Replacing Transducers

[NLRDANNERS]

We just bought our new boat and want to add new instruments. I have an existing transducer for depth and was wondering if anybody knows if I can just replace the transducer without install the whole new fitting? Im in a situation where I have no access to haul out services so redoing the whole through hole is really not an option.

Thanks!

[Orion Jim]

Airmar supplies transducers for numerous instrument manufacturers. They are threaded and inserted into a smooth hole from outside the hull before a locking nut is tightened from inside the hull. A bead of sealant is applied to the transducer before they are inserted into the hole in the hull.

[AKA-None]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

Airmar supplies transducers for numerous instrument manufacturers. They are threaded and inserted into a smooth hole from outside the hull before a locking nut is tightened from inside the hull. A bead of sealant is applied to the transducer before they are inserted into the hole in the hull.

In short the boat needs to be out of the water

[hoolie]

There is a thread on this forum https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ok-253832.html about in-hull sensors and a number of people describe their success with mounting transducers that are normally through-hull as in-hull. You could try mounting your device using silicone and see if you can get it to work satisfactorily on your boat. Needless to say if it's not a "smart" device you'll need a compatible instrument to drive it.

[Ziggy]

Originally Posted by NLRDANNERS

We just bought our new boat and want to add new instruments. I have an existing transducer for depth and was wondering if anybody knows if I can just replace the transducer without install the whole new fitting? Im in a situation where I have no access to haul out services so redoing the whole through hole is really not an option.

Thanks!

Chances are excellent that your transducer will work fine with the new instruments, but you will need to replace the cable end. You need to figure out the transducer manufacturer and frequencies. If it is a 50Hz or 200Hz transducer made by Airmar, you will only need to get a new cable and splice it to the old one. Gemeco sells all sorts of cables. However, if it is something weird, you're probably out of luck.

[Joh.Ghurt]

Originally Posted by Ziggy

Chances are excellent that your transducer will work fine with the new instruments, [...]
However, if it is something weird, you're probably out of luck.

If you have instruments by Nasa Marine, a very popular budget brand around here, you're out of luck. The transducers are smaller and different, but replacements are available.

[NLRDANNERS]

I’m liking the in hull solution. Sounds like an easy install and I can get knot speed from any of the apps out there. Speed is not as important to me as depth is.

[Turtle Blues]

What brand is the existing? Airmar through hulls that are not the shoe type are designed to be removed from inside the boat to clean the speed wheel. Identifiable by a short chain and pin assembly on the interior tube. Its a little daunting at first to pull it. Have a plug ready, they make one, but a towel will do. The push through sensors are interchangeable. Run a bottle brush inside the tube, lube the O ring and reset.

[RaymondR]

Looks like a suck it and see situation unless the manufacturers will give you specifications to compare.