Transducer fixing

[Dino0808]

I know that the stern mounted transducer can be mounted inside the hull of my LM27,however, instuctions say you should use epoxy to bond it to the inside of the hull.
Has anyone ever used Sikaflex to bond a transducer down?It would be easier and less permanent.
Heres hoping /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[fluffc]

[ QUOTE ]
... and less permanent.

[/ QUOTE ]

Only if you use the correct Sikaflex product. Get it wrong and you'll damage the transducer in trying to remove it...

My thought is that the use of a silicone or rubber based product would dampen the ultrasonic signals from/to the transducer, causing a loss in performance. You need something fairly dense or liquid to get a good transmission of sound - eg oil bath or epoxy.

 

[Channel Ribs]

You will want to watch for bubbles too, they will cause trouble.

We have a lot of luck with epoxy putty.

 

[Clyde_Wanderer]

I would go along with the epoxy.
A rub of 40 grit sandpaper, a wipe with acetone, a dolup of epoxy left to stand for a wee while before applying to let the air bubbles rise out, and your sound.

 

[sailorman]

raymarine provide epoxy to fix in-hull
i havnt found any real probs [ apart from not using shallow alarm /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif]

 

[pheonix]

epoy or sikaflex a tube vertically and part fill with oil
otherwise known as a thrugh hull kit
but be shure to avoid trapped air bubles as said earlier.
easy to subsequently remove transducer for inspection/testing or replacement

 

[VicMallows]

[ QUOTE ]
epoy or sikaflex a tube vertically and part fill with oil
otherwise known as a thrugh hull kit


[/ QUOTE ]

Agree. Seems almost 'criminal' to epoxy or sika a transducer to the hull .....certainly a one-way-trip. Think, you might just want to 'upgrade' and sell on the previous kit /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Channel Ribs]

[ QUOTE ]
...a tube vertically and part fill with oil...

[/ QUOTE ]

The tube plan is good, but may not suit a RIB or other high speed boat.

Edit: LM27, D'oh! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Rowana]

[ QUOTE ]
epoy or sikaflex a tube vertically and part fill with oil
otherwise known as a thrugh hull kit
but be shure to avoid trapped air bubles as said earlier.
easy to subsequently remove transducer for inspection/testing or replacement

[/ QUOTE ]

That is how the depth transducer has been fitted to Rowana. Works well, and if it packs up, it's a simple matter to fit a new one.

 

[philmayfield]

Use twin pack epoxy but ensure it's a slow setting variety to prevent setting whilst air bubbles are still present.

Phil

 

[bedouin]

[ QUOTE ]

Agree. Seems almost 'criminal' to epoxy or sika a transducer to the hull .....certainly a one-way-trip. Think, you might just want to 'upgrade' and sell on the previous kit /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
However transducers are cheap and easily replaceable

 

[macnorton]

I have used silicone sealant many times, it works fine even with fish finders. as long as you dont get bubbles!

 

[gjgm]

normal araldite is fine, but it is surprisingly runny, so you need to make a little ring of plastercine or something to stop it all running away. (Dont use putty, because the oil in it stops anything sticking to anything if you smear it about)

 

[simonfraser]

mine works with standard bath room silicone

 

[pheonix]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
...a tube vertically and part fill with oil...

[/ QUOTE ]

The tube plan is good, but may not suit a RIB or other high speed boat."

in a high speed/rib you dont need a depth sounder you need a prayer book and a crucifix.at high speed by the time you see shalow reading its to late your diving over the bow wilst your impacted hull lies filling with H2O
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
incidentally the top of the tube is covered and the transducer has only a small clearance in the tube lifting the transducer out has to overcome suction as oil makes passage tween tube and transducer. so is not so much a problem fitted in this way to a rib etc
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[crossbones]

Bonding a transducer to the hull with sikaflex or any silicin rubber will not perform well. Most of the ultrasonic energy will be reflected at the interface between the sikaflex and the hull. The best way to do the job is use an oil filled mounting kit.

 

[Channel Ribs]

[ QUOTE ]
The best way to do the job is use an oil filled mounting kit.

[/ QUOTE ]

Or the epoxy resin supplied with most good in-hull transducers. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[geoffatstanpit]

Blutack works fine - and is easy to change. Sometimes an extra big barnacle or something sticks itself on the outside and you need to move it an inch or two to make it work again.