Depth/Transponder probs - Suggestions?

Jeff Quigley

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 21, 2004
Messages
109
Installed a depth/fish finder this year (more for depth as I don't fish that much). My plan was to install the transponder on the transom but the the connector was just over a 1/4 inch and I didn't want to drill a honking huge hole in the transom. The instructions also said not to cut the wire... sooo... I Decided on "option 2" in the instructions which was to mount it internally using slow set epoxy. Everything worked out great. Turned on the unit and it read the depth and I was seeing fish while docked at the slip. Even used a pole to confirm that it was reading the proper depth.<br /><br />Last night I started up the engine and then noticed the depth reading at zero feet. Strange... then it jumped to 340 feet! I'm thinking engine vibration is the culprit. I opened up the floor access and checked the transponder. Solid. In the same position and has not come lose. The instructions said to use slow set epoxy so that there were no air bubbles. I didn't see any upon examination.<br /><br />So, if that's not a pain in the rear, I then noticed when I turned on the stereo I was picking up the sonar pulse through the speakers. Arrrrg!<br /><br />Anyone ever run into these probs and what did you do to fix it? That transponder is pretty solid in place! <br /><br />Jeff
 

flashback

Captain
Joined
Jun 28, 2002
Messages
3,987
Re: Depth/Transponder probs - Suggestions?

Jeff, I would guess that the eratic behaviour is caused by electrical interference rather than vibration. I would try to separate the fishfinder wiring as far away as possible from any other wiring. one common mistake folks make is bunching wires together with ties and such. fish finders do not like that.. good luck.. by the way you may get more responses for this in the electronic forum...one of the moderators will probably move it...
 

Jeff Quigley

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 21, 2004
Messages
109
Re: Depth/Transponder probs - Suggestions?

I searched but never saw the electronics section... now I see it! hahah...<br /><br />i'm going to move it over there now. Thanks FB.
 
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