NASA Clipper depth transducer oil??

[tonygibbs]

Hello all, I broke the plastic pipe where the transducer fits from the hull. Noticed that there was some kind of oil in the bilge. Easy enough to re-attach tho' I've been told that ordinary vegetable oil would be ok to use. Is this correct, if not what oil should I use?

 

[GrahamM376]

Easiest way is to clean the oil off the bilge, throw the pipe away and stick the transducer on with a gob of silicone, epoxy or polyester. I used some of the green fiberglass filler which comes in a tube.

 

[rob2]

I believe the recomendation from Nasa is "mineral oil". That got a rather bemused look from my local chemist who found several possibles from a Google search! In reality i think most people use whatever cooking oil they have on board. The important thing is not to use any synthetic stuff which might attack the plastic.

Rob.

 

[yachtorion]

Yes. See FAQ on NASA website:

http://www.nasamarine.com/faq.php

Q What oil is used in the in hull mounting kit?
A Vegetable cooking oil.

 

[fergie_mac66]

baby oil is good. Dont use olive oil though, it cloudys up in low temps .. A gob of silicon works carefull no bubbles! though .If you want to test for position ie bubles in GRP can cause problems you can use a plastic bag with water, wedge it in place to test the position works . Silicon can be cut if needs must to move.Epoxy or polyester make it hard to move.

 

[tonygibbs]

Thanks :encouragement:

 

[erbster]

Easiest way is to clean the oil off the bilge, throw the pipe away and stick the transducer on with a gob of silicone, epoxy or polyester. I used some of the green fiberglass filler which comes in a tube.

I have seen silicone recommended several times and attached mine like that, but got lots of odd readings. I asked Nasa about this and they told me that Silicone is elastic, so absorbs some of the energy of the ultrasound, thereby reducing sensitivity. I changed to the "oil tube" arrangement (more faff, I grant you) and the depth readings seem more reliable. I was too chicken to epoxy the transducer to the hull in case I made a mistake (no coming back from that).

+1 for vegetable oil. I used rape seed oil from the kitchen.

 

[Davegriff]

Always used mineral (engine) oil. Find vegetable oils go mouldy after a while.

 

[MM5AHO]

While on this instrument...
I like the look of the nice big display and it matches an existing GPS repeater.
But I have Airmar instruments now feeding an ST30 Bidata.
Are my existing instruments compatible with the NASA head unit/display?

 

[colvic987]

caster oil is the preferred oil as per the nasa info, you can buy it from a pharmacy is small quantities

 

[VicS]

caster oil is the preferred oil as per the nasa info, you can buy it from a pharmacy is small quantities

castor oil been in the mounting tube for my ( Seafarer) transducer quite happily for 35 years

(nb caster sugar but castor oil)

 

[bigmac91]

Hello all, I broke the plastic pipe where the transducer fits from the hull. Noticed that there was some kind of oil in the bilge. Easy enough to re-attach tho' I've been told that ordinary vegetable oil would be ok to use. Is this correct, if not what oil should I use?

I have used vegetable oil in a plastic pipe epoxied to the hull for the last 2 years with great readings and no problems

Hope this helps

Les