Can I Mount My Transducer On Front Trolling Motor Somehow?

[Jim Mac]

The problem is it's not a regular bow trolling motor. It's a transom mount model that I reversed the head on, and use it on the bow of my flat jon. When I'm done fishing, I have to raise the motor all the way, lay it flat, then strap it down. There's no way to make it work and secure the cable is there? Thanks.

[Jim Mac]

31 views and no replies?

[martintheduck]

I guess I don't understand what you want to know? I mean - Yes, you can mount a transducer onto a trolling motor http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&q=trolling+motor+transducer+mount&oq=trolling+motor+trans&gs_l=hp.3.1.0l4.1145.4090.0.5448.20.12.0.8.8.2.345.1590.6j5j0j1.12.0....0...1c.1.22.psy-ab..2.18.1260.wTB_c0QZY2Q&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.49784469%2Cd.eWU%2Cpv.xjs.s.en_US.MpiVkF51mpA.O&fp=d7c5feea3f133d7c&biw=1249&bih=628

 

You can just ziptie the cable up the length of the TM shaft. to hold it in place.

[martintheduck]

it won't matter that it is a reversed transom mount either.

[tnriverluver]

I did it on my MK40 transom mount on the bow.  You have to leave the transducer wire loose between the bottom of the control head and the top of the motor (not wire tied to the shaft) so it will be able to slide up and down it's mount.  Other than that it works just like one on a normal foot control motor.

[papajoe222]

You can purchase a few cable velcro organizers and use them to hold the cable to the shaft when in use and then just peel them off as you raise and secure the motor.  That way, the cable isn't dragging behind the shaft and catching on whatever wants to hitch a ride.

[Traveler2586]

The problem is it's not a regular bow trolling motor. It's a transom mount model that I reversed the head on, and use it on the bow of my flat jon. When I'm done fishing, I have to raise the motor all the way, lay it flat, then strap it down. There's no way to make it work and secure the cable is there? Thanks.

 

If I understand you correctly you have to slide your TM's shaft up through the mounting in order to lay it down flat on the boat.

 

If that is correct, then you may want to look at how a sail slides up and down the mast of a sailboat.  Just think of your transducer cable as the edge of the sail where it attach's to the mast rings.  As a sail is raised the edge unfolds as the rings separate when they travel up the mast.

 

Find a good photo of an old Skip-Jack with its sails raised and another photo with the sail lowered; study the leading edge of the sail where it attach's to the mast rings and use your imagination to apply that technology to your transducer cable.

 

Well, for what it's worth, that's my two cents worth. 

[Traveler2586]

Had to get off the computer so now I'm on my iPhone.
What I'm trying to describe is a Way to control cables & wire's commonly used where power and signal cables have to be mounted on a machine arm that reaches and retracts. The cables are attached to the arm by various methods called a "Cable Control System or Cable Transport System". Generally speaking, by using some device that slides along the arm while supporting the cable. The system expands as the arm reaches and neatly contracts as the arm retracts. In your case a set of rings should work nicely; such as two Ty-wraps per ring; one to go loosely around the TM's shaft, and the second one to attach the cable to the first Ty-wrap.

[Jim Mac]

Thanks guys

[RAMBLER]

Humminbird makes an adapter to do just what you want to do.

[Traveler2586]

Humminbird makes an adapter to do just what you want to do.

 

Do you have any information on the adapter like a part number or web page link?

[RAMBLER]

Do you have any information on the adapter like a part number or web page link?

I've seen it on either Cabella's or Bass Pro on-line catalog.

[Kevin22]

Do some research about running cables through the shaft. I think that is what you will have to do. A friend of mine did it to his terrova and it works really nice. No cables anywhere to get hung up or pinched. He ran it through the shaft and out the head.

[Traveler2586]

Do some research about running cables through the shaft. I think that is what you will have to do. A friend of mine did it to his terrova and it works really nice. No cables anywhere to get hung up or pinched. He ran it through the shaft and out the head.

 

IMHO, there are problems with trying to run a transducer cable through the TM's shaft.

 

First, you do not want to run a trans cable in parallel with the TM's power cable; each time you start & stop the TM you will induce noise into your trans cable and onto the screen of your depth-finder.

 

Second, unless the trans cable connector is very small it may not fit in the shaft with the other wires, making it hard to pull the cable through the shaft.  Also, you can not cut the cable and try to reconnect it due to its frequency response which is critical to the correct operation of the depth finder.

 

Third, depending on the size of hole you drill in the shaft, you could weaken the shaft to the point of failure.

 

Fourth, is how to waterproof the hole so water can not enter the shaft and find its way into the motor housing; filling the hole & shaft with RTV may work for a short while, but will prevent servicing the TM later.

[Jim Mac]

Thanks guys. I wound up mounting the transducer to the transom.