Topic: Humminbird 383/798 swap

[genejohn]

Good morning all and thanks for the welcome. I'm new to SI and have a question about my installation. I have a humminbird 383c on the console with the transducer on the transom,  and the 798ci SI HD on the bow with the transducer mount on a special mount on the bow which I take up when running the big motor. The distance from the bow mounted head unit and the console mounted 383 is only about 4'. What I want to do is use the 798 at the bow and the console. The base mount seems to be the same for both, except the transducer cable for the 798 has more active pin sockets than on the 383 transducer cable. Since the 383 mount doesn't have an ethernet cable in it, only the power and the transducer cables can it put the the head unit of the798 on the 383 base and expect only the GPS to work or will the 383 transducer work if plug in to the 798. If that won't work can I remove transducer cable from the 383 mount and have the GPS work on the 798 by having only the power cable plug in to it. The reason for wanting to do this is to simplify my system to where I only need to know how to operate the GPS on one unit and the 798 has the better map which is upgradable if I want better.  I hope this makes sense, if not please ask me to better explain. I guess the last question is if I buy a 798 mount with only the power plug attached, will the GPS work.
Thanks in advance

[xSilmarilSx]

I'm not 100% sure, but if you have the older 798 (before HD) it will fit, but not the new HD model.
The cable collector in the MS M mount is different because of the Ethernet connector...

[Bob B]

Don't know much about the difference in the 2 mounts, but the GPS on your 798 should work if you get it powered up.....your model has the internal GPS.

[FuzzyGrub]

The older, non-ethernet 798 wouldn't be a problem.  I have done that with my 798.  As xSilmarilSx mentioned, the ethernet models use a different MBCC cable collector.  I believe HB changed the accessory plug.  That plug was for a paddlewheel or extra temp probe sensors on your 383.  Since you have both you should be able to tell what the differences are.   I wouldn't mind seeing a picture of the newer connector block.  The pics on HB website don't show it, but I doubt it is just a retaining bracket change.     

The power plug and transducer will work with your 798.  You may want to try removing the connector block on the bow, and just plug the connectors straight into the unit.  There might be enough of a friction fit to hold them.   Set the 798 transducer to "Universal Sonar". 

As Bob said GPS is internal, and will work fine. 

[genejohn]

Thanks for the replies. The physical difference in the appearance of the eithernet connector is that the eithernet connector is somewhat hour glass shaped prevention the connection of the wrong cable. The power connector is the same and the shape of the transducer connector except the 798 has all active sockets and the 383 only has 3 sockets active. I will try to post pictures below. I am not using the eithernet connector, I have no cable attached to the base.

"gene"

[FuzzyGrub]

If you can post pics of the mount side, I might have an idea for you, since you don't plan on using anything on that connector.   It will involve a non-reversable modification to the MBCC-M cable collector.   I was surprised to see the price jump on these.  They are double what I paid a couple of years ago.  Basicly, just make that hole big enough to accept the 798 ethernet plug.

[genejohn]

I've gotten the answer from humminbird greg on my question. He says that since I'm only using the power and the transducer connectors I can use then interchangeably. I only have to change the transducer setting in the 798 when I use it on the 383 transducer.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and ideas. I have a lot to learn on SI and will be reading many post past and present.
"gene"

[Humminbird_Greg]

PawPaw Gene,
I did not realize that you have the “HD” version of the 798 unit.  You will have to either buy the new MBCC-700E Connector Collector parts or modify the one you have for the 383 so that the newer Ethernet connector will work.


Here you go Fuzzy:
 Differences Older 700 series Connector Collector and New 700E series Connector Collector.pdf (34.21 kB - downloaded 361 times.) Differences Older 700 series Unit Connectors and New 700E series Unit Connectors.pdf (47.71 kB - downloaded 349 times.)

[genejohn]

HG although my unit is the HD model with eithernet. I am not using the eithernet cable. The base mount on both the bow and the dash only have the power and the transducer cables in place. I see no interference in plugging either unit in either mount. In fact I've tried the 798 on the 383 base and it fit. I DID NOT turn the unit on because I was afraid of doing some damage to the units. That was my main concern, damaging the heads units. Thanks for the added reply.
"gene"

[FuzzyGrub]

Given Greg's pics, I'm surprised that the 798HD is fitting into the 383 mount.

[genejohn]

Fuzzy, If you look closely at Greg's picture titled "Differences between the Older 700 series Unit Connectors
and New 700E series Connectors" you will see that the power connectors are identical and so are the tranducer connectors and the comm. port connectors. The only one's that are different are the Ethernet and corresponding temp/speed connectors. If compare those two you will see the outline shape is the same with the Ethernet one having more of an hourglass shape rather that straight sides. Remember these are pictures of the head unit. The base unit connector holders have the same exact shape holes in them, both have the straight sided holes so the hourglass shaped head connector will go into it. They interchange perfectly if you don't have an Ethernet cable in the base unit, which I don't. My main concern was the compatibility of the  transducer and any ill effect on the head unit.
"gene"

[FuzzyGrub]

The 700E connector looked significantly longer than on the original 700.  That is why I thought it wouldn't fit.  Glad I was wrong.  That makes it easy.   Just switch transducer to universal sonar, and good to go.

[Humminbird_Greg]

You know I have never tried plugging an Ethernet capable unit onto a non-Ethernet base.  Thanks for the info Gene!

[genejohn]

Just a follow up, I used the 798 on the console to get to the fishing site running the GPS and the transducer setting to dual beam. All worked fine. When I got to the fishing hole I powered down and move it to the bow. All worked great. I'm really starting to like this unit. I may put the 383 up for sale and buy another 798 transducer to put on the transom.
"gene"