.

 

[partskenn]

Re: Gluing Transducer

On my last boat I also glued one to the inside of the hull. I had a lot of doubts, but it worked perfectly. I used standard 2 part marine epoxy.

 

[eastont]

Re: Gluing Transducer

I had a marine mechanic do mine and I ended up having to put a transducer on my stern.....

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Gluing Transducer

Interesting you couldn't find a spot for a good reading. I had that problem and was told "trust me" glue it down and it would work. I took the gamble, glued it solid and it works perfect.

Ditto on slower drying epoxy. Make sure you have a decent layer of epoxy between the transducer and the place you are gluing it to. A dry spot or air pocket will hurt you.

I hate to be a pessimist but I have a hard time trusting mechanics that have failed to earn my confidence and have yet to find one around here that can.

I did fill my bilge with water to test it so there should not have been any air. I choose the transom because it was 100% that it would work and I trust my skill to seal it up properly.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Gluing Transducer

I agree the transom mount is the best but I don't want to drill holes in the boat. I worry about water leakin in and creating soft spots on the transom.

 

[Augoose]

Re: Gluing Transducer

There have been two recent threads about using epoxy to mount the transducer to the transom - easily done and works well.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Gluing Transducer

As stated you are looking for a slow-cure two part epoxy. The time it takes for the epoxy to cure allows air bubbles inside it to work their way out... Air spaces between the transducer and the hull will result in erratic readings.

Make sure you test the location you choose for installation before you epoxy the transducer in; there are a few methods to do this, one involving a water filled plastic bag, or a buddy holding it in place while you operate the boat.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Gluing Transducer

Put it down with a sealant and you'll be able to easily replace it, put it down with epoxy and something is gonna get torn up. Not that transducers ever fail or new technology comes on line, mind you ...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Gluing Transducer

Before you go mounting it in the bilge area, do a test first. put enough water in the bilge so you can submerge the bottom of the transducer and see how it works in deep water. You can then just lower it over the side of the boat next and see how it works that way as a comparison.

I would personally put it on the transom. As long as you seal the holes when you screw into the transom, you will be fine.

If you are worried about a transducer, why aren't you worried about the drain plug that is installed back there. Its screwed in as well.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Gluing Transducer

Change of plan. Installed plotter today could not get transducer to work anywhere testing it.. Noticed Transom has lots of open space. 3/8 hole here I come. Got me a tube of 5200. Just going to mount it the old way. Figure the water temp and fish finder feature will work better outside of the hull.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Gluing Transducer

I detailed the process for pre-testing the installation and the "glue" in earlier threads; this may be a spin off from that. I also gave the reasons why I now mount mine inboard rather than outboard. Experience taught me the difference.

One reason an inboard installation may not work is the hull structure. You need solid metal or solid FG to effect a satisfactory sound transfer. If you happen to have a boat with a balsa filled hull, which some boats had, the balsa, being soft, will attenuate the sound and you will have unsatisfactory results.

HTH,
Mark