Author Topic: 898 problems! (Read 14255 times)

macabelus · « **on:** July 09, 2012, 02:09:15 PM »

Hello to everyone!
Here is what happened with a brand new 898c SI Combo bought by a friend of mine two month's ago. I feel a little bit responsible because I've recommended him Humminbird.
Last week he used it for the first time and all seemed to be ok, but after about 10 to 15 minutes the depth indicator on the screen started to blink and after few seconds disapeared. Also the normal sonar and down image "disapeared", white screen for the normal sonar and dark screen for down image. In the same time the side image worked normally. (?)
The next day the same problem. I've asked him to verify the battery, it was ok.
After some "research" on the forum and knowing that his brother have a 798 I've adviced him to switch transducers. The 898 unit worked perfectly with the 798 transducer, and the 798 had the above problems with the 898 transducer on it.
Here are some pictures that he sended to me.
We concluded that the transducer is the problem but I've wanted to check with you and also to have any other advice regarding this issue and thinks to do to solve the problem.

Thank you!

ITGEEK · « **Reply #1 on:** July 09, 2012, 02:16:23 PM »

Your tests and reasoning sounds logical.
I would also come to the conclusion that the transducer is bad.
The good news is that your friend's machine is still under warranty.

I would contact Humminbird customer service. Tell them what you did and
what the results were. They will probably send your friend a new transducer.
I hope your friend registered his unit on the Humminbird website.
If not, do that first, before calling Humminbird.

Good Luck.

sonar2000 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 09, 2012, 02:32:23 PM »

Humminbird is a factory of manufacture.
I think that the unit itself is assembled on a line and then a burn in time is performed using a set of permanent connections.
Once the unit passes the burn in it is forwarded on and matched with a transducer for shipping. I dont think the transducer is ever tried with the unit before shipping.

Transducers are assembled on a line ( their own liine) and tested at the end of the line.
I dont think the transducers are sonar tested but only a voltage is applied and several electrical readings are taken.

There has been some past issues with transducer assembly as we have seen several postings with transducers and defective new..

Chuck

macabelus · « **Reply #3 on:** July 09, 2012, 03:05:03 PM »

Unit is registered and the issue was e-mailed to humminbird. Not a response yet but waiting.
After a close inspection to the transducer it seems that the two parts of it are not very weel connected. As my friend told me you can insert your finger nail in to "hole" (comparing to my transducer wich is perfectly sealed).

Thanks for replies.

ITGEEK · « **Reply #4 on:** July 09, 2012, 03:28:28 PM »

I would take the direct approach and call.
Email responses are sometimes very slow.

sonar2000 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 09, 2012, 04:15:29 PM »

IT is right call now. there have been some issues with the assembly of the transducers and the mating of the two halves.
Call now and be prepared for a wait also.
Roddy and some others can also talk about their problems with transducers not being sealed or mated..
Chuck

Humminbird_Greg · « **Reply #6 on:** July 11, 2012, 12:45:02 PM »

Unless your friend is running a two-transducer system (a second HDSi transducer or an inside-the-hull DualBeam) it definitely sounds like the 2D sonar went out in the HDSi transducer.

You stated: “After a close inspection to the transducer it seems that the two parts of it are not very weel connected. As my friend told me you can insert your finger nail in to "hole" (comparing to my transducer wich is perfectly sealed).”
Is this in the hole on the back end of the transducer? If so, they are not always filled completely to the top. In fact the glossy black epoxy you see is just for cosmetics. The insides of the transducer are potted with a different epoxy and seal the elements and electrical connections.

All of the transducer have to pass both electrical and acoustical tests Chuck.

sonar2000 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2012, 04:59:12 PM »

Yep, but they are bench tests and not mated to the unit that it goes with..,until packaging..
How do you test the sonar function other than resistance in the assembly line on the transducer...
Chuck

catfish21 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2012, 05:03:45 PM »

DO you want to sell it

macabelus · « **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2012, 05:22:18 PM »

Greg, he is using a single sonar not connected to other devices.
"Hole" was only an expression, maybe not the right one. I wanted to say that between the two halves there is a space in wich you can insert your finger nail.

sonar2000 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 11, 2012, 06:13:04 PM »

Macabelus:
I think catfish21 is asking if you want to sell it..
Thanks for the report though..

chuck

macabelus · « **Reply #11 on:** July 12, 2012, 12:33:50 AM »

Catfish and sonar 2000, it's not my sonar so I don't want to sell it.
Thanks for all advices received.

