Trouble With Transducer - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Flyfisher70 · 06-11-2011, 07:51 PM

Well I think it's the transducer, today was the first time I used this fish finder. I did not get any readings from the transducer, the fish finder's GPS was working just fine and the battery was fully charged. I did the install myself and I'm thinking I must have did something wrong that caused the transducer not to give off any readings.

Here is an image of the transducer installed inside my X-factor, it's underneath the seating area. It's slightly crooked but I didn't think it was enough to cause the no depth reading. It pretty much did not read anything, it's like if transducer were not plugged in, but it was and the connection seemed fine.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm thinking I'm going to have to remove it and re-install it.

wiredantz · 06-11-2011, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyfisher70

Well I think it's the transducer, today was the first time I used this fish finder. I did not get any readings from the transducer, the fish finder's GPS was working just fine and the battery was fully charged. I did the install myself and I'm thinking I must have did something wrong that caused the transducer not to give off any readings.

Here is an image of the transducer installed inside my X-factor, it's underneath the seating area. It's slightly crooked but I didn't think it was enough to cause the no depth reading. It pretty much did not read anything, it's like if transducer were not plugged in, but it was and the connection seemed fine.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm thinking I'm going to have to remove it and re-install it.

I couldn't find a decent place inside my x-factor i had to mount mine on where the rudder goes.But before i had inside and i use to pour a gallon of water inside and it worked...

jbaker · 06-11-2011, 09:20 PM

I used a piece of foam from fastlane, gooped it just in front of the center hatch. I put the trans in the foam and add a hand full of water before I launched in my old xfactor. Worked like a charm. Think I might Change my new boat to the same set up.

Jimmyz123 · 06-11-2011, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyfisher70

Well I think it's the transducer, today was the first time I used this fish finder. I did not get any readings from the transducer, the fish finder's GPS was working just fine and the battery was fully charged. I did the install myself and I'm thinking I must have did something wrong that caused the transducer not to give off any readings.

Here is an image of the transducer installed inside my X-factor, it's underneath the seating area. It's slightly crooked but I didn't think it was enough to cause the no depth reading. It pretty much did not read anything, it's like if transducer were not plugged in, but it was and the connection seemed fine.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm thinking I'm going to have to remove it and re-install it.

I recommend watching these videos. I did this installation and it works very well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEZ9_C1iKP0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u1d3...eature=related

What I see in the photo is looks as if the transducer may be a little tilted not completely center. I personally like using something a sponge or something to create a ring for the transducer to sit in.

Does your FF have a self test that you can run? How old is the unit? I'm wondering if your Ducer is bad.

Amish Ed · 06-11-2011, 09:54 PM

Even though it's tilted in shallow enough water you should get a signal. Call the manufacturer.

Jimmyz123 · 06-12-2011, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amish Ed

Even though it's tilted in shallow enough water you should get a signal. Call the manufacturer.

Good point.

GregAndrew · 06-12-2011, 07:48 AM

If you power it up and cannot hear any ticking noise coming from the Xducer then it is not working. You may also have a setting that turns off the Xducer which you would need to turn on. In deep enough water, even a slight angle could give you no returns on 200khz. Did you try the low frequency (50 or 83)? Those frequencies have a much wider cone angle which would make returns easier from an angled Xducer.

Flyfisher70 · 06-12-2011, 08:10 AM

Pulled the transducer off, well first I tried to pull it off but that was not happening. I ended up going to the kitchen and getting a butter knife and started to work it under the goop, marine goop sure is strong. Anyhow I was able to get the transducer off. BTW it's a new transducer, the fish finder is old but still works. The transducer was working up until I installed it with the goop inside the kayak hull.

Here is what it looked like after I took it off the kayak hull.

I see a huge bubble on the right side of the goop, I'm wondering if this might have been the cause. I tested the transducer again and it still works, it definitely has something to do with my install.

I cut out the goop so that you guys could take a look at the huge bubble that was on the right side of the transducer.

