Second Depth Sounder Transducer Location?

Captains Cat

I'm about to mount a second transducer (the transom mount paddle wheel type) on one of the pontoons of CAPTAINS CAT. I've got the Garmin 545S transducer mounted inside the Stbd Pontoon at the stern next to the bilge pump in an oil reservoir.

The second one will be for the digital sounder that feeds the E80. Do you think I could mount it on the same pontoon but outside? Is that too close? Will it interfere there or should I mount it on th outside of the Port Pontoon? Will it interfere anyway? I'll post the specs here if I can get them before my 30 minute edit time runs out!

Here's the existing GARMIN transducer.

Here's the contemplated WESTMARINE Transducer for the Raymarine digital unit that feeds the E80. It's the product #5493523.

Charlie

flrockytop · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 1:19 pm Post subject:

My cd19 had a Lowrance on it when I bought it. I added a Navman. Both are 50/200 machines. The Lowrance transducer is mounted on the stern I first tried shooting the Navman transducer through the hull. This did not work so well. When running both on 200, the signal from the Lowrance would sometimes overpower the Navman so much that it would not pick up at all. If I turned on the Navman first then, usually, they would both work. Even then I would pickup some sawtooth interference lines in the Navman display. I could run one on 50 the other on 200 and they would work. I moved the Navman transducer to the stern on the other side of the motor (about 2 feet apart). At this location they both will work.

I have used two at the same time on other boats with similar results.

Roger

don deeke · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:38 pm Post subject:

Best check with the factory...I ask to add a addtion transduce to the in side of one of my hull's on my 01 T-cat they claim can't do it because of matrial use in hull's.... but said they may have a solid glass spot forward in the new TC-255.....

thataway · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 6:01 pm Post subject:

Your "best shot" will be to put the second transducer on the port hull. I like to afix a piece of Starboard to the hull. Drill the holes in Starboard, then drill holes in the transom. Enlarge these holes in the transom and fill with epoxy. Cross cut "V" on the back of the Starboard for better adherance of 5200, and then screw the Starboard block to the hull, with screws into the solid epoxy. This way, you can move the transom transducer up and down as necessary without any risk of water intrustion into the hull core.

We hold the bottom with our Lowrance transom transducers at full speed.

Charlie noted that he has the Garmin transducer over the solid glass place in the Starboard hull.

Captains Cat · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 10:20 pm Post subject:

That's what I'm gonna do Bob. How thick is the transom there anyway? I don't want to drill all the way through it... Shocked

The Garmin xducer is in the stbd hull aft by the bilge pump where there is no core. Will put the other one on the transom on the port hull.

Thanks All! Laughing

Charlie

thataway · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 10:48 pm Post subject:

Charlie the transoms are foam filled (at least mine is, and I excect that they all are. After penetrating the outer glass layer, you can practically run the drill in by hand, I like to use a Dremel tool to undercut the core, but a small allen key or bent piece of coat hanger will work to enlarge the area which you will fill with epoxy. The actual depth of foam is over an inch. Many transoms are cored with two pieces of 3/4" plywood--but the Tom Cat seemed less than that. I didn't measure---but just pushed the drill bit in until it hit glass on the back side, then used the Dremel bit to work the foam out of the area, where I was going to fill with thickened epoxy. I bought 1000 popsicle sticks at "Hobby Lobby" which I use for mixing epoxy and other resins. I cut these in half length wise, and use that to pack the epoxy in the enlarged hole. I tape off the hull around it, and when the epoxy is not quite hard, I cut it off flush, and then remove the tape. I sand just enough to cut the surface and dewax before putting the Starboard in place.

I also used a Cable Clam to put the transducer cable thru the transom. You have to put a couple of cable clips--and those holes have to also be drilled out and filled with epoxy, so while you are drilling and filling, it is a good time to do that. I just layout the cable route and put 3 to 4 clips--the holes don't need to be as big as the three for the Starboard. Also the hole for the cable needs to be sealed. As I recollect for the Lowrance I had to drill a 5/8" hole. The Cable Clam allows you to drill what ever size hole you need for the cable--and seals it tightly as you tighten its screws in place.

AK Angler · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 5:37 pm Post subject:

I've been told that running multiple transducers won't work due to signal interference between the units. Is this not the case? I have thought about adding a second 'ducer, but was concerned that it wouldn't work.

Captains Cat · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 5:41 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:16 pm Post subject:

Sometimes they will work and sometimes they won't. When widely spaced in shoal water, they will work OK. If the transducers/sounders are significantly different frequency, they will work.

If they are both the same frequency and close together, they will probably not work.

Unfortunately almost all of the fathometers use 200 mhz transducers currently. There used to be 215, 192, 200 etc...There is a Garmin at 235 (I belive)--but it will cost $500 with the head and transducer.