Don't Make My $200 Mistake Installing Transducer on Ultrex Trolling Motor - Ken Smith Fishing

A quick guide on mounting an external transducer on a Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motors, including how to run or route and secure the cable to keep it out of the pinch points so you don't make the same $200 mistake I did. Don'$200 mistake I made, big part is routing the cable up the Ultrex and then into the boat and unit. #kensmithfishing #Rayburnreport #Humminbird #Installingtrollingmotortransducer
In this video I show you the Transducer Shield Ram I use to protect my transducer as well which you can find here bit.ly/2Oms7ZR
I also just order the TH Marine G-Forge Trolling Motor Cable Sleeve/Jacket to clean up the mess on my front deck bit.ly/3gVD54L
Avid Tournament angler, outdoor writer, have won a few Angler of the Year titles including the Cowboy BFL, and a second place AOY finish in the Okie BFL and many tournaments over the years.
On my channel I show lake reports from Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend, tournament footage, footage on how to practice for tournaments, product reviews, map study, how to read and interpret your electronics, equipment, all the things that I’ve gone looking for from other sources over the years.
Many of you have expressed an interest in supporting Ken Smith Fishing, when you purchase from my partners 6th Sense Fishing using my discount code Ken10, or Tackle Warehouse using one of the links below you are 100% supporting Ken Smith Fishing and your patronage is very much appreciated.
6th Sense Fishing Products 6thsensefishing.com/ 10% discount code KEN10
If you’re just going shopping at Tackle Warehouse using this link supports Ken Smith Fishing more than you can know bit.ly/2S4dFY6
My current favorite all around Lew’s Reel in the 6.8-1 ratio bit.ly/2O7hVEG
Other products I use and believe in:
Minn Kota Ultrex bit.ly/313vD0F
Humminbird Helix 12 G3 Chirp bit.ly/2RWpDCV
Best Line for the $ - Seaguar InvizX bit.ly/36CmVb4
Best line if $ doesn’t matter  - bit.ly/2Gzs60T
Big D trolling motor handle bit.ly/2RYLDyo
GoPro Hero 8 Black bit.ly/2uiRPYR
YOLOtek PowerStick bit.ly/3be8E7K
Power-Pole Blades Power-Pole Wireless Foot Switch bit.ly/36UY56h
Rapala Touch Screen Scale bit.ly/2RWnvwe
Loc-R-Bar Alarm System bit.ly/2ty6eQC
If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support Ken Smith Fishing! You won't be able to even see a difference but they'll know you're part of the Ken Smith Fishing family and like what we are doing!
To subscribe please click here bit.ly/3bde7Mn
For Rayburn and Toledo Bend Fishing Reports click here bit.ly/3bdnyew
For Sam Rayburn navigation and map tips see these two playlists bit.ly/39772ed
& bit.ly/2SkFJ9w
For some of the same gear I use at a discount check out these sites and discount codes:
Bite-Me Tackle Inc. 10% Discount code Kenfishing10 bit.ly/2GTQ9rl
The best rods and reels in the marketplace today Lew’s Rods bit.ly/37HLJQf Lew’s Reels bit.ly/36FJpb2
Best Fluorocarbon and Braided line available at bit.ly/38QpBDm
Gary Yamamoto Custom baits bit.ly/36Ixl98
Humminbird…the best electronics, no comparison for me bit.ly/36N0dNC
If you aren’t fishing with a ROBOT..you are missing out, check out the Minn Kota Ultrex at bit.ly/2RHmBmZ
The BEAST the new Mercury V8 4 Stroke 250 Pro XS bit.ly/2tvlhdR
The Gill rainsuit I am wearing bit.ly/3aWuFrL
The Gill rainsuit bibs I wear bit.ly/2GzFnGC
Fishing as always in my 2018 Ranger Z521c with the new Mercury 4 Stroke V8 250 Pro XS.
Still looking for Bigfoot, dude if you are out there drop me a note, love to do a video with you.
Special thanks to all the people who help me stay on the water and fishing with the best products out there, Mercury outboards, Lew's Rods and Reels, 6th Sense Fishing, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Seaguar Line, Humminbird and Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motors, Onyx life jackets, Bite-Me Tackle.
If you need to reach me my email address is [e-mail]
Make sure and check out my website as well, www.KenSmithFishing.com

[@richardrusan7782]

Ken, long time no see. Will jump in here with 2 cents worth. Never use zip ties on transducer cables on trolling motor shaft. Retired from Ford Motor Company as electrician. We were not allowed to use zip ties on small signal cables, they are too fragile and easily damaged by zip ties. As a fisherman, I would never use zip ties on trolling motor shaft. If a fish runs my line up trolling motor shaft, line needs to slide up or down shaft free or you can lose that fish.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Hey Richard good to hear from you, how’s the fishing up in Missouri?

