Mad Frog Liberator/Scotty vs. Ram - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

dsafety · 12-29-2009, 01:02 PM

I am in the process of figuring out the same issues. I have a Revo and a new Humminbird Matrix 12. On this unit, the power and transducer cables permanently attach to the mounting bracket. The head slides in and out of the bracket, mating the cables with the appropriate plugs in the head unit. This is very nice except that I do not want to have the mounting bracket permanently attached to my kayak.

The Hummer 160 cables just plug into the back of the head and are not connected to the mounting bracket. I like the idea that the mounting bracket holds the cables tight and in the correct position. With the 160 you will probably have the same problems I had with my previous 215 where the cables do not always connect tightly to the head and the unit goes dead.

The best mounting solution for me would be to cut the power and transducer cables near the mounting bracket, attach a quick disconnect plug and leave the cables in the boat. The problem with this plan is that according to Humminbird, you cannot splice the transducer cable. If you do, the signal will be greatly diminished. There is no problem with splicing the power cable.

I have designed a removable mounting system for this unit which will slip into the sail mast hole on my Revo. I am also working on a new way to install the transducer inside the hull which does not require the transducer to be gooped in place. If this idea works, I will let everyone know.

The final challenge is what to do with the bulky mounting head when it is not mounted in the sail hole. At this point the best idea I have been able to come up with is to keep it in a dry bag stuffed into my front hatch. This is not ideal since I would prefer be able to wash and dry everything after use to reduce corrosion problems. Nothing stored in a closed up kayak is ever very dry.

The gears are still turning in my head. Maybe I will come up with a better plan. If anyone has any suggestions to share, please let me know.

Bob

habanero · 12-29-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsafety

I am in the process of figuring out the same issues. I have a Revo and a new Humminbird Matrix 12. On this unit, the power and transducer cables permanently attach to the mounting bracket. The head slides in and out of the bracket, mating the cables with the appropriate plugs in the head unit. This is very nice except that I do not want to have the mounting bracket permanently attached to my kayak.

The Hummer 160 cables just plug into the back of the head and are not connected to the mounting bracket. I like the idea that the mounting bracket holds the cables tight and in the correct position. With the 160 you will probably have the same problems I had with my previous 215 where the cables do not always connect tightly to the head and the unit goes dead.

The best mounting solution for me would be to cut the power and transducer cables near the mounting bracket, attach a quick disconnect plug and leave the cables in the boat. The problem with this plan is that according to Humminbird, you cannot splice the transducer cable. If you do, the signal will be greatly diminished. There is no problem with splicing the power cable.

I have designed a removable mounting system for this unit which will slip into the sail mast hole on my Revo. I am also working on a new way to install the transducer inside the hull which does not require the transducer to be gooped in place. If this idea works, I will let everyone know.

The final challenge is what to do with the bulky mounting head when it is not mounted in the sail hole. At this point the best idea I have been able to come up with is to keep it in a dry bag stuffed into my front hatch. This is not ideal since I would prefer be able to wash and dry everything after use to reduce corrosion problems. Nothing stored in a closed up kayak is ever very dry.

The gears are still turning in my head. Maybe I will come up with a better plan. If anyone has any suggestions to share, please let me know.

Bob

I have spent way too much time fixing problems due to the "quick release" system. The multitude of tiny gold pins break easy and salt water alway get in since we sit a few inches over sea level. My solution will void any warranty but I basically, I hacked into my head unit and made a sealed wire harness using supplied wires long enough to reach inside the hull. I then have a single 9 pin water tight connector I plug into every time I launch. I scavenged the connector off an old Toyota in a junk yard. To be fare, I've asked other quick release users if they had the same problems, and most of them said they have had no problems but they ALL use some type of grease to keep off the salt water.

davedkins · 12-29-2009, 01:45 PM

Hey Guys thanks for the input. Is there any issue with being able to access the fishfinder menu and options while mounted in the sail mast?

