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I am having trouble with my Hummingbird 525. I can't replace it right now, but maybe someday!
Sometimes the locator goes crazy and changes within seconds from 36 feet to 0.8, then 2 feet, then 0.8, then 3 feet....etc. I don't know why it is doing this.
Is it possible that the transducer is bad? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Peke
Anybody able to figure this out? It only does it every once in a while.
Peke
I had a bird do that before, it only did it once in a while. I never figured it out. I have Lowrance on the console now and it was acting kind of weird a couple of weeks ago bouncing from 15' to 18' to 25' back to 15'. It drove my friend nuts. I fished solo last week and spun it around to the front of the boat and it worked fine. Go figure.
I am new to boating and sort of nervous of being in too shallow water. When it goes to 0.8 I worry I am going to mess up the propeller. Since I don't know the lake very well, I have no idea if it really is 0.8 or not.
Peke
Did you check and make sure the transducer isn't loose? Also try cleaning the bottom of it.
also check the mount where the pins are and see if the one with, I think,3 pins in it is loose. That would be the square one. I had a similar problem and that plug had slipped down and wasn't making good contact.Quote:
Originally Posted by IBNFSHN
I'll clean it today and check the pins. Does it just pull off or is it screwed on? I am not sure about where the pins are.
Thanks
Peke
Just had the same problem with the same unit. I replaced the transducer, and all is good. The connection where the wires go into the transducer had worn, and it was making the unit act up.
the pins are on the mount that stays on the boat look in the center where the unit plugs into the mount. There are 2 screws on the front and the front acts as a clamp to hole the pins, actually a plug type of thing on the 'ducer cable. if it's loose the plug can push down when you put the unit on the mount and you'll get a bad connect. It's not hard to take apart and re-align the plug make sure it's pushed all the way in before you put it back together.Quote:
Originally Posted by peke
good luck with it and hope you find the problem.
Loose connection...that makes sense. I'll check mine.
I decided to post pictures so you could see what I am talking about.
Which part should I take apart to find the pins? One picture was taken underneath looking up.
Thanks, Peke
http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv289/_peke/008.jpg
http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv289/_peke/007.jpg
http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv289/_peke/006.jpg
none of the above. the pins are located in the mount where the screen unit is up on the console/ front deck, where ever you have it mounted. The head should come off the mount by pushing in on the back side of the unit. and pull up. the pins are in there.Quote:
Originally Posted by peke
It ever will could be the transducer. Kinda hard to say. One other thing you can try is change youe water type to Salt Water or Salt Water Deep and turn your surface clutter up to 10. Theses setting should be under the sonar menu. You may have to go over to your Setup menu and change the user mode to Advanved mode. Make theses changes only if this happens in Shallow water less than 10 feet.
OH got it! I thought we were talking about the transducer! I'll check the mount today.
On the transducer, I looked at the wires, but they don't seem to be worn...unless there is a problem inside where I can't see the wires.
We did have a new throttle and cable put on a month ago. We didn't have a problem with the locator until that was done. Do you think they could have done something to cause it to be erratic?
Thanks,
Peke
YES quite possible if the 'ducer cable runs down the same side as cable. might have skined the wire or maybe even cut it. you might have to pull it out and check the whole thing. If you do pull it out before you pull tie a small nylon cord to the end then when you have to put it back in tie it back to the cord and pull the cord out and WAL LA 'ducer able is back in without too much trouble.Quote:
Originally Posted by peke
I may be wrong in what I see about your transducer but it is too low in the water. I thought the bottom of the transducer is supposed to be even with the bottom of the boat. "Bird has a toll free customer service, call them cause I still think its 'posed to be even with the bottom of the boat.
Wannabe...you lost me. Which "it"? (Sort of like Who's on First!) Shoot, it doesn't take much to lose me! I am new to boating and don't know anything!
"If you do pull it ( transducer cable from back of boat???) out before you pull, tie a small nylon cord to the end (of the cable?) then when you have to put it (transducer cable???) back in, tie it (transducer cable???) back to the cord and pull the cord out and WAL LA 'ducer able is back in without too much trouble." Did I understand right? Basically tie the cord on the transducer cable to make it easier to re-thread the cable back through?
I never would have thought to do that! :eek:
Should I just take it back to Tracker repair shop?
The transducer cable goes up from the picture, then over to the right where it joins the other cables to go inside the boat towards the throttle. I guess they are all in the same place.
How do I find out where the trolling motor cable is wired? Isn't it supposed to be one the other side of the boat?
Ragfly-
I see what you mean. The bracket is even with the bottom of the boat, but the transducer itself is about 2 inches lower. Tracker put it on when it was bought in 2003. Transducer hasn't been replaced yet. Looks like the transducer would be easy to knock off since it is sticking out lower than the boat. Your reasoning makes sense! Will contact H-bird.
Thanks for your help.
Peke
Yes tie the cord to the 'ducer cable before you pull the 'ducer cable out then the cord will come thru with it. after you inspect the 'ducer cable re- tie it to the cord and pull it back thru.
I've put cords thru 3 places in my boat and made them 2 times the length of the boat. leave them in and if I need to run a new wire for something I can go from front to back or back to front and never pull the cord out. just find the middle of the cord and attach wire there and pull. simple and works for me every time.
Pretty smart idea! Thanks
Peke
Ragfly,
You are right! Hummingbird reps told me that the transducer is supposed to be 1/4 to 1/2 inch below the boat.
Problem is if I move it up, then I have holes in my boat where the old mount screws were. So how do I fix that problem?
Thanks,
Peke
find screws that fit the holes, put silicone on them and screw them in tight.Quote:
Originally Posted by peke
works for me
I just replaced a 535. It was doing funny stuff that no one could explain away. I found that the hot wire was pinched between the plywood on the front deck and an aluminum frame member. It worked OK when at slow speeds or while fishing. But, on plane, I lost the screen and had to turn the unit completely off then back on to see the screen. I found where the pinced wire had started arcing after time.
DP
I would imagine that Tracker will deny that they did anything wrong when putting the new throttle and cables in. I will try to take the boat to them next week. Strange that it only happens 2-3 per fishing trip.
Peke
Ok, I used the boat this weekend and it no longer has the problem. Used it three days and no problems!