Topic: 987c SI Transducer Issues

[Ravyak]

I use a 987c SI on my kayak and the transducer has started to give me a few issues.

Sometimes when I go to start it up the fish finder says transducer not attached. If I wiggle the wires where it comes out of the transducer and restart it I can usually get it to work(used to be easy now its a little more difficult).

The last few trips the quality of 2d imaging seems to be significantly degrading as well, I had to change my settings just to get a half decent reading the last couple trips. I have also noticed wiggling the wires and restarting can make the reading better or worse as well. The side imaging and down imaging does not seem to be affected in the same way.

The last thing is the temperature does not read right anymore. Sometimes it is some crazy high random number, sometimes freezing, sometimes just another weird number and sometimes it doesn't seem to even be working(shows numbers but no readout line).

I am guessing this has something to do with loose connections due to the wiggling having an affect on things. The grommet doesn't stay in place anymore so it doesn't take much to affect things, one thing that has never happened though is that it has never stopped reading once on which I find weird considering sometimes it has been hard to get to read.

I know the solution to this is to buy a new transducer but I really don't want to spend 300 bucks on a replacement considering the age of this unit and that you can't buy the proper transducer so have to settle with less capability after buying the current replacement transducer.

Has anyone ever tried to fix one of these for similar issues? Might it be possible to pull it apart redo connections glue it back together and it work again? Or another long shot would be if anyone else on here has an old transducer they don't need and would be willing to sell for cheaper might be interested?

Thanks

[rnvinc]

Try bending the pins ever so slightly to give more friction of the pins into the head unit pin sockets ...

This is not that uncommon in these "quick detach" type connectors ..(sadly) ...

Rickie

[Ravyak]

Try bending the pins ever so slightly to give more friction of the pins into the head unit pin sockets ...

This is not that uncommon in these "quick detach" type connectors ..(sadly) ...

Rickie

It is the connection where the wire enters the transducer, not the connection to head unit. I wiggle that wire(specifically push it into transducer as much as possible and that usually gets it to work. Last few times I have to push it in and wiggle/twist/play with it a bit before it will finally work, but as mentioned strangely it never stops working once going.

[rnvinc]

It is the connection where the wire enters the transducer, not the connection to head unit. I wiggle that wire(specifically push it into transducer as much as possible and that usually gets it to work. Last few times I have to push it in and wiggle/twist/play with it a bit before it will finally work, but as mentioned strangely it never stops working once going.

I see now ...

An intermittent connection at the "cable strain relief" entering the xducer housing cannot be fixed that I know of ...

It would be best to replace the xducer ...

Rickie

[Ravyak]

I figured I would cut this thing open to see if there was any way to fix it and because I was curious of what was inside.

Definitely no way to fix it lol.



I was told the replacement transducer is XHS 9 HDSI 180 T but since I wouldn't have the 800 capability wouldn't the XNT 9 SI 180 T work just as well? It is cheaper and lighter and I thought the 800 frequency was the main difference.

[rnvinc]

I figured I would cut this thing open to see if there was any way to fix it and because I was curious of what was inside.

Definitely no way to fix it lol.

I was told the replacement transducer is XHS 9 HDSI 180 T but since I wouldn't have the 800 capability wouldn't the XNT 9 SI 180 T work just as well? It is cheaper and lighter and I thought the 800 frequency was the main difference.

Your 987c SI came stock with the XHS 9 SI 160 T (83kHz/200kHz 2d and 262kHz/455kHz SI) ...

You are correct that your 987 will not transmit the 800kHz SI frequency to utilize the XHS 9 HDSI 180 T ...

If you cannot find a used XHS 9 SI 160 T ... You are also correct your next best choice would be the XNT 9 SI 180 T (83kHz/200kHz 2d and 455kHz SI) ...

Contrary to specs ...it is possible to transmit your 987's SI at 262kHz thru either the XHS 9 HDSI 180 T and the XNT 9 SI 180 T ... It just will not give very good results because the SI piezoes are are not designed to vibrate efficiently at 262kHz ...

Rickie

[ITGEEK]

Damn Ravyak,
You are either really brave, or really crazy.
Which is it?

[Ravyak]

Damn Ravyak,
You are either really brave, or really crazy.
Which is it?

Really inquisitive lol, and it was broken so nothing to lose.

Not sure if that stuff is all safe to breathe though so I won't do it again or encourage others to try.

[49thdiver]

I figured I would cut this thing open to see if there was any way to fix it and because I was curious of what was inside.

Definitely no way to fix it lol.

Certainly not now. With a bit more care it is possible.
I have used a dremel and cut away the strain relief area very carefully exposing the wires then splicing a new connection followed with sika flex and epoxy to seal it back up. It's very time consuming and indeed as you said there may be nasty stuff in there so do it with a mask and lots of fresh air, definetly not in your home.