Transducer Install

[Doug Dorsey]

I just received my Airmar B164 tilted element transducer and am curious if someone here might have some advice on a mounting location. I am told for optimum performance the transducer should be 12-18" from the transom, but this is not possible on the 2120, UNLESS I notch out the little shelf in the bilge. Not sure what this shelf is for, anyone know why its there?
Also, should the ducer be on the starboard or port side, and what's more critical.. the side its on or how far forward so as to be a good distance from the prop.

Thanks for any help on this, its a big hole to put in my boat and it has to be right.

 

[ppem45]

If it's the shelf facing forward it is for the oil resevoir if you have an HPDI like I do. If you have an empty shelf then you must have a 4 stroke engine, right?

 

[Doug Dorsey]

Yes I have a F200 four stroke.

 

[Dave]

For what it's worth, here is where the dealer rep located my B60--works great with no interference. With that B164 you ought to be able to see whether a coin is heads or tails on the bottom!

Also, here is a link to Airmars installation instructions with suggested locations.

http://www.airmartechnology.com/uploads/InstallGuide/17-458-01.pdf

 

[jeffnick]

FWIW - we made a transom mount 'ducer into a shoot thru the hull positioned here and it works flawlessly.

 

[cbigma]

Yer'll lose around 30% of your signal by trying to "shoot thru" a hull. May not matter if you don't fish.

Wow, 30% sounds like a lot of loss for all cases, especially with the Airmar line of transducers that are designed to be used for "shoot-thru". You think that 30% loss is the case in -all- "shoot thru" installs for -all- types of transducers? Or would you say that loss could be - "as much as" -30% depending upon the thickness of the hull, and the power of the transducer?

 

[jeffnick]

You think that 30% loss is the case in -all- "shoot thru" installs for -all- types of transducers?

Something to consider is where/when/how the loss (if any) occurs. If you lose the signal at 25 mph with the transom mount and you never lose the signal w/ shoot thru, but you get 30% less with shoot thru (whatever that means), which are you better off with?

We don't fish, so we don't know what 30% less fish looks like on the finder - we just like to know where the bottom is at all speeds.

YMMV

 

[cbigma]

IMHO transducer choices and mounting styles are a lot like Trim Tabs. No single type or style of mounting will be ideal for all Parkers. The model of your Parker, the power configuration, where you principally run, what you're fishing (or not) for, if you slip or trailer etc, will all affect what your optimum type of transducer mount will be.

In some instances, "shoot thru" installations may be a desirable alternative to standard transom or in-hull mounting. I would hate to discourage anyone from experimenting with that alternative just because they thought that they would be guaranteed to lose 30% sensitivity right out of the box. That's why I was questioning whether 30% was a valid across-the-board estimate in all cases, regardless of power, manufacturer and hull thickness.

There are more than a few of us on ClassicParker that, for one reason or another, have opted to use "shoot-thru" installations, and have been very satisfied with the results.

 

[grouperjim]

Airmar makes transducers for all the brands of Fishfinders. Here is their opinion on shoot thru style transducers.

http://airmar.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/airm ... WluIGh1bGw

 

[cbigma]

I'm sure that if we install a transducer in a manner that it was not originally designed for, we will not achieve maximum efficiency. Physics and common sense both dictate that shooting through any thickness of fiberglas will reduce the signal strength of a transducer designed for transom mounting.

That being said, with a little experimentation, I've found a combination of transom-transducer/shoot-thru mounting that works best for me. I would encourage anyone to experiment with "shoot-thru" placement if you are faced with circumstances which do not favor transom mounting. Testing a shoot-thru can be done without permanently mounting the transducer. If you aren't satisfied with the results, you can easily back out of the install.

 

[grouperjim]

:shock: dayum....... i am missing 30 percent :mrgreen:

 

[grouperjim]

Actually, I'd say the color was about right. "Orangegarmenfish"...........yummy. 8) You can select any color scheme you want, or any style target presentation you want.

Only had room in my cooler for 5 percent of the 70 percent that showed up. :mrgreen:

 

[cbigma]

Looks to me like even at 5%, you were 100% satisfied with your trip that day! :mrgreen: Nice Fish.

 

[Megabyte]

If you are catching... it doesn't matter. :wink:

 

[Scalawag 2320]

I put mine as far forward as posible and as far to the starboard side as the stringer would permit. It was scary to drill the hole but after 2 years still no leaks and the features, water speed, temp, and pictures are great. I never loose site of the ground

 

[BuddahB]

Here's my install on a 25SE The hole size is scary, just make sure you use the exact hole saw, I think it's 3 3/4 follow directions point arrow inward. Mine works terrific.