Topic: The same failure on the second unit 997 - SI transmitter burned up again

[spigi]

I am quite sad owner of already 1 time replaced, the second unit 997 unit which has the repeatedly same problem. The SI/DI stopped to work at all again. Just the black screen. After 9 months my first 997 failed to show SI, black screen only, standard view was OK. I tried to find answers in forums, spoke to HB but there was no clear idea what could cause the problem. As it was still under guarantee It was sent to service and replaced for a brand new one.
After almost 2 years the same problem appeared when ( after on plane mode ) I wanted to scan and found out that my second unit is not showing SI/DI . SI imaging suddenly stopped to show on right and then on left screen as well. Then just black screen . I am having TS2 W switch on boat originally installed from authorized dealer and using the 2nd through hull transducer when on plane. Both transducers were connected and just switched as needed for on plane and trolling mode. As the same problem made me crazy I started to find out again on forums whether somebody else has the same situation. The thread that I found out here today was older one , stating that transducer Switch will (can) damage 997 unit. And that there were more cases of 997 with this problem. http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/index.php?topic=1368.0 Unfortunately it did not give me still a clear answer to the cause for burning the SI transmitter up. As I had both transducers still connected and making just switching in-between on the water.
Now I am facing to send a unit to repair service again, this time out of guarantee. Here in Europe they announced me that repair can cause over 1000 USD. I am quite disappointed and lost so asking for advice.
1. Will the new TS3 switch protect the unit 997 against this problem again? Or Y-cable should be used definitely instead?
2. Did anybody with this problem solved it how to avoid ?
3. Any official solution from HB on this issue ?
Greg please provide any advise , instruction what to do.
Thanks a lot in advance to all. 
*** all checks like : reset to factory defaults, update of software, the different HDSI transducer used did not help

[Rickard]

Hi Spigi,
 
Greg is the best person to comment on this, but I must ask if you have tested with plugging a (working) transducer directly to the head unit, bypassing all extensions and switches? I have seen black sonar channel displays many times when doing my transducer experiments so there may be several reasons for such effects.
 
My old 981 has survived all kinds of wierd transducer connection conditions so my impression is the unit is very resistant to such mistakes. But, of course I'm eager to learn where the limit for unsuitable transducer connections goes.
 
Rickard

[spigi]

Hi Rickard,

Thanks for advice, yes, I have tried to overpass the switch with direct connection of HDSI transducer only but it did not work either. I am now really sure that the problem is caused by manual TS2 W switch with combination of 997CX model. Now I search for a help or any advice how to proceed after I get the 997 repaired again and not to get into this situation soon with the 3rd unit . I hope Greg can help me with the most recent update about this issue and to solve it forever.

Unfort

[LocDown]

I believe the recommended way is to turn off the unit and then switch transducers. If you were just using the switch to switch to 2d for on plane navigation, then the Y splitter cable is all you would've needed. 2D will only come from the shoot-through/through-hull the whole time while the SI/DI will come from the HDSI transducer.

[Humminbird_Greg]

That would be a way to eliminate the use of the transducer switch – but I do not know that using the switch will lead to this problem.

[spigi]

Hi Greg , thanks for your opinion. Do you have any other idea about possible cause for repeated SI failure of this kind? Switch worked smoothly, unit showed everything properly SI/DI or standard 2D view, voltage was OK, all cables checked , there is still  no damage on the HDSI or neither puck transducer...Both times the failure occurred on the water with both transducers fully connected. We have checked in dealership everything already after the first unit's failure.
I just want to avoid stepping in the issue again after the third repair. A few more cases of the same SI transmitter failure in 997C - Switch combination which were reported on this forum just underlined my suspicion that it shows really to switch.

[Humminbird_Greg]

No other ideas about the repeated SI failure spigi.
We have also had failures of the Si circuitry in units that were not using a switch, so I’m not sure how significant it is that others who have used a switch have had the same failure.