Depth Finder works sporadically

M

mbrown2097

Cadet
Joined
Mar 9, 2013
Messages
29
Hey guys,
I have a depth finder on my dash that usually doesn't work for the first hour or so that I am on the water. It's on, just not showing any depth. The transducer is mounted inside the bilge area to the hull. From what I can tell, it begins working when I get a little water in the bilge. No water= no reading. Is it mounted incorrectly? It has probably been there for 15 years, does it need to be remounted? Any ideas as to how to correct this?
 
64osby

64osby

Admiral
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Messages
6,799
Re: Depth Finder works sporadically

Sounds like you may have an open circuit in the transducer, or wires to it. The water allows for a connection and it starts working.

Repair the wire or replace the transducer are my suggestions.
 
dingbat

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
15,481
Re: Depth Finder works sporadically

Transducers have a limited lifetime. You got your money worth at 15 years old.
 
U

UncleWillie

Captain
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Messages
3,995
Re: Depth Finder works sporadically

There is no reason a transducer should not last for a hundred years!

His transducer is in the bilge and shooting through the hull.
It needs to be acoustically bonded to the hull to work.
If it has come loose, the water fills the gap and the acoustic path is restored.

The problem sound like the transducer need to be remounted.
 
ondarvr

ondarvr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
11,527
Re: Depth Finder works sporadically

I think our uncle got it right.
 
tazrig

tazrig

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Dec 20, 2012
Messages
1,752
Re: Depth Finder works sporadically

UncleWillie said:
There is no reason a transducer should not last for a hundred years!

His transducer is in the bilge and shooting through the hull.
It needs to be acoustically bonded to the hull to work.
If it has come loose, the water fills the gap and the acoustic path is restored.

The problem sound like the transducer need to be remounted.
Click to expand...

^^^+1

The transducer can't shoot through air. Sounds like the adhesive has either dried out or cracked leaving a space between the transducer and the hull. Remove it, clean out the old adhesive, re-install with fresh adhesive and you should be fine.:D
 
Grub54891

Grub54891

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
5,911
Re: Depth Finder works sporadically

There are some ducers out there that are glued down and the housing is filled with anti freeze or glycerin I belive.If the seal breaks and it leaks out,it does not work. The water in the bilge will get in there,and viola! Works now! I'd be a bit concerend on where that much water is coming from?
Grub
It could be something like this,there are a few different designs
http://www.iboats.com/1KW-In-Hull-T...0685784--session_id.360938991--view_id.268340
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top