How do you test a transducer?

[94ranger]

How can I test a transducer to verify that it's working properly? Continuity test? Resistance test? or ????? My depth finder/gauge in my 94 Ranger always shows 5 Ft regardless of the actual depth. The depth guage appears to be original equipment. When I turn the guage on, it spins up fine, and I can adjust the sensitivity, but it always settles down after a few seconds at 5 ft. The transducer is a internal (not through) hull mount and again appears to be original. Any help is appreciated.

Kind regards,
D.N.
94 Ranger 397V

 

[jtexas]

Re: How do you test a transducer?

I've never seen or heard anywhere of how to test a 'ducer other than plug in a known good one, to rule out the unit itself.

Is it showing a steady 5ft, or do the numbers flash on & off? Flashing numbers just means the unit can't get a lock on the bottom.

What brand/model is it? Have you gone through and reset all the settings to factory defaults?

 

[94ranger]

Re: How do you test a transducer?

Update: after doing more searching, it appears that you need special equipment to test that the transducer is functioning properly. Along the lines of lab equipment.
To test some basic functionality, I can "listen" for clicks from the transducer. Also, if it wasn't permanently mounted, I could also hold it upright, place some sand or salt on it, activate it, and look for any patterns that my form on the surface. Both will only confirm that it's generating some acoustical engery, but won't tell me if it's good or not.

Kind regards,
D.N.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: How do you test a transducer?

This is a long shot but, is it possible that the unit is in a DEMO mode ?

 

[NYBo]

Re: How do you test a transducer?

Welcome to iboats!

it spins up fine

Is this a flasher unit, something like this?

 

[sasto]

Re: How do you test a transducer?

This is a long shot but, is it possible that the unit is in a DEMO mode ?

How many times I've seen that........Moody. Good queation!

What brand is she?

 

[Reel Kahuna]

Re: How do you test a transducer?

I don't know how to test a transducer but I was told that one shouldn't be on while out of the water, otherwise it'll fry.

 

[jhebert]

Re: How do you test a transducer?

How can I test a transducer to verify that it's working properly? Continuity test? Resistance test?

Most SONAR transducers have a piezoelectric element which will not have DC continuity. The DC resistance will be extremely high, too high to measure with simple equipment.

The most reasonable way to test a SONAR system is to test the transducer and the head unit by swapping them out for replacement units that are known to be good.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How do you test a transducer?

Turn the unit on briefly and put your hand under it (touching it). You should feel the pulses.

 

[phoodieman]

Re: How do you test a transducer?

I filled up my bath tub and tested my Lowrance I found on Ebay. Didn't know my bath tub was five feet deep, but I did know it had a solid bottom.

Phoodieman

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: How do you test a transducer?

Phoodieman, the bathtub is producing a VERY strong return signal which tends to bounce several times between the tub bottom and the transducer. The unit is actually reading a multiple of the actual depth.

 

[jtexas]

Re: How do you test a transducer?

Emitting the pulse is only half of the transducer's job. Only testing half of it, is the same as testing none.