Diagnosing non working depth sounder

[littleape]

I have a Lowrance 3500 depth sounder on my 2000 rinker bowrider. It just flashes 0.5ft all the time, it never worked since I got this boat, be it on trailer or in the water.

The transducer is mounted under the engine, not looking forward to touching it, hard to see how wiring could be damaged since its protected by a rubber sleeve from the back of the gauge all the way to the transducer.

Any ideas on what could be going on?

 

[mike_i]

make sure the xducer is pluged into the guage then unplug it from the gauge and see what it reads.

 

[littleape]

unplug the xducer from the gauge then see what it reads.

Tried that yesterday, nothing changes, still flashes 0.5ft as if nothing happened.

 

[mike_i]

I'd say the gauge is bad. The xducer may be bad too but it looks like the gauge is not seeing the xducer.

 

[littleape]

Looks like these things used a very specific frequency so unless I can find a good used gauge or transducer (of broken) its a no go and entire setup has to be replaced.

 

[dingbat]

A “flashing” sounder is typically a dead, not responding transducer.

Transducer are wear items. They need replaced now and them.

Info on replacement

Lowrance 3500 Replacement with Lowrance LST-3800 & Garmin Transducer

Hi All, My Lowrance 3500 display went bad, and I could not find a used gauge or a new one that would work with the old 192kHz thru-hull transducer. My Sundeck 220 has a 2” thru-hull fitting at a 20-degree deadrise, and neither of the 2 1/8” gauges Lowrance (LST-3800), Hawkeye (D10D), nor...

www.clubsearay.com

 

[Nextelbuddy]

A “flashing” sounder is typically a dead, not responding transducer.

Transducer are wear items. They need replaced now and them.

Info on replacement

Lowrance 3500 Replacement with Lowrance LST-3800 & Garmin Transducer

Hi All, My Lowrance 3500 display went bad, and I could not find a used gauge or a new one that would work with the old 192kHz thru-hull transducer. My Sundeck 220 has a 2” thru-hull fitting at a 20-degree deadrise, and neither of the 2 1/8” gauges Lowrance (LST-3800), Hawkeye (D10D), nor...

www.clubsearay.com

just did this on my boat replaced the 3600 system as well. great write up