Yup, there was definitely a slight angle to the transducer. I'm going to have to go back and re-install or just take it down to OEX and have Andy install it correctly.

Any other feed back would be much appreciated.

Thank you much guys!

lterrero · 06-12-2011, 08:45 AM

Goop is an old fashion method, sooner or later a bubble will come up, specially with the kayak up side down on the sun; my best is wet transducer, just lay it flat inside the hull and put a little water about half of inch. I got a Hobie & I tight wrap it to the mast pole

Flyfisher70 · 06-12-2011, 09:53 AM

Okay, I believe I've found what the problem was or is, I'm thinking it's the GPS puck I have plugged into the unit, it's mounted just behind the head unit on a thin metal bar. The GPS puck is magnetized on the bottom, I'm thinking the magnet is interfering with the transducer somehow. For whatever reason it does seem like there is some interference with the transducer not sure if the magnet would be causing this a magnetic interference. I unplugged the GPS connection and the sonar started working. I have a handheld Garmin GPSmap 76 so this is just going to be a minor inconvenience.

lterrero · 06-12-2011, 10:44 AM

Okay..! good luck with you Transducer interference and lets go get e'm...

dsafety · 06-12-2011, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyfisher70

Okay, I believe I've found what the problem was or is, I'm thinking it's the GPS puck I have plugged into the unit, it's mounted just behind the head unit on a thin metal bar. The GPS puck is magnetized on the bottom, I'm thinking the magnet is interfering with the transducer somehow. For whatever reason it does seem like there is some interference with the transducer not sure if the magnet would be causing this a magnetic interference. I unplugged the GPS connection and the sonar started working. I have a handheld Garmin GPSmap 76 so this is just going to be a minor inconvenience.

It does not seem logical to me that a GPS puck would interfere with a sonar signal. My guess is that you probably did not have the power or data cable plugged in all the way the first time.

As Leo said, using Goop on the transducer is probably not the best way to mount one of these things. Other options include the wet mount, grease mount or just strapping the Xducer to the lowest point in the hull and adding enough water to cover the bottom of the unit.

The best way I have found to strap the transducer, (or anything else for that matter), to the hull is to glue a couple pad-eyes to the plastic on either side of the unit and secure with a Velcro strap. Another option is to get a piece of closed cell EVA foam, (the stuff flip flop sandals are made of). Cut a tight fitting hole in the foam in the shape of the transducer and glue the foam to the hull. Fill the hole in the foam with water or grease and press the transducer into the hole. If you cut the hole correctly, friction should hold the transducer in place. If not, you may have to add a strap.

Since water can drain away or evaporate, I have found that using grease as the conductor is the best way to go.

Bob

kobra · 06-12-2011, 11:28 AM

If you decide to mount with goop again, get the foam with the tranny cut out and goop it down. After that has cured, before gooping the tranny, place the tube of goop in a pot of hot water for a little bit. Doing this makes the goop flow better so you don't end up with all the little bubbles. Not having bubbles is very important as they have a negative effect on the sonar signals.

Flyfisher70 · 06-12-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsafety

It does not seem logical to me that a GPS puck would interfere with a sonar signal. My guess is that you probably did not have the power or data cable plugged in all the way the first time.

Bob

I feel the same way. The GPS puck is not the original Lawrance receiver, it's an after market I picked up on Ebay for about twenty bucks. The problem is definitely the GPS puck pictured below.

When I plug the GPS puck cable in, the transducer stops working immediately, has something to do with it for sure, not sure what it is just yet but it's definitely causing a malfunction.

GregAndrew · 06-12-2011, 01:24 PM

I know that most FF manufacturers say that you need to avoid contact with the different wires (power, GPS, Xducer etc.) inside the hull. You might try to isolate the GPS cable and puck to see if it contiues to interfere.