Habanero- You have any pics of your wet mount?

habanero · 12-29-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davedkins

Hey Guys thanks for the input. Is there any issue with being able to access the fishfinder menu and options while mounted in the sail mast?

Habanero- You have any pics of your wet mount?

Sorry no pictures of my home made foam reservoir but here is a video that gives you an idea of how to buy or make your own. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SguqN...eature=related
Nate calls it the "nifty transducer mount" (Foam block)

I know Nate and the rest of the team have all the stuff you can't find.

The one I made is 1.5" deep and the boarder around the cut away is about 1.5" wide.

I didn't glue my transducer in and just squirt water at hole after I've launched.

kareem korn · 12-30-2009, 06:48 AM

I like that external transducer idea. Instead of having the battery in a dry bag, I'd just have a few plugs in different areas of my kayak for power and the battery/batteries inside the kayak. It would be cleaner.

Iceman · 12-30-2009, 07:48 AM

The wedge is good for a set it and forget it set up. If you have a gps combo you would not want it that far forward as you have to scoot forward to reach buttons. My jacked shoulder had me looking to set up my rental Hobies to fish from and have been using this. I can easily put it in the Sport, Revo, Outback or Outfitter that I have. It is a homemade version of the TDA by MadFrog on a 12 volt portable that I made up.

dsafety · 12-30-2009, 07:53 AM

Can you access the front hatch with that setup installed?

Bob

12-30-2009, 07:48 AM	#6
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	The wedge is good for a set it and forget it set up. If you have a gps combo you would not want it that far forward as you have to scoot forward to reach buttons. My jacked shoulder had me looking to set up my rental Hobies to fish from and have been using this. I can easily put it in the Sport, Revo, Outback or Outfitter that I have. It is a homemade version of the TDA by MadFrog on a 12 volt portable that I made up. __________________

12-29-2009, 01:02 PM	#1
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	I am in the process of figuring out the same issues. I have a Revo and a new Humminbird Matrix 12. On this unit, the power and transducer cables permanently attach to the mounting bracket. The head slides in and out of the bracket, mating the cables with the appropriate plugs in the head unit. This is very nice except that I do not want to have the mounting bracket permanently attached to my kayak. The Hummer 160 cables just plug into the back of the head and are not connected to the mounting bracket. I like the idea that the mounting bracket holds the cables tight and in the correct position. With the 160 you will probably have the same problems I had with my previous 215 where the cables do not always connect tightly to the head and the unit goes dead. The best mounting solution for me would be to cut the power and transducer cables near the mounting bracket, attach a quick disconnect plug and leave the cables in the boat. The problem with this plan is that according to Humminbird, you cannot splice the transducer cable. If you do, the signal will be greatly diminished. There is no problem with splicing the power cable. I have designed a removable mounting system for this unit which will slip into the sail mast hole on my Revo. I am also working on a new way to install the transducer inside the hull which does not require the transducer to be gooped in place. If this idea works, I will let everyone know. The final challenge is what to do with the bulky mounting head when it is not mounted in the sail hole. At this point the best idea I have been able to come up with is to keep it in a dry bag stuffed into my front hatch. This is not ideal since I would prefer be able to wash and dry everything after use to reduce corrosion problems. Nothing stored in a closed up kayak is ever very dry. The gears are still turning in my head. Maybe I will come up with a better plan. If anyone has any suggestions to share, please let me know. Bob

12-29-2009, 01:45 PM	#3
davedkins Junior Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 13	Hey Guys thanks for the input. Is there any issue with being able to access the fishfinder menu and options while mounted in the sail mast? Habanero- You have any pics of your wet mount?

12-30-2009, 06:48 AM	#5
kareem korn Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: C-bad Posts: 431	I like that external transducer idea. Instead of having the battery in a dry bag, I'd just have a few plugs in different areas of my kayak for power and the battery/batteries inside the kayak. It would be cleaner.

12-30-2009, 07:53 AM	#7
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	Can you access the front hatch with that setup installed? Bob