Need Help with Intermittent Transducer/Fish Finder Problem

[ssmith7]

I need some help with what I think maybe a simple problem to someone who knows what they are talking about.

Last year I installed a Eagle Fish Finder (245 DS) and had no problems with it. It worked great at speeds or sitting still. This year however when we put the boat in the water for the first time the transducer is working intermittently. It rarely works for more than 5 seconds when moving at any speed. It works so-so when sitting still. But it will still stop working and be intermittent when sitting still. Transducer looks level and hasn't moved (up or down) since last year. The transducer is mounted on the transom and like I said earlier it worked perfectly last year. Battery was disconnected over winter. I don't know when I hooked the battery back up if I could have done something (i doubt it as I have it connceted to the fuse box and not the battery). Seems to function well, it just can't keep a depth reading. Transducer seems clean as well (no film on it).

Any ideas are helpful.

 

[cookiemann]

Re: Need Help with Intermittent Transducer/Fish Finder Problem

My Eagle Fishfinder 320 is doing the same kinds of things. It shows the water temp and all the programing options seem to be working fine, even the simulator demo that's in the menu. The only problem I have ever had before this year was that the depth would show way deeper than it really is, when running at throttle across the lake. I just figured that was from turbulence from the prop. The only thing I haven't tried is to wire it straight to the battery.

Maybe someone out there will be able to help us both.

cookiemann

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: Need Help with Intermittent Transducer/Fish Finder Problem

Sounds like your xducer is in OK physical condition so...... First, pull, inspect and reconnect all your connections ( especially the xducer to unit ). Next step in my mind would be to try a different/buddies fish finder of the same brand and cable connections and wire it in temporarily. That will tell you if you have a bad xducer or a bad finder.

 

[cookiemann]

Re: Need Help with Intermittent Transducer/Fish Finder Problem

I did some searching after I posted here.
www.eaglesonar.com
Cruise the site and get to the info on your unit...It will give you reset instructions and also has other FAQ's and things that you might find useful.

cookie

 

[ssmith7]

Re: Need Help with Intermittent Transducer/Fish Finder Problem

Thanks. I sure hope that a a reset will work. I hopefully can tryout this weekend. Please post if a reset works for your unit.

 

[Splat]

Re: Need Help with Intermittent Transducer/Fish Finder Problem

Sounds electrical. Check all connections, even try flipping the switch on the counsel on and off several times(if equipped) to see if perhaps you have a bit of corrosion on a contact you can get to come clean. I just dealt with the same thing this year. With the additional vibration of the engine running I wasn't getting clean power to my FF. I spent a week chasing it, until I decided to change my switch.

Bill

 

[cookiemann]

Re: Need Help with Intermittent Transducer/Fish Finder Problem

Thanks. I sure hope that a a reset will work. I hopefully can tryout this weekend. Please post if a reset works for your unit.

It will be the weekend for me, too, as my boat is in the water, up at the lake place. I will post it, if I find a solution.

cookie

 

[ssmith7]

Re: Need Help with Intermittent Transducer/Fish Finder Problem

Well I tried to reset my fish finder this weekend and it didn't work. It is doing the same thing. Has to be the transducer or a short in a wire. Anyone have any other ideas.

 

[just_crsn]

Re: Need Help with Intermittent Transducer/Fish Finder Problem

ssmith7, i have the same fishfinder. Mine also does the same thing you discribed.Mine will loose depth at speed or drifting. I found if you take it off automatic and move to manual settings you can get alittle more control over the problem. When I loose the depth, i change from 200hz to 83hz. It seems to find my depth again. Mine also started at the beginning of the second season. Hopes this helps.

 

[ssmith7]

Re: Need Help with Intermittent Transducer/Fish Finder Problem

Tried a new transducer and it didn't fix the problem. So it has to be the fish finder itself. Looks like I get to go shopping.