İn Hull Depth Transponders For Steel Hull ?

[steelfan]

My Raymarıne depth transponder has failed - the readout instrument (an old Autohelm) is still OK. To save me an earlier than needed haulout does anyone know of an in hull transponder that will shoot through a steel hull (5mm thick). And where to get one preferably ın Turkey.

John

[Gallivanters]

John,

I'm certainly no expert, but...

To the best of my knowledge - one can certainly install a depth sounder transducer inside a steel hull.

In fact - transducers designed for in-hull use are the most inexpensive because there is no mounting hardware necessary in the construction. However a transducer designed for through-hull installation will still work when mounted properly in the hull. However, "On Paper" the performance of the depth sounder will be affected to a small degree.

Most well equiped chandleries should carry replacement transducers. Most seem to have RCA type connectors. Marmarus may be a place to locate for a replacement in Turkey.

The easiest way to determine if your chosen mounting location will work or not is to plug the transducer cable into the display, place the transducer in a plastic bag partially filled with water and then carefully place the bag & transducer in your selected location. Then turn on the depth sounder and see if it functions.

The bag of water will conform to the shape of the hull at your desired location. The key is to not have any air spaces between the xducer and bottom of the hull, locate it off the center-line (so it's not trying to transmit through the keel) and do your best to point it strait down- not flat against the side of the hull.

You can go the route of mounting a sealed, oil-filled tube to house the xducer if you wish... but the last time I did an installation of this sort, I simply poured a small "puddle" of epoxy resin into a dry corner of a forward storage locker and "wiggled" the face of the xducer down into it (to force out any trapped air) and it worked fine for years.

In closing - transducers are rarely made by the instrument manufacturer, therefore a transducer in, say, a NavMan box will be compatable with your Raymarine display. And all the better if they both have corresponding connectors.

To life!

Kirk

[MMNETSEA]

Originally Posted by steelfan

My Raymarıne depth transponder has failed - the readout instrument (an old Autohelm) is still OK. To save me an earlier than needed haulout does anyone know of an in hull transponder that will shoot through a steel hull (5mm thick). And where to get one preferably ın Turkey.

John

Check this :-http://www.boatingdirect.net/browseproducts/

Raymarine-In-hull-Depth-Transducer-for-DSM300-Sounder-(E66008).html

This Transducer is compatible with many of the Raymarine sounders.

I have not used an In-Hull transducer on a steel boat - but have successfully installed a standard through-hull without cutting a hole in a fibre glass boat,

method :- 6 inch length of PVC pipe glued with epoxy to the hull, fill with enough glycerine to cover at least 1" of the transducer head. - drill hole through cap to fit over pipe - pass wire through the hole - place cap back on pipe.

Good luck !

Richard

[Hollingsworth]

Also consider a transom mount as a temporary solution