Is it a pain to install a new locator?

[buddha]

I think I am going to get the LCX-37 for my boat. I currently have the X-15 gps on my boat. Is it a big pain to install a new system? Is there anything I should know on transducer placement? I have an Alumacraft and can pretty much follow where the wires run now. Anybody have any words of wisdom?

Thanks,

[Sandmannd]

When I replaced one, I taped the new wires to the old ones and just pulled them through. You can put the transducer where your old one is. If you put it in a new spot, make sure you seal up the holes from the old one. When you put the new on, make sure the middle lines line up with the bottom of your boat and that it's level.

[JP Z]

buddha,

There should be some Transducer Mounting instructions with your locator. Otherwise check out Lowrance's HSOforum they give you some tips. But as Sandmannd said, if you can use the current spot all the better because that was probably proven as working for you?? Overall it's a nice project for a saturday when you can't get out fishing anyways. Especially now, as it is the lull before the storm while the lakes are still going out.

[buddha]

My plan was to put the new transducer in the same holes as the old one, any problem with going that route? Or will I need to make new holes? I'd hate to put any excess holes in a boat if I don't need to.

[JP Z]

Depends on if it's the same type mount etc. You should be fine....especially if the holes line up then it's a cakewalk

[Can'tFishEnuf]

I actually taped some scrap coaxial cable to the connection end and pulled that to the back of the boat with the old cable. Then I pulled the new cable to the console with that piece of coax. That prevented me from having to cut the old cable at the transducer. Maybe on some transducers you can unplug the cable, but mine was permanently attached. This way I still had a transducer that I could sell with the unit.

[mamohr686]

Your new unit will use the lowrance net backbone system that will require 2 seperate 12V power hook-ups. One power cable for the unit and one power cable for the net/gps system. Make shure that you hook up the gps/net power cable to either a breaker or power switch in your boat, so you don't have a constant drain on your battery. Everything else will be almost the same.

[PerchJerker]

Your new transducer should fit in the bracket that's already on your boat for your old transducer. No need to mess with the bracket, just take out the 1 bolt that holds the transducer in the bracket.

[buddha]

I was wondering if the new transducer will fit in the old bracket being it is the same brand. Thanks again for all the information. Hopefully I can get it done this weekend and get ready to chase some fish if the ice ever goes!

[Sandmannd]

I agree with Can'tFishEnuf. Put wire or something on the end and pull old wire through from transducer. Then attach new cable and pull back through. That is what I did, I just misstyped it. Should be able to use the same bracket for the transducers. Shouldn't take you too long at all.

[sparkyaber]

Hey buddha, Abe here, your buddy Pete's neighbor. Bring that thing up to Andover and we could have that thing installed in no time! Super easy. Remember to pull an extra wire, string, cable, something to use the next time you want to install something in the boat. Then you just tie the new install to the "fish" wire, string, etc. and pull it in.

[Kidd]

 Originally Posted By: mamohr686

Make shure that you hook up the gps/net power cable to either a breaker or power switch in your boat, so you don't have a constant drain on your battery.

This is a great tip. I mounted my lcx 27 on my blue box for ice fishing and it drained my battery rather quickly. Took me a while to figure out that the unit has a constant draw.