Trying to figure out Livescope mounting with limited options

[grizwilson]

[QUOTE=thill;4316761]As far as mounting, my Terrova has eaten several 'ducer cables, and this one costs way too much to risk, so I'm going with the pole mount. I've already bought 1 and 1-1/4" PVC for it, but I've been thinking about this, and have an idea....

What if I bought an old, $20 clamp-on trolling motor off Craigslist or Marketplace, cut off the motor and mount the livescope to that? It would be sturdy, easy to turn and adjust, and fold out of the way easily. Seems like a really simple and effective way to do it, at least on my one boat. I could even run the wires down the inside to protect them.

Amazon.com
I used 1" slid into 1 1/4 pvc ram mounts. works well

[Grainraiser]

I was going to use the trolling motor mount idea but I do not have a flat horizonal flat spot at the bow of my boat to mount it. For me a ram mount is a better option.

[Hanr3]

[QUOTE=grizwilson;4316821]

As far as mounting, my Terrova has eaten several 'ducer cables, and this one costs way too much to risk, so I'm going with the pole mount. I've already bought 1 and 1-1/4" PVC for it, but I've been thinking about this, and have an idea....

What if I bought an old, $20 clamp-on trolling motor off Craigslist or Marketplace, cut off the motor and mount the livescope to that? It would be sturdy, easy to turn and adjust, and fold out of the way easily. Seems like a really simple and effective way to do it, at least on my one boat. I could even run the wires down the inside to protect them.

Amazon.com
I used 1" slid into 1 1/4 pvc ram mounts. works well

A MinnKota Endura Trolling motor would work. Check your local repair center for a broken unit. I was going to go that route, but I bought a different boat.

[thill]

Thanks, everyone for the well thought out replies. In the end, I'm probably going to end up with a 2nd chartplotter, but I'm going to try using it from the back first to see if I like it.


A clamp on trolling motor would work perfectly for my jon, and I just came home with a busted 55# Endura. I started taking it apart, and noticed that everything looked super-new and clean. I put it back together and connected a battery, and the motor works flawlessly!

I can't trash a really nice motor just for a mount. Now I need to find another motor, but not a bad problem to have.

[thill]

1. Ain't nuttin wrong with your boat. I was admiring it before I read your comments.
2. Great thread!

There were some questions about LS32 cabling. If memory serves, the ducer is short but connects to the black box (which is very power hungry, use 10G wire directly to the battery). It's ethernet from the black box to the graph.

My thoughts; any used graph with a map will get the job done, but if you like your SI... Get a ram mount and 2nd power cord. Move the graph when you need to. SI is as useless in the front as LS is in the rear so no need for ethernet on the console or moving SI wires to the front.
Instal a switch to the black box as it might use power without a graph?
As always - Fuse Fuse Fuse. They don't protect devices, they protect you and your boat.

Thanks for sharing those thoughts, and good reminder about fusing. I've had a close call in the past and won't install without them.

This old boat serves my purposes fine. It came from Washington College on the upper Potomac, and it's got dozens of dents in it. I've done a lot to get it where it is now, but it's still a beater.

Now here is something interesting... I just picked up this hull:


It's a 1994 Spectrum Sport 16, a really good-looking, all welded boat. It has a locked 70 HP motor, a soft transom and no title, but I got it for almost nothing. It looks like it's worth the time and hassle of the abandoned boat process. But it's a lot heavier than mine and will require more power and fuel to run. But I kind of like the windshield for running in the cold and wind.

That will be a different thread, once I find out what process I will have to follow to become the legal owner.

[Blackjeepjk]

Attachment 443385

This one I've already put a lot of thought into..... The head unit snaps into the cradle where it's mounted now. Install another cradle and power harness up front and move between the two while moving spot to spot. Keep all the LS equipment up front and deploy it when stopped for fishing. Similar to my portable unit that uses a ram mount and ball inserted into an Attwood/Roberts base. Clear as mud???

Chris

Nice setup Chris. I’m in the process of building a second unit to be portable that I hope turns out as good as yours.


Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[thill]

I really like that portable setup, and my nephew is begging me to make my setup like yours, so we can take the LS unit on the big boat in saltwater.

A few questions about it....

1. Is that an ammo box, or is it a waterproof box painted black?
2. Are the sounder module and the battery in that box?
3. Does the sounder module get hot in there?
4. What kind of battery, how many AH and how long does it last?

I have a 9AH AGM battery that I use in a row boat/canoe, and it runs GPS/finder just fine for 3-4 hours. Wondering about using with a livescope and a 93SV.

Thanks!

[thill]

I just came across a 20 AH AGM battery on Amazon for $39. It has a 92% rating at 5 or 4 stars:
Amazon.com


I'm hoping that will be enough battery for the LS system to run strong for at least a few hours.
Does anyone else use AGM batteries for their LS?

[CrappiePappy]

I just came across a 20 AH AGM battery on Amazon for $39. It has a 92% rating at 5 or 4 stars:
Amazon.com


I'm hoping that will be enough battery for the LS system to run strong for at least a few hours.
Does anyone else use AGM batteries for their LS?

I do, thill .... but mine is a 68ah AGM

[thill]

Hard to compare to that one. Do you run the trolling motor off that one, too, or just the Livescope? Do you ever run out of juice?