Loss of Soundings -- Garmin LVS32/GLS10

[bemiller75]

My depth sounder stopped working on my 2016 R31S a few weeks ago. I searched the Tugnuts postings, and in hunting for the P79 transducer I expected to find, I found a thru hull fitting I had not expected, and determined that it was a fancy LVS32 (obviously, I had not been using the advanced capabilities). I updated the Garmin software (GPSMAP 7616xsv, GLS10, etc.) but that did not help. No obvious visual clues on wiring, the display appears to show pulses, and range is in AUTO (selecting a depth range did not help). I had short-hauled the boat and cleaned the hull in April (and sounder worked fine before and for two months after). Nothing I've done has helped. Depth still flashes at a constant reading (usually 6.7 ft) everywhere. Any ideas?

 

[watson1987]

Have you checked whether the cup needs to be filled with antifreeze?

 

[bemiller75]

Thanks, but I don't think this transducer has a cup to fill (not mentioned in installation instructions and certainly not apparent at the thru-hull). The LVS32 is more sophisticated forward-looking/fish finder, and is outside my small boat/ very large boat experience.

 

[bemiller75]

I just realized that I never closed out this entry. I got the sonar system back up and operational after I discovered that the transducer's AHRS (heading reference designed for troller motor mounts) had failed. A fixed mount, like my Ranger, has no need of AHRS. After securing AHRS, I went into the sonar installation settings in my GPSMAP 7616 and manually set orientation and pitch angle, and I was back up, fully operational. Garmin offered to provide a replacement transducer for at a superb discount, but I elected to stick with the original. I'm starting to get a little spoiled by the Garmin system -- I suspect the ability to see water depth 40-50ft or so ahead of the boat will prove useful on the ICW.