explorer 225 tranuducer location

[fishingdave]

hey guys how far downon the transom did you install your transducer ? how far away from the trim tabs should they be?

[flounderpounder225]

Biggest thing on the transducer, is you don't want it running in a disturbed water stream, I mounted mine about a foot outboard from the garbor drain plug on the starboard side, make sure the ducer is horizontal and just breaking the plane of water as the boat is running, look forward, make sure your through hull pick up for the livewell, and washdown system is not directly forward of the ducer, and that you have not lined it up with the strakes in the hull, those can also cause a disruption.  Basically you want the ducer submerged in a good solid water stream.

[seabob4]

Marc,
You should have no trouble at 12".  But when we we're doing factory installs, the install manual that came with the Airmar ducer said on single engine boats, 18" to starboard of the keel, measured along the hull bottom...

That's what they said...

[flounderpounder225]

Bob,
I was visualizing in my head where I put it.  Just for curiosity, I went out just now and measured it, 18" from the drain plug... and it works great, never lose the bottom picture at all.

Marc

[seabob4]

Marc,
You velly smart man...

[Circle Hooked]

Bob,
I was visualizing in my head where I put it.  Just for curiosity, I went out just now and measured it, 18" from the drain plug... and it works great, never lose the bottom picture at all.

Marc

Thats where mine is also,and never a problem.

[seabob4]

Well, dammit, sounds like it's unanimous...

[labboss2003]

Mine is there too

[seabob4]

This is frightening...

Sorry Bob, Scott, just had to do that...

[kingfisher24]

Hello All-

I'm ready to outfit my new to me 95' Explorer 225 with a Lowrance Elite 9 & transom mount xdcr. A speed wheel currently sits inboard of the starboard trim tab with the cable routed up into the well and thru hull. 





Q1 - Should I mount the new xdcr where the speed wheel currently sits or on the transom?  Not sure how much turbulence it would see nxt to trim tab, and the connector needs a 1" hole.



Q2 - Wiring looks straightforward, but not quite sure where to connect the hot (red) lead into the mess behind the console. I have the 3A fuse assay to splice in. Suggestions?



Q3 - Sealing holes/mounting hardware. 4200? 5200? epoxy? I take it epoxy is the most "permanent"?

Q4 - Best tricks to route xdcr cable to console - tie to thin cord or metal rod?

Thanks in advance for all your wisdom, knowledge and of course humor,
Keith

[CLM65]

I'll take a shot at it...

Q1:  I wouldn't mount it at that location - too close to the tab.  Based on the previous conversation in this thread, it sounds like 18" from the drain plug would be best.

Q2:  Capt Bob or Rick can probably give better advice, but I would look for a red wire that is feeding your switch panel.

Q3:  I think you want something more flexible than epoxy for sealing screw holes and holes where wire passes through.  5200 is good, especially for the screw holes.  If you use that for the wire, it may be hard to remove it in the future if/when you need to replace the transducer.  Plus if the wire hole is exposed to sunlight, 5200 will yellow over time.  3M makes a product (I forget if it is 4000UV or 4200UV) that seals well, is not as permanent as 5200, and has UV inhibitors.

Q4:  If you have a metal or fiberglass fishtape, you can push it through the wire chase (they are pretty cheap at Harbor Freight if you don't have one).  Then attach a string to it and pull that through.  Attach your cable to the string, along with another string.  Pull them through, and leave the string in the chase for future wires.

Others may have different (and better suggestions), but I think this is what I would do.  Good luck!

[Capt. Bob]

Kingfisher,
First off, I wish the photos were larger (old eyes).

As Craig stated and the links imply, the location has worked very well for several members with same/similar hulls so that would be my recommendation as well.

You want to use 3M 4000UV to seal your wire holes. As Craig stated, using 5200 will make it tougher to remove if desired. It does indeed turn yellow with age (5200) and the 4000UV seals better than straight silicon, can be used underwater and is almost as easy as silicon to remove. Yes it's listed as an adhesive and it holds well but it seals even better.

Somewhere as Craig indicated, lies the positive/helm buss. I'm searching for a pic we may have but you need to located that and connect your power lead to a post on that buss. The fuse will connect just off the buss for circuit (wire) protection.

While you're working under/behind there, here's something you may want to check.
http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=10709.msg104671#msg104671

You should see something like this in the stern.
http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=12606.msg127186#msg127186

Read carefully and you'll see that the feed from this box (large gauge wire, should be red) travels from there to your console (helm) positive buss. That is where you will make your connection.

Lastly, I realise your helm probably doesn't look exactly the same but focus on the third photo down in this post.
Directly amidships in that pic is the positive buss you will be searching for to make the connection. This is just to give you an idea of what (not so much where) it looks like.
http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=6068.msg41780#msg41780

Good luck.

[kingfisher24]

Thanks guys.  Very helpful.  Except I'm regressing a bit - should the xdcr still go on the lower step where the drain plug/trim tabs are located (only further inboard of the current xdcr), or on the transom itself?  I'm thinking transom a few inches up the V and route cable thru drain or over the top into the engine control bundle. 



Sorry, not sure how to enlarge pics imported via the Gallery.

Keith

[Capt. Bob]

Thanks guys.  Very helpful.  Except I'm regressing a bit - should the xdcr still go on the lower step where the drain plug/trim tabs are located (only further inboard of the current xdcr), or on the transom itself? 

Maybe this pic will help.
http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=13270.msg133370#msg133370

Lower step. You may not get 18" out but at least 12" and that should be fine. 18" is a guide but not necessary Gospel. You are restricted by the fixed location of several things, like the raw water pickup, the lifting strake, the trim tab and the trailer bunk. You'll need to sandwich it in so that there is no disturbance while underway or clearance when the boat is on the trailer.

Sorry, not sure how to enlarge pics imported via the Gallery.

The original uploaded file size of the pic appears small. The Gallery will auto reduce a large file allowing it to fit in the post but you cannot enlarge a small uploaded file.

[kingfisher24]

Gotcha.  Thanks again CB.