problems with depth finder tranducers mounted inside hull

[RonE58]

On my 27 the transducer is mounted inside the hull, actually in lazaret next to the diesel tank. I have the boat about 4 years over the last two it has only worked a day here or there, 95% time I get no reading.
It appears ever since I painted the hull with that Micron stuff I have lost my depth gauge, is it just a coincidence?? if so what would cause it not to work most of the time.
Thanks,
Ron

[ronkberg]

That the oil that the transducer has to sit in is too low? That is a simple solution that I should assume you have already checked but I just wanted to talk.

Mine works better when sailing flat but gives strange warnings when I have the rail buried. I wonder if the sharks get more anxious that I may fall overboard at that angle and thus the sensor may be correct........YIKES.

Ron

[Steve Laume]

Check and clean all connections'

There may be no connection between bottom painting and your problem. I set my transducer in epoxy last year and painted over the outside of the hull. It seems to read just fine. I used an ablative paint so your results my vary but I have not heard of problems with bottom painting, Steve.

[RonE58]

Hey Ron,
So that is an oil, wasn't sure. It's missing about an inch or so. How do you add more oil, and what type do you put in. I tried screwing off the top but it just turns and never lifts off.
Thanks Ron

[Dean Abramson]

Ron, usually it is mineral oil. Get it at a drug store.

[RonE58]

Hey dean,
I always wondered why that was on the boat.
How do you put the mineral oil in the canister??
Thanks Ron

[RonE58]

Hey dean,
I always wondered why that was on the boat.
How do you put the mineral oil in the canister??
Thanks Ron

[Dean Abramson]

Ron, that is going to vary. Most cylinders that transducers are in are home-made. On our old 25D, it was made from a piece of PVC pipe and a pipe cap. Only your PO may know for sure...

[ronkberg]

Works just fine and smells good too.

You need enough to keep the base submerged no matter how you are heeled. I get some false readings when heeled to starboard as the sensor is mounted to port and I assume that there may be some bubbles passing. I know when I am in sufficient water depth but the alarm still gets my attention. If anyone were sailing with me, I'd maybe turn it off or change the depth setting.

I can just lift my sensor out of the base unit which is adhered to the inner hull. Add enough to keep the base covered and off we go for a pleasant sail.

Regards, Ron

[Dean Abramson]

RonE58, the mineral oil is also good to pour down your marine toilet regularly, to keep things lubed.