lagasse@biomed.UUCP (Robert C. Lagasse) (10/28/85)
Steve Shelley asked about an inside mounted transducer for a depth
sounder in a previous article:
Steve, I have seen advertisements in several boating catalogs for a
small clear plastic dome with a lip around the edge which gets screwed
and/or glued down to the inside of your hull. The dome is inverted. The
transducer is placed inside the dome. The dome is then filled with a fluid,
mineral oil I think. This fluid couples the sound waves from the hull to
the transducer. I do not know how well they work. I believe you have to
use a different transducer than the type that gets mounted on the transom,
but maybe not. You should consult a local marine electronics installation
person for more help.mls@ittvax.ATC.ITT.UUCP (Michael Schneider) (10/30/85)
Many through the hull transducers work using this technique. My echo sounder is from the UK (Seafarer) and comes with a tube that permits the same type of mounting. There are a few things to look out for. First, the composition of your hull may cause problems. Second, you should check the positioning of the transducer while underway (just have it wet and place it on the inside of the hull) to check for water or air flow problems (don't have holes in front). Do your best to have the transducer in a vertical position. And, have it in close contact with the hull. Remember, if you have a sailboat, you can have problems when healed (unless you use two with a switch). Mike Schneider *** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE ***
geoff@ncr-sd.UUCP (Geoffrey Walton) (10/31/85)
> > Steve Shelley asked about an inside mounted transducer for a depth > sounder in a previous article: I used to do rigging work for several local yacht dealers, and inside-mounted transducers were standard installation for all of them. Most any type of sealable container was attached to the inside of the hull, filled with liquid (watch out for algae growth, mineral oil or some sterile solution is best), and capped with a plate which held the transducer. There are a few caveats, however, to the installation: 1. remember that the depth will be measued from the tranducer, NOT from the max. depth of the keel, so you need to know the distance above max. depth of the installation; 2. the fluid level in the container should be checked on a regular basis; 3. the hull may cause an echo (depending on material and density), which can be distracting, or may resonate; 4. the transducer mounting plate MUST be level (fore and aft, AND athwartships) under normally-loaded conditions, at rest. We used several different brands, and various installation methods, ranging from elaborate and specialized to a piece of ABS sewrer pipe with a push-fit cap which held the transducer. I have yet to hear of any problems from any of the dealers or owners. Geoff Walton NCR E&M San Diego {wherever}!ucbvax!sdcsvax!ncr-sd!geoff Even the smallest problem becomes unsolvable if enough meetings are hel to discuss it.
mat@amdahl.UUCP (Mike Taylor) (10/31/85)
> > Steve Shelley asked about an inside mounted transducer for a depth > sounder in a previous article: > > Steve, I have seen advertisements in several boating catalogs for a > small clear plastic dome with a lip around the edge which gets screwed > and/or glued down to the inside of your hull.e My Bayliner has a small transducer which just seems to be epoxied to the inside of the hull. The brand name is US Marine. It works fine. -- Mike Taylor ...!{ihnp4,hplabs,amd,sun}!amdahl!mat [ This may not reflect my opinion, let alone anyone else's. ]