Leveling transducer when ice fishing

[EricCO]

I'm going to be using my bottomline TL Plus (cheap version) for ice fishing. The transducer is one that has the paddlewheel attached for speed.

How do I level the transducer when it is not made for ice fishing. I read some posts on this and there is talk about using pipe and levels.

If someone could please explain this to me I would appreciate it. I just can't see it in my head!?

[REW]

This is a simple process.
1. Obtain a bubble level from the hardware or discount store.
This is a level that is about 1 inch in diameter and is normally mounted with a screw in each of three holes.

2. If you have a flat spot on the top of the transducer that is larger than the bubble - no bubble modification is required. However, if the flat area is too small - grind off the outside of the level mounting edge until the bubble will fit on the flat spot.

3. Place the bubble level on a table top or area that you think is flat. Double check the specific area -- where you will place the transducer with the level and insure that it is flat. i.e. the table top, work bench top or what ever.

4. Place the transducer on the flat surface.

5. Obtain some 5- minute epoxy and mix up about a 1/2 teaspoon worth of expoy.

6. Smear a layer of mixed 5-minute epoxy on the flat spot on the top of the transducer.

7. Place the bubble level in the center of the wet epoxy - and as the epoxy dries, either hold or other wise guarentee, that the bubble continues to read level -- by tilting in the required direction -- if any - to maintain the level reading.

8. Now, when the epoxy dries - you can hold the transducer in mid air - and with a glance at the bubble level - determine if the transducer is truly level.

9. Then simply take a piece of aluminum or plastic tubing and either use plastic ties, or tape to tape the transducer to the pipe. With a paddle style transducer, you will probably will be better off by first mounting the transducer to a piece of plywood, or thin aluminum. You would use screws or machine screws for this task. Then, if you use an aluminum pipe that is about 3/8" inch in diameter - you can put the end, to which you are going to mount the transducer - and flatten about 3 inches of it with a hammer or vice. Take the flattened end of pipe and screw to the mounting plate that the transducer is mounted to.

10. Finally, on the top end of the pipe - bolt a large spring loaded clamp. That way, you can simply clamp the pipe to a convenient , spot in your ice house or on the side of a 5 gallon bucket or whatever.

11. When you get to fishing - simply drop the transducer in the hole, clamp the clamp to the mounting area - and twist or turn the transducer as required to get level.

Take care

REW

[EricCO]

Rew, your an amazing communicator. I can see it! One question though? Do I run the transducer cable through the pipe and screw the transducer to the inside of the pipe?

[Mattman]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-15-01 AT 06:19AM (CST)[p]RV dealers usually have a good supply of those little circular levels. The one I got doesn't need to be screwed, it came with an adhesive back. Its been on my auger (horribly flawed plan) for 5 years. I'd have taken it off long ago but its a good grip for my fingers when I'm priming my auger.

[EricCO]

Got it figured out. Got a bubble level from a hardware store and it fits perfect on the transducer.

I will bolt the t'ducer to the pipe and clamp it to a five gallon bucket.

Thanks REW.

[REW]

Either take black plastic electricain tape and tape the cable to the pipe or use plastic tie wraps to tie the cable to the pipe.

In general, the diameter of the pipe is usually too small to allow the passage of the transducer / depth finder connection.

Use of the electrican tape - leaves a smooth pipe with no protruding edges - that are likely to catch line when pulling in a fish.

In the spring, after removing the tape - to use the transducer on your boat -- spray the cable and pipe with WD-40 --- and rub with a paper towel.

This will remove all of the plastic tape glue residue.

Take care and catch a bunch.

REW