Changing transducer in water

[Briankinley2004]

So I have finally got around to the electronics portion of my boat primarily because its fishing time. The old Raymarine stuff wore me out trying to get it going. My slip neighbor bought some new equipment so I got his Garmin stuff including a GSD24 sounder and plotter. Everyone tells me there is a magic black box that will adapt any transducer to the 8 pin Garmin however mine is a 7 pin Raymarine and from what little reading I can manage it seems it may not be comparable due to a "sense" wire. With that being said I looked all over my transducer for a name or number and cant find anything. I finally found that the blue base and all dimensions equal an Airmar B744 which has a removable core and a plug to temporarily install while you clean a paddle wheel. I havent removed mine but just looking at the chains, pins etc it looks like "the one". I also see where Garmin has a B744 model transducer that has a set up with similar measurements. My question is does anyone know if I can pull the old one out, use the temporary plug and put the Garmin inner portion in instead of hauling out the boat and changing it all. If the different brands center core change over would save hauling out the boat which I dont have time to do since fishing season opens soon

[sixty]

That plug is only for changing the speed paddle wheel. You need to change the whole transducer which will require hauling the boat. I would call Garmin to see if they have a solution.

[SEVEN]

Agree with sixty. Not an item or time to save a few bucks. Good luck on the hard.

[PJ61]

Another temporary option is to shoot the transducer through the hull. I have done this on two boats and one was a wood hull with 2 inch mahogany planking. I took a short length of 4 inch pvc pipe, cut an angle to fit your hull contour and 4200 it to the inside your hull. Glue a threaded cap on top, fill it window washer fluid and bolt your transducer to the cap. Easy cheap temp fix to get you into your next haul out. Good luck

[Boatsb]

Garmin has a magic box for this. What connector is on the get?

I can look up the right number later or tomorrow when I'm home. I may even have one in stock because we use them often.

[Briankinley2004]

Garmin has a magic box for this. What connector is on the get?

I can look up the right number later or tomorrow when I'm home. I may even have one in stock because we use them often.

Bob the connector on the transducer is a 7pin Raymarine. The Garmin GSD24 is an 8 pin. Everyone is telling me the magic box will work however when I go to the Airmar site it says it wont because of a Raymarine sense wire. My Raymarine box was a DSM250 and wouldn't read depth. If you have one in stock and it will work let me know. I put this on hull truth also and a guy replied that you can change the inside part with the Garmin one and implied it included the transducer. said he does it all the time ??

[Briankinley2004]

Another temporary option is to shoot the transducer through the hull. I have done this on two boats and one was a wood hull with 2 inch mahogany planking. I took a short length of 4 inch pvc pipe, cut an angle to fit your hull contour and 4200 it to the inside your hull. Glue a threaded cap on top, fill it window washer fluid and bolt your transducer to the cap. Easy cheap temp fix to get you into your next haul out. Good luck

I am trying to picture this in my head. I am assuming the washer fluid is acting as a medium to transmit the signal on through the hull. Interesting idea.

[Briankinley2004]

Spoke with Scott and he has the Garmin box in stock and is sending to me. It is supposed to work with my transducer per our conversation. He also confirmed the removable part is just for speed and temp not depth. It this works it will be great news. Scott was really helpful and got my order out quickly so I could have for this weekend

[MVCaprice]

Another temporary option is to shoot the transducer through the hull. I have done this on two boats and one was a wood hull with 2 inch mahogany planking. I took a short length of 4 inch pvc pipe, cut an angle to fit your hull contour and 4200 it to the inside your hull. Glue a threaded cap on top, fill it window washer fluid and bolt your transducer to the cap. Easy cheap temp fix to get you into your next haul out. Good luck

Yep as long as its not a cored hull (as most of our Hatteras are). I have actually had some success even through coring in a bind. Also you can use RV antifreeze as well as a submerging fluid.

[Briankinley2004]

Yep as long as its not a cored hull (as most of our Hatteras are). I have actually had some success even through coring in a bind. Also you can use RV antifreeze as well as a submerging fluid.

Supposedly my 55c is cored only above the water line. Below water line is supposed to be solid glass