Depth finder not working

[DGHarting]

Looking for help locating and diagnosing the depth finder on my 2020 29S. On reading on my Garmin display

 

[William Sanborn]

Not sure what models of Garmin you have, but sometimes when I turn mine on (2011 RT 27) every thing is active, but no depth reading. I go back to the HOME page and usually note that the Sonar is not listed. Cure has been to turn off the unit and then reboot. Each time I have done this the Sonar is then listed on the home Page and Depth readings are shown.

 

[gswearin]

You might also check the transducer for it leaking.

 

[luckydog]

Looking for help locating and diagnosing the depth finder on my 2020 29S. On reading on my Garmin display

I had the same problem on my 2020 29CB. I just fixed it yesterday by adding propylene glycol (pink RV antifreeze) to the transducer cup. You can find information about this on Garmin's website. Note: I have two transducers in our boat, but the active transducer in our case was the one in the v-berth floor under the access panel behind the the shower sump pump box. Remove the screws to the shower box to gain better access to the transducer and loosen the 6 tiny screws on the top of the transducer. (Those screws are captive, so just loosen enough to remove the cap. I used a two inch long #1 screw driver bit to fit in that area and was able to loosen easily by hand.) You may need a small flat screwdriver to gently pry the transducer cap off as it was a little sticky on the o-ring seal. If there is only a small amount of RV antifreeze liquid in the cup, particularly if you can see the bottom of the cup, add more to the cup (I added enough to cause a small amount to spill out when I set the transducer.) and set the transducer and check your chartplotter to see if depth is displayed. It instantly fixed my problem. Just resecure the screws and your good to go.

 

[DGHarting]

I suspect there should be a cap/cover on the transducer. When I removed the access panel this is what I found. I assume that the entire sloped surface shoulde be covered and a cap should be screwed in place.

 

[DGHarting]

How much antifreeze should be in the transducer?

 

[DGHarting]

I also just found another device thru hull in the engine compartment

 

[venajeff]

If I remember correctly there is a fill line inside the hull mount housing. But basically it should be full. When I installed mine I just made sure a little antifreeze flowed out when I installed the transducer.

 

[DGHarting]

If that is all that was in there, then you are missing the transducer.
If I remember correctly there is a fill line inside the hull mount housing. But basically it should be full. When I installed mine I just made sure a little antifreeze flowed out when I installed the transducer.

Thanks, did you my subsequent post showing another transducer in the engine compartment

 

[venajeff]

Yeah. There was no transducer in the first picture, it looks like someone moved it to the other location.
If you open it up and there is little or no fluid in there, I can pretty much guarantee that putting more in will just leak out.
If that is the case, you will need topull it off the hill mount housing, clean up both surfaces well and hit them with 120 grit sandpaper, then wipe down with some rubbing alcohol. I then used a 100% silicone and it has held up great.
But if you open it up and it's full then your problem is something else.

 

[gswearin]

The transducer on the 2020 R29 is next to the shower pump next to the bed

 

[DGHarting]

The transducer on the 2020 R29 is next to the shower pump next to the bed

I checked the floor panel next to the bed and found only the shower bilge. Is that the area you are referring to?

 

[DGHarting]

I had the same problem on my 2020 29CB. I just fixed it yesterday by adding propylene glycol (pink RV antifreeze) to the transducer cup. You can find information about this on Garmin's website. Note: I have two transducers in our boat, but the active transducer in our case was the one in the v-berth floor under the access panel behind the the shower sump pump box. Remove the screws to the shower box to gain better access to the transducer and loosen the 6 tiny screws on the top of the transducer. (Those screws are captive, so just loosen enough to remove the cap. I used a two inch long #1 screw driver bit to fit in that area and was able to loosen easily by hand.) You may need a small flat screwdriver to gently pry the transducer cap off as it was a little sticky on the o-ring seal. If there is only a small amount of RV antifreeze liquid in the cup, particularly if you can see the bottom of the cup, add more to the cup (I added enough to cause a small amount to spill out when I set the transducer.) and set the transducer and check your chartplotter to see if depth is displayed. It instantly fixed my problem. Just resecure the screws and your good to go.

Thanks, my transducer was in the engine compartment. I followed your instructions and it's fixed. Thanks

 

[gswearin]

Oops sorry, I had a 2021.

 

[Lemonade II]

Mine just stopped over the winter. I was thinking it would be something more complex but like many others, some of the fluid had drained out of the holder. Simple to remove the screws, remove the transducer and add some RV antifreeze. Replace the transducer and all is working well. I'll have to reseal the holder some day as I can see where the fluid has a small leak.

 

[Brian John]

The transducer on the 2020 R29 is next to the shower pump next to the bed

Better location than under the refrigerator, like on my 2022 R-31

 

[Papautz]

Mine just stopped over the winter. I was thinking it would be something more complex but like many others, some of the fluid had drained out of the holder. Simple to remove the screws, remove the transducer and add some RV antifreeze. Replace the transducer and all is working well. I'll have to reseal the holder some day as I can see where the fluid has a small leak.

I gave up on trying to keep antifreeze in mine and removed the cup, glued the transducer where the cup was, now it works fine but### it starts blinking after 15 minutes until I take it out of auto depth on the sonar page, back it down to just above my water depth and then it’s happy, go figure

 

[Cutwater28GG]

you can hear these transducers click when there is enough liquid in the cup. when it gets low from leaks it gets quieter as the pulses don't make it to the hull