Installing a Lowrance X-4 fish finder on a kayak with in-hull transducer

ADVERTISING

LuxoGear Emergency Whistles with Lanyard

Shop now »

NOCO Genius GEN5X2, 2-Bank, 10A (5A/Bank) Smart Marine Battery Charger

Shop now »

RHINO USA Boat Trailer Transom Straps (2PK)

Shop now »

LUCKY Kayak Portable Fish Depth Finder

Shop now »

Seaview 180 V3 Full Face Snorkel Mask

Shop now »

Most popular comments
for Installing a Lowrance X-4 fish finder on a kayak with in-hull transducer

Live comments
Comments on YouTube

taprackbang88 - 6 years ago

I know this is an older video, but do you think the transducer would still work if you didnt add silicone underneath it, and instead, just used some velcro or something to hold it down in the mold you made for it?

Successful Engineer - 6 years ago

I think that since the transducer and kayak are both hard plastic, you really need the coupling to get the ultrasonic signals to propagate properly. It cant hurt to try your method, just compare the in-hull vs. just holding the transducer in the water and see how much difference there is.

Guy Strudel - 6 years ago

Guys just vomitted on my Garmin striker 4 fish finder and it won't turn on now. Is it broken??

Nomad - 7 years ago

I wonder what quite a large shark would look like on this . Or would it just come up just like any other fish ? Good video..I have just got one of these from someone and cant wait to try it out !

Nomad - 7 years ago

: )

Successful Engineer - 7 years ago

Haha, if the target were large enough I guess it would look like all of a sudden the ocean floor lifted up a lot!

Phil Manno - 7 years ago

if you get small spots on your screen it's due to air bubbles under the transponder in the clear sealant used, be sure there are no bubbles before pressing the transponder into place. im glad you installation went well, good video

Successful Engineer - 7 years ago

Thanks for the positive comment Phil

Phil Manno - 7 years ago

the only feature you will sacrifice with the Thru the hull installation, is the water temperature reading

Ahmad Abboud - 8 years ago

Can I use epe foam, (the foam thats usually white, slightly hard and comes in computer parts packaging) or do I need to use foam like the one in the video?

Successful Engineer - 8 years ago

The foam really only holds everything in place, so I don't think the type of foam makes much difference. Do a test first to ensure the silicone does not have a reaction with the foam!

Tom van thienen - 8 years ago

So i have installed the transducer on the inside of the body with silicone/ glue. Wait untill it has set and then made the connection with the 125x box. Wonder !!! it works great with no interference. Super!! so now we know the 125x works with metal bodys on the inside.

Successful Engineer - 8 years ago

Great news man, thanks for letting us know!

Tom van thienen - 8 years ago

Can this work on a steel body ? have the x125 and do not want to drill a hole in the body of my boat.

Successful Engineer - 8 years ago

Good luck ! Very interested to hear your result !

Tom van thienen - 8 years ago

No problem...i will try it. But i will not drill a hole in the body. If its not work i will find another one. I tell the result in a couple of days....greetings Tom from Belgium .

Successful Engineer - 8 years ago

Great question . . . no idea sorry ! would be worth trying before drilling any holes, if it doesnt work, clean off the transducer and look at your other options.

bowhunting nj - 8 years ago

whats the model for the transducer

RandyMarsh - 8 years ago

Would you happen to know what model transducer you have for the x-4?

Successful Engineer - 8 years ago

Sorry mate, no idea, have upgraded kayaks a couple of times since I owned the pacer.

10. comment for Installing a Lowrance X-4 fish finder on a kayak with in-hull transducer

Joseph Saeteurn - 9 years ago

how do you know if there isn't air bubbles when you push the transducer down like that?

Mitchell Deye - 9 years ago

how does the transducer know temp when its inside the kayak?

Successful Engineer - 9 years ago

+Mitchell Deye I imagine the temperature reading will not be as accurate as when the transducer is in the water, but probably only off by a few degrees. The seawater does a pretty good job of cooling down the plastic kayak, so the reading on the FF screen is probably within reason.

Eric DiDomenico - 9 years ago

Hey! I really need some advice. Do you think the thickness of my kayaks plastic could interrupt the signal. Im trying to install using 3m sealant. Do i have to sand the plastic before to narrow down the foam or should it be fine without. Thanks

Ghost Shadow - 9 years ago

+Eric DiDomenico just need to make sure it is clean and dry, not sure which cleaner would be best, some may melt the plastic and others may leave residue that will prevent glue from adhering properly.

Successful Engineer - 9 years ago

+Eric DiDomenico My gut instinct is that most roto-moulded kayaks are going to be very similar in hull thickness. That kayak shown in this video also had a fairly thick hull, so you will probably be fine. I didn't / wouldn't bother sanding the plastic, I think the smoother it is, the less likely you are to have air bubbles or sonar reflections. Good luck, hope it works well.

Zak du Plessis - 9 years ago

Nice vid bra dis die selfde setup as wat ek het

Scott Snow - 9 years ago

Nice Video! Does it matter the orientation of the transducer mount?

BaileyM1 - 9 years ago

Were did u get the gromit

phartattack - 9 years ago

Good info! SUGGESTION for anyone watching this. Use double sided tape to TEMPORARILY mount the unit in different locations till you have it where you are happy with it. THEN PERMANENTLY MOUNT IT!
For the Transducer, I made a removable mount that hangs off the side of the kayak. This way I can use it on all 3 of my kayaks and my Jon boat too.

