background image

Installation

Hole Drilling

Cored fiberglass hull

—Follow separate instructions on page 3. 

1. Drill a 3mm or 1/8" pilot hole from inside the hull. If there is a rib, strut or 

other hull irregularity near the selected mounting location, drill from the 
outside.

2. Using the appropriate size hole saw, cut a hole perpendicular to the hull 

from outside the hull.

3. Sand and clean the area around the hole, inside and outside, to ensure 

that the sealant will adhere properly to the hull. If there is any petroleum 
residue inside the hull, remove it with either mild household detergent 
or a weak solvent (alcohol) before sanding.

Metal hull

—Remove all burrs with a file and sandpaper.

Bedding

CAUTION

: Be sure the surfaces to be bedded are clean and dry.

Apply a 2mm (1/16") thick layer of marine sealant around the flange of the 
housing that contacts the hull and up the sidewall of the housing. 

The 

sealant must extend 6mm (1/4") higher than the combined thickness of 
the hull, the washer(s), and the hull nut

 (see Figure 3). This will ensure 

there is sealant in the threads to seal the hull and to hold the hull nut 
securely in place.

Stainless steel housing in a metal hull

—A stainless steel housing must 

be isolated from a metal hull to prevent electrolytic corrosion. Slide the 
isolation bushing onto the housing. Apply 

additional

 sealant to the 

surfaces of the bushing that will contact the hull, filling any cavities in and 
around the bushing.

Installing

NOTE

: Disregard any arrow on the housing; it is not used.

1. From outside the hull, push the housing into the mounting hole using a 

twisting motion to squeeze out excess sealant (see Figure 3).

2. From inside the hull, slide the washer onto the housing.

Stainless steel housing in a metal hull

—Be sure the washer contacts 

the hull. 

Do not tighten the hull nut with the washer against the isolation 

bushing, as the housing will not be firmly installed

. If necessary, sand 

the isolation bushing until the washer rests against the hull.

3. Screw the hull nut in place.

Plastic hull nut

Hand

 

tighten

 only. Do not over tighten.

Metal hull nut

—Tighten with slip-joint pliers.

Cored fiberglass hull

—Do not over tighten, crushing the hull.

Wood hull

—Allow for the wood to swell before tightening the hull nut.

4. Remove any excess marine sealant on the outside of the hull to ensure 

smooth water flow under the multisensor.

5. The O-rings must be intact and well lubricated to make a watertight 

seal. After the marine sealant cures, inspect the O-rings, including the

 

YELLOW

 O-ring, on the insert (replace if necessary) and lubricate them 

with the silicone lubricant supplied. Also lubricate the bore of the 
housing above the valve.

6. The insert must be fully inserted into the housing and the cap nut 

screwed on completely to make a watertight seal. Slide the 
paddlewheel insert into the housing with the 

arrow on the top pointing 

forward toward the bow

. Screw the cap nut several turns until the 

threads are engaged. Being sure the arrow on the top of the insert and 
the cable exit are pointing forward toward the bow, continue to tighten 
the cap nut completely. Be careful not to rotate the housing and disturb 
the sealant. 

Hand tighten

 only. Do not over tighten.

7. Attach the safety wire to prevent the insert from backing out in the 

unlikely event that the cap nut fails or is screwed on incorrectly.

Plastic housing

—Attach the safety wire to one eye in the hull nut. 

Keeping the wire taut throughout, lead the wire in a counterclockwise 
direction and thread it through one eye in the cap nut. Thread the wire 
through the eye a second time. Then lead the wire through the eye in 
the insert. Twist the wire securely to itself.

Metal housing

—Wrap one end of the safety wire tightly around the 

housing and twist it together with the long end. Keeping the wire taut 
throughout, lead the wire straight up and through one eye in the cap 
nut. Thread the wire through the eye a second time. Then lead the wire 

counterclockwise and through the eye in the insert. Twist the wire 
securely to itself.

Installing in Housing WITHOUT Valve

To create a watertight seal in a housing that does NOT have a 
valve, the insert must have a 

BLACK

 O-ring near the top. Use 

Replacement O-ring Kit 20-519-01 and follow the instructions 
supplied.

Cable Routing & Connecting

CAUTION

: If your multisensor came with a connector, do not 

remove it to ease cable routing. If the cable must be cut and 
spliced, use Airmar’s splash-proof Junction Box No. 33-035 and 
follow the instructions provided. Removing the waterproof 
connector or cutting the cable, except when using a watertight 
junction box, will void the multisensor’s warranty.

1. Route the cable to the instrument being careful not to tear the cable 

jacket when passing it through the bulkhead(s) and other parts of the 
boat. Use grommets to prevent chafing. To reduce electrical 
interference, separate the multisensor cable from other electrical wiring 
and the engine. Coil any excess cable and secure it in place with cable 
ties to prevent damage.

2. Refer to the instrument owner’s manual to connect the multisensor to 

the instrument.

Checking for Leaks

When the boat is placed in the water, 

immediately

 check around the 

multisensor for leaks. Note that very small leaks may not be readily 
observed. Do not to leave the boat in the water for more than 3 hours before 
checking it again. If there is a small leak, there may be considerable bilge 
water accumulation after 24 hours. If a leak is observed, repeat “Bedding” 
and “Installing” 

immediately 

(see pages 2 and 3).

Installation in a Cored Fiberglass Hull

The core (wood or foam) must be cut and sealed carefully. The core must 
be protected from water seepage, and the hull must be reinforced to prevent 
it from crushing under the hull nut allowing the housing to become loose.

CAUTION

: Completely seal the hull to prevent water seepage into 

the core.

1. Drill a 3mm or 1/8" pilot hole from inside the hull. If there is a rib, strut, 

or other hull irregularity near the selected mounting location, drill from 
the outside. (If the hole is drilled in the wrong location, drill a second hole 
in a better location. Apply masking tape to the outside of the hull over the 
incorrect hole and fill it with epoxy.)

2. Using a 51mm or 2" hole saw, cut the hole from outside the hull through 

the 

outer

 skin only (see Figure 4).

3. From inside the hull, use a 60mm or 2-3/8" hole saw to cut through the 

inner

 skin and most of the core. The core material can be very soft. 

Apply only light pressure to the hole saw after cutting through the inner 
skin to avoid accidentally cutting the 

outer

 skin.

3

Figure 4. Preparing a cored fiberglass hull 

inner skin

core

outer skin

solid or hollow cylinder

pour in 

casting

epoxy

9-12 mm

(3/8-1/2")

larger than the 

hole through the

hull’s outer skin

hull thickness

Copyright ¬© 2005 Airmar Technology Corp

Reviews: