FF install question

I'm finally getting around to installing a NEW FF on my little hobie that I purchased over a month ago.   

I originally installed a Lowrance X50 (low-end) with a ram ball mount. It came with a kit, pretty easy instal, though I agonized over every hole I had to drill.     Now I'm upgrading to an Elite 4-HDI.   There's no "kit" so I'm trying to use the same ram ball set up I already have. 

I'm looking for this one little part, if I can find it, then I can use my old ram ball mount. -- Does anyone know if I can buy this one part and if so -- what do I ask for?  (see picture.)

Any other ideas/suggestions?   (I will likely be asking questions about the transducer and batter solutions soon enough.)

Dave

(I've had the hobie for several years -- the Elite 4 HDI is the new thing.)  -- grammar!!.   

That part comes with a ram kit.  The kit fits the elite 4/5 models (both new & old).  The kit number is RAM-B-101-L011.  Check with ram & see if they sell just the head connector.

Thanks -- running down to OEX on Sunset Beach (in SoCal) today to see if there is something I can pickup… might just buy that whole kit, and have extra parts if they have it in stock.  If not - will contact RAM -- to see if they sell that one part.  Will also browse batter and transducer solutions.

Originally on my old one -- my wife bought it and the kit and gave it to me for Christmas a few years back.  Guy at the local kayak store sold it to her.  She just bought what he said to get.

THANKS AGAIN!

There are also RAM mounts that attach to the base of the FF, but those newer ones are way more streamline.

DAVE'S A HAPPY GUY -- Drove down to OEX on Sunset Beach and they had it.      So my old ram ball mount will work just fine.

While I was there I ordered a smaller (sized) battery that will fit through my little 6" hobie hatch.  (I have the Mirage Sport).  They have the fittings for the cabling so when I go down to pick up the battery and likely a dry bag for it I will get those fittings to ream out the current wiring holes to be larger.  Now to rip out the old transducer --- but perhaps not today.

 

with the new HDI 4 and 5's you'll need 2 thru hull wire fittings for the head unit. instead of 2 wires theres now 3. I would also look into putting the Transducer in the water. if its a 2014 sport no problem, earlier and I'd go with the ram transducer deployment arm.

Thanks for the tips    -- I think I'm still going to stay with the "thru the hull" approach for now.  (I may regret it).   Today I got the battery solution I'm going to use.  Since I have the smallest hobie sport I have to get the battery through the front 6" hatch.   I'm going with this smaller, rechargeable 12 volt, 6 AmpHour battery.  I'm told by "Andy" at OEX down here it works just fine with the Elite 4 HDI.   I also picked up a larger dry-bag to attach it to the post right behind the hatch.  This is essentially the same solution I use with my battery pack on my older FF.

So now I'm down to removing the old transducer, installing the new one, rewiring (some larger holes and fittings.) Then hook it up to see if it works.

Thanks again for all the suggestions … It's a slow process for me.   

 
  How are you installing the transducer, water bath or glue?  I would recommend a water bath if you're set on keeping it "Thur hull" no chance air can get beneath puck and hull to disrupt the signal (Unless the bath leaks)  for something that detailed, I would not trust glue (Whatever glue it may be)

I was going to just "re-do" the same thing I did with the previous installation of the Lowrance X50 SD

In that one I used the Hobie kit to install a Lowrance X-50 DS -- so that had me mount the transducer pad, put a layer of Marine Goop down - then put the transducer on … it was this stuff -- Hobie Marine Goop.

http://www.kayakshed.com/hobie-kayak-gear/marine-goop?gclid=CMeDlNLE_70CFcRlfgodhSMAuw

I was going to either make or buy a new transducer pad

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/1745/Hobie-Replacement-Transducer-Pad.html

This video was great -- I did what it said, only I installed it in a little hobie Mirage Sport.



I might add that I've not yet attempted to REMOVE that old pad and transducer.   

I highly suggest a water bath with a HDI transducer because of the high frequencies of 455/800.   My HDI ducer works well shooting thru in a water bath.

Bill

Well I finally did it all last weekend -- and did a through-the-hull (goop) transducer mount … and today did the first OTW test today -- it works!  and I love it!  I did most of the work on Monday (agonized over all sorts of things).  Finished it up Tuesday… DROVE with my kayak from LA to Humboldt Wednesday .. and took it out for an OTW test this evening at Trinidad.        Meeting up with some folks to fish tomorrow morning at Trinidad ..