Dan_2k - 10 years ago

hey
i wanted to ask where can i find the battery connectors
or what type is it
thank you

Dan_2k - 10 years ago

+Successful Engineer thank you.. :)

Successful Engineer - 10 years ago

Hi mate, on the battery I have used some large electrical terminals commonly known as 'chocolate blocks', these allow me to attach and remove the power cables with a small screw driver that I keep in my fishing box, I feel this is more reliable than the standard friction spade terminals. On the cables I just have some 'bootlace ferrules' to protect the copper. Both these should be available from any electrical supply shop.

Craig hambo - 10 years ago

nice video and very direct.thanks heaps mate.

Maxwell Gunter - 10 years ago

Thanks for your response earlier. I've heard a lot about angles when putting the transducer in the hull or your kayak. Any information you can give me about this if you know what I mean

20. comment for Installing a Lowrance X-4 fish finder on a kayak with in-hull transducer

Maxwell Gunter - 10 years ago

do you think its would matter if the kayak had a slight curve where i wanted to plant the transducer??? and if i used white silicone? thanks

James Hanna - 9 years ago

mate go for clear as theres less particles in it to block the signal. and a way to stop air bubbles is leave the nose of the nozzle buried in the glue the way done in the vid is more likely to get bubbles

Successful Engineer - 10 years ago

I don't think a slight curve would make any difference, just make sure the area is completely covered in the silicone and do your best to avoid air bubbles. Not sure if white silicone would work, a friend used some general purpose silicone and it worked, but it looked like his FF was less sensitive than mine while fishing together.

John Doe - 10 years ago

great video i just put one in mine testing it sat. any advice before i drop in water?

Samson Glass - 10 years ago

excellent video, thank you for sharing. The inside showing of applying the silicone was spot on 8) Much appreciated.

Charles Pistorino - 10 years ago

Nice installation, where did you get the grommet from?

Charles Pistorino - 10 years ago

Great Thanks, found the product! It is technically called a cable gland.

Successful Engineer - 10 years ago

Hi Charles, you should be able to get those at any electronics store, those are from Jaycar Electronics in NZ, so dependent on where you are, radio shack, Dick Smith etc.

Successful Engineer - 11 years ago

I didn't notice too much difference between in-hull mounting on this kayak and exposed mounting on the newer kayak.

Successful Engineer - 11 years ago

By lens, do you mean the plastic housing ? In that case, you want as even coverage as possible, try avoiding air bubbles!

Josh Monroe - 11 years ago

Thanks I just bought this ff for my kayak I wasn't sure how accurate it would be by sitting on the bottom like you did. Works pretty well though for you?

Successful Engineer - 11 years ago

Correct, for most fish finders in fact. You lose a little bit of resolution, but overall, it's a easy way to install the transducer without the hassle of a bit sticking out the bottom of your boat.

Successful Engineer - 11 years ago

Hi mate, the display unit is relatively waterproof, I did get a bit of moisture inside mine at some point by blasting it with a hose pipe, better in general to just rinse them off under a tap. But overall, waterproof enough for the price.

Josh Monroe - 11 years ago

Piece

30. comment for Installing a Lowrance X-4 fish finder on a kayak with in-hull transducer

Josh Monroe - 11 years ago

The sonar pice doesn't have to be in the water for this fish finder?

NMCgarage - 11 years ago

is it 100% waterproof

Darren Hindle - 11 years ago

Hi Egokart, give me a ring and we can go for a fish, 021 1345997

Darren Hindle - 11 years ago

send me your details to madthindle@gmail.com not sure how to PM

Successful Engineer - 11 years ago

Hey mate, yes, originally from SA, pm me your contact details and we can arrange to go out for a fish.

Darren Hindle - 11 years ago

I Have just bought a kayak and you sounds very South African, So am I, lets get together for a fish!!!! I live in Auckland North Shore. Cheers Darren

Successful Engineer - 11 years ago

On that little kayak I just put the battery in a dry-bag and clipped it to the scupper holes inside the hull, when I later upgraded to a larger kayak, that system didn't work too well. On the larger kayak I siliconed (same silicone) a plastic storage container to the bottom of the hull inside the hatch and just put the battery in that while on the water, worked very well for almost no cost.

alorr4uz - 11 years ago

How did you mount the dry bag and the battery unit?

Successful Engineer - 11 years ago

I think that one I had was also the transom mount one, no problem using it as I have though. Good luck.

Successful Engineer - 11 years ago

FF has worked very well so far, I'm pretty happy with the performance for a bottom of the range FF, no problems at least! I used that silicone (Selleys All-clear) mainly because it was recommended through one of the kayak fishing forums I follow, unfortunately I'm not sure what the US replacement would be, might be worth trolling the US forums. Cheers

pt actuba - 11 years ago

good job

Blake Blackstone - 11 years ago

Thanks for the heads up.

Successful Engineer - 11 years ago

Hi there, yep, used the silicone to glue the foam in first. I did actually remove the transducer after a month when I bought a larger fishing kayak and it came off 'relatively' easily. The new kayak had a transducer scupper hole, so I just cleaned off as much of the silicone as I could and mounted it on the new kayak. Good luck!

Successful Engineer - 11 years ago

Yep, kayak fishing in and around Auckland is fantastic. Good luck with your install !

Blake Blackstone - 11 years ago

Two questions. Did you use the Clear Silicone to glue the foam in the hull as well? And if I wanted to remove the transducer in the future would I be able to separate the silicone off the transducer fairly easy or would it be near impossible?

Successful Engineer - 11 years ago

Good point man, will change those out to brass at some point.

About Installing a Lowrance X-4 fish finder on a kayak with in-hull transducer

The "Installing a Lowrance X-4 fish finder on a kayak with in-hull transducer" video is part of the kayaking category, which contains similar videos like this one.