No Depth Reading-Garmin Transducer GT15M-IH / 2020 R-29 CB

[Anchors Aweigh]

Depth readings have been displaying just fine until today.....now I just see dash lines for the read out.....is this a result of lack of antifreeze fluid (did not see any colored antifreeze by the transducer) or is there a fuse (in line or fuse panel, could not locate a fuse) I should be looking for?

Marc Doyle
2020 R-29 CB / Puffin
Port Ludlow, WA

 

[Hamster]

Did you open the transducer and see if it has antifreeze? If not, fill it. If it is empty, it likely is due to a poor seal and might need to be resealed.

 

[Shibumi]

Be sure sonar range set to auto. A limit will mess up depths that exceed the limit

 

[BB marine]

If your transducer is a shoot thru the hull and has a fluid barrier cup installed it may be low on antifreeze. It does not hold much so it may have been marginally filled in the first place. I would remove the screws holding the transducer in place and inspect the top o-ring. Is it there and is it in workable condition. remove any residual antifreeze and clean the cup area interior. make sure there is no loose sealant that could be obstructing the transducer from sounding. Fill the Cup with RV antifreeze and attach transducer. (I will fill the cup 3/4 full when filling, then place paper towels around the outside perimeter of the cup to absorb all the over flow). This insures a full cup of fluid with no air voids between the transducer and the bottom of the boat. Clean the area around the cup good so you can check it for leaks after the procedure is completed.

This is the installation manual for the transducer.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... TKB41JGMMo

 

[Anchors Aweigh]

Just checked transducer, filled with antifreeze, replaced with new antifreeze , still no reading. Also, the sonar range is set to auto. Any other recommendations….? Is there an in line fuse or blade fuse incorporated with transducer set up…..could not locate?

Thank you for the suggestions…..

 

[knotflying]

Try disconnecting all connections from transducer unit at helm. Wait a minute and reconnect. That often will reset the unit.

 

[BB marine]

I had a similar issue when navigating in the shallow waters of Florida bay. I used this has a troubleshoot guide to make sure I had all the settings on and set correctly. I lost the depth because of he shallow soft bottom. From taking to Garmin the shoot thru the hull transducers can cause theses issues when bottom conditions change. The best transducer sounding is the transducer face touching the water. The only time I ever had issues like this is when the cup level was low or boating in shallow disturbed water. Take a look at this Garmin presentation. I used it to troubleshoot my issue. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... GDCDsqp9XD

 

[Anchors Aweigh]

Its the Water! Brown algae bloom in our Port Ludlow, WA bay and apparently a heavier concentration of algae in our slip, around 38' deep at high tide. Upon exiting the slip today and entering the fairway the depth readings reappeared and displayed the proper depth......upon return to the slip after motoring in the bay for a bit all depth readings worked as they should.

Interesting enough a 2016 R-29 S down the dock from us also experienced issues with the depth readings either non-existent or flashing....he also exited his slip and normal readings reappeared once in the fairway.

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions....back to boating!

Marc Doyle
2020 R-29 CB / Puffin
Port Ludlow, WA