Fishfinder Looses Depth - Sometimes

[BULLWARKS]

I have a Raymarine DS600x Digital FF with a Transom mounted transducer. The FF/Transducer was installed NEW last year by the dealer I bought the boat from. This year the plastic covering on the connector (FF end) cracked and came off as did the connector ring. Raymarine sent me another ring and I installed it but although the wires look to be intact and secure to the pins in the connector I can see the wires normally in the cable and connector and the FF intermitantly looses bottom signal.<br /><br />I'm fishing Greenwood Lake NJ/NY LOTS of WEEDS. This weekend I noticed that I lost bottom but not temprature or speed. This happens in the weeds and also in water 40ft w/o weeds.<br /><br />Can it be that I need to replace the transducer?

 

[carljh]

Re: Fishfinder Looses Depth - Sometimes

I used to lose the bottom reading and discovered that the previous owner had damaged the transducer mounting so that at speed it lifted up. Ended up having to install a new mounting. If your problem is only when at WOT I would check the mounting.

 

[BULLWARKS]

Re: Fishfinder Looses Depth - Sometimes

Thanks ng but it happens intermitantly at all speeds. Sometimes going faster, makes it work. Could it have anything to do with the motor's electronics or prop interaction with the water?<br /><br />Very frustrating!

 

[jtexas]

Re: Fishfinder Looses Depth - Sometimes

What happens when you loose bottom signal - does the depth reading flash and then comes back when it finds bottom again? Usually that means the 'ducer has moved - changed it's angle of attack - as in ng's example, or else you get some turbulence or bubbles under it momentarily.<br /><br />Does it ever mess up when you're stationary? If not I'd tweak the mounting if I could - maybe stabilize it or tighten or something - before shelling out for a new 'ducer.<br /><br />good luck

 

[DangerDan]

Re: Fishfinder Looses Depth - Sometimes

in rougher conditions the hull is pitched about and your ducer can loose track of the bottom from time to time showing an error. If it also happens in flat conditions this may not be the problem. If you think it may be the prop shift into neutral and see if the problem persists.If you think it's electrical interference try<br />turning things off one at a time until the problem goes away.

 

[BULLWARKS]

Re: Fishfinder Looses Depth - Sometimes

Thanks all, I'll try/check it all this WE and let you know what happens.<br /><br />When I loose bottom the depth reading becomes flashing lines like this __ __ and the Sonar picture stops and runs off the screen until there is none left. Still maintain Temp and Speed.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Fishfinder Looses Depth - Sometimes

Sounds like a loose wire at the 'ducer. It would be up to you to find it. I doubt its moving, it happens at all speeds. Does it do it while you are fishing? If so, good luck. I hate electrical problems.

 

[BULLWARKS]

Re: Fishfinder Looses Depth - Sometimes

Yea it does it when I'm fishing too. Thunderstorms tomorrow, I get out Sunday. Tomorrow I will check evrything I can.<br /><br />Thanks for the post Waterinthefuel

 

[BULLWARKS]

Re: Fishfinder Looses Depth - Sometimes

WHen I checked the Transducer it was not "Clicked Down" in place. I didn't know it had to be clicked in the down position. If you looked at it it looked correct. It only moved about 1/16th of an inch but it worked fine after that.<br /><br />You'd think teh Raymarine tech rep would have said something !<br /><br />Thanks for all the posts.

 

[MajBach]

Re: Fishfinder Looses Depth - Sometimes

Aluminum boat w/ rivets? Mine does the same. Probed into this for years - it's normal. No fix. Turbulence from hull combined with water clarity, vegetation and speed. In the great lakes in clear water I can get a bottom reading at 40 mph in 80' of water. In bass rivers I fish I can losr bottom signal at 20 mph in 20' of water.

 

[BULLWARKS]

Re: Fishfinder Looses Depth - Sometimes

Is the Aluminum the problem? How does it affect the Transducer?<br /><br />My hull is welded, does that make any difference?<br /><br />It's a ROYAL Pain