Shooting Thru the Hull

[jddj]

I have a water filled depth sounder box which works fine. I drain the box each layup and was wondering if anyone has used the PEG antifreeze to fill the box? Does the plastic transducer tolerate that stuff?
jim

[BillNH]

Locating transducers inside the hull has long been a practice on tugs, fishing boats and other workboats. Mineral oil is commonly used as the fluid in the transducer "box" as one doesn't have to worry about it freezing. I'm not sure if there's a problem with using RV antifreeze - never heard of anyone using it though... I also used mineral oil on my old Alberg 30 which was set up this way and it worked well.

[barfwinkle]

I have used mineral oil for sereral years as well. Works just fine.

[Jim Sullivan]

jddj:

I use RV anti-freeze full strength in a Uniden QT-206 adjustable angle inside-the-hull transducer and it has worked fine. Mineral oil will also work fine. In the event of a leak, there is less of a mess with the anti-freeze which was my reason for using it.

Jim

[yamiracer]

Locating transducers inside the hull has long been a practice on tugs, fishing boats and other workboats. Mineral oil is commonly used as the fluid in the transducer "box" as one doesn't have to worry about it freezing. I'm not sure if there's a problem with using RV antifreeze - never heard of anyone using it though... I also used mineral oil on my old Alberg 30 which was set up this way and it worked well.

can you describe a 'transducer box' for me? i'm guessing it's 4 sides and a 'roof' somehow glued to the bottom of the hull and the transducer goes inside along with some sort of liquid. i've tried petroleum jelly and a silicone, but have met with mixed results.

thanx,

rw

[Peter Kozup]

Bill,
I use a piece of large diameter PVC (4 or 5 inches) cut to fit the curve of the hull and epoxied in place. I also use mineral oil. It's a pretty simple operation, though I found it hard to cut the PVC exactly right and had to do a lot of epoxying to cut out any leaks. Seems to work fine.

[Peter Kozup]

Bill,
I use a piece of large diameter PVC (4 or 5 inches) cut to fit the curve of the hull and epoxied in place. I also use mineral oil. It's a pretty simple operation, though I found it hard to cut the PVC exactly right and had to do a lot of epoxying to cut out any leaks. Seems to work fine.

[Dean Abramson]

On my 25D, I had an arrangement like Peter describes. I used mineral oil, and it worked great. Apparently mine was not epoxied on perfectly, because over time (about a year), the mineral oil would leak out; although I never could see or feel where the leak was. When the sounder quit working, I would add mineral oil. You can get it at any drugstore.

Dean

[Bob L]

I recently purchased a new in-hull transducer from Airmar. They recommend either mineral oil or propylene glycol (the pink stuff). Water will also work. When I install it in the spring, I do plan to use mineral oil, though.