Eagle SeaFinder 480DF trouble??

[gss036]

My 1 1/2 year old Eagle is acting up real bad. It started alarming last week, then when you turn it off, it will automaticly come back on and will flash the back light on/off constantly.
I really think it went bad about 2 months ago, as I had dead batteries on my boat and just unpluged everything and recharged the batteries, until I was ready to start using the boat last week. When I came in and turned everything off, I noticed by the time I got home it was flashing constantly again. Eagle wants $90 flat rate to fix it. Any suggestions?????

 

[IdahoSteve]

Re: Eagle SeaFinder 480DF trouble??

Sorry I don't have any suggestions, but I'll be real interested in how you resolve this. I'm currently thinking really seriously about buying exactly that unit.

Just a thought - does Eagle provide any way to update the firmwear (programming) on that unit. Like maybe a download from their Website. Maybe you can call your local dealer and ask about it. If so, you might try that to see if it takes care of your problem.

Good luck, Gary.

Steve

 

[gss036]

Re: Eagle SeaFinder 480DF trouble??

I haven't yet decied of whether to have Eagle fix it or buy a new "something". I have not been really pleased with the operation. The speed wheel reads extremely high, at least double of actual speed ( I really don't need it as I have another unit plus GPS). Good read of the bottom and the large numbers are great.
I am dealing w/ AMEX buyers assurance dept on a claim since they give you another year of warranty if purchased with the AMEX card. I was 22 months out from purchase and had all the required receipts. This will my first time to use the extra warrant program.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Eagle SeaFinder 480DF trouble??

Make sure it not something as simple as a stuck down power button. If it does not come all the way back up after you push it would cause your problem.

Also make sure you have clean power connections and are getting over 12 volts to the unit.

 

[gss036]

Re: Eagle SeaFinder 480DF trouble??

Boatist, how would I go about checking the switch? I have turned it off and on several times and it just repeats the problem. I suspect it is the switch, but have never had one of these things apart.
I have clean 12volt power as my GPS, Loran/Depth Finder all run off the same circuit.
We practially drag bottom when "blackmouth" (salmon) fishing so need realiable readings. It is nice to have 2 units to compare w/on rock structures.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Eagle SeaFinder 480DF trouble??

When you push it down does it come back up. Watch it and and compare to your other switches. If you think it may be sticking use some WD40 or Triflow on a Q tip and run it around the outside of the buttom then push the button a bunch of times and see if it frees up.

About the power. A Loran C and a GPS use very little power as they do not transmit, so very little current flow.
They would run on a good 9 volt battery, Your depth finder would not.

Your depth finder does transmit a strong pulse and when it does it uses much more current. With more current a dirty or poor connection will have a big voltage drop. This voltage drop will cause the 12 volts to drop way down and the unit will think it just been powered on. When just powered on it flashes the light to give you a chance to turn the light on if your fishing at night. Make sure your power connection is bright and shinny. Also check the connections all the way to the battery including the battery cables them self.

 

[gss036]

Re: Eagle SeaFinder 480DF trouble??

I sprayed some TRC spray that I had in the shop, apparently it was not the right stuff as it melted the plastic and the button came out. It was just a cover for the small circuit board under the button. Did not make it any worse, but definately didn't help any. Just a little more broke, lights etc still flashing and blinking.
Nowe to decide what to replace it with. OHHH WELLLL!

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: Eagle SeaFinder 480DF trouble??

Hey if you want to get rid of it, send it to me.....LOL! I love toying with broken things...sometimes I get lucky, and sometimes I don't. But if you are going to throw it out then PM me.....

 

[gss036]

Re: Eagle SeaFinder 480DF trouble??

I am going to get rid of it but you are way to far north. The postage would eat up the value. It is made up of circuit boards, very light weight.
I have a Humminbird Matrix 17 on order. It is a close out unit since they have a replacement out already. It has everything I want and then some. I fish only in saltwater and usually about 120-140 feet. I only had to pay
$ 144.00, WIll have a few $$ left over from replacemnt money paid by the AMEX buyers assurance program.

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: Eagle SeaFinder 480DF trouble??

I figured that Washington was actaully one of the closer states to Canada..LOL! Oh Well, better luck next time.....LOL!

 

[gss036]

Re: Eagle SeaFinder 480DF trouble??

Boaitist, just for you info, I removed the Eagle today and installed a Humminbird Matrix. I hooked the Eagle up on the bench straight to a battery and it did the same thing so obviously a chip problem inside.
The only problem I ran into changing units was that the Humminbird transduecer cable is about 2 feet shorter than I would like. I had to rethink the mounting location. Does anyone know if you can get a 2 ft jumper for the transduecer?
I will start a new thread on this subject.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Eagle SeaFinder 480DF trouble??

I do no know about The Birds but Lowrance/Eagle do sell extension cables. They are over priced but at least you can mount it where you want the unit.

 

[gss036]

Re: Eagle SeaFinder 480DF trouble??

Boatist. I found one fron Humminbird. $19.99 + $4.50 shipping so not that bad for a 10 footer. The shortest they offer. I ordered it this AM.
Also ordered the GPS modual for $82.00, so now I will have a back up chart system for my Garmin map system.I don't think it has any mapping, but not really needed.
Thanks for the help.