Permanent Wet Transducer Installation - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Bill K · 06-06-2010, 04:03 PM

I've been having the same problems, with my transducer. It was originally installed, by the Kayak store, with a piece of foam, as the cup, and then vaseline was used inside the cup. It works o.k., until you turn the kayak upside down, then you have vaseline all over the place.
Next try, was with the goop, and then silicone. Both worked for a while, but then I would only get a 0.5 reading. Either, there were bubbles formed, or an adhesion problem.
My last attempt, was the wet well. I used silicone to mount the pvc fitting. It worked great for a few trips, and then stopped. The silicone did not seal well enough, and the water leaked out.
I have to re-do. I am thinking about, going back to the foam cup, and using a 2 part clear epoxy.
Has anyone used the epoxy method?

Bill

Geoffkoop · 06-06-2010, 04:07 PM

Bill, just do it with the PVC pipe and goop as mentioned. Mine has worked like a champ.

dsafety · 06-06-2010, 05:45 PM

While I still have full confidence in the web mount system that was introduced at the start of this thread, I will be testing a new, (for me), option very soon.

Hummingbird has a "just for kayaks" mount kit that includes a small plastic frame that is shaped like their transducer. This gets mounted to the hull with adhesive provided in the kit. They also provide a "special" grease that you put in this reservoir and then set the transducer in the grease.

It looks like a good system but I am concerned about the grease liquefying like the Vaseline does. I asked Humminbird about this and was told that it was a high temperature grease that will not liquefy. They are sending me a kit to test. I actually have one of these kits now that Dtownfan sent to me but do not have the grease so I have not been able to do the test.

When I have tried this system out, I will post the results.

I did a little research online and learned that there are many industrial greases, usually lithium-based that are very stable at high temperatures. My guess is that the "special" grease offered by Humminbird is one of those.

If you have a grease mount that works except that your grease melts, you might want to try one of these high temp products. If it works, going the DIY way will be much cheaper than buying the H-bird system which costs somewhere around $25. That said, if you get everything is a kit that is designed to fit the transducer, it may be worth the investment.

Stay tuned.

Bob

sandydiego · 06-14-2010, 10:13 AM

So I finished the install of the wet mount on the new kayak and had to turn down the sensitivity on my 385ci from 18 to 2. I have found that if your max bottom setting in set to 450 the fish finder runs perfect. The default is 1000 on the 385ci.

I had problems when the max reading was set at 200ft. I figured this out because every time I went over the canyon in the reserve the FF stopped reading correctly.

This wet mount ost me $14 for the pvc/rubber cap and $10 for the marine goop at OEX. I will never go back to glueing my FF directly to the hull. I need to now make a Battery box for the rear hatch on the pro angler.

Bob you rock! Thanks for sharing this.

Steve

sandydiego · 06-16-2010, 08:05 AM

Any one interested in splitting the cost for some 3M Scotch-Weld Structural Plastic Adhesive DP8005, 35 mL, a pack of tips and a applicator gun? It's $72 + tax at Grainger.

umtduckhead · 06-29-2010, 08:50 PM

any body running a lowrance in a wet mount on a revo? if so do you like it better than the goop?

Geoffkoop · 06-29-2010, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by umtduckhead

any body running a lowrance in a wet mount on a revo? if so do you like it better than the goop?

Yes and yes...it's actually a cheap eagle cuda but I think they are made by the same.

WahooUSMA · 06-30-2010, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by umtduckhead

any body running a lowrance in a wet mount on a revo? if so do you like it better than the goop?

I did have a wet mount, but have since removed the contraption. I went back to the goop (to me, no difference in quality of images). The seal between the PVC and hull started to leak. Also, the front storage in the Revo is limited anyway, and you have to use a 4 in. PVC/cap if you go with a Lowrance FF. Just took up too much room and you always had to be diligent when stowing gear in the hatch.

06-14-2010, 10:13 AM	#4
sandydiego Rum Pirate Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wilds of Mira Mesa Posts: 388	So I finished the install of the wet mount on the new kayak and had to turn down the sensitivity on my 385ci from 18 to 2. I have found that if your max bottom setting in set to 450 the fish finder runs perfect. The default is 1000 on the 385ci. I had problems when the max reading was set at 200ft. I figured this out because every time I went over the canyon in the reserve the FF stopped reading correctly. This wet mount ost me $14 for the pvc/rubber cap and $10 for the marine goop at OEX. I will never go back to glueing my FF directly to the hull. I need to now make a Battery box for the rear hatch on the pro angler. Bob you rock! Thanks for sharing this. Steve Last edited by sandydiego; 06-14-2010 at 10:25 AM.

06-16-2010, 08:05 AM	#5
sandydiego Rum Pirate Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wilds of Mira Mesa Posts: 388	Any one interested in splitting the cost for some 3M Scotch-Weld Structural Plastic Adhesive DP8005, 35 mL, a pack of tips and a applicator gun? It's $72 + tax at Grainger. Last edited by sandydiego; 06-16-2010 at 08:24 AM.

06-06-2010, 04:03 PM	#1
Bill K Junior Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1	I've been having the same problems, with my transducer. It was originally installed, by the Kayak store, with a piece of foam, as the cup, and then vaseline was used inside the cup. It works o.k., until you turn the kayak upside down, then you have vaseline all over the place. Next try, was with the goop, and then silicone. Both worked for a while, but then I would only get a 0.5 reading. Either, there were bubbles formed, or an adhesion problem. My last attempt, was the wet well. I used silicone to mount the pvc fitting. It worked great for a few trips, and then stopped. The silicone did not seal well enough, and the water leaked out. I have to re-do. I am thinking about, going back to the foam cup, and using a 2 part clear epoxy. Has anyone used the epoxy method? Bill

06-06-2010, 04:07 PM	#2
Geoffkoop Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: So. Orange County Posts: 302	Bill, just do it with the PVC pipe and goop as mentioned. Mine has worked like a champ.

06-06-2010, 05:45 PM	#3
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	While I still have full confidence in the web mount system that was introduced at the start of this thread, I will be testing a new, (for me), option very soon. Hummingbird has a "just for kayaks" mount kit that includes a small plastic frame that is shaped like their transducer. This gets mounted to the hull with adhesive provided in the kit. They also provide a "special" grease that you put in this reservoir and then set the transducer in the grease. It looks like a good system but I am concerned about the grease liquefying like the Vaseline does. I asked Humminbird about this and was told that it was a high temperature grease that will not liquefy. They are sending me a kit to test. I actually have one of these kits now that Dtownfan sent to me but do not have the grease so I have not been able to do the test. When I have tried this system out, I will post the results. I did a little research online and learned that there are many industrial greases, usually lithium-based that are very stable at high temperatures. My guess is that the "special" grease offered by Humminbird is one of those. If you have a grease mount that works except that your grease melts, you might want to try one of these high temp products. If it works, going the DIY way will be much cheaper than buying the H-bird system which costs somewhere around $25. That said, if you get everything is a kit that is designed to fit the transducer, it may be worth the investment. Stay tuned. Bob

06-29-2010, 08:50 PM	#6
umtduckhead Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 147	any body running a lowrance in a wet mount on a revo? if so do you like it better than the goop?