Reply With QuoteI believe this is due to prop wash direction.
David
Why does a transducer have to be mounted on the starboard side of the motor ???
I believe this is due to prop wash direction.
David
That's what I thought it might be. Just wondering if prop wash is an issue on my boat (signature 520C). The motor is mounted on a pod that is sticks out about 8" behind where I can mount the transducer. This puts the prop 600mm behind, 500mm to the side, and 300mm below the transducer. Is prop wash still an issue when the transducer is that far away from the prop?
The other thing I thought of is that the battery and all electic cables go down the starboard side pretty close to where the transducer cable would go through the stern. What effect does this stuff have on the transducer signals?
RAFLMAO your joking aren't you. I have not heard that one before.
Not sure what was so funny Reel Hard but I'm presuming it was the bit about being near other electical sources.
It was supposed to be a serious question as the instruction manual says "To reduce electrical interference, separate the sensor cable from other electrical wiring and "noise" sources." Seems to me that bringing the transducer cables out right beside the battery and other wiring running to the motor might be contrary to this instruction.
Maybe it was stupid - anyway thanks for your valuable input.
hello jdbbo1,
Stbd side of boat is where the cleanest ( less turbulent ) water is.
Prop wash will make a big difference as water is aerated & transducer signal may be distorted or totally lost.
As for the electrical cable separation you will be pretty safe with a passive circuit i.e. one drawing power from a battery such as a radio, nav lights, etc. No real need to keep the transducer cable too far from those wires.
However with an active circuit such as the main cables coming from your engine to your battery which are pumping out up to 40+ amps depending on your motor, then separation is a good idea. 300mm should see you right. Flor lights mounted under your gunnels will also impact on your sounder if the transducer cable runs next to them. You may also pick up interference from live bait tank pumps, etc if they are on the same power circuit as your sounder. It is a good idea to run a dual busbar system with sounder, GPS & radio coming off one with a surge protector wired in & everything else off the other.
ROLL TIDE, ROLL.................
Regards,
Peter
Thanks for the reply Peter. I will do a search for dual busbar sytems to see what's involved in setting it up.
John
Sorry for my humor.( I have a strang sense for it)
It was the about the prop wash. I have never heard about only mounting to the starboard side. Not saying I am not wrong.
I have had the transducer set up on both sides of boats I have had and did not seem to worry (including #Signature). I can't see the prop affecting the water at the transome as said, unless you mount the transducer to close to the leg of the outboard. This would have effect on either side. #
Good clean water is what you need and it helps to tilt the face of the transducer down slightly.
Cheers Kev. #
I have had one boat with the trans on the wrong side and noticed no problems.
Thinking around it, prop wash on an O/B if it was to be an issue could happen at very slow speeds only or in reverse.
I dont really know but suspect it all relates to the broad application of best practice, which to the average boater means little in this instance. But if he owned an inboard shaft drive craft it might be relevent.
Then today you have learnt something new.Originally Posted by Reel Hard
So is this actualy written in an installation manual or is it just hear say?
Cheers Kev.
The principle is covered in many manuals and I'm a little surprised you are doubting what is basically a well known principle? Propellers on single outboards generally all spin clockwise, which simply makes for more turbulent conditions on the port side of the outboard. Less turbulent water then has to be the starboard side. Turbulence is that reason why transom mounted transducers don't work at all well on shaft drive boats, way too much turbulence, which is why transom mounted transducers are only basically suitable for outboards and stern-drives. #
But yes there are some manuals get this simple principle very wrong! Perhaps you might have read too many Lowrance manuals?
I see the principle in the theory.
As said I have not heard of it before, for a supposed well known principle. I did not say I doubted it.
When the writer fits his sounder to the Signature with the outboard he will have some good info from here.
I am in the market for a new sounder myself so I will have to read the instalation manual when I get it.
Cheers Kev.
Just remember some manuals get it wrong!
Yeah I am looking at a Furuno 4100. Looks like good value for money for what I do.
I had a Humminbird 100 mounted to the port on this boat and it worked well at all speeds, the best I have had yet. The wiring did run along without any electrical as well, so I think I would stick to the same set up. .
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