Lowrance 3500 replacement

[Cyborg Pirate]

Hello all, looking for a replacement for my lowrance 3500 depth sounder. Even an upgrade is fine. But needs to work with the existing transducer from the 3500. The depth sounder on the fly bridge of my House boat doesn't display anything but it's getting power to it. The one down in the boat works great. They r both wired to the same transducer so I need a replacement that will work with it. Thanks for the help

 

[gm280]

One question, did this set up ever work with one transducers feeding two head units?

 

[Cyborg Pirate]

I would guess so. It came from sumerset that way. I have only owned the boat for 3 months. I bought it from original owner and he said it worked up until abt 2 years ago. There is a knob on the main helm that switched back and for between bridge and main helm.

 

[GA_Boater]

Before buying a replacement. would it be possible to temporarily move the main helm head up to the flybridge or vice versa?

The fault could be wiring or the transducer switch and you have 2 good heads.

 

[ondarvr]

Swap the two units to make sure it's not the wiring that's the problem. Transducers wear out over time, so you may be better off upgrading everything at the same time.

 

[Cyborg Pirate]

Swapped them yesterday. It's definitely the unit. As for replacing the transducer.... That's is a ways off. It's on an 80 ft House boat. Just had the haul out before we bought it. That's and expensive transducer replacement to haul out for that. Thinking abt getting a chart plotter and putting it up there.... Using the god function for now and when I do have the boat hauled out putting the chart plotters transducer in then. Does anyone know if the elite-5 by Lowrance gps/ chart plotter will work without the sonar/transducer connected?

 

[GA_Boater]

I think it might (not sure), but you won't have depth without the transducer.

 

[ondarvr]

Yes, the Lowrance units will work without the transducer connected.

 

[Cyborg Pirate]

That is what I figured, really only need the depth sounder when anchoring.... And the controls for the Windlas are at lower helm. The chart plotter would work to keep me out of trouble if it will work without the transducer. Just the gps function.... Then go down to lower helm for anchoring and keeping an eye on the actual depth.

 

[Cyborg Pirate]

Yes, the Lowrance units will work without the transducer connected.

Great! That's what I was hoping for. These are on sale everywhere now. I can get one cheaper then buying a used 3500. So I am gonna try this route instead. Rather have the chart plotter for the night time cruising. Easier to avoid the islands and shallows with a big vessel.

 

[Teamster]

. Does anyone know if the elite-5 by Lowrance gps/ chart plotter will work without the sonar/transducer connected?

The transducer and power are on the same plug,...

You would have to coil up the transducer and cord and put it somewhere,

Not sure if the transducer would get hot and burn out of not in the water??

At least that is how they are on the two I bought, One was going to go on the bow for just the gps until I saw that the transducer and power are on the same cord,...So one of them is still in the box somewhere,....

 

[ondarvr]

The transducer and power are on the same plug,...

You would have to coil up the transducer and cord and put it somewhere,

Not sure if the transducer would get hot and burn out of not in the water??

At least that is how they are on the two I bought, One was going to go on the bow for just the gps until I saw that the transducer and power are on the same cord,...So one of them is still in the box somewhere,....

In the menu you can turn off the sonar and just use the chart plotter. I think there is a TEE in the power/transducer cable, one goes to power, the other to the transducer, each can be disconnected individually.

 

[Teamster]

In the menu you can turn off the sonar and just use the chart plotter. I think there is a TEE in the power/transducer cable, one goes to power, the other to the transducer, each can be disconnected individually.

On mine both cords go into one plug, No disconnecting them,...

 

[Teamster]

A link to Navico that shows what I am talking about,....

 

[gm280]

I just searched and seen a Lowrance 3500 head unit on EvilBay for $20 dollars working. Looked pretty nice too. IDK...