Topic: XHS 9 HDSI 180 Transducer Problem

[muskyhunter]

I have mounted two transducers on the boat sharing one 998 head unit.  The side scan works on the rear transducer however only the left side works on the front transducer.  This holds true regardless of which view I select with side scan data showing.  I have verified that the side scan setting is set to both sides.  The right side using the front transducer is almost black, but I can see a very faint image on the right, which almost looks like a copy of the left display.  This does not occur when using the rear transducer.  I have also verified that the connection pins are not bent and not sure what else I can troubleshoot. 

I did not have an SD card to take a snapshot.  Anyone experience something like this before?  Also, is there a good way to test a transducer without having to go to the lake? 

[RGecy]

You could put it in a bucket of water!

Most definitely sounds like a bad transducer.  You will need to hook them up directly to the unit one at a time and look to see if you see any differences in the returns.

Robert

[muskyhunter]

Thanks Robert.  So are you saying to hook each transducer up without the other connections such as GPS and Interlink?  Comparing the scan quality between the front and rear transducer, the left/right display from the rear transducer and the left of the front transducer all look very good with fine detail.  Maybe Greg will chime in here as well.  A call to Humminbird will be on the schedule for Monday. 

[RGecy]

I assumed you were using a switch to switch the transducers on the one unit.  Take the switch out and hook up the good transducer from the rear.  Check out the Side Imaging and see what the display looks like.  It should give you some returns, but will be nothing discernable.  Then turn off the unit and hook up the suspected bad transducer and see if the SI returns looks similar.

You can keep the other connections hooked up.  You just want to eliminate any other wires like the switch.

Robert

[muskyhunter]

Sorry Robert, I wasn't clear.  I have a trolling motor transducer wired up to a front connector collector.  I have the rear transducer wired up to a collector connector at the driver console.  When I drive, the locator is connected on the dash diretly to the rear transducer.  When I am at my spot, I power down, move the locator to the front, connect to the front transducer, and power up.  Basically I have two separate mount areas independent of each other.  So in effect I have been testing the input of each transducer separately, where no transducer switch is in the equation. 

[Jolly Roger]

Hm,
not good then. Sounds like your front transducer is messed up.
You eliminated the pin problem and there's no switch involved....

Last try: If someone has a 898, 997, 998 or even a 1197 unit near you, try this unit on your boat. If the same symptoms appear, you narrowed the problem down to the front transducer.

My two cents

Harry

[muskyhunter]

New transducer is on the way.  Arranged a cross shipment for the new one and return and should be here by Wednesday.  Looks like I've got some work to do but no pictures this time. 

[muskyhunter]

Cool.  I got the new transducer.  I put it in a bucket of water and I was able to see both sides of the pail with side scan.  The picture won't win any contests though. 

Humminbird shipped me the transducer with the trolling motor bracket, which is the XTM 9 HDSI 180T.  Never saw it on the website.  I thought there was only one transducer (XHS 9 HDSI 180T) and for trolling motor usage the trolling motor mount was ordered separately. 

[sonar2000]

Even if it does not win any award, how about a picture or two of the unit in the pail. 
Chuck

[muskyhunter]

Hah, I really should have done so.  I still need to get a card reader that works.  Mine doesn't work with the SDHC card.

[sonar2000]

Yep, the new higher density larger casrds take the new readers.  but they are not all that expensive (yet)   ...........
Chuck