Transducer placement, battery questions...

[FryDog62]

I need to mount the transducer for a new Helix 8 Mega-SI Chirp Gen4 to a 12 foot inflatable pontoon. Any suggestions best place/method to mount it? It has an aluminum floor, 2 PVC pontoons, no real transom although a small board could be added. 

 

And a stupid question - the pontoon is powered by a 12V 55 lb thrust bow trolling motor so that is the only battery on the boat - can the Helix run off that too or do I need something in addition to that? 

 

Funny, I used to do custom and tricky installs of stereos, speakers in cars back in the 1970's... cutting into sheet metal, customizing, wiring, etc... but I haven't done any boat electronics in my life.  I think I can figure it out, but I'm a nub from scratch on this stuff... 

 

Thx, -Fry

[GaryH]

Not familiar with your boat so mounting I can’t help. As for battery  I’m not a fan of using the same battery for TM and electronics. You can depending on your battery capabilities and how long you fish. The helix 8 I believe draws 2.4 amps. You need to see what your TM draws and then you’ll be able to see how long it will last. I personally would opt for a  separate battery if space and budget is available.

 

 

 

 

[FryDog62]

11 minutes ago, GaryH said:

 I personally would opt for a  separate battery if space and budget is available.

Does it have to be another 12V battery? Would rather not have 2 heavy batteries in a smaller boat. Or, could a Lithium serve both the Trolling motor and Helix better than a lead-acid? 

[Bird]

Asked the same question to a friend who's owned many bass boats and he said mount the transducer on the trolling motor shaft with head spun for bow mount and a small 27ah gel battery to run electronics. 

 

Like you, I feel like I'm mechanically inclined but struggle with electronics and the desired orientation of such.

 

My 55lb thrust bow mount is powered by a group 27.

[Richieg]

It is not the battery type that causes the issue. When both are connected to the same battery the trolling motor will interfere with Helix unit when the trolling motor is running. You will get incorrect depth readings and interference on the screen. If you will not be running the motor at the same time you are relying on the Helix it wouldn’t be an issue, but that is an unlikely scenario. 
 

Another approach might be; is there a smaller lithium battery that can used to power the Helix so that you are keeping it on its own battery. Something like a electric start generator or riding lawn mower battery. You may have to ask Humminbird this question. 

[slonezp]

Get rid of the Lund?

[FryDog62]

23 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Get rid of the Lund?

No, but rigging a boat for Florida this winter... its my aversion to ice fishing  

[gim]

7 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

No, but rigging a boat for Florida this winter... its my aversion to ice fishing  

You really hatching up a scheme over there aren’t you. I’d like to see a photo of this rig in the “show your ride” thread upon completion.

[FryDog62]

1 minute ago, gimruis said:

You really hatching up a scheme over there aren’t you. I’d like to see a photo of this rig in the “show your ride” thread upon completion.

I will, maybe even holding a fish if I catch any... its a 400 acre freshwater lake, will see if there are any good largemouth in there. My luck I get sawed off by a pike ?

[MN Fisher]

9 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

I will, maybe even holding a fish if I catch any... its a 400 acre freshwater lake, will see if there are any good largemouth in there. My luck I get sawed off by a pike ?

So instead of fishing lakes, you're gonna fish puddles from now on, eh?

[FryDog62]

20 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

So instead of fishing lakes, you're gonna fish puddles from now on, eh?

Yes, 400 acres is bigger than most of the lakes I fish around here anyway ?‍♂️

[slonezp]

You can mount a transducer to anything. then you can mount anything to the boat. As far as the battery, get a separate one. I have a Garmin SI unit in my rig and the TM throws interference. Going to get a separate 12v power source for next year.   

[FryDog62]

45 minutes ago, slonezp said:

As far as the battery, get a separate one. I have a Garmin SI unit in my rig and the TM throws interference. Going to get a separate 12v power source for next year.   

