Topic: depth reading changes with speede over 10 mph

[bigbass]

Thanks Guys for the advise. I purchased this unit on March , 2011 and it comes with 5.3 code I believe. I download the 5.4 code and update the unit at home.( I do have a power supply for it). I still have the 5.4 code in my computer.

I am facing another strange problem and wondering if this is something to do with the code that I am on.

I tried all transducer( XNT-9-20,XP-9-20,HDSI) and when my boat speed passed 10KMP, I got random depth reading.

I even use my ice 55 battery and bypass the boat battery with the same result.


Anyone have 1198c 5.3 code? I forgot to backup the old code before I upgrade

Philip

[bigbass]

Below are the pics that I took at the same spot( under the bridge) with different reading.

Philip

[sonar2000]

BB, since the speed is different and has increased slightly I wonder if something is causing bubbles....
I looked at your installation and really did not see much wrong with that...
I know that some have depth issues with getting above trolling speeds. 
Anything else you can post will be helpful..
I dont think it is code but more of an obstruction/bubbleing...
Chuck

[bigbass]

Chuck,

1) Installed xp-9-20 with Y splitetr cable, the exact same result.( eliminate bubble issue).
2) Nitro recommanded installed the xp-9-20 besdie the lowance transducer( beside the bilge pump)

philip

[bigbass]

Chuck,

"I know that some have depth issues with getting above trolling speeds"------ This is exactly the problem I am facing.

Do you think is something to do with the unit itself?

Philip

[sonar2000]

Philip.  I just dont know right now.  I would suppose that something could be messing up in the unit. Most are transducers or cable issues.
Have we tried swapping the unit with a friend..
I would hate to send to HB repair right now as that can take some time away from your fishing use..
I know therse things are frustrating but hang in there...
I know that the lowrance 200 skimmer never gave any depth vs speed problems for us.  The hdsi does have sensivity issues and placement is critical.
I also wonder if the shape of the HB ducers vs the lowrance 200 skimmers are part of the problem. could they be creating disturbance and very influenced externally.
The problem in trouble shooting is it costs to try something else if you dont have a buddy to swap with..
Lets keep working thru this...
Chuck

[bigbass]

Chuck, this is beyond frustration, it's a nightmare for me.

I do not have a friend that own Hummingbird unit, I am the first one in the group to try out. I also plan too buy the 900 series and install at the trolling motor. I guess I have to reconsider this idea.

I don't mind to sent this unit back to HB reapair right now because I am not fully utilize the function of this unit at all.

After spending $4k(installation + transducers cost), I start to question myself am I making a right choice to buy HB. just so sad.

What another things I can try? I already have three different transducers installed in differnet location, just run out of idea.


I Will update the code to 5.5 and then give it a try,. I don't want to wait unit the warranty expired before I send this unit back to HB and turn out the unit itself is the problem.

please let me know if you have any suggestions.

thank you so much for your help.

Philip

[bigbass]

By the way, I spoke to Tracker marine service manager today and he confrimed that the sport I installed the thru hull tranansducer is the only spot they recommanded.

philip

[sonar2000]

Philip, if warrenty is closing in you might want to go ahead and get an RMER and ship it back..
Since you have two problems it may just be the unit...
Chuck

[sonar2000]

I also looked at the member list and not a lot of Canada folks.  But then again a lot of members have not put in their location.
Something I posted a while back as a polite request so that in cases like yours we could find a close person to make a trial switchout..
In the meantime I would hope that some one might find themselves close to you for a test swap..
On another issue we on the forum try to promote a more friendly alliance so that guys are more willing to help..
Chuck

[bigbass]

Chuck,

I just got the unit brand new this year( March 2011), I haven't finish since because I am too busy to deal with transducers and spending  a lot  of money for the transducer installation. All I can say is i feel hopeless and don't know when this nightmare will end.   

Excellent idea you suggested, I am all for helping other for unit testing. At least we can  iron out the issues rather  than spending a lot of money to try an error.

