Installing Garmin Echo 100 in a Prowler

[mmmBEER]

I had a few hours to myself this afternoon so I thought I'd start installing my Echo 100 I bought recently from Dick Smith. I am still waiting for my battery to arrive, but I thought I'd get started with the rest of it. Thanks to the thoughtful folk at Ocean Kayak, the install was pretty easy, I didn't even have to drill any holes. I took the idea from the "fish finder ready" kit they sell for Humminbird FF's, and just made all of the components myself to suit the Garmin.
The first step was to cut down the transducer to fit in the transducer scupper without protruding out the bottom. I ended up cutting part of the outer edges near the mounting lugs and the front section down to fit.

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The next step was to retain it in the kayak. I made up a brass block with an M5 hole in each end and another through the middle, which I screwed between the mounting lugs of the transducer. I cut a length of M5 threaded rod to the right length and screwed it into the brass block.

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For the top (inside the cup holder) I used a hole saw to cut a hole in a chopping board the same size as the cup holder. I then used the plug from the hole saw as a large washer. I drilled an extra hole to run the cable through, secured the cable with a P clamp and bolted the transducer into place.

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The transducer is well protected in the recess at the bottom of the scupper.

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The next step was to remove the tackle box holder and plastic bung. I fitted a waterproof cable gland (had to enlarge the hole slightly) and ran the power cable inside the hull.

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Next I wound up the excess transducer cable and secured it with cable ties it in the recess where the tackle box used to go.

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I then cut the chopping board I had used earlier to the right size and drilled some holes for the FF mount and mounting holes, and screwed it all together.

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I'm pretty happy with the install so far. I just hope it works once I hook the power up to it...

[Feral2]

very good looking job!

[4weightfanatic]

That's a pretty neat job there mBeer with the transducer nice and snug out of the way. One question - Is the hollow the transducer in sealed ? Would air not get trapped in the space when you put it flat against the water like an air pocket in an upturned boat hull ? Just wondering whether the air can get out. I bought one of the same units and have been using a cordless drill battery (14.4 V) "sealed" in a tupperware style container. It has run for at least 4 hrs so far with no sign of the battery going flat so should be OK for the length of time I usually fish (5 hrs). One bonus is the battery is small and I have a reserve one I can take in a back pack if I need an extended time or an overnighter. Thanks for sharing. Take some pics of the screen once your on the water and post them up so those that have bought one can compare pics. Cheers Pat.

[mmmBEER]

Hi Pat,

Good idea about the battery. I wish I'd thought to use a drill battery. The book says the units can be powered by anything from 10 to 20 volts, so that'd be ideal.

The transducer scupper is not sealed, so there shouldn't be an air lock. I forgot to mention, I also drilled half a hole Along the base of the washer at the top (clamped 2 pieces of the chopping board together and drilled down the slot in between to the centre). If any water goes into the cup holder it can drain away through the slot. Also, it's not sealed around the transducer cable, so it can also drain through there.

Cheers,
Paul.

[GlenelgKiller]

Neat looking job! Looking forward to seeing how you fit the battery.

[Bludymick]

Looks great mate
You have done a great job

We can compare installs
Your hand made install v the hobie boys at paddle pedal sail Belmont

Heading out from nobbies in morn round 6ish
Hope your cold buggers off and we can get out for a flick Sunday

[mmmBEER]

...So my battery turned up, a 9800mAh Li-ion jobby from China. I bought a suitably sized klip-lock container, and cut some foam packaging to size to stop it moving around and to protect it from bumps and knocks etc. I connected the fuse and everything inside the container and used a cable gland from Jaycar to keep it all waterproof.

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The next step was to mount it inside the hull...BUGGER!!! The container is too big to fit in where I wanted to put it. Time for a compromise, I got some pool noodle and wrapped and cable tied it around the transducer scupper inside the hull to keep the battery up out of the slosh. I then just strapped the container around the scupper. It's not ideal, but I'll see how it goes. I used a waterproof plug to join the power cable to allow me to remove the battery for charging etc.

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[Deefa]

I'll be doing a similar install to this quite soon on the purple submarine, although due to my yaks lack of scupper holes I will do a through-hull wet install, and use ultrasound jelly in the container so I don't have to keep filling it with water.

One thing concerns me - I have had curry through my work bag on multiple occasions leaked from the exact containers used to waterproof batteries as shown above. I'm not sure exactly how waterproof they are, at least not for continued immersion.

One idea is to make a 14-16v battery pack out of high capacity NiMH AA batteries, which have than enough current capability to run a fish finder, but a relatively high internal resistance so being shorted by seawater is less of a safety issue just in case they are flooded.