Humminbird Side Imaging Forums

Side Imaging Forums => 997c SI, 998c SI & 999ci HD SI => Topic started by: noxpertjim on October 27, 2011, 10:16:42 PM

Title: 997c Transducer Failure
Post by: noxpertjim on October 27, 2011, 10:16:42 PM
After about 25 outings, the transducer mounted on my Skeeter gave up its fight.  My first hint was the depth reading of 2500+ feet in a lake with max depth of 35, and a quickly darkening sonar screen (I was in SI mode).  When I stopped the boat and followed the cable down, I knew there was a larger issue.  The cable was loose and didn't seem to be attached to anything.  Sadly enough, I was right.  (Photos of both the remaining part of the transducer and the resultant cable end below)
The worst part about this is, it's only about 8 months old (transducer only; the 997 has been with me for a couple of glorious years now) and it has, according to HB CS, ruined my 997 head unit.  I have no temp reading nor a readout for temp selection in the menus when I hook it up to my other boat's fully functional HB system.  They said I have to send it in for repair at a cost of ~$225.  Not to mention the cost of a new transducer. 
No impact damage is evident on the leading edge of the remnants, and the day it failed I was several hours in to just open water running.
At least it happened on the outside of tournament season.
So, has this happened to anyone else and if so, were there other solutions than to send the head in to HB for repair?  I need a line on a good cheap source for another transducer, too...
Title: Re: 997c Transducer Failure
Post by: ITGEEK on October 28, 2011, 08:01:54 AM
Wow.
I've never heard of a transducer just coming apart like that.

Well,
The HB transducers are just made of plastic and can only take so much.
You obviously exceeded the limit.

I guess it depends on how fast you run and how low the transducer is to the
water.  The lower to the water, the more strain the tranducer is
going to be subjected to at high speeds.

I would suggest if you get another transducer, to mount it higher and/or to
slow down your speed.

You may also want to look into Airmar transducers.
They may be tougher than Humminbirds, I'm not sure, but unfortunately, they will
be more expensive.
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