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[Jimmyz123]

Electrical Putty Transducer Installation

Not happy with the wet installation results of my transducer I remembered a Youtube video a friend of mine, John Oast, did about installing a transducer with Electrical Putty.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u1d3_UeD3k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEZ9_C1iKP0

I went back to watch how he did the installation and found another video of someone who tested it on 3 different Kayaks with a couple of different installations. I chose to follow what John did with his transducer.
Here are the materials needed, I did not photo the Marine goop but that is needed to secure the sponge to the Kayak in this method of installation.

I like having the ring to be the guide for where the transducer is going to be installed.

First I cleaned the area with alcohol prior to gluing the sponge. Then I glued the sponge into place and let that sit for about 5 minutes.
Then I opened the putty and cut off a little chunk. I then formed that into a small flat slab to put in the center of the sponge opening, making sure to really mush it around to fill the opening.



Then I stuck the transducer in the opening and rocked into place.

This Putty is sticky and does not let things slip. Prior to launching I made sure the transducer did not move and it had not.

I am very happy with the results I found that the readings were right on, depth wise, and temp wise. The best part to this is I can move the FF to another boat, or Kayak at any time.

Cost of the sponge - 99 Cents
Cost of Electrical Putty - $1.29 Home Depot
Marine Goop and Alcohol already on hand.
Time spent on installation including driving 30 minutes.

Watch the videos I have included there is a way to install without gluing anything to the hull. Great option if you don't want to glue anything to your hull.

[dsafety]

Good job Jimmy. Your method is similar to the grease mount version that I currently use. The wet mount, while very effective can have some problems, most notably leakage.

If you do not see any loss of performance with the putty, this may be a good find as the putty should be less messy than the grease. My only concern would be what happens as the putty ages and dries out.

Please keep us posted.

Bob

[Jimmyz123]

Originally Posted by dsafety

Good job Jimmy. Your method is similar to the grease mount version that I currently use. The wet mount, while very effective can have some problems, most notably leakage.

If you do not see any loss of performance with the putty, this may be a good find as the putty should be less messy than the grease. My only concern would be what happens as the putty ages and dries out.

Please keep us posted.

Bob

I'll keep you posted on this. I placed the remaining putty that I did not use in a ziplock bag so that it will keep fresh. So, as you mentioned, if the putty dries, I'll just peal the old out and put the new in.

[Phatford]

I am suprised that putty works. It is mostly clay and some have fiberglass or other stuff mixed in to keep it strong. I used it a lot in Vaccuum sealing applications. Also I would not expect the putty to release air bubbles, which could be a problem.

I am kind of confused after looking at your picture though... It seemed like your Fish Finder screen was all clutered? Is that right? Mine is perfectly clear except where I would expect to see noise or Hopefully marks...


Good Luck

[Jimmyz123]

Originally Posted by Phatford

I am suprised that putty works. It is mostly clay and some have fiberglass or other stuff mixed in to keep it strong. I used it a lot in Vaccuum sealing applications. Also I would not expect the putty to release air bubbles, which could be a problem.

I am kind of confused after looking at your picture though... It seemed like your Fish Finder screen was all clutered? Is that right? Mine is perfectly clear except where I would expect to see noise or Hopefully marks...


Good Luck

What you are seeing on the screen, other than the water spots, was whatever was in the water. 99.9% of all the area that I was in was clear, there was a lot of bait in the water, grass, temp changes. I would have liked to video the entire outing but I didn't want to bore anyone.

I was a doubtful about the putty myself but I thought well for a $1.29 it can't hurt and if it doesn't work, I'll just Goop it down when I get home. After seeing the results from yesterday, I am very happy with it.

[blitzburgh]

Originally Posted by dsafety

Good job Jimmy. Your method is similar to the grease mount version that I currently use. The wet mount, while very effective can have some problems, most notably leakage.

Bob

Bob, do you have your grease mount posted here anywhere? I cannot find it and would like some deets. Thanks!

