01-08-2015, 05:30 PM
I snapped a few photos this morning of my setup.
I happened to already have the tackle box, which has a bulk storage area in the top just right for a battery and display.
[inline 1157.jpg]
[inline 1158.jpg]
The post holding the transducer under the ice, and back from the hole is just 1/2 inch pvc, 1 elbow, and one 1/2 coupling (without the stop in the center, so it can slip all the way over the short horizontal piece out of the elbow the transducer is mounted to - using the coupling adds more wall thicknes, and larger diameter for easier mounting and ruggedness).
An appropriate sized hole was drilled/cut into the short horizontal section to fit the transducer mount, and two part epoxy putty was used to fill the hole and mount the transducer perpendicular to the vertical shaft (so I will point straigh down if the vertical shaft through the ice hold is verticle). Cover the putty with thin plastic wrap, and push the transducer into it to mold it so the transducer is held level. Don't push it in too far, or you will have a hard time getting it out next spring. Just enough to conform well and hold securely. The way I have it, is sort of "snaps" in. Nice snug fit, enough to hold it secure, but not so much I can't get it out. Zip ties are used to make sure I don't bump it out. (a screw through the pvc pointing up to the bottom of the ice really helps hold it in place.
[inline 1160.jpg]
[inline 1161.jpg]
[inline 1162.jpg]
The sliding portion of a pipe clamp is used to hold the entire assembly tight against the ice. I've used it without a couple screws in it to bite into the top edge of the ice, but the two screws are a huge improvement in stability.
[inline 1159.jpg]
[inline 1163.jpg]
One downside is the pipe clamp can build some ice if exposed to the cold air. It still works fine, but you have to force it to slide up and down the pipe rather than being able to use the built in locking mechanisim. I fish out of the hole the transducer is in, and have yet to have an issue doing so. I don't bother to pull it out. While its not as simple as pulling a ducer held by a float, it is a really simple one handed operation to push it down to open the clamp gap, and tilt and lift it out.
[signature]
I happened to already have the tackle box, which has a bulk storage area in the top just right for a battery and display.
[inline 1157.jpg]
[inline 1158.jpg]
The post holding the transducer under the ice, and back from the hole is just 1/2 inch pvc, 1 elbow, and one 1/2 coupling (without the stop in the center, so it can slip all the way over the short horizontal piece out of the elbow the transducer is mounted to - using the coupling adds more wall thicknes, and larger diameter for easier mounting and ruggedness).
An appropriate sized hole was drilled/cut into the short horizontal section to fit the transducer mount, and two part epoxy putty was used to fill the hole and mount the transducer perpendicular to the vertical shaft (so I will point straigh down if the vertical shaft through the ice hold is verticle). Cover the putty with thin plastic wrap, and push the transducer into it to mold it so the transducer is held level. Don't push it in too far, or you will have a hard time getting it out next spring. Just enough to conform well and hold securely. The way I have it, is sort of "snaps" in. Nice snug fit, enough to hold it secure, but not so much I can't get it out. Zip ties are used to make sure I don't bump it out. (a screw through the pvc pointing up to the bottom of the ice really helps hold it in place.
[inline 1160.jpg]
[inline 1161.jpg]
[inline 1162.jpg]
The sliding portion of a pipe clamp is used to hold the entire assembly tight against the ice. I've used it without a couple screws in it to bite into the top edge of the ice, but the two screws are a huge improvement in stability.
[inline 1159.jpg]
[inline 1163.jpg]
One downside is the pipe clamp can build some ice if exposed to the cold air. It still works fine, but you have to force it to slide up and down the pipe rather than being able to use the built in locking mechanisim. I fish out of the hole the transducer is in, and have yet to have an issue doing so. I don't bother to pull it out. While its not as simple as pulling a ducer held by a float, it is a really simple one handed operation to push it down to open the clamp gap, and tilt and lift it out.
[signature]