06-11-2011, 07:51 PM	#1
Flyfisher70 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 69	Trouble With Transducer Well I think it's the transducer, today was the first time I used this fish finder. I did not get any readings from the transducer, the fish finder's GPS was working just fine and the battery was fully charged. I did the install myself and I'm thinking I must have did something wrong that caused the transducer not to give off any readings. Here is an image of the transducer installed inside my X-factor, it's underneath the seating area. It's slightly crooked but I didn't think it was enough to cause the no depth reading. It pretty much did not read anything, it's like if transducer were not plugged in, but it was and the connection seemed fine. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm thinking I'm going to have to remove it and re-install it.

06-11-2011, 09:54 PM	#5
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,903	Even though it's tilted in shallow enough water you should get a signal. Call the manufacturer. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

06-11-2011, 09:20 PM	#3
jbaker Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Redding Ca Posts: 85	I used a piece of foam from fastlane, gooped it just in front of the center hatch. I put the trans in the foam and add a hand full of water before I launched in my old xfactor. Worked like a charm. Think I might Change my new boat to the same set up.

06-12-2011, 07:48 AM	#7
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	If you power it up and cannot hear any ticking noise coming from the Xducer then it is not working. You may also have a setting that turns off the Xducer which you would need to turn on. In deep enough water, even a slight angle could give you no returns on 200khz. Did you try the low frequency (50 or 83)? Those frequencies have a much wider cone angle which would make returns easier from an angled Xducer.

06-12-2011, 08:10 AM	#8
Flyfisher70 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 69	Pulled the transducer off, well first I tried to pull it off but that was not happening. I ended up going to the kitchen and getting a butter knife and started to work it under the goop, marine goop sure is strong. Anyhow I was able to get the transducer off. BTW it's a new transducer, the fish finder is old but still works. The transducer was working up until I installed it with the goop inside the kayak hull. Here is what it looked like after I took it off the kayak hull. I see a huge bubble on the right side of the goop, I'm wondering if this might have been the cause. I tested the transducer again and it still works, it definitely has something to do with my install. I cut out the goop so that you guys could take a look at the huge bubble that was on the right side of the transducer. Yup, there was definitely a slight angle to the transducer. I'm going to have to go back and re-install or just take it down to OEX and have Andy install it correctly. Any other feed back would be much appreciated. Thank you much guys!

06-12-2011, 08:45 AM	#9
lterrero Leo Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: La Jolla, CA Posts: 482	Goop is an old fashion method, sooner or later a bubble will come up, specially with the kayak up side down on the sun; my best is wet transducer, just lay it flat inside the hull and put a little water about half of inch. I got a Hobie & I tight wrap it to the mast pole

06-12-2011, 09:53 AM	#10
Flyfisher70 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 69	Okay, I believe I've found what the problem was or is, I'm thinking it's the GPS puck I have plugged into the unit, it's mounted just behind the head unit on a thin metal bar. The GPS puck is magnetized on the bottom, I'm thinking the magnet is interfering with the transducer somehow. For whatever reason it does seem like there is some interference with the transducer not sure if the magnet would be causing this a magnetic interference. I unplugged the GPS connection and the sonar started working. I have a handheld Garmin GPSmap 76 so this is just going to be a minor inconvenience.

06-12-2011, 10:44 AM	#11
lterrero Leo Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: La Jolla, CA Posts: 482	Okay..! good luck with you Transducer interference and lets go get e'm...

06-12-2011, 11:28 AM	#13
kobra Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: oceanside Posts: 880	If you decide to mount with goop again, get the foam with the tranny cut out and goop it down. After that has cured, before gooping the tranny, place the tube of goop in a pot of hot water for a little bit. Doing this makes the goop flow better so you don't end up with all the little bubbles. Not having bubbles is very important as they have a negative effect on the sonar signals.

06-12-2011, 01:24 PM	#15
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	I know that most FF manufacturers say that you need to avoid contact with the different wires (power, GPS, Xducer etc.) inside the hull. You might try to isolate the GPS cable and puck to see if it contiues to interfere.