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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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NorCross depth finder

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mashedcat
Navigator

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USA
194 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/03/2006 : 22:26:32

Anyone installed this unit in their boat? It's advertised as and the instructions are that the transducer dosent have to be thru hull. I have not been able to get a reading without hanging the transducer over the side. Before I send the tducer back to the mfr, I thought I would give this place a try. thanks
http://www.norcrossmarine.com/products/DF1000D/overview.htm

dave

Edited by - mashedcat on 12/03/2006 23:06:19

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3441 Posts

Response Posted - 12/04/2006 : 05:57:37

How exactly are you trying to get a reading inside the hull ? The transducer has to be in contact with the hull so that no air bubbles, etc exist between the transducer and the hull. I used the wax from a toilet bowl wax ring. It allows an easy way to mount and remove the transducer if a signal is not picked up but i obtained a signal on first try and have left it there now going on about a year sine I installed it. (See my website.)

The only other reason I can think that you recieved no signal is that your hull/fiberglass is not solid but has a core, etc that interferes with the signal. However, i thought all with the catalina 25 that have mounted the transducer inside had no problems. So....still feel that the problem must be with how you obtained a bubble free inside install. You did not give details of how you tried mounting it...so that remains the most likely cause until you provide addl details. The fact that you obtained a reading when the transducer was directly in the water would seem to at least rule out a transducer malfunction for now and concentrate on other possibilities.

Edited by - on

mashedcat
Navigator

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USA
194 Posts

Response Posted - 12/04/2006 : 09:02:22

I followed the instructions that came with the unit. They said seal it in a plastic bag full of water and lay it to the hull. Got no reading that way so tried the other option, which was to put it in vaseline (similar to your toilet wax, but not near as solid). I think your install looks pretty substantial. I'll try that one. Where in the boat is that? Under the galley drawer?

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3441 Posts

Response Posted - 12/04/2006 : 11:47:23

My install is...under the VBerth accessible from the door. It is a little to the right of believe it was the knotmeter transducer. I cut the wires from the original depthfinder transducer that is a thru-hull and located further right of the knotmeter transducer. I have the transducer installation photos on my website and believe you saw that. But maybe a better photo of it from above is under the Section covering the VBerth Plexiglass Shelf I installed some time later. Looking at that photo gives the shot looking from thru the VBerth storage covers removed.

I don't see how they expect having the transducer in a bag full of water resolves issues with air between the bag and the fiberglas. The vaseline sounds like a better idea except that the consistency of the vaseline is more viscous than the wax and possibly squeezed out when you tired that way. Anyway, i would fool around with it a bit more before sending it back or contacting the mfr. The wax ring is inexpensive from Home Depot and it if you slap it down in the VBerth area and then push the transducer into it pretty good and then up around it's edges, it should hold pretty good. Hopefully, a combination of trying the Vberth area and the wax will result in a signal. Good luck !

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C25Guy
1st Mate

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USA
37 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2007 : 16:28:33

I'm curious as to whether there was a resolution on this subject. I have the same unit and have had the same experience. I've tried submerging it in bilge water and then also sticking it in vaseline when the bilge was dry. Neither method produced results. The manufacturer said that they didn't offer a more powerful transducer.

I found that it did work well when I made a little wooden boat for it from a plank and dragged it beside me while I sailed along. This was not a great solution as it kind of made me look like an idiot, but it did work.

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2007 : 16:43:25

Alan,
If it worked through a floating board it should work through your hull. The fact you say it sat in bilge water makes me think you had it over your keel but you don't say exactly where you tried it. Buy your self a toilet bowl wax ring and try it agin where you are sure the hull has no hollow spaces and where the keel will not interfere. I have mine mounted in the space under the aft starboard bunk. As Larry mentioned you can also mount it on the deck floor under the V berth. Does it say what the wattage is for the transducer? If so we can compare it to others.

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gbeardjr
Navigator

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USA
101 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2007 : 19:46:42

I have the exact same unit. I installed the transducer under the forward V-Berth about a foot aft of the back wall. It works perfect. Before I expoxied it in place I did the zip lock bag full of water trick and that worked too. Only problems I have are a few sections of the bay it goes to - - always at the same spots. I am thinking the bottom is muddy there or something.

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C25Guy
1st Mate

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USA
37 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2007 : 23:11:39

Gbeardjr, your binary quote is hilarious. I laugh out loud every time I see it (I'm a dork). Could you clarify where you mounted the transducer? When you say a foot aft of the back wall, does that mean under the head area? I have no hull access there. The thing did not work for me under the V-berth. I guess this gives me some hope, though. I'll keep trying. Also, I belive my serial number is 8000-01 on my transducer. Is that the same as yours?

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gbeardjr
Navigator

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USA
101 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2007 : 00:19:48

I knew that was going to be confusing. The transducer is almost durectly below the center of my v-berth, if you remove the cushions and the two wooden panels it is straight down. I have it as far as possible forward as I have it and insure the hull below is always under water.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.