Something like this? Spendy but only 5 pounds on a small boat might be nice.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, FryDog62 said:

Something like this? Spendy but only 5 pounds on a small boat might be nice.

That's only gonna give you about 7 hours of time running the sonar before the battery cuts out to protect from too much drainage.

[FryDog62]

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

That's only gonna give you about 7 hours of time running the sonar before the battery cuts out to protect from too much drainage.

Alternatives? 

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Alternatives? 

Go to a 30AH or parallel a pair of 15AH...that'll bump it up to 10.5hrs run time.

 

A pair of those 20AH batteries would give you 14hrs.

[slonezp]

2 bills...?

You can get a tractor/lawn mower battery for $50

You're only running a fishfinder. 

[FryDog62]

5 minutes ago, slonezp said:

2 bills...?

You can get a tractor/lawn mower battery for $50

You're only running a fishfinder. 

Sounds good any links? 

And... what size lithium for a 55 lb thrust TM? 

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

And... what size lithium for a 55 lb thrust TM?

I ran a 75AH SLA in the canoe with a 30# Endura C2; 30amp max draw - mixed use (full speed runs for 7-10 minutes at 3mph, tooting around at speed 1-2 in the target area for an hour or so) - it'd last me a 5 hour trip and still be above 50%...which for an SLA is about as low as you want to go.

 

I'd say a minimum of 100AH - more if you can swing it as it's your primary power source.

[Deephaven]

I think the interference concern is over blown.  Sure it will happen, but when you realize that universal sonar is included in many trolling motors it would be terrible if it always happened.  Ferrite bead/choke should also solve those concerns.  Sure it is easier and bombproof to have a separate power source, but just like in car audio tracking down your grounds and making sure they are bulletproof to prevent leakage and alternator noise is the key.

 

As for mounting the transducer, I would put it where I fish.  ie, the front of the boat if that is where you stand.  Getting it parallel to the surface of the water is critical but outside of that rather straightforward.

 

I also think the estimations for life on the lithium are conservative.  Somehow they last longer than they should in every application I've seen them used.

[FryDog62]

7 hours ago, Deephaven said:

As for mounting the transducer, I would put it where I fish.  ie, the front of the boat if that is where you stand.  Getting it parallel to the surface of the water is critical but outside of that rather straightforward.

Thx, Okay another nub question - when you say the 'ducer should be mounted parallel to the surface - does it need to be on a flat surface facing up, hanging from the transom shooting down, and/or does it need to be in the water like the 360 imaging transducer/pod?  

[MN Fisher]

2 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

Thx, Okay another nub question - when you say the 'ducer should be mounted parallel to the surface - does it need to be on a flat surface facing up, hanging from the transom shooting down, and/or does it need to be in the water like the 360 imaging transducer/pod?  

If you're not doing a shoot-through-hull - then it should be mounted so that the top is a couple inches below the surface of the water and parallel to the water surface.

 

This is a bad shot of my Striker 7cv transducer mounted on the canoe, but I made sure it was parallel to the main hull and the top 'plate' was even with the flat part. Had to make minor adjustment on the water the first time...just for angle...depth was about perfect.

[slonezp]

19 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

Sounds good any links? 

And... what size lithium for a 55 lb thrust TM? 

Should be able to find one at your local Menards

[FryDog62]

20 hours ago, slonezp said:

2 bills...?

You can get a tractor/lawn mower battery for $50

You're only running a fishfinder. 

I did stop by the local Cabelas today and asked my series of questions. Guy really thought a 10AH is all I need for the Helix 8 for 4-6 hours of fishing. But then he said SI burns more and if I ever added 360 Imaging, etc. he said go with 20AH. I thought I was getting an "upsell" pitch but they did have a 20AH on sale for only $2 more than the 10AH. Still haven't bought anything yet - 

 

[Deephaven]

I've never met a battery that was too big or an engine with too much power.  I have seen some I won't pay for though.

As for lithium or not that depends on how many charge cycles you want over how many years.