Mounting a Helix unit on a 189TRX without jack plate

[JMBrewer]

This may be better posted in the Hummingbird forum but I figured I'd try here first. I just ordered a 189TRX that will hopefully get here in a few months. I ordered it without graphs as I was going to buy these and have the dealer mount them for me. I had to order without a jack plate due to storage length to fit in my garage. I had planned on placing a Helix 9 mega SI G2N at the console and another Helix 9 DI unit at the bow. I'm just nervous about where the best place to mount that mega transducer will be considering how long it is. I had planned on using a thru-hull transducer for depth when at speed and will only be using the mega transducer when at idle. Any thoughts/experience on where to mount the transducer? The transom seems like a logical choice but won't the motor be in the way when it's trimmed down? The dealer is thinking to mount it under the step below the transom which would seem to give the best view down and to the sides. But this location seems to leave it fairly vulnerable and will it stand-up to prolonged periods at full speed? Do the Lowrance units have a shorter SI transducer and would that solve any potential problems? Anyway, any advice would be appreciated. I wish I could mount a jack plate but right now I simply don't have the storage room, this will be a tight fit as it is. Thanks

[Jspell]

Same boat I installed mine on top of the step on right side with it just barely hanging down under the lip, on plane its out of water and clear of damage. Sometime I have to trim motor just a little to clear up the image on the left side.

[jlg309]

I have a 189 TRX, no jackplate, and a Helix SI unit. I put a Stearn Saver to the right of the motor mount, and installed my SI transducer there. Side imaging is good, but I need to raise the outboard trim some for best quality. It's out of the way and protected. Of course when on plane you lose signal but I did the Y-cable/ second transducer so it's not a problem.

[JMBrewer]

Do you have to trim the motor a significant amount to clear it making idleing around an issue or does it not seem to matter much with steering? I think I'd feel better with it on the transom as opposed to under the step

[JMBrewer]

Thanks for the advice for sure. Definitely appreciate it

[Jspell]

Do you have to trim the motor a significant amount to clear it making idleing around an issue or does it not seem to matter much with steering? I think I'd feel better with it on the transom as opposed to under the step

Just have to bump mine for a sec and and clears right up

[jlg309]

Just have to bump mine for a sec and and clears right up

Same. Don't have to bump it very much at all.

[Bob G.]

This may be better posted in the Hummingbird forum but I figured I'd try here first. I just ordered a 189TRX that will hopefully get here in a few months. I ordered it without graphs as I was going to buy these and have the dealer mount them for me. I had to order without a jack plate due to storage length to fit in my garage. I had planned on placing a Helix 9 mega SI G2N at the console and another Helix 9 DI unit at the bow. I'm just nervous about where the best place to mount that mega transducer will be considering how long it is. I had planned on using a thru-hull transducer for depth when at speed and will only be using the mega transducer when at idle. Any thoughts/experience on where to mount the transducer? The transom seems like a logical choice but won't the motor be in the way when it's trimmed down? The dealer is thinking to mount it under the step below the transom which would seem to give the best view down and to the sides. But this location seems to leave it fairly vulnerable and will it stand-up to prolonged periods at full speed? Do the Lowrance units have a shorter SI transducer and would that solve any potential problems? Anyway, any advice would be appreciated. I wish I could mount a jack plate but right now I simply don't have the storage room, this will be a tight fit as it is. Thanks

If you plan on mounting a 2D transducer and the SI transducer with a connection to the Helix 9 SI using a Y cable, the 2D sonar signal will ALWAYS come from the 2D transducer. The Side Imaging signal and temp will come from the SI transducer. There is no magical idle or not idle speed sensor! Unless you are going to use a transducer switch, then forget what I said.

If I was you, I'd mount the graphs and transducers yourself and do the wiring yourself too so you know it will be done right. Unless your dealer has an electronics mounting/wiring specialist, it is not their specialty.

If you read the Humminbird forum enough the typical scenario goes like this: New post>>>I hate my Humminbird for XYZ reasons. Reply will be>>>>>How is it wired. OP>>>>I don't know, dealer installed it. Reply>>>Take it to your dealer. OP>>>>Dealer said it is wired like they always do. After a few months........OP>>>>I give up, going back to Lowrance/Garmin/?? I've read this scenario 1000 times in the Humminbird forum, usually in the Spring when people get new units installed. I mounted my graphs/transducers myself and did all of the wiring, I have no issues with my images. Was it a pain, definitely, but I feel better knowing how everything is connected. If the dealer installs a 2D transducer in the bilge, it is very unlikely that they will temporarily mount it and determine the best location on the lake for on plane readings before epoxying it in.

[jlg309]

If you plan on mounting a 2D transducer and the SI transducer with a connection to the Helix 9 SI using a Y cable, the 2D sonar signal will ALWAYS come from the 2D transducer. The Side Imaging signal and temp will come from the SI transducer. There is no magical idle or not idle speed sensor! Unless you are going to use a transducer switch, then forget what I said.

If I was you, I'd mount the graphs and transducers yourself and do the wiring yourself too so you know it will be done right. Unless your dealer has an electronics mounting/wiring specialist, it is not their specialty.

If you read the Humminbird forum enough the typical scenario goes like this: New post>>>I hate my Humminbird for XYZ reasons. Reply will be>>>>>How is it wired. OP>>>>I don't know, dealer installed it. Reply>>>Take it to your dealer. OP>>>>Dealer said it is wired like they always do. After a few months........OP>>>>I give up, going back to Lowrance/Garmin/?? I've read this scenario 1000 times in the Humminbird forum, usually in the Spring when people get new units installed. I mounted my graphs/transducers myself and did all of the wiring, I have no issues with my images. Was it a pain, definitely, but I feel better knowing how everything is connected. If the dealer installs a 2D transducer in the bilge, it is very unlikely that they will temporarily mount it and determine the best location on the lake for on plane readings before epoxying it in.

X2

I did all the wiring myself and it's not too difficult. If you run in to a roadblock, there is plenty of advice to be had on the Humminbird forum. I'm on another board and a few weeks ago someone posted a question about their side-imaging not working. He posted a picture of his SI transducer, which was epoxied by his dealer INSIDE the bilge next to his pumps!!! The rigger should've been fired on the spot!

[JMBrewer]

Sounds like I better pay attention for sure. Thanks for all the info guys