Depth Reading Failure

[tborcher]

Ranger Tug '21; Garmin GPS; Airmar Adjustable-angle Transducer: Depth reading on the Garmin screen accurate until about 40 Hours engine time. Then all of a sudden the depth reading went blank. Since then the Garmin GPS works fine but no depth reading. Any suggestions? Thanks, Tom

 

[jagizzi]

I am not on my boat now but had the same problem. There are settings buried in the Garmin screens for the depth transducer. Mine was turned off after a software upgrade and I simply needed to set it up again. If you're lucky yours will be the same 🙂

 

[Captain Nice]

Make sure there is sufficient RV antifreeze in the transducer cup.

CN

 

[BB marine]

This has been discussed before here on Tugnuts. There is a o-ring that seals the propylene glycol from leaking out. This O-ring is sometimes not installed and eventually the glycol level gets to low and causes the transducer to work improperly. Twist the cap of the transducer to remove it and inspect glycol level and see if an o-ring was installed. if the o-ring is missing contact Ranger parts to get one. We had a locking tab broken on the cap and a missing o-ring and loss of glycol. The Garmin had erratic readings and then no readings. Replacing the cap, installing a o-ring and topping it off with Glycol fixed the problem.

 

[tborcher]

Thanks for the responses. One question: If the problem is that the glycol level is low or that it leaked out, should I have seen a puddle of glycol on the floor of the compartment the transducer is in?

 

[BB marine]

I saw a stain around the bottom. It doesn't leak all at once. So if you don't see fluid sitting there it doesn't mean that it didn't leak. Its very easy to check. You will see arrows on the top of transducer to show direction to remove .Lift it straight up out of hull mount. Inspect level and inspect for o-ring. The o-ring should be around transducer, also inspect locking tabs there 180 degrees apart.

 

[gsc3]

Be careful when putting on the o-ring. It goes below the locking tabs. If placed above the locking tabs, the assembly will NOT lock into place, and fluid leakage can result.

 

[tborcher]

Again, thanks everybody for the help. The depth reading disappeared at 40 hours of engine time. I just hit 100 hours last week so I've lived with it a long time. I move a little slow to say the least. And, of course the transducer is kind of "buried" under the piping for the head and an assortment of wires -- the access issue one of the reasons I put this off. But here goes, I digging in . . .

 

[knotflying]

Another possibility is that the transducer was directly adhered to the hull and there was no cup for the antifreeze. This was a method that Ranger used at one time. If that is the case and the transducer came loose, I would suggest that you purchase the correct receiver to hold the transducer and install it correctly.

 

[tborcher]

Success!! Really appreciate the helpful tips on the transducer issue. Probably most important was the comments gave me a little bit more confidence to fix it myself. This morning I "tackled" the job and sure enough, glycerol level was very low. Filled it up. Put the cap back on. Presto! I have a depth reading again on my Garmin screen. (Still had to twist and crouch and maneuver so as to feel like I was in some kind of yoga class.) Back to the river!

 

[Scotty Mac]

So my sonar was messing up also and I went to check the level of antifreeze in the cup. I twisted the cap off and the whole transducer can out in my hand. These is no cup, it was apoxied to the hull. I'm trying to order the replacement cup but in the mean time how can this be "reattached" that won't screw up the transducer? Around here you need to know the depth.
Any ideas?

Scott

 

[BB marine]

Another possibility is that the transducer was directly adhered to the hull and there was no cup for the antifreeze. This was a method that Ranger used at one time. If that is the case and the transducer came loose, I would suggest that you purchase the correct receiver to hold the transducer and install it correctly.

Knotflying posted that could be a installation option used. It needs to be epoxied back to the hull. This can be tricky because when you epoxy it care must be taken to make sure there are no air bubbles between the transducer and the hull. I would recommend installing the fluid type that we are describing. Just my opinion. I have installed and used both styles. My opinion is the fluid mount is better. Most likely your sonar readings were messing up because the transducer was loose.

 

[Brian B]

My transducer was also epoxied and came loose a few years ago, I installed the reservoir cup, I believe I got it from Airmar. I used a scraper blade on an oscillating tool to remove the old epoxy from the hull.
The cups are supplied with the transducer, Ranger did not use them. They may have a box full of those unused cups 🙂 ..
Here's the Airmar installation guide. http://www.airmartechnology.com/uploads ... 217-01.pdf
I found a source for the base https://www.p2marine.com/airmar-base-on ... gIQavD_BwE

 

[Scotty Mac]

Thanks for the response, I've got the part number for the cup and o'ring and will go that way. After reading the install instructions (thanks Brian) I didn't want to use the 3M 5200 as I didn't want to mess up the transducer. I went with marine silicone around the edges just to hold until I get the parts.
Kind of funny that they sell a kit for the o'ring and cup, I guess this is a big enough problem that they sell the fix! Lol.

Thanks Again, now on to the Radar but that is another story. Used boats, need I say more

ScottyMac