Philip

[sonar2000]

Yep, if we all work together I think a lot of problems may be solved quicker...I hate it you are having the trouble but maybe the return will get it fixed....
I am kind of suprised that no one in CAN has contacted you...
Chuck

[ITGEEK]

Hey Phillip,
I had a similar problem with the depth going crazy on my 1197.
It turned out to be electrical interference.

This is what I would suggest:
Cut off all your motors and electronics except your HB, and drift around and see if the depth stays stable.  Also, try powering towards a known drop-off, then doing the same thing and see if the depth looks correct and holds it correctly when everything else is turned off.

If this works, then I would assume that your unit is operating properly.

You say that you have run a dedicated battery for your HB.  That is good, but if you have the wires running parallel to other electrical wires, then some interference could be getting picked up.  If you have to run the HB wires close to other wires, then run them at right angles (crossing each other).

Maybe at 10mph your gas motor alternator starts to put out more, thus causing interference.

Another thing that may be happening is that when you start to gain speed, the angle of the transducer is too skewed to get an accurate reading.
You may have to adjust the back of the transducer up, so that when the bow comes up and the stern squats (under speed), that the transducer is level in the water.

The last and most unfun thing to do is to try and lower or change the location of  your transducer.  It's a big pain, but there is alot of water turbulence created when you start gaining some speed.  Waves and bubbles are not good.  Even if you have a through hull transducer, if it shoots through turbulence it won't give you a good result.

Best of luck to you.

[bigbass]

HI ITGEEK,

1) how do you fixed the electrical interference. problem ?

2)Already try your first suggestion, depth reading is unstable and sometime lock "blinking" at certain depth readings. Ex 4.1 feet & blinking. I shutted off the boat main power switch to make sure only electronic device is on is the HB unit.

3)I am using the humminbird ICE 55 battery and the power cord is only 6 inch long. I connected HB unit directly to the ICE 55 battery with the same test result.( no other electrical wire within 5 feet radius.) I was thinking it might be the gas motor alternator starts issues and that's why I am using separate battery for testing.

4)I have three different type of transducer installed in my Nito boat (XNT-9-20, XP-9-20 & HDSI). it cost me $160 for additional transducers for testing. ON top is $700 dollars for the marine mechanic to install those transducers. One of the transducers is thru hull type , so no bubble & angle issue here.

5) the location of the through hull transducer is suggested by Bassproshop service manager, My boat comes with dash mount Lowance fish finder and I installed the HB thru hall transducer in the same area as the lowrance one. Lowrance transducer works fine, no issue.

Sorry I answer you questions in point form because I think this is better to explain what I did.

Thank you so much for your suggestions but I think is the unit itself. The depth reading error is random without a patten. The only comman point that I can make out is it always happen after I pass 10kmp mark but that doesn't mean that I have a solid depth reading when I am in slow speed.


Also i have issue with SI display when I turn on "counter mode" :- White hortizonal lines accross the screen even when I am in low speed 3-4 miles per hour.

This unit never work so far and I just upgrade to the latest 5.5 code and didn't help at all.

Bassporshop service manager offer me help after I explained  to him what i did. I will make an appointment with him Monday to drop off the boat. After he inspect the location of the transducer and  fixed it if necessary, I will give it another try before I sent the HB unit back for repair.

Hope is not the HB unit... 

[ITGEEK]

Phillip, my electrical interference was entirely my fault.
The screen on my unit went very dark.
I thought that maybe the battery was the problem.
So, I hooked the unit to another battery that I knew was good, but that battery was one of a group of batteries for my large electric motor.

It was necessary for me to send my unit in and get it repaired, but I forgot to changed the wires back on the battery.  Everytime I used my electric motor, I had interference.

That was an easy fix.

The only other thing I can think of with your problem is that maybe your connections at the back of your unit may be slightly loose, and move around a bit.  I'm sure that the Bass Pro shops guy you are dealing with knows about the trick about bending the wires slightly on the connectors to get a better connection.

 Other than that, I would think that it could be your unit that has the problem.

I know this seems very frustrating, but I'm sure eventually you'll have a sonar that you can depend on.  Hang in there and good luck.

[bigbass]

Thnaks.......I certainly hope so.....