Humminbird Side Imaging Forums
Side Imaging Forums => 598c SI HD => Topic started by: DiveExplorer on September 12, 2014, 06:24:41 AM
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I have a 581i HD which I use on a inflatable boat. The transducer is located on the stern, near the motor.
The depth readings shows correct depth for at least an hour, then suddenly it goes to show incorrect depth.
It does not matter if you are sailing or stationary. I have tried to turn the unit off but it still showes wrong depth. The depth readings are all kind, anything from 60 to 100 meters. The correct depth is not that much around 30 to 40 meters. I usually use it with 200 Khz, but I have not tried it with 455 Khz.
Does anybody else have that kind of experience. Is there any way to test the unit and the transducer on land ? ???
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Is this a DI model unit? You stated that you have used the 200kHz but not the 455kHz and the only 581 that has both of those frequencies is the 581i HD DI model.
No way for you to correctly test the sonar while on land unless you have some specific laboratory equipment. We actually build our own test sets at Humminbird. The best thing for you to try would be to cross-test it with someone else that has a DI model unit. This will show whether the problem is in the unit or on your boat.
Does this happen at any certain water depth, maybe beyond XX meters?
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Yes this is the DI model.
I have not test this enough yet. The water depth does not matter. I am usually in shallow water/sea under 50 meters.
But I noticed that the cable is dragging out of the transducer. The wires are still intact but the ground wire is bare and would make contact to the sea. So this could be the problem ?
I have to seal it and try it out on the sea again.
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If water has gotten by the rubber strain relief of the cable entrance into the xducer housing... It's possible the xducer has already shorted...
I would suggest getting a replacement...
Rickie
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I took the boat out today. I fixed the transducer with epoxy, so it should be waterproof. The sonar gave me right readings now, most of the time. But when I went faster then 10-15 mph then the depth became wrong again but I would think that is because of the positing of the transducer and how near it is the propeller. So I think the main problem is that and the sonar/transducer is not faulty.
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my depth was constantly jumping all over the place and customer service recommended i lock the bottom depth. it fixed 90% of the problem. my home water is relatively shallow so i keep the bottom depth locked at 25ft for the upper half and 40ft for the lower half. the only time i seem to get miss readings now is in cloudy water/windy days etc.
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Thatīs sound similar to my problem. But at first everything works fine. When I pick up speed the depth finder does not show correct depth. But at lower speed suddenly the depth readings "jump all over place", but I thought it was because of crack in the transducer cable. I have fixed that, maybe I will try to "lock" the bottom also to see how that works, but Iīm using this depth sounder to collect data to make maps.