Topic: 798ci SI Failure to communicate with Transducers

[pingman]

My 798ci SI has stopped communicating with the SI and thruhull transducers. Could a software update cause this problem? What the odds of both tranducers failing at the same time?  Checked wiring and everything "looks" OK. Any suggestions?

[Humminbird_Greg]

It could.
Did you just update your software prior to this failure?

Did you reset the unit’s menus back to the factory defaults both before and after updating the software?  If not; try doing so now.

How are the transducers connected to the unit?  If using a transducer switch or AS-Si-DB-Y cable, try disconnecting the transducers and plug them straight into the unit and test again.

[pingman]

Yes it did start after an update to 5.840. I restored to default setting before upgrading, but not after. I'll check the Y cable, also.

Thanks.

[pingman]

I disconnected the Y cable and tested both transducers.  The 798 does not show the temperature connected.  But I connected my 788 to the cables and the temperature shows connected.  The boat in not in the water and that is the only thing I could think of to test.  Any other things I could try?

[pingman]

At the suggestion of HB support, I went back to v5.450 on the 798.  No change.

[Humminbird_Greg]

When you tested each transducer with the 798 did it start up in the normal operating mode or did it automatically go into the Simulator mode?

Not a whole lot that you can check on the unit relative to the transducers with the boat out of the water.

[pingman]

The unit starts in normal mode everytime.  Unless I select simulator.

[Humminbird_Greg]

Go into the Setup menu tab and find the Select Readout menu.  Select one of the readouts to show the Temp.  If your unit is automatically going into the normal mode than it is detecting a water temperature sensor but is not automatically showing it.  See if you can manually set it by using the Select Readouts menu.

Still you need to test each transducer separately while on the water to help determine where your original problem is.

[sonar2000]

You can check out a lot of the transducer by putting it into a 5 gal bucket of water.
You will get screen scrolling if it is working. You will get temperature reading.

If you have two transducer you can use two buckets.
for a better screen use 55 gal buckets.  Put some mud in the bottom you should see about 1 to 1/2 feet of depth..

The sonar will not have any data but it will ping and paint the screen if it is working..

Chuck

[Humminbird_Greg]

Unfortunately transducers that show a very shallow water depth could also be a sign that there is something wrong with the transducer itself.   
You would still need to test them in some deeper water.

[sonar2000]

Baby steps.
The transducers can be checked in the driveway/garage for basic operation.
If that show good then it is off to the lake.
If there is no connection then off to HB for repair or replace..

Chuck

[Humminbird_Greg]

That’s if he gets a depth reading at all Chuck.  Depending on the menu settings in the unit and the amount of water/size bucket etc… he may not get a depth reading at all.  I just don’t want pingman to end up sending in his transducer or transducers when the problem is something else.

If all you want to know is if the transducer will transmit, there is a dry test you can do for this but that is all you will know: that the transducer can transmit.  You will not know that it is transmitting strongly enough or if it is capable of receiving correctly either.  One trip to the lake and he will know for sure.

[sonar2000]

I agree with you in most. but for a quick static test he can do a first check in the driveway.
Not all live close to a lake.

Just another way to get started on problem determination that could save some time..

Chuck

[pingman]

I've tried to select Temp on the readout menu of the 798, but "Temperature" is not one of the options.  But, the 788 has the "Temp" option.  I've attached some pictures from both units connected to the same station.  I'll try and put the boat in the lake tomorrow.

Thanks for the help.

[Humminbird_Greg]

That kind of confirms that the 798 is not even detecting the temperature sensor from either transducer yet the 788 is.  Sounds like that circuit in the 798 went out.  I don’t know that it had anything to do with the software though as we should be hearing from everyone who updated their software on their 798 units about this.

Well, test your transducers when you can hit the water and send in which ever one (or both) that are bad along with your 798 unit to the factory to be fixed.