Is there any particular trick to changing a speed transducer while in the
water other than being very quick. I need to replace the inner unit and
while I can haul the boat I felt it might be worth a try to do it while in
the water. Is the force of the water such that it might impair the
insertion of the new unit? Any suggestions.

Jerry

Gerald Atkin wrote:
Is there any particular trick to changing a speed transducer while in
the water other than being very quick. I need to replace the inner
unit and while I can haul the boat I felt it might be worth a try to
do it while in the water. Is the force of the water such that it
might impair the insertion of the new unit? Any suggestions.

Jerry

If you're quick a small sponge is all you need, provided the new unit is all
ready to insert. Use the flat of your hand to seal the opening. very little
pressure at that depth, but a 2" hole can let in a lot of water in a very
short time!

Remove "nospam" from return address.

Some speed transducer housings have an internal plastic flap that will block
most of the water flow. This allows you to remove the sensor, clean the
wheel, and reinsert without any panic.

Yours may, or may not, have the flap. I don't know how to tell ahead of
time.

Rusty O

Depending on the make...some fixings have a small non-return flap inside the
tube to reduce the amount of water coming in.

Hopefully yours is one of them, but even so you shouldn't get too much water
in if you are quick.

When you say "inner unit" it means to me that your transducer is meant to be
removeable by simply unscrewing the cap and pulling it out. Such
installations also have a blank plug to be installed in place of the
transducer; it has an identical screw cap. You should have one of these. It
enables you to leave the transducer out when the boat's not being used to
minimize fouling and to enable easy cleaning. You can also conveniently
test the removed transducer by spinning the paddle wheel manually or with a
blower.

There should be a closure flap in the hollow thru-hull tube that will
partially close the opening when the transducer is withdrawn and keep out
most of the water -- if it's working.. A sponge is all that's usually needed
to wipe up the leaks. No need to be in a big rush -- just keep the blank
plug handy.

If by some chance yours is not designed to be easily removed, as described
above, and is a permanent installation, in water removal/replacement is not
advisable. Don't even think about it unless assisted by someone who knows
all the tricks and has done many of these underwater replacements.

Len

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"Gerald Atkin" wrote in message
.. .
Is there any particular trick to changing a speed transducer while in the
water other than being very quick. I need to replace the inner unit and
while I can haul the boat I felt it might be worth a try to do it while in
the water. Is the force of the water such that it might impair the
insertion of the new unit? Any suggestions.

Jerry

On Tue, 8 Jun 2004 09:14:22 -0400, Gerald Atkin wrote:

Thanks for all the help and good suggestions. I am replacing an ST-50
transducer and have acquired a new insert with the flap feature so I trust
this will ease the withdrawl in the future.

Jerry

I take several towels along on this type of service call, never knowing if
the flap is there or not. Place the towels around the transducer and then
QUICKLY remove the suspect one. Cap it off right away with a plug/cover or
the substitute transducer. Be aware that some replacement transducers with
the same part number are now smaller in diameter than the original ones and
need an adapter sleeve to fit properly inside the old through hull fitting.
Most replacement transducers come with the adapter sleeve(s) in case you
need them.
Doug K7ABX


"Gerald Atkin" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 8 Jun 2004 09:14:22 -0400, Gerald Atkin wrote:

Thanks for all the help and good suggestions. I am replacing an ST-50
transducer and have acquired a new insert with the flap feature so I trust
this will ease the withdrawl in the future.

Jerry