Installing a Depth sounder

[ss--ss]

I wanted to buy a fish finder for my boat ..Mainly for checking depth. Are the fairly easy to install or is it best left for a professional installer. If so what would be an ok price for a pro to do the install..

[Blackened]

G'day

They're very easy to install. There may be something in electronics chat about installation.

Follow the transducer location / setup to the letter, generally installed on the starboard side of the transom.

Run the transducer cable down the opposite side of the boat from any wires/cables to get around any interferance issues.

Always fuse the sounder with the specified fuse, For a professional install, get in contact with member Grand_Marlin.

Dave

[joeT]

They are very easy to install. Just need to figure out where/how you are mounting it, where the wires will run, and fitting the transducer. I did one on my previous tinny with no experience and it only took less than 2 hours.

The only real wiring to do is the positive and negative direct to the battery (which must have a fuse in line close to the battery).

Most new sounders come with a good manual about how to install.

I find its always better to install yourself as sometimes there may need to be a bit of tweaking with the transducer after installing, which is always easier if you were the one who installed it.

What sort of boat do you have? I think all the info and help you need will be readily available from fellow ausfishers if you run into any troubles.

[ss--ss]

Thanks for the quick replies.. I've got a 2003 bayliner bowrider.. It has what looks like a spare fused switch 'accy' .. I'll give it a go..

[tunaticer]

just make sure the fuse in your switchboard for that line is the correct size. Probably the most important part of your installation.

Jack.

[joeT]

just make sure the fuse in your switchboard for that line is the correct size. Probably the most important part of your installation.

Jack.

Agreed. Most sounder fuses are small, like 3amps.

[Roughasguts]

If I was to install another tranducer on me transom, I would cut out some choping board to the size of the transducer bracket. Then sikaflex the cutting board to the transom, nice and neat, then screw the tranducer to the cutting board.

Then you have no holes in your transom and that's a bloody good thing.

[dnej]

Roughasguts,
Yep,that is the way to go.
David

[PADDLES]

pardon me for hi-jacking your thread a little ss, but i'm wanting to install a sounder into my new boat as well.

so roughy and dnej, will this work for a fibreglass boat? it sounds like a top idea. what do i do? rough up the area where i want to glue the bit of cutting board with some sandpaper and then glue it on?

would it be another option to actually fibreglass a small piece of timber onto the transom and screw into that?

top idea though boys, i'd never even considered it.

[Blackened]

G'day

Good idea regards the cutting board.

Paddles, don't glass a bit of wood to the transom, the sight would not be nice.

Wipe the area over with some thinners/acetone to remove any polish. use some sikaflex to adhere the cutting board piece into the desired position.

Mount transducer onto the cutting board.

Dave

[PADDLES]

thanx dave, i'll use the cutting board then.

[ss--ss]

Yes sounds like a good idea using a piece of cutting board however don't you still need to drill a hole for the wire ?

[Blackened]

G'day

Yes you will need to drill a hole for the cable, HOWEVER, this will be well above the waterline, hence no worries about water ingress.

Dave

[Roughasguts]

SS, I run the wires from me second tranducer Just over the transom, through the guts of me step and burley bucket and in to the splash well. Then run the cables through the trunking for the steering and engine wires. Mind you it is a temporary set up as the fish finder is mounted on me bait board so I can see whats happening when i'm trolling. Plus I keeps an eye on the missus while she's driving don't trust her with reading the depth just yet.

For some reason she thinks she can drive the boat right up to the beach, park side ways and step out.

[tunaticer]

I would be doing as the guys suggest with sikaflexing on a piece of plastic, however I would opt for something thicker than cutting board to get decent purchase with the screws. If your transducer hits a stick or something in the water the screws need to have enough thread in the plastic not to rip out. I would probably opt for some high density polyethylene about 20 or 25mm thick. There are lots of plastic merchants around these days and most fitting and turning workshops use it regularly. Get a little offcut for a beer or something.

Jack.