Transducer Location on R25SC?

[S. Todd]

Does anyone know where the factory installs the transducer on the 2015 R25SC? I have crawled all over this new 2015 boat and can not find the transducer. I would like to know where it is so I have some feel for where it is measuring from before I get into shallow rocky waters.

This newbe probably needs to spend more time reading his manuals, but at the risk of embarrassing myself: How do I determine if the depth finder is set to read from its mounted location or is set with a hull offset to measure actual depth from the surface ?

 

[tlkenyon]

The offset setting is in the Garmin "configuration" area. I determined the offset by measuring the actual water depth with a tape measure (at the dock in very shallow water) and adjusting the offset number until the depth display matched the actual depth measurement. I am not at the boat, but I recall that it was about 0.8 feet. That way, I account for the installation depth of the transducer and my depth reads the actual depth, not the depth below the keel. I have been told this is the wrong way to use it, but it seems to work for me. Of course, it will vary with loading, fuel, water, etc.

 

[SGIDAVE]

How do I determine if the depth finder is set to read from its mounted location or is set with a hull offset to measure actual depth from the surface ?

The 'default' GArmin setting is with ZERO offset on the transducer/s. That means it should be reading actual depth from the position of the transducer. Like TK, I KNOW the draft of my boat and can easily subtract that from the ACTUAL water depth, so I set up my transducers to read ACTUAL depth. When they are set for 'depth under keel' there is great potential for others on the boat to think the depth they see is ACTUAL when it ISN'T...just too much confusion when it's time for a swim or to drop the anchor.

Maybe TK will chime back the the LOCATION of your transducer.

dave

 

[tlkenyon]

Not sure except that it is in the engine compartment...I will look tomorrow...

 

[Brian B]

Unless Ranger has changed the location of the transducer it will be at the rear starboard side. Only way to access it is going through the midship rear seat. Remove the storage bin under the seat and you should see it adhered to the hull. Climb on in and make sure it is secured to the hull.

 

[Dock Walker]

I am looking for an update to this topic as my depth finder now blinks more than giving a proper reading. I suppose it needs fluid per other posts but I cannot locate it on my 2016 25 SC. Any advice as to where it is hiding?

 

[BB marine]

I was on board a 2016 R25SC last year. The owner was having issues with the depth blinking. I assumed the cup was low on fluid ( Propylene glycol ) We did a search in the aft compartment and came up empty. I cleared the storage compartment on the starboard side and located the transducer about 3" forward of the transom and 1' from the starboard side (hull). I lifted the transducer out of the cup and it was bone dry. No o-ring installed. The Ranger owner took delivery of the boat at the factory when it was new in 2016. He said it was blinking then it never worked properly. He was told it needed an update. 5 or 6 updates later it still never worked properly. I had a spare o-ring on my boat. We went to the store purchased a gallon of anti-freeze and the rest is history. He smiled when he turned the Garmin on " this is the first time it worked since I took delivery of the boat".

 

[Chimo]

On our 2017 RT25 SC the transducer is at the aft end of the starboard cockpit locker. I suspect yours is in the same place.

We bought our boat from Port Boat House in Port Alberni rather than direct from the factory and had their two days of orientation. It was really good and covered questions such as this. I have the checklist if anyone wants it. It doesn’t tell you the answers but if you know the topics with which you should be familiar that’s not a bad thing.

With respect to the missing o-ring and Brian’s comment, several people have commented on RT quality control on this site. Having run an ISO 9001/ISO 14001 facility before I retired I doubt they are so qualified but I believe they deliver good value for money. To aim for zero defects is really expensive. You are not paying for perfection and it’s probably not achievable on a vessel with this number of third party systems. The business philosophy is to keep your warranty costs reasonable (usually below 3%), fix as fail and provide excellent after sales service. It’s a good approach to this type of business but it does put some onus on the operator to know the answer to “how do acr’s and my charging system work?”, where are my electronic components and how do they work? Etc. etc. Its not like buying a car. When I was an apprentice marine engineer the thing that was drilled into us was that there are no service technicians mid-Atlantic in a storm. In those days there was also no internet and often limited radio contact.

 

[kelpline]

On our 2011 C28 the transducer was located under the stern seat on the starboard side. The sounder worked well until the engine was put into forward. As we like to fish, that wouldn't do. So we carefully pulled the transducer cable forward and epoxied the transducer to the hull behind the shower bilge box. We used the lid of a box of Kirkland nuts, sliced the rim and a corner off to create a flat base hoizontal to the sloping hull, so the transducer faced straight down. Then filled the nut lid with resin, and then epoxied the transducer on solid. We now see individual chinooks down to 100', herring schools at 350' and the bottom at 1800' running at 8 knots. The propeller turbulance was ruining the sounder reception.

 

[Mr Ben]

Just to confirm I also have a 2016 25SC. The transducer is located in the starboard locker. Not by the boat at the moment its in hibernation. As I recall its toward the rear just in front of the trim tab pump. Mine has always worked as expected. I'm always in relatively shallow fresh water.

 

[Dock Walker]

Thanks for the suggestions but the only devices in that area are a fluid control for the trim tabs and auto pilot gear. I also am not sure what I am looking for. A hockey puck, yellow box, or ?
I have given a good once over to all cockpit lockers, engine compartment, removed transom locker box, nada.
Perhaps the manufacturer could offer some insight or another one of my fellow tugnutters?

 

[GaylesFaerie]

If your tug is constructed like mine, then you'll find it under the stern seat which will likely require the removal of a wood panel that lines the bottom of that storage compartment. I can actually follow a quarter inch diameter black wire that has labeling on it that reads "Transducer" running through my starboard storage compartment (under the charger and inverter) back across the transom behind the trim tab pump and then under that stern seat storage area where it disappears. I have yet to need to do it but I don't think its visible unless you remove those panels. Perhaps someone else who has worked on their transducer on a similar vintage boat can add more details and insights. Gary

 

[YukonRon]

On our 2013 R25sc it is in the aft, starboard corner, as mentioned earlier. It is not accessible however from the starboard storage locker. I need to lift up the rear cockpit seat and lift out the ice/storage bin underneath. Grab a flashlight and dive in head first, look aft of the black-water holding tank and waaaayyyyy over to starboard and down low in the hull. It is on the other side of the stringer, down below the area where the transom gate is. It should be in a twist-lock holder, which is the cup epoxied to the hull. That cup should be full with the pink RV plumbing antifreeze. There should be an O-ring seal between the cup and the transducer; some people have found this to be missing.