[Dunegoat]

Question for you guys who made your own live well;

What speed bilge pump are you using? I'm debating between a 500gph and a 360gph pump. The 500 seems like it blasts a lot of water, maybe too much. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Randy

[Jimmyz123]

I use the 360 and it works great.

[Dunegoat]

Originally Posted by Jimmyz123

I use the 360 and it works great.

That's what I was thinking. I just picked one up from Ace Hardware for less than $20. Hey, what size/type container are you using? I see everyone using the square/rectangular dog food containers but I like the idea of my bait swimming in circles as opposed to hitting the corners with all those right angles. So I'm going to try out a 3.5 gal bucket with a Gamma lid. Just curious what you're using and any input you may want to share.

Thanks,

Randy

[lowprofile]

i didnt make it but its home made. 360gph pump and 3.5gal bucket.



also made a rod holder that goes on the gator hatch.









then i cut the bottom tubes to about 1 3/4" and glued a cap to the underside so it clamps the holder to the hatch then extended the top tubes.
sorry for the cell pic

[Jimmyz123]

Originally Posted by Dunegoat

That's what I was thinking. I just picked one up from Ace Hardware for less than $20. Hey, what size/type container are you using? I see everyone using the square/rectangular dog food containers but I like the idea of my bait swimming in circles as opposed to hitting the corners with all those right angles. So I'm going to try out a 3.5 gal bucket with a Gamma lid. Just curious what you're using and any input you may want to share.

Thanks,

Randy

I picked up a 5 gallon bucket from Home Depot, and got a screw on lid from OEX Mission Bay. I too like the bait swimming in circles that's how they school up in the ocean. I'll photo what I did and post it on here.

[dsafety]

Originally Posted by blitzburgh

Bob, do you have your grease mount posted here anywhere? I cannot find it and would like some deets. Thanks!

Here you go. http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...t=grease+mount (use the search function with keywords "grease mount")


I have been using this technique for nearly a year now with no problems.


Bob

[Jimmyz123]

Originally Posted by Jimmyz123

Electrical Putty Transducer Installation

Not happy with the wet installation results of my transducer I remembered a Youtube video a friend of mine, John Oast, did about installing a transducer with Electrical Putty.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u1d3_UeD3k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEZ9_C1iKP0

I went back to watch how he did the installation and found another video of someone who tested it on 3 different Kayaks with a couple of different installations. I chose to follow what John did with his transducer.
Here are the materials needed, I did not photo the Marine goop but that is needed to secure the sponge to the Kayak in this method of installation.

I like having the ring to be the guide for where the transducer is going to be installed.

First I cleaned the area with alcohol prior to gluing the sponge. Then I glued the sponge into place and let that sit for about 5 minutes.
Then I opened the putty and cut off a little chunk. I then formed that into a small flat slab to put in the center of the sponge opening, making sure to really mush it around to fill the opening.



Then I stuck the transducer in the opening and rocked into place.

This Putty is sticky and does not let things slip. Prior to launching I made sure the transducer did not move and it had not.

I am very happy with the results I found that the readings were right on, depth wise, and temp wise. The best part to this is I can move the FF to another boat, or Kayak at any time.

Cost of the sponge - 99 Cents
Cost of Electrical Putty - $1.29 Home Depot
Marine Goop and Alcohol already on hand.
Time spent on installation including driving 30 minutes.

Watch the videos I have included there is a way to install without gluing anything to the hull. Great option if you don't want to glue anything to your hull.

There was a concern mentioned that what happens to the putty after time, does it break down, does it have any issues. I have actually used the same chunck of putty shown in the picture to install my FF in the Malibu and Kayak I had and also now in the Prowler I currently own. It does not lose it's stickyness, and has not effected the performance at all. I know many love the water mount install, but I challenge you to explore going away from the popular trend, save some money, and install this way if you are shooting thru the hull.