Humminbird PiranhaMAX170

[MetroMan]

After doing some research for a little while, I picked up this unit last night from Bass Pro Shops. I've been reading installation instructions and tips online for quite some time, so I was pretty familiar with what was needed to be done. With the way my kayak is made, the most convenient area for the transducer installation is in my little storage hatch right between my legs in the cockpit. The fishfinder display unit will be mounted in the center, right in front of my cup holder. This will make for easy running of the wires.

I mounted the transducer last night. Opposed to a pool noodle, I used a sponge to created a mold/hold for the transducer. This video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq1Dj5MrDYA) served as guidance. I cut out the hole for the transducer, then glued it in position inside the hull. It is directly in the middle on the flattest part of the kayak. I filled the opening halfway with marine sealant that I picked up last night as well. Next I placed the transducer in the half-filled mold, making sure it was securely seated in the sealant. I then filled the remainder of the mold with sealant, covering the transducer. It should be cured by tonight.

I have my holes drilled for the mounting arms. I have to pick up some more supplies though. I need to get a drill bit to make a hole big enough for the plugs to pass through. I also need to get either a battery tray or a rechargeable battery. I think I want one of those 12v rechargeable batteries....still undecided.

Either way, I should be ready to rock this friday & Saturday with the new fish finder!

[Redfish12]

Congrats on the new fish finder! I've got to say it's been one of my better investments in my fishing gear purchase history.

I have this battery http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Rechargeable-12-Volt-Battery/700551.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2 Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26Nt k%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dbattery%26x%3D0%26y%3D0&Nt t=battery

I guess it's 8amp not 7amp as I previously thought. I put it in a dry box with an inline fuse (which has turned out to be a headache) and used a quick disconnect from here - http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/...nnector/Detail

I'm sure you can find something similar locally, but being able to disconnect your battery easily is very helpful when transporting your kayak...

[Tucked In]

That's how I mounted my first one in the sit inside, getting ready to mount one on the Big Game, I also think I am going with the Hummingbird 170 just need to make the trip to BPS,where are you planning on going this weekend.

[MetroMan]

Thanks. Luckily I have a Batteries Plus store near my house, so I will see what they have in stock (hate waiting for shipping!).

This Friday me and the boys (grady black & mytmouse) will be hitting Weems Creek. Saturday (weather permitting) I'm hoping to hit the bay bridge from Hemmingways.

[Tucked In]

Where do you launch from for Weems Creek, checking schedule but what time on Saturday if weather is okay.

[MetroMan]

Install is complete! It was pretty uhhhmmm....easy. For some reason I was expecting it to be a lot harder. I guess preparing myself days in advance with research & instruction studying kinda paid off.

Last night I installed the transducer. After letting the adhesive cure for a day, I went ahead and completed the installation tonight. I had to get a woodboring bit from lowes to put a hole in the yak for the transducer & power cables to run thru. Other than that, everything else was routine.

I got a 12v, 5Ah battery & charger from my local Batteries Plus store. I got some mini alligator clips for battery attachment. There really wasn't much to the installation...especially after watching the videos on youtube. Here are some pics anyway...




Holes drilled, off-center. Miller Genuine Draft FTW!!


I plan on securing the battery to this location via velcro. I really don't see the need for a battery box....besides, I'm not sure if any such accessory would fit...storage is kinda tight for me at this portion of the kayak.


The hole was filled with clear silicone, sealing the area where the wires exit/enter. I had to make sure I left enough cable to ensure they reached the unit.


Ready to rock!

[MetroMan]

Where do you launch from for Weems Creek, checking schedule but what time on Saturday if weather is okay.

Saturday I get off work at noon. So sometime in the mid afternoon is what Im aiming for. I'm still not 100% sure as to where I'm gonna go, but I'll be sure to let you know.

[chirotrout]

hummingbird

MM...

What made you decide on that model? Looks like a solid install, thanks for the links and pictures. If you have the transducer mounted in marine adhesive like that and have an "issue" with it, wouldn't it be a bitch to remove and remount a new one?

Jason

[Redfish12]

I'd seriously consider a dry box... I got mine from wal-mart and it was like $8. Saltwater kills everything and you don't want your terminals to get corroded. The first install I used I just took the wires and twisted them through the terminals then gooped the area thoroughly. Drill a hole just big enough in the dry box and then pass the wires and goop that too. So far no problems with my battery (fingers crossed). I also put foam in the box to keep the battery from moving.

The dry box I used was a cheap blue one in the camping section. It has slots for a nylon strap to go through so I used one of those and I wrap it around my scupper column to keep it from sliding around. I'm not sure if the mad river has scuppers, so your velcro idea would work just as well I'd say. I'm not sure how much water yours gets inside, but mine can get a lot on a rough day.

Install looks very nice and clean. I like the location, you should be able to adjust it easily for sure!

[mmanolis2001]

Great job on the install.

I would agree with Redfish. It only takes one trip in the salt to start the corrosion process on electrical equipment. Also if water does wind up in there and the battery falls over it could short. I cant tell if you have a fuse installed but if not a short could be bad news for you new investment.

Grab a Tupperware container in the mean time to add a little protection until you get a dry box setup.

[MetroMan]

Thanks for the tips. I'll look into viable solutions...space is the limiting factor here...there isn't much vertical clearance to house anything bulky in my hatch. I'll give it a second look though.

Chiro,
I went with this unit based on the price & reviews. I have not first hand experience with using any fishfinders, so I figured this would be a decent unit for my intended use. I'm often out with mytmouse and he has the 150, so I also factored in some 1up-manship in getting something better than his :-)

With the install using that adhesive, removal will require the use of a razor blade to free the transducer. It's a risk I was willing to take. I will see how it performs tomorrow.

[ictalurus]

Metro--you might have to goop the velcro to the hull. I've tried the heavy duty marine velcro like what is used to attach toll transponders to windshields, and it won't stick well, especially once it gets wet. I have to replace my battery box now, because it's been sliding around and somehow cracked.

[MetroMan]

Taking heed of the advice of the seasoned vets who've chimed in, I made a battery box! I was able to create it by using a piece of rubbermaid water-tight tupperware...the kind with the little rubber gasket that snaps on each side. Here are pics from my install...

Test fit battery inside the box


Drill hole for wires...


Run wires and add fasteners to attach to battery...


Add fasteners to the opposite end of the wires...


My intent was to have my power supply wires from the fish finder attach to these fittings with alligator clips.

My neat package, all boxed up, ready to install in the kayak...

[MetroMan]

When inserting the assembly in the kayak, the two terminals connected, almost setting everything on fire! Smoked up the room with the quickness! The short burned the insulation, and made a nice cumulus cloud inside of my battery box...

The result...




Nicely widened hole thanks to the heat...


Attempt #2

[MetroMan]

This time I opted for the INSULATED alligator clips


Nice insulated connections


Success!


The assembly fits suggly in my storage hatch, not requiring me to fasten it down at all!


And for final measures, I sealed my wire holes, maintaining the integrity of the box.


The battery never really needs to leave this box, but I do plan on at least removing the lid from the box when recharging. The actual connections at the battery slide on and off the terminals as they should. The wires are permanently sealed into the box. It should serve me well...