[@l8tapex]

Best Wishes to Al and his family (Toledo Fiber Glass) from the guys in Bayou Black......thanks for the friendship and service since 96.

[@lenclark6099]

Thanks for the video KEN, some great info!!! Could save some unnecessary costs to already very expensive equipment!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@miduv82]

Glad I've waited for the Mega Side imaging / DI transducer to be built into the system. I don't know why it took them so long to build in the SI but had they had the DI available.

[@The_Garmin_Guru]

Your videos are so simple but they are really good.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Thank you...I think?

[@The_Garmin_Guru]

Ken Smith simple is good. Some people over complicate things. Yours are awesome. Video is good. You’re honest and don’t sugarcoat things. I like that.

[@StarlightAnime22]

*I bought this model for my 14 ft Jon boat. **enjoyable.fishing** recommend love it!!! It pushes my boat with ease ( 2 men 220 each). I would highly recommend this to anyone.*

[@KenSmithFishing]

Great to hear!

[@jamesw5836]

I'm certified Garmin dealer/installer and they recommend electrical tape on the panoptix transducers. Lowrance on the livesight. Even then it will not void the warranty as I have sent both back for warranty with no issues after ties were used. Apparently garmin didn't know it would be an issue as the install manual changed on the fly. Standard transducers are no problem. I have started telling DYI folks to use tape as they tend to "gorilla" the ties. I only use high quality electrical tape. It sticks well as the outdoor elements start working on it. Nothing better than 3M Scotch 33. Inexpensive tape IS NOT the same no matter what folks say.

[@KenSmithFishing]

James any other things like this we should know regarding mounting or did you see me do ANYTHING wrong here???

[@jamesw5836]

@@KenSmithFishing not exactly how I might do it but it will work. :-)

[@tritonruns11]

Lol I don’t feel so bad about the way I handle a screw driver anymore. Good video Mr Ken.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Just had to include that, I did delete my less than proper comment after I dropped the second time

[@kylehill6035]

I’ve got some farming and in their owners manual it does say not to use zip ties that it will void warranty for their stuff, and in the panoptix too

[@kensimpson8581]

Thanks, for the video. I just busted my ultrex trolling motor shaft and its in the shop now under warranty. Ive been searching how to route cable the right way because I never was sure if how I had mine was right. Surprisingly had it same way you routed yours and with tape. But my issue is it gets close to pinching my cable under mount when I deploy it. I don't have the hummingbird 360 deal.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Seems somebody could create a little bracket for it

[@johnwhitten7311]

Electrical tape all the way.... All manufacturers have upgraded the wire on their units..but a quality electrical tape keep from damaging wires inside the outer sleeves...I use 3M-88 electrical tape. Good stuff..

[@bigc8018]

Russel Marine has an install video on the Garmin LiveScope and they say that you need to use electrical tape because the zip ties void the warranty.

[@shempferd7203]

I'm gonna try silicone tape instead of electrical. I love this stuff. No sticky mess and strong

[@KenSmithFishing]

Let us know how that works please

[@shempferd7203]

@@KenSmithFishing I haven't been on the water yet but it worked great(once goo gone removed all the tape residue) on the install. I think it will hold up very well

[@stanmagner5467]

ken did u leave your us2 cable attached great vidieo thanks

[@rufushammons9678]

You can still use the channel. All you have to do is shave that first bracket down on the cable side and it won't pinch.

