to cut or not cut that is the question - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

salty pirate · 07-10-2011, 01:26 PM

i have a lowrance x4 portable ff(130bucks im cheap), i use the suction cup supplied for transducer (i dont want to cut a hole in my kayak)
IMG_1824.jpg
i dont want such a long cable all coiled up in the spot where i want my gaff
IMG_1825.jpg
CAN I CUT OUT UNWANTED PART AND SPLICE BACK TOGATHER???

here is what i use for power (battery thing it came with) inside waterproof box. i used velcro ultra-mate (its waterproof) inside kayak and bottom of box.
IMG_1827.jpg

thanks

MrPatrick · 07-10-2011, 01:54 PM

Run the cable up through a scupper hole and then find an out of the way place to store the cable. I have mine wrapped around a section of pool noodle and tucked into a hatch.

flydigital · 07-10-2011, 03:01 PM

Whatever you do, don't cut and splice the transducer cable. It can be done, but only by experienced installers using special splicing tools and equipment, and even then, it can drastically reduce performance and introduce noise.

Running it through the scupper sounds like a good idea.

But.... what happens when you run over kelp and have a big stringer hanging from your transducer? You could probably pull the kelp free but then the suction cup would probably fall off and you lose sonar.

If you never fish near kelp probably not a concern but that would never work for me. A more practical solution would be an in-the-hull wet mount or, if you must have your temp readings, a liberator arm (they aren't that expensive and you can even make your own for cheap). In either case the wire is run through the hatch seal. No holes.

RK · 07-10-2011, 03:08 PM

and lose those zip ties they "Can" damage your transducer cable

salty pirate · 07-10-2011, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RK

and lose those zip ties they "Can" damage your transducer cable

thanks rk all the more reason to shorten cable

salty pirate · 07-11-2011, 06:01 PM

i cant leave anything alone so after calling lowrance they said it can be done (not recomended) though. i cut and spliced transducer cable its easy. it seems to work fine in a bucket of water, i'll be testing it this sat. to see if i cut a prefectly good cable.

salty pirate · 07-10-2011, 03:23 PM

the only scupper is under seat i dont want to sit on wire and then i still have all the wire to deal with.
kelps not a problem with the t cable over the side if it comes off i reach over and stick it back on.
i understand about noise from unshielded cable wire. just wondering if anyone has done it?

07-10-2011, 01:26 PM	#1
salty pirate Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: where the hell is Temecula Posts: 268	to cut or not cut that is the question i have a lowrance x4 portable ff(130bucks im cheap), i use the suction cup supplied for transducer (i dont want to cut a hole in my kayak) IMG_1824.jpg i dont want such a long cable all coiled up in the spot where i want my gaff IMG_1825.jpg CAN I CUT OUT UNWANTED PART AND SPLICE BACK TOGATHER??? here is what i use for power (battery thing it came with) inside waterproof box. i used velcro ultra-mate (its waterproof) inside kayak and bottom of box. IMG_1827.jpg thanks

07-10-2011, 01:54 PM	#2
MrPatrick Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Waiting to launch Posts: 1,381	Cable Run the cable up through a scupper hole and then find an out of the way place to store the cable. I have mine wrapped around a section of pool noodle and tucked into a hatch.

07-11-2011, 06:01 PM	#6
salty pirate Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: where the hell is Temecula Posts: 268	why capy i cant leave anything alone so after calling lowrance they said it can be done (not recomended) though. i cut and spliced transducer cable its easy. it seems to work fine in a bucket of water, i'll be testing it this sat. to see if i cut a prefectly good cable.

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07-10-2011, 03:01 PM	#3
flydigital Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 192	Whatever you do, don't cut and splice the transducer cable. It can be done, but only by experienced installers using special splicing tools and equipment, and even then, it can drastically reduce performance and introduce noise. Running it through the scupper sounds like a good idea. But.... what happens when you run over kelp and have a big stringer hanging from your transducer? You could probably pull the kelp free but then the suction cup would probably fall off and you lose sonar. If you never fish near kelp probably not a concern but that would never work for me. A more practical solution would be an in-the-hull wet mount or, if you must have your temp readings, a liberator arm (they aren't that expensive and you can even make your own for cheap). In either case the wire is run through the hatch seal. No holes.

07-10-2011, 03:08 PM	#4
RK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 736	and lose those zip ties they "Can" damage your transducer cable

07-10-2011, 03:23 PM	#7
salty pirate Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: where the hell is Temecula Posts: 268	the only scupper is under seat i dont want to sit on wire and then i still have all the wire to deal with. kelps not a problem with the t cable over the side if it comes off i reach over and stick it back on. i understand about noise from unshielded cable wire. just wondering if anyone has done it?