Where to mount depth sensor?

[tmh]

I bought I depth guage on eBay so it has no instructions. Reading some instruction somewhere online, i think I just need to basically glue it down on the hull bottom flat then attach to the power. The sensor is a small plastic box-type thing.

My question is where to mount it? If i use the bilge area, I assume the water that accumulates there won't cause a problem? Also, is the bilge the best spot? Seems to me the further forward it is the faster I'd get feedback when getting shallow. Can i mount it in the ski locker? That would be on the fiberglass/plywwod false bottom, so would the air gap make it read incorrectly? (I know I'd propably have to subtract that gap distance from the readings to account for it not being mounted on the bottom. Then, when I get on plane would THAT screw things up if that section comes out of the water a small amount?

Just looking for ideas. Am I OK using 3M 4200 to adhere it to whatever spot I pick? Anything better than 4200?

Thanks.

 

[Bay-185]

Re: Where to mount depth sensor?

I put mine in the bildge. The water won't hurt it. in fact mine needs to be wet to work right. As far debth goes i want to know what debth I have in the bildge that way I know how much water my I/O has. I would rather beach the bow then bend my prop. - Just my thoughts.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Where to mount depth sensor?

tmh, I would just screw it to a bulkhead or something and wet it. Make it flat to the hull, not perpendicular to the water, and see if it works. If you go ahead and silicone or glue it, and the placement is incorrect, you have problems.

 

[jedimaster]

Re: Where to mount depth sensor?

When your mounting it make sure you use some type of thick clear glue, and make sure there are no bubbles in the glue, it should dry hard not soft like silicone.
I would recommend making a circular disc and placing it in the bottom of your boat where you want it to be mounted, then fill the disc with a half an inch of glue and then set your transducer in it fully submersing the bottom half of the transducer and with it touching the bottom of the boat.

You want to mount it far enough back towards the transom so that it is in the water even at high bow angle going slow or up on plane.

Water will not harm it.

 

[jedimaster]

Re: Where to mount depth sensor?

I have mine mounted externally.
Here is a little link I pulled up for you.

http://www.eaglegps.com/Support/Tutorials/Transducer/default.htm

 

[tmh]

Re: Where to mount depth sensor?

OK, from that link, mine is a "shoot-thru-hull" type. i'll put it in the bilge area and use a hardening type glue to hold it. Perpindicular to the hull, not the water .....thanks for the reminder, I had read that before somewhere.!

Is epoxy resin a good product for mounting this? or something less "permanent"?

 

[jedimaster]

Re: Where to mount depth sensor?

I used epoxy resin.
Make sure that your boat doesn't have a foam core, or it won't work in a shoot thru installation.