Repair Humminbird finder? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Ojos_raros · 11-08-2010, 02:12 PM

Matrix 17. bought in '04 is not powering up. has new cable, good connections. Humminbird says they charge $85 for repair. any ideas on how to fix it before i send it in? might be better to replace - I'm eyeing the black and white 570 for $200.

dsafety · 11-08-2010, 08:36 PM

I have been ready to trash my nearly new H-Bird many times because it has not powered up. It happened the last time I went out.

In every case the problem has been with the power source not the fish finder. H-birds, and probably most other fish finders are very sensitive to voltage. If you have the polarity reversed... no go. If you have a bad connection with the battery or somewhere in the wires going to the device... also no go.

Check the voltage at the battery, and at the plug that connects to the fish finder. If you have less than 12 volts with a fully charged battery, your problem is somewhere in the wires or the connectors.

You can pick up an inexpensive but useful Digital Volt Meter at Harbor Freight Tools for less than $5. This device is now part of my kit when heading to the launch.

Bob

bubblehide · 11-10-2010, 08:58 AM

I doubt this is your problem, but if you need to crack it open, you might want to read this post from Bing:
http://kayaksportfishing.com/phpBB2/...ghlight=#53764

Just copy and paste the link to your browser.

Ojos_raros · 11-10-2010, 10:19 AM

thanks for the replies. I have two batteries, both have worked fine with the finder in the past. Both are charged and work great with the bilge pump so it seems the batteries are not the problem.

the power cable is new, connections new, no nicks or cuts.

i think its just broke.

StinkyMatt · 11-10-2010, 03:22 PM

Had the same problem, went back to the store and they guy and I figured it was my inline fuse housing. Sometimes it connected, sometimes it was not. Good luck.

cabojohn · 11-10-2010, 03:55 PM

check the head unit holes & pins for corrosion. Make sure the connection is stupid clean.

*I use MAF / electronic cleaner & small fine wire brushes to clean up my junk when it stops wokring.

My Matrix likes a good battery too. I dunno?
I have/ had a love-hate relationship with two Matrix 17...
You may want to save the $85 head unit replacement for the Matrix and get a different unit all together.

$.02

If you were closer I would loan you my head unit to test your connection. Someone local might be able to help?

Willy · 11-10-2010, 04:35 PM

H-Birds are indeed hyper sensitive to corrosion of the contact points of the plugs.
Most everyone here is right, this corrosion will cause a flux in voltage, and the unit will misbehave.
indeed, the fuse in the power wire is a bit finicky as well. Sometimes on sometimes off.

Try cleaning the connectors super well, then using dielectric grease around them to discourage future corrosion.

Good luck.

Willy

11-08-2010, 02:12 PM	#1
Ojos_raros Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Santa Barbara Posts: 123	Repair Humminbird finder? Matrix 17. bought in '04 is not powering up. has new cable, good connections. Humminbird says they charge $85 for repair. any ideas on how to fix it before i send it in? might be better to replace - I'm eyeing the black and white 570 for $200. __________________ Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment -Buddha

11-10-2010, 10:19 AM	#4
Ojos_raros Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Santa Barbara Posts: 123	thanks for the replies. I have two batteries, both have worked fine with the finder in the past. Both are charged and work great with the bilge pump so it seems the batteries are not the problem. the power cable is new, connections new, no nicks or cuts. i think its just broke. __________________ Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment -Buddha

11-08-2010, 08:36 PM	#2
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,121	I have been ready to trash my nearly new H-Bird many times because it has not powered up. It happened the last time I went out. In every case the problem has been with the power source not the fish finder. H-birds, and probably most other fish finders are very sensitive to voltage. If you have the polarity reversed... no go. If you have a bad connection with the battery or somewhere in the wires going to the device... also no go. Check the voltage at the battery, and at the plug that connects to the fish finder. If you have less than 12 volts with a fully charged battery, your problem is somewhere in the wires or the connectors. You can pick up an inexpensive but useful Digital Volt Meter at Harbor Freight Tools for less than $5. This device is now part of my kit when heading to the launch. Bob

11-10-2010, 08:58 AM	#3
bubblehide Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 552	I doubt this is your problem, but if you need to crack it open, you might want to read this post from Bing: http://kayaksportfishing.com/phpBB2/...ghlight=#53764 Just copy and paste the link to your browser.

11-10-2010, 03:22 PM	#5
StinkyMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Under a bridge Posts: 2,168	Had the same problem, went back to the store and they guy and I figured it was my inline fuse housing. Sometimes it connected, sometimes it was not. Good luck.

11-10-2010, 03:55 PM	#6
cabojohn PROBATION Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 656	check the head unit holes & pins for corrosion. Make sure the connection is stupid clean. *I use MAF / electronic cleaner & small fine wire brushes to clean up my junk when it stops wokring. My Matrix likes a good battery too. I dunno? I have/ had a love-hate relationship with two Matrix 17... You may want to save the $85 head unit replacement for the Matrix and get a different unit all together. $.02 If you were closer I would loan you my head unit to test your connection. Someone local might be able to help?

11-10-2010, 04:35 PM	#7
Willy Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: La Jolla Posts: 189	H-Birds are indeed hyper sensitive to corrosion of the contact points of the plugs. Most everyone here is right, this corrosion will cause a flux in voltage, and the unit will misbehave. indeed, the fuse in the power wire is a bit finicky as well. Sometimes on sometimes off. Try cleaning the connectors super well, then using dielectric grease around them to discourage future corrosion. Good luck. Willy