What sort of Oil for depth sounder?

[timb]

What sort of oil should I use for the tube in which my depth sounder sits. I am having problems in deeper water, it is flickering between OUT and totally innacurate depths. The oil level could certainly do with topping up.

Can I just use any oil such as engine oil or would the sounder prefer Garlicy olive oil etc?

In a previous post I said it was bonded to the hull - I was ill informed.

 

[sailorman]

Incastec state any oil will do
possibly the garlicy one for french waters only

 

[gorb]

Castor oil - you can get it at the chemists

 

[colvic987]

caster oil, and check you have no bubbles in the oil when you refit the transducer, or it could give you wrong readings....

 

[simonfraser]

air is the trouble, any oil will do fine

 

[Stemar]

I stuck mine down with the local pound shop's equivalent of No More Nails (Exterior Water Resistant version, of course /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif)

 

[VicMallows]

Castor is definately the favourite. Some mineral oils may have an adverse reaction with the tranducer casing; and many common vegetable oils (especially olive) will solidify at winter temperatures, possibly leaving an air gap which will certainly stop the sounder working. Some recommend sea water; but that evapourates in time and could even freeze.

Years ago, it was commonly said by manufacturers that 'castor had the closest transmission characteristics' to sea water ...... but I suspect that was just an urban legend.

Vic

 

[timb]

Thanks guys, I guess it is a trip down to the chemists then!

Tim

 

[RickMoss]

Mine is full of fairy liquid, and it works at every depth that can be found in the Irish Sea (50-60m), even through my solid 2" thick hull.

 

[graham]

Filled mine with vegetable cooking oil .Working still after 5 years .(NASA Clipper)

 

[EdEssery]

Don't use oil or any liquid. Use Ultrasound Gel. It won't spill or slop out of the tube and it's specifically designed for the purpose to which you are are putting it. It's also available at your local pharmacy....

 

[timb]

Could I fill the tube with ultrasound gell and ensure that I have not trapped any air? If so this sounds like a great idea - If the chemists in remote Argyll stock it!

 

[kandoma]

I had a leak in the tube. Finally I gave up and glued the transducer with Araldit directly to the hull. Since then, I had no problems anymore.

Peter

 

[geoffatstanpit]

I think you're on the right tack with gluey stuff but I use blu-tack. With that you can pull it off and try different places till you get the best "picture" and leave it there. Mine's been on for 5 years and its fine.

Geoff

 

[tyce]

ditch the oil, very messy, and just bed it in to silicon sealant, works perfect on mine

 

[EdEssery]

I managed it. Put a little gel in the bottom of the tube and leave it for a while, pricking out any obvious air bubbles (I didn't have any). Smear end of transducer generously with gel and introduce into tube. Job done.

You can order it online here if you can't get it at your local pharmacy.

Ed