404776/A
51
Transducer installation using drop keel
If your vessel is fitted with a drop keel, this is a superior platform for the ES38-18/200–18C
transducer.
A
Bolt with suitable diameter and length
B
Nut
C
Washer
D
Transducer cable
E
Blister bottom plate
F
Fill with suitable filling compound (putty) to
reduce flow noise
Drop keels are often used on larger
research vessels. A drop keel
will frequently protrude as far as
three meters below the hull. At
that depth, the water is free of
air bubbles up, even during very
high sea states. The vessel is
then able to do reliable acoustic
measurements in open sea a larger
part of the year.
The drop keel is normally used for
several echo sounder transducers.
When the ES38-18/200–18C is
mounted externally, you must
always place it aft of the remaining
flush mounted transducers. This
is necessary to avoid turbulence.
The transducer cable must be
properly fastened at the bottom
of the drop keel, and supported
during the lowering and lifting the
drop keel.
Once the transducer has been installed, fill the bolt holes with a filling compound (putty) to
ensure a smooth transducer surface.
Note
Any obstructions, cracks, dents or unevenness on the transducer face may cause flow noise.