Roddy · « **Reply #12 on:** July 12, 2012, 01:13:01 AM »

macabelus, I have had two (2) transducers for my 987 split at the top half/bottom half foward maiting surface. Each was brand new. Phoned Humminbird CS and the woman at CS stated " That can't happen" and did not won't to here anymore about it!

So I cleaned out the glue in the jount and reglued with some MIL-SPEC Epoxey and clamps.

One of the two has been installed on a tow fish and now has about 41 hours of use with no new falts.

Good luck Roddy

macabelus · « **Reply #13 on:** July 12, 2012, 01:53:23 AM »

We also think that a proper sealing could solve the problem. Could not do this till we will have an answer from humminbird because of the warranty.

Roddy · « **Reply #14 on:** July 12, 2012, 03:18:07 AM »

macabelus, I would ask Humminbird for a new transducer when and if you are phoned back!

Don't count on a email from CS.

Good Luck Roddy

Humminbird_Greg · « **Reply #15 on:** July 12, 2012, 12:08:03 PM »

Quote from: sonar2000 on July 11, 2012, 04:59:12 PM

Yep, but they are bench tests and not mated to the unit that it goes with..,until packaging..
How do you test the sonar function other than resistance in the assembly line on the transducer...
Chuck

Not sure of the exact details Chuck but basically we place the transducer into a fixture and transmit a signal through it. This signal gets received by hydrophones and compared to known good parameters. The reverse is done to check the receive side of the transducer. This is done for each element or element set in that particular transducer.

Sure the unit and transducers are not tested together or ‘mated’. Our designs allow any transducer to work with any unit. Otherwise manufacturing costs would increase (and therefore the selling price). Could you imagine having to send your unit in to be custom tuned to a new transducer that you just bought or had to replace?

Humminbird_Greg · « **Reply #16 on:** July 12, 2012, 12:12:17 PM »

Quote from: Roddy on July 12, 2012, 01:13:01 AM

macabelus, I have had two (2) transducers for my 987 split at the top half/bottom half foward maiting surface. Each was brand new. Phoned Humminbird CS and the woman at CS stated " That can't happen" and did not won't to here anymore about it!

So I cleaned out the glue in the jount and reglued with some MIL-SPEC Epoxey and clamps.

One of the two has been installed on a tow fish and now has about 41 hours of use with no new falts.

Good luck Roddy

Roddy,
Do you know when these transducers were made?
Look for the model number for the transducer within the first few feet of the connector. There should be the model number and a date code.

Do you know which woman you spoke to?

Humminbird_Greg · « **Reply #17 on:** July 12, 2012, 12:17:08 PM »

Quote from: macabelus on July 12, 2012, 01:53:23 AM

We also think that a proper sealing could solve the problem. Could not do this till we will have an answer from humminbird because of the warranty.

Macabelus, if the bottom housing of the transducer is coming off then your best bet would be to get it replaced under warranty. Even if the bottom housing is not coming off: you have already proven that the problem is with the transducer and so it needs to be replaced.

Like others have stated: calling is a much faster way of getting this resolved versus e-mail.

macabelus · « **Reply #18 on:** July 19, 2012, 04:28:23 AM »

Well, my friend did not had time to wait for a reply from humminbird because of the competition that we attended last weekend.
Without the "new" sonar it was very hard and frustrating for him in trainings and he decided to seal the transducer and give it a try for the two days of competition.
The good news is that the sonar worked without any problem.
Will see what will happen with the warranty now.

sonar2000 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 19, 2012, 09:06:48 AM »

Good news. He may have prevented a later problem by sealing now. I would still suggest a call to HB and see what they will say. If the warrenty is voided then so be it. At least he fixed the immediate problem..As Roddy had said earlier some of the transducers did appear on the market with holes. You might get lucky and HB replace.
At least you made the tournement. (did you win?

Chuck

Humminbird_Greg · « **Reply #20 on:** July 19, 2012, 11:46:55 AM »

I would expect that they would still replace it under warranty given the circumstances. However, if your friend has not gotten a reply from his e-mail to Humminbird by now than I expect that he never will. My guess is that the message never got to them and was blocked for some reason. Calling may be his only option.

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