Help! To any of you "Do it Yourself" fellows out there!

[HatfieldHog]

I have a '98 model 181 single console. I am taking a factory install Lowrance x-48 off of the bow, so I can replace it was another unit I've purchased. As I remove the factory install unit, there are two plugs coming out of the x-48, one is split into two: the power and another wire. The other was to the temp sensor, it went all the way to the back of the boat, and was attatched to the outside of the transom.

Where would the transducer have been mounted? The other wire (that I have yet to trace out yet) goes into the cavity in the bow, and seems to be attatched to something solid there, is the transducer mounted to the inside of the hull in the bow area?

The power cable is attatched to the boat wiring, and is labled as such. Can I get power through the same factory bundle as the old unit had?

Thanks for any info that you can help me with!

See ya, HatfieldHog

[WaYoop]

No expert here, but transducer is probably mounted in the bildge. I would put new transducer on the trolling motor. You can use the existing power wires, should be a couple three sets. Install an inline fuse there if there isn't one. Believe Lowrance calls for a 3amp.

[WaYoop]

And on my new lowrance, temp sensor is in the transducer, so no need for the one on the back of the boat.

Good luck, ask away if you have any more questions, or more likely I confused the f out of you!!!

[xpress spanky]

I don't know if Champion still had an option for it in 1998,BUT in 1988 they did have a option of mounting a transducer in the front of the hull on the inside.Don't hold me to it,but i think if yours has a floor drain just behind the front deck you can take it out and see the front transducer.My 184 i bought new in 1988 had that option.When i bought my 193 in 2000,i don't remember that being an option.

[HatfieldHog]

Hey, is there a chance that the LMS 480m on the console and the x-48 at the bow use the same transducer? The line that must be the transducer just goes down the center of the boat and seems to be solidly hooked to something, I suspect the transducer. Currently, there is only one exterior transducer at the transom, and it is hooked to my LMS480.


Thanks, Eddie P (HatfieldHog)

[xpress spanky]

They could be hooked together,and just use 1 transducer.

[HatfieldHog]

I looked at the "T" wiring connections of the LMS480 and nothing else is connected with it. The transducer must be attatched to the inside of the hull for the x-48 at the bow. If this is the case, then it would be epoxied down to the hull with no good way to remove it, correct? Heck, I can't even see it from the front or the back. I haven't taken the batteries out and tried to expose the bilge area, I assume it's there! What do ya think?

See ya, HatfieldHog

[Lea]

Have a friend whose dad has a 2000 model. He says the transducer for the front finder is down in the hull in the bow area. He installed a keel shield and last time I heard, he gets no signal.

If you can...put a transducer on the foot of your trolling motor in order to read your bow finder!!!!!!!

[HatfieldHog]

Lea, from how the transducer cable feels, it's not too far to the transducer from the hole where the bow switch panel is, but, much too far to try to get to! I'm gonna mount the new transducer on the trolling motor, I was just trying to figure out a way to get the old one out! I think I'll coil the old transducer cable up, put it down the hole where the bow switch panel is, and play taps as I watch it disappear! It's amazing how much drama that working on a boat can bring to life!

See ya, HatfieldHog

[HatfieldHog]

I did discover one good thing in my project. All the screws that were in the transom were sealed well and were very tight. No residue or staining on the screws whatsoever. I don't know if this means that my transom was sealed well or what, but I took it as a good sign!

See ya, HatfieldHog

PS Thanks for the advise!!!!

[kris_tx]

My factory front transducer is mounted in the hull.