transducer question

[BillP]

Is it OK to shorten the wire on the transducer? My Vexilar has about 30 feet of wire and I only need 6. The extra gets in the way. I have heard that the length of the wire is "tuned" for the transducer so shortening it would hurt the reception. I don't know if I should believe that or not.

[Dave]

It's true with Marcum transducers so I'd think it's true with other brands. There's a capacitance in the cable that the electronics get calibrated to.

[mamohr686]

you can cut the power cable but never the transducer.

[trapperdirk]

Quote:

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It's true with Marcum transducers so I'd think it's true with other brands. There's a capacitance in the cable that the electronics get calibrated to.

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Well Dave if this is true with Marcum then how come you can order extensions for them as I did when I bought my unit . I haven't had the chance to try it yet but why would Marcum sell it if they didn't work .

TD

[Dave]

trapper, good question that I honestly don't have an answer too as I've never seen their extension cable and that's what I was told. Is the extension cable a plain cable with connectors or is there any way some electronic components could fit inside by the connectors?

[trapperdirk]

The cable has connectors at each end so you just take the one attached to the power head off and add the extension and attach other end back on powerhead . I do see what may be a prob though . My one end only has two prongs yet by what I see should have three . I should get a hold of Marcum or Tim as this is the first time I put it together but its how it goes . If you look at Marcum's site Dave you will see where they sell extensions and it was a small glitch I heard some referring to last winter wishing their transducer cables were a bit longer so I ordered one at same time I ordered my LX-3 but never got a chance to try it out .

TD

[Dave]

I'm aware they sell extension cables for that reason but have never had one in hand.

trapper, I was thinking more about your question during the afternoon. One reason I'm thinking manufacturers suggest to not shorten or lengthen the transducer cable is maybe customers might go to some extremes and the unit would not work well; like adding or shortening it 20 feet (same case as this original thread). There must be, and I'm just thinking to myself here, a nominal cable length in which the unit is calibrated for, in the case of the Marcum Ice System, 5-10 feet of cable. That 5' length of extension or, if you dared, shortened cable wouldn't affect the result of the sensitivity/accuracy of the unit. Any longer or shorter and it may.

[fishdog]

I shotened the cable on my hawkeye hand held i bought at radio shack for $75. I hated the long cable in the winter so I shortened it and it worked exactly the same as before, it would show the debth through 12" of ice and also worked well through a the hull of my freinds boat. now they come with a jack so you can change cables.I tryed to take mine apart to add a jack and had problems with water proofing it and , well I gave it away and bought a fishing buddy because I wanted the "side finder" for winter fishing.

I dont know about vexlair ,they prolbaly work differnt from a LCD type?

Id call vexlair and ask.

good luck,

fishdog

[BillP]

Fishdog

Took your advice, this is the reply from Vexilar.

Bill, The cords are a standard 25'. Yes, you can remove the metal connector, un-solder, cut to desired length and re-solder. Note the position of the wires before unsoldering.