Depth Finder
 

I have a 2001 diablo 180 so it didnt come with a depth gauge. I was looking at getting a faria through hull gauge where is the best place to mount the transducer?

Re: Depth Finder
 

In the bilge , usually at the front of the engine. :)

Re: Depth Finder
 

i have two. both at the front edge of the motor in the bilge

Re: Depth Finder
 

The bilge is the best place, however since your boat did not have a depth gauge previously installed, it may be a little tricky. On the later models, the boats equipped with the depth finders usually had a special platform type section of the engine compartment made for the transducer. This area was specifically made thin inside the hull so it provided the least amount of obstruction for the sonar waves.

You'll have to do some investigating on where you can get a good accurate signal before mounting it down. The instructions for the transducer will guide you in the right direction, just follow them carefully and use the specific type of epoxy they recommend.

Or if you want the easy way, and don't want the headaches or extra costs associated with installing a thru hull transducer, you can just mount a standard transducer on your transom. Just make sure and use some good sealant like 3M 5200 in the holes you drill to avoid any water intrusion.

Re: Depth Finder
 

If I get a chance tomorrow I will post some pictures of the transducer on my 2001 180 Diablo

Re: Depth Finder
 

ok thanks

Re: Depth Finder
 

Ooops! I won't lie I forgot, but here you go


http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/v...525_154937.jpg

Re: Depth Finder
 

I'm not sure if I posted any pictures on here. I installed a lowrance unit in my dash, used a toilet bowl wax ring to secure the thru hull transducer.. and ran the temp sensor through the back. It's been there for almost two seasons without any issues. I just sanded the fiberglass in the bilge area so it was smooth.. made a donut out of the wax and stuck the transducer in place. It works really well. These pictures were taken during the installation - so please disregard the mess inside the hull. Sanding on the fiberglass makes for a dusty mess.. and you quickly learn where every oil/greasy spot exists within that area lol.

Re: Depth Finder
 

That is a interesting way to mount the ducer!!
Any false echoing?
Interested to know how it holds up to the heat from the motor.
Very ingenious thinking either way.:wink_thumbup:

Re: Depth Finder
 

I doubt that the hulls of most powerboats are any thicker than is the hull of the 1976 30' sailboat we had. She weighed over 8,300 lbs., dry, with over 3,500 lbs. of that in her encapsulated keel. An Airmar through-the-hull transducer was mounted just forward of the keel (the keel area would be one of the areas in which the hull thickness would be greatest), up under the V-berth. It worked fine.

Such transducers will have a fitting meant to be more-or-less permanently adhered to the inside of the hull, that's designed in a manner such that it can be attached so as to compensate for the hull's dead rise at that point. Done correctly: Once the puck is mounted, it'll be shooting straight down.

The exception to the above is cored hulls. With cored hulls the inside fibreglass "skin" and core have to be removed so the transducer's mounting fixture is mounted directly on the outer fibreglass skin.

Jim

Re: Depth Finder
 

Has anyone with a diablo put a cigarette lighter plug in? Where the best wires to hook it to?

Re: Depth Finder
 

Fuse block if available circuit , or direct to battery with fuse.(My choice) :)
I'd probably run a 10 to 20 amp fuse. It just depends on what you want to power.

Re: Depth Finder
 

Any ideas for the best socket to buy that fits best in the hole that is already there?

Re: Depth Finder
 

I don't believe I have ever had any problems with false readings and it seems accurate. Granted it will occasionally blip some odd number up at full speed or while crossing wake, but I just assumed that to be normal. I also ran the lowrance temp gauge outside and can check the water temps. I got lucky and purchased the whole setup from Cabela's in the bargain cave for 49.99. It came with the transom mount transducer and a black factory trim ring. I called lowrance to ask about the thru hull - they ended up sending me the thru hull unit and a free gold trim ring. All I had to do was send them my transom mount unit back... which was a heck of a deal. I also bought my smart tabs from the bargain gave for around the same price lol.

As for a lighter.. I purchased and installed one identical to this one:

Cigarette Lighter With Chart Light - Overton's

It works and looks nice.. but functionally it's a bad location. I would say I regret it.. but it does look nice. Here are a few reasons why it's not so functional...

#1 the stainless gets warm in the sun
#2 if plugged in it sticks out fairly far and almost touches the steering wheel
#3 the little light isn't LED and isn't as cool as I had hoped lol
#4 I had to buy a flat usb type plug in order to plug in my phone and clear the steering wheel. The normal charger was to big.

Also - if your boat is like mine you can tap into the auxiliary switch above and ground by the fuse block. I put mine on the switch so I could easily turn off whatever may be plugged into it.

Does your boat have a tilt steering wheel? if so you may have more or less clearance behind the wheel.

I also purchased a multi-outlet 12v port with USB outlet - something designed similar to this:

Amazon.com: Multi-Use Vehicle Charger with Dual USB Ports and Dual 12 Volt Sockets - Magnadyne: Explore similar items.

I'm not sure where I purchased mine from but the ports light up, have rubber cabs over them, and it came with two types of plugs (one is made to plug it into another 12v port and the other is made to hard wire it). I will be mounting it inside the pocked by my hand controls with the hard wire.. and will leave the other cord in the glove box incase I need to plug it in elsewhere.

Hope this helps.

Re: Depth Finder
 

Here is the unit I bought... I just remembered it came from radio shack. Apparently my memory is bad.. as I thought it had USB ports and covers. I also purchased really heavy duty velcro to hold it in place against the carpet inside the pocket.

Enercell 12VDC 3-Outlet Vehicle Power Adapter : Adapters | RadioShack.com

The reviews on these are really high - it's not a cheapo like you can pick up at walmart or some of the other local big box stores around here. I know my cousin has one in his police car and it gets abused.. they break everything lol. And it has held up.