Topic: broken transducer bracket

[Slip]

hi all,

fishing trip on the weekend turned out to be fruitless when my transducer bracket snapped off on my 798. lucky i didn't lose the transducer itself. having a look through the various forums on the internet it doesn't seem like an isolated incident. my transducer was in line with the bottom of the hull and being a small boat top speed is 25 knots, so certainly not the level of water force you'd expect to see on some of the pro boats.

now my thoughts why this happened are:
1/ degradation of the ABS plastic
2/ a flaw in the design of the mounts
3/ if the release mechanism didn't 'pop out' then it suggests that the force is possibly being applied in a vertical fashion. i.e. transom down-bow up when powering from a stand still.
4/ all of the above

how do i avoid this from happening again. i will certainly not be happy if i lose my transducer if it happens again. is there are revised bracket i can buy or a stainless steel bracket whether OEM or aftermarket?

cheers
slip

[George]

Slip

Looks like a pretty hard break from hitting something.  At least the transducer itself does not appear to be broken.  I agree that you should raise the transducer to keep it out of harms way.

I believe there are some sources for transducer brackets that will protect the transducer.  It appears that Humminbird sells the bracket for $20 while Humminbird Outlet charges $40 for the same bracket.  You should verify that this bracket works before making a purchase.

I have some pretty good scars on both of my transducers from hitting rocks, Eufaula lake the area I fish is very rocky and the water level varies 10 feet annually. 

[Slip]

hi george,

thanks for the reply. i definitely didn't hit anything, have been on this dam countless times and was reading well over 100ft when the bracket snapped. still doesn't explain why the bracket didn't kick up like it was designed to (middle screw bolt was not installed).

don't really want to be buying brackets continually as some of these other threads have implied, was wondering if anyone found/fabricated a stronger solution to this issue?

cheers
slip

[George]

slip

The first thing you should do is register your unit the call customer service.  HB's customer service is great.  I broke a bracket they replaced the first one free after that I was on my own and have since replaced another one. 

I have also used JB Weld to fix the broken parts.

George

[Slip]

george,

like you've suggested they do break and from what i've seen around the forum quite regularly too.

i'd just like to see if there is a solution to what is otherwise a recurring problem. next time i may not be so lucky and will have a transducer i need to replace as well. i do not think that replacing the bracket each time and hoping for the best is the way to go.


slip

[George]

Slip

Most important is to register your unit, I do not quite remember but someone on this site will, if you register through a certain site the warranty is extended by a year.

George

[Slip]

pretty sure it was already registered. thanks anyway.

[Humminbird_Greg]

I think that is only for US residents George:
“You must be a U.S. legal resident over the age of 13 to qualify for the Program”

[George]

You are right Greg as usual.

George

[Speedtroller]

Slip do a google search for transducer shield and saver. I put one on my boat after breaking a few mounts. Have not had a problem since.

[Slip]

Yes thanks, I've been in touch with them but they won't give me a quote for freight to Australia. However it seems that it still utilises the original mounting brackets. I was hoping to find a stronger option. Whilst the shield saver may help with the problem it doesn't solve it entirely.
Cheers
Slip

[Speedtroller]

Slip. I guess I didn't look at your pic very close. I have the hdsi transducer. The shield saver is way different for my transducer. If you are willing to spend the money the hdsi transducer does give a better picture than yours you could change out the transducer and get the shield saver and completely eliminate your problem. I got the hdsi off amazon for about 140.00 with shipping.

[Slip]

the hdsi transducer looks much better. i think the overall design of mine in particular wasn't thought out very well by humminbird, whilst their support have been okay so far (awaiting delivery for a replacement bracket) i certainly would have hoped that the number of breakages i've read about that they would have released a fix or alternate bracket assembly.

at this stage not too keen on buying a new transducer although if this one does end up in the drink then i may very well need to purchase a new one. however by that stage lowrance may very well be getting a new customer.