Installing Transducer Epoxy Question

[ddrieck]

I just purchased a Bottom Line Fish/Depth Finder and would like to install the transducer inside the hull to prevent damage and to avoid having to drill holes in the hull.

The directions say to use an epoxy to mount the transducer to the hull on a flat surface near the transom. It looks like my boat has a smooth area that is meant for this application so I intend to mount it there.

What would be the best epoxy to use to get this job done?

 

[NYBo]

Re: Installing Transducer Epoxy Question

Anything clear should do. The reason for using clear is so you can tell if there are any air bubbles- bad for transmitting a strong signal. You also don't want to go crazy mixing it so you don't instill air bubbles.

 

[ddrieck]

Re: Installing Transducer Epoxy Question

So I would be better off using a clear silicone instead of the epoxy?

 

[dingbat]

Re: Installing Transducer Epoxy Question

You want to use a 30 minute epoxy.

Don't matter if you can see thru it or not. You either you have bubbles or you don't.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Installing Transducer Epoxy Question

No, you want epoxy, not silicone sealer.

Dingbat, I would rather be able to see if there are bubbles or not before gluing the transducer and finding it didn't work well.

 

[oarlock2]

Re: Installing Transducer Epoxy Question

Believe it or not but silly putty works great for mounting a transducer!

 

[marcortez]

Re: Installing Transducer Epoxy Question

Furuno install recommends:


1. Clean the transducer face to remove
any foreign material. Lightly roughen
the transducer face with #100
sandpaper. Also, roughen the inside
of the hull where the transducer is to
be mounted.
2. Clean the transducer face again.
3. Warm the silicone sealant to 40?C
before usage to soften it. Coat the
transducer face and mounting
location with silicone sealant.

4. Press the transducer firmly down on
the hull and gently twist it back and
forth to remove any air which may be
trapped in the silicone sealant.

 

[ddrieck]

Re: Installing Transducer Epoxy Question

Furuno install recommends:


1. Clean the transducer face to remove
any foreign material. Lightly roughen
the transducer face with #100
sandpaper. Also, roughen the inside
of the hull where the transducer is to
be mounted.
2. Clean the transducer face again.
3. Warm the silicone sealant to 40?C
before usage to soften it. Coat the
transducer face and mounting
location with silicone sealant.

4. Press the transducer firmly down on
the hull and gently twist it back and
forth to remove any air which may be
trapped in the silicone sealant.

The directions that came with my transducer state the above with the exception of to use epoxy and not silicone.

Seems everything I have been told and/or learned on this forum that silicon and boating do not mix.

So, I will go with the 30 min epoxy that dinbat suggested. I mainly started this thread to find out which epoxy to use 5min, 7min, 30 min...........

 

[Boatist]

Re: Installing Transducer Epoxy Question

Lowrance say to use SLOW cure Epoxy and mix slowly so you do not create bubbles.
The reason is to alow bubbles to excape to the surface.
So the slower the cure time the better.
also I have found many of the fast cure epoxys get brittle after about one year and brake loose.