Z1 Depth Sounder Install

[NHarp1]

Since I did not pay for the depth sounder option on my boat, (+$400) I decided to install one myself with a few more features like water and air temp sensors.

I chose the Faria model: FAR 13752 for $150.
http://www.faria-instruments.com/depthsounder.php

First thing I noticed was the gague wires were cut short from the MFG so I had to lengthen them so I was not fighting splicing the 7 wires in a tight space.

The fiberglass hole (2") I cut in the side pannel was thicker than expected. The thru bolts were about 1/4" too short so I had to modify the gague bracket by cutting down the bracket length with my dremel so I could tighten the gague bolts.

The transducer install was fairly easy to install as I played around with the collar to find a finished " horizontal level" position. I did not play around trying to figure out what my boat "rise" was. In all honesty, the boat is never level in the water most of the time running ballast for wake surfing anyway, so not sure what the big fuss about being installed level.

The GE Silicone II set up nicely for the transducer collar after sanding down the surface for a good clean bond. MFG no longer recommeds using epoxy or the marine 3M calking.

Installed about 3 oz of mineral oil in the tranducer collar and snapped on the transducer.

Installed the water and air temp sensor, ran wires, found a hot wire (when the ignition is turned on) under the dash that was not being used.

Gague works nicely with a nice back light display. Of course the alarm goes off with the boat sitting in the garage because I set the "Shallow" setting at 7 feet. You can cycle between water or air temp displays, set deep and shallow alarm settings along with keel off-set for water depth accuracy.

[dogbert]

Nice. One thing you want to be careful of is turbulence caused by any disruption in water flow over the hull. I noticed you had the transducer behind your intake for the ballast system. If you find that your depth finder doesn't work at speed, you'll need to move the transducer to a place with smoother flow. It looks like it should be ok because it's offset.

[NHarp1]

Yes, I was concerned since I had both sides with a water intake scoop. Then I had the prop to avoid with any disturbance. I wish I could have put it in front of the fuel tank..no access that I could figure out. I will see how it does this spring.

[dogbert]

Looks like you might have some room on the opposite side of where you mounted it. You might need to remove a hose to get it in there, but that's pretty easy to do.

[Dave S]

Looks like a good install.

The water/air temp is a plus! I put a similiar product on my old boat minus water/air temp sensors.

The idea with it being level "horizontal line" is so that you getting an accurate reading directly below the boat and not off to one side. Your pic makes it look pretty close to me.

The purpose of the "rise" is so that if the transducer is say 1 foot below water when sitting still with the setting at zero then when it says 6 feet deep from the transducer it is really 7 feet from water surface to bottom which buys you an extra foot of water when not thinking about it. That is the way I did my old setup. Hope that helps.

Come on Summer!

[highrock]

I would say what you have put in your boat is better than what Tige does. They do not offer the Air/Water temp and I think its a great option to have.

[ajholt7]

I would say what you have put in your boat is better than what Tige does. They do not offer the Air/Water temp and I think its a great option to have.

Mine has air/water temp from the factory.

[NHarp1]

I was trying to get someone with an 08 Z1 send me a picture of their dash with a factory Z1 depth system.

I was told by my dealer I would lose one of my displays if I got a factory depth option for about + $400. My current Z1 gauges display: Engine Temp, Voltage, and Oil Pressure on the left gauge. My other gauge displays Cruise Set, Actual Speed and Engine Hours. I was not about to lose one of these rows of data for water depth, air temp and water temp.

So, I decided to go with a stand alone system.

If someone has a factory system, I would sure appreciate knowing what it looks like.
Thanks

[highrock]

The Z1 does not have the air/water temp as an option. I know the 20V and the 22's and 24's have it. Not sure about the direct drives. I always thought it odd the Z1 did not have the option for the water temp.

[chpthril]

The Tige lit I have is somewhat confusing. It states for the Z1, that the Triducer (speed, water temp, depth) is an option and STD on all the others. It states that the Air/Water temp "gauge" is not available on the Z1, but SDT on the others. Well, Tige never used and actual gauge, it was part of the main readout. It also states that the Depth is optional on the Z1. It was always my understanding that you could upgrade to the Triducer ($400 bucks if bought separately) and this would give you the depth. I dont know why you wouldn't also get water temp as this is also part of the triducer, and the Z1 uses the same gauge package as the others, right? So, for the air temp, all you would need is to add the air temp sensor and wire it to the appropriate terminal on the gauge

Install looks great, Nharp, looks like it was meant to go there!