Topic: 598 ci SI first use issues

[seabean]

Hello all

I tried out my newly installed (by me) 598ci SI with a few problems for the first time yesterday.  This is on a small flats skiff, I placed the transducer slightly port of the engine between the sponsons, the only place it had a clear view out from both sides. The standard sonar views all worked fine on trial, my issues were with side imaging and down imaging.

1. Both were barely visible onscreen at any setting I tried.  It was a partly sunny day and all other views were easily readable.  For me to see anything I needed to turn the sensitivity at 17/18 and up, the contrast very low.  Is this normal that SI/DI offers less sunlight visibility and will I need to use a shade of some sort to use these - no t-top or bimini on the boat? When I viewed  images in Humviewer i was able to see much better detail, may be even better if I had not set the sensitivity so high.

2. Side imaging only appeared on the starboard side. The transducer has a clear view below its level out each side.  The port sponson is ~5 inches from it and is higher in position than the top of the transducer.  The starboard sponson is spaced at 11 inches.

After reading a few post here maybe power is relevant? I wired the unit directly to the battery with a 3 amp in line fuse, added around 8 feet or so of 18 gauge cable.  I could remove a bit of that if necessary.

See screenshots from Humviewer and pics of transducer below.

Thanks - Kevin

[ITGEEK]

For side-imaging, and for down-imaging where the
down-imaging is generated from the side-imaging,
the transducer needs a clear line of site directly to each
side of the transducer.
Not just below the transducer.

If I were you, I'd drop the transducer about an inch
and retry.

The signals are obviously being partially blocked by the
bottom of your hull in that motor cut-out area.

[Rickard]

I think the left SI view doesn't work at all. There use to be at least a white band and stripes close the middle even if the view is blocked by something. The recorded data is not affected by the sensitivity setting in the unit so what you see with Humviewer should be the same regardless of unit settings.
 
Rickard

[seabean]

is there any way to test if the port side SI is functioning, i.e. waving my hand by it or other?

My original thought was that the transducer would need a clear 180 degree arc starting and ending at the lines on its side.  See the photos below, I have clearance directly to the side, but not much above that 180 degree arc.

[Rickard]

That position should work well. If you run the system in the air (not harmful) there should appear stripes in both views. In case nothing is visible the transducer can be put in a bucket of water. Set SI range to the shortest possible, this makes it easier to see things on the display. I guess left view is dead, probably because of a wire failure. I once had a transducer with an internal shortcircuit, that looked exactly like your images.
 
Rickard

[sonar2000]

I agree with Rickard.  This appears to be a failure of the left side. there have been some issues with transducers in manufacturings...I think it has been fixed but some went out defective. Or a wire break in the transducer itself due to who knows what.
As Rickard said a bucket of water will help test also. Just take the transducer off the bracket and hold it in the bucket...I have done this to test the ducer...

I would try a swap of someone elses transducer (on a temporary basics)

Chuck 

[Bob B]

+1 on Rickard and Chucks comments. 
You could be getting some reflection from the sponsons, but not enough for the total lack of SI from the left side.  Also make sure you don't have a damaged transducer cable and and maybe try unplugging and plugging it back in in case you have a bad connection.

If you know someone who has Humminbird, you could try your unit on their boat.  I think the HDSI transducer for the 898-1198 series will also work on your 598.  I know it will on the 798, but don't know as much about the 598......Otherwise give Humminbrid customer service a call.  You appear to have a problem with either the transducer, head unit, or connector.

[seabean]

Thanks guys, I will reset all connections and try the bucket of water test.

Any thoughts on viewing SI/DI in direct sunlight vs other display views?

[Bob B]

The SI view should not be any more "challenged" than any other view in sunlight if it is working properly.