[@richpro7122]

I have a Garmin 93sv on order it will come with the GT54 transducer. I will be running a Garmin Livescope through the 93sv. I will have the Livescope ducer on a pole, (Seelite) and I want to mount the GT54 ducer on the same pole. Is there a mount for this that will work without either one interfering with the other's beam ? I do not want to run any ducer off my trolling motor since I have a Minnkota Riptide ST with the shaft that slides through a block. I have run a ducer off that motor but just doesn't work well...thanks.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Man that’s above my pay grade, call the boys at Jones in Texarkana they may know

[@billybooth6737]

Ken thanks for the infromation. I have a guestion not related. Can you tell me brand metal building your boat barn is from. I am a metal building erector and have not see that design. Please let me know the brand your boat is. Your trolling motor infromation was valuable infrom that could save alot of money Thanks so much I have subscribed to your channel. Respectfully yours Billy Booth Pensacola , fl

[@txman201]

It is best to never tap on (or otherwise hit) a transducer, especially the complex ones. They have numerous fragile crystals inside that you can damage with the shock from hitting them. The wires inside the cable are fragile, and there's a woven EMI shield around them inside the insulation. If you cinch it down with cable ties, you could damage what's inside, but also I'd be concerned that an impedance discontinuity might occur (because you change the shape of the cable by flattening it out). An impedance discontinuity can cause signal reflections inside the cable; this has the potential to affect the quality of the displayed signal, or even add noise to the screen. With all that said, I think it's better to tape than to zip-tie, thereby avoiding possible issues, regardless of whether they decline warranty coverage. Years ago, when transducers were typically a two wire circuit, zip-ties were probably less of a risk, and I used them without issue. With the complex transducers we have today, I've changed my mind.

[@KenSmithFishing]

You probably saw me realize that as I started whacking it

[@charliefales171]

What bracket is that mounting the 360 on that ultrex?

[@KenSmithFishing]

Something I found on Facebook, aftermarket about 1/2 price of HBirds

[@ryansprs68]

Where did you get the adapter to run fortrex 360 on the ultrex?

[@KenSmithFishing]

found it on Facebook

[@lloyds_fishingjournal]

Are you running two transducers in the front for the 10 and the 12 or are they networked?

[@KenSmithFishing]

Smokn I have the Helix 12 connected to an external DI transducer on the Minn Kota (mine were of the generation that you couldn’t get DI transducer built in) and then it’s also connected to the 360. The other 12 up front is the Garmin and it’s connected to the livesecope transducer which can be used for livescope or DI

[@lloyds_fishingjournal]

@@KenSmithFishing I see so they are running off two different frequencies so it doesn't that talk.

[@thecrappiecontrol6644]

Where did you get your 360 mount from thanks

[@KenSmithFishing]

I found it on Facebook, a guy was making and selling them, there’s a group called Humminbird mega 360 friends, several options there and usually some good used stuff too

[@9ballrunout]

Just out of curiosity what length shaft is your Ultrex? TIA

[@KenSmithFishing]

It’s the short one, I wanna say 45”?

[@eddiepayne4241]

Okay Mr. Smith, after doing the install of the cable to the top of the 360 how did that work out for you? I am installing a Mega DI transducer on my Ultrex and am to that point! Thanks for the video.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Has worked great Eddie

[@eddiepayne4241]

@@KenSmithFishing Thanks Ken. I had installed a transducer on an Ultrex before, but added a Mega DI to the new boat along with Mega 360, hope to test it this week!!

[@michaelmccollumfishing6726]

Why do you not use the transducer built into the ultrex?

[@KenSmithFishing]

I run G2N and there is not internal transducer for DI for G2N

[@flintralston7991]

Ken so you made a Comment that you have GEN two hummingbirds and you’re running a 360 on the front is that true, I would like to have a 360. But I didn’t know it would work with a gen two

[@chrisevans7802]

Flint Ralston gen2 will run 360 but not MEGA 360

[@KenSmithFishing]

Correct Chris

[@flintralston7991]

Chris Evans thanks for the answer

[@2222fishing]

what do you have aganst fans

[@KenSmithFishing]

Fans?

[@adamr9215]

They make zip tie pliers that will pull them so tight that they will cut into the wires. That is what will void your warranty. Just don’t over tighten the zip ties and you should be fine.

[@rondavis946]

ashmore cable keeper for minn kota trolling motor

[@KenSmithFishing]

Those are nice Ron

[@jasonmausteller2488]

No wire cables, I’ve heard the same thing

[@tommwarneke396]

$35 Ram , just FYI. Thanks nice video

[@KenSmithFishing]

Cool, thanks

[@deltabass9697]

I used electrical tape also

[@migueltrujillo5932]

No, I think it needs another snush.