Erratic depth finder

Que Syrah

Recruit
Joined
Jun 14, 2009
Messages
3
I am a new boat owner and I just had a Humminbird 160 installed on a 1901 Mako O/B. When the boat is at idle or slow speed, the depth reading is erratic (example: 199' then 5' then 235' then 0 etc). Does anyone have any recommendations on what I should do? Should I tilt the transducer down towards the bottom more?

I appreciate your help!
 

southtexas

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 8, 2009
Messages
137
Re: Erratic depth finder

If your unit is portable, and you take it on/off every time you go out, check that all of the small prongs on the back of the unit are straight. Also, check the data cord itself to ensure that all of the female ends are open, not bent, etc. I had that problem but it was because not every prong was being inserted into its proper slot on the data cable.
 

Fun Times

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
May 16, 2009
Messages
9,131
Re: Erratic depth finder

I am a new boat owner and I just had a Humminbird 160 installed on a 1901 Mako O/B. When the boat is at idle or slow speed, the depth reading is erratic (example: 199' then 5' then 235' then 0 etc). Does anyone have any recommendations on what I should do? Should I tilt the transducer down towards the bottom more?

I appreciate your help!
is the transduser wire ran by any other types of wires at all it could be bleeding thru a power wire of some kind. Is it mounted on the out side of the boats transom? Make sure the wires are pluged in 100% and also look at the cable ends to make sure the pins are not bent over or pushed back so they can not make contacked with the head unit when pluged in. Make sure the tranduser is mounted as far way from the engine and also look behind the transduser on the bottom of the boat for any thru hull fittings, Or steped notches in the hull of the boats bottom that would line up with the transduser, If that happens you would get air bubbels around the transduser giving you fales readings. Is the transduser under water 100% at rest? Some times you can here and feel the transduser pulsing when it is really wet, When I say here you will need to put you ear to it really wet. If all that is ok or you can not feel or here it then you may need a new transduser first they do go bad:eek: And if the new transduser dose not do it then some times the head unit will be bad also, But most of the time it's the transduser.
 

Boatist

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2002
Messages
4,552
Re: Erratic depth finder

Make sure your transducer is deep enough in the water that it never get air under it. It should be pointed straight down. Also at idle sometimes air or exhaust out of the motor can go under the transducer giving false readings.
 

Que Syrah

Recruit
Joined
Jun 14, 2009
Messages
3
Re: Erratic depth finder

Yes, it is portable. I was specifically careful to ensure the plugs & cables were not bent and were inserted straight and tight. IT WORKED today!! We went fishing and it worked like a charm! Thank you so much!!!
 
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