Depth Finder Not Working

I'm having problems with my depth finder. It is a simple depth finder (not a fish finder) on a V-drive ski boat (1996). The transducer (hockey puck looking thing) is mounted next to the V-drive transmission. It is a shoot through hull. The problem I'm having is the readout will be working fine one minute and then it will go to a dashed line -- I can flip the power switch off and on and sometimes that will fix the problem but most of the time it will just not work for quite a while. Then it will mysteriously start working again after a couple of hours. I've tried mashing the transducer down once it quits working with mixed results. Anybody got any ideas of what this is and how I can fix it? I think it's a "Lowrance" brand. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Re: Depth Finder Not Working

If you "mashed" it down does that mean it's installed using silicone? It shouldn't be loose or movable if its a shoot through hull type. Epoxy should be used to affix this type to the hull never silicone.

Re: Depth Finder Not Working

sounded like it's loose, if it is then reattach it with epoxy and make sure there are no air bubbles in the epoxy.

Re: Depth Finder Not Working

It's not siliconed down, it's epoxied. I just go push down on the transducer and sometimes that will help out and sometimes it won't.

If I were to remove it and re-epoxy it how would i do that? Would I just pry it loose with a screwdriver or chisel and then use a two part epoxy to re-epoxy it? Do I need to clean the site and transducer before replacing it? How do I make sure I get all the bubbles out of the epoxy? Any tips/tricks for doing this? Should I put it in exactly the same spot or move it slightly?

Re: Depth Finder Not Working

and it doesn't "feel" loose. Thanks a ton for any help...

Re: Depth Finder Not Working

I had the same trouble with my shoot-through hockey puck depth sounder. The transducer is very sensitive and can fail to get a reading. Bubbles in the epoxy, bubbles under the boat, or the wrong moon faze, or chickens clucking on shore, or just about anything can cause this. I have used two types of transducers, shoot-through and transom mount and frankly they were both junk in my opinion. The depth sounder only worked when it wanted to and the fish looser only detected little blips and bleeps on the screen. Someday I hope to spend lots of cash on a decent setup but I am not ready to sell the farm yet. Now to sound depth I use a rock and string, it more reliable.

Re: Depth Finder Not Working

whatever mean of removing the xducer is fine just don't damage the thing. Here's some excellent instruction on how to remount it. Pay attention to page 4-7.http://www.lowrance.com/manuals/Files/ptw_pdw_pdwbk_pdn_pdnbk_pod_0140-30.pdf