Depth sounder delay

K

Kwh23

Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2026
Messages
7
Fluid Motion Model
R-23 (Outboard)
Hull Identification Number
FMLT23281920
Vessel Name
Magic
MMSI Number
338568662
Just bought a used 2020 R23. The depth sounder will not display depth until the boat has been underway for 10 minutes or so. This happens each day without fail. Wants the display begins, it works fine until next day. Any ideas?
 
I actually doubt that this is causing that problem but I would check the fluid level in the transducer hull mount. It's a common issue with the antifreeze leaking. Usually it just stops working all together though. What is the display showing when it is not working?
 
Low voltage going to the chart plotter (gps)
Check house batteries, after running for 10-15 min you have enough voltage from your alternator to charge the batteries up to needed voltage for the garman.
Hope this helps solve the mystery! Bob
 
venajeff said:
I actually doubt that this is causing that problem but I would check the fluid level in the transducer hull mount. It's a common issue with the antifreeze leaking. Usually it just stops working all together though. What is the display showing when it is not working?
Click to expand...
Thanks— I’ll look at that, though as you say it would seem to give a total failure. When not working, l get a set of dashed lines.
 
bob daily said:
Low voltage going to the chart plotter (gps)
Check house batteries, after running for 10-15 min you have enough voltage from your alternator to charge the batteries up to needed voltage for the garman.
Hope this helps solve the mystery! Bob
Click to expand...
Thanks. Sounds reasonable, but I get the problem after sitting all night on shore power with the charger on.
 
Your house battery seems to be bad, not supplying proper voltage to the GPS unit. When your underway with the engine running you will notice your GPS will read between 13-14 volts, that’s what the alternator is supplying, and your unit is working properly,
A good way to test is when it’s working correctly underway, turn your engine off for a few minutes and read the voltage on the GPS
Or do a load test on the house batterys, I think you will find that it’s probably time to replace
 
As far as shore power, I think you will find that your depth finder will work fine while on shore power! But you will be limited to your cruising distance by the length of the shore power cable !
 
Just a side note: No matter how long on shore power / battery charger, a bad battery is still bad! And replacement is the only fix !
 
Unit also doesn’t work on shore power. Also, batteries test good. The antifreeze reservoir around transducer is full. But I did see that there is another Tugnuts thread dealing with Garmin sonar not working or flashing. A dozen or so Tugnutters reported the problem and have tried a lot of fixes. Seems like some, not all, had some luck with adjusting gain and/or max limits. So I’ll try these when I get a chance.
 
It is strange that it starts to work after a bit. Low voltage could definitely be causing it. Try disconnecting the transducer from the rear of your head unit and cleaning it with some electrical cleaner and a small brush. If that doesn't do it, then you may need a new transducer. You could carefully unbox and test the new transducer (just having someone hold it at the water surface) and if that doesn't fix it then you could return it.
 
Kwh23 said:
Thanks. Sounds reasonable, but I get the problem after sitting all night on shore power with the charger on.
Click to expand...
If you have a Garmin Panel. click on the Sonar, it will show the Voltage there and make sure the depth setting for the Sonar is more than the current water depth.
 
As a former sailor, the only reason you have a depth sounder is confirmation that your hard aground, humor!
 
After talking with Garmin, obtained a new transducer which fixed the problem. Didn’t realize digital and analog display came from separate elements in the transducer which can fail independently. Thanks for the everyone’s suggestions.
 
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