Started our trip north to Alaska and no sonar

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Wee Venture

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Aug 24, 2017
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490
Fluid Motion Model
C-302 SC
Hull Identification Number
FMLT3107G718
Vessel Name
Wee Venture
MMSI Number
368003370
Started our dream trip to Alaska Saturday and discovered we have no sonar, which I consider to be mission critical. Currently moored at Shilshole Bay in north Seattle trying to figure out what to do. Would like to diagnose and fix ASAP. We have a 2018 model R-31CB with a Garmin 7616xsv at the main helm and a 7612 at the flybridge. Depth readings do not show up on either unit. I know the sonar has to be turned on before going to the navigation chart and that sometimes it needs to be set to “Traditional View” in order to work. I have tried this several times with no joy.

Details: it is a “Built In” sonar. I just updated all the software via Active Captain before setting out on our trip. The Garmin Devices screen shows the software version to be 4.10. The chart shows surface noise but no bottom and no number reading. I tried adjusting the power, range, other adjustments and switching between high and low frequency. While those things changed the appearance of the chart, there was still no bottom and no depth reading. For a while, a fixed depth was flashing on the screen but mostly the depth field was just blank. The event log has a line entry which reads: “Sonar module lost: Buil-in.”

Other considerations: A diver cleaned the bottom about a month ago. The boat has been moored in Lake Washington. Just before setting out on our journey, I added a Garmin Rudder feedback sensor and plugged it into our Garmin Smartpump. Because of this, the chartplotter prompted me to do the Sea trial wizard, which I did. The transducer appears to be firmly attached to the hull.

I would sure appreciate any suggestions on how or where to diagnose and fix this. Thanks!

John
 
I had a similiar situation recently with our depth and sonar. The problem on our R29S was that the fluid in the transducer was minimal, almost empty. I cleaned the transducer reservoir out and put 2 1/2 oz of new mineral oil into the transducer reservoir and all was back to normal. This may or may not be the situation you are having but it’s worth checking out out. Once you resolve the problem let us all know so we can learn from your situation.

Jim F
 
I had the same problem on our 31CB. I used the pink RV potable water antifreeze and did what Jim did and no further problems.

—Stu
 
There is an o-ring on the top of the transducer cap. This is forgotten sometimes during install. It was missing on my transducer cup. We had the same issue has the rest that posted and a found the reason the reservoir was low is it had slowly leaked over time because of the missing o-ring. I installed an o-ring filled with Propylene Glycol and never had an issue again. 3 years no failure.
 
John, if there is anything I can do to help you let me know. I can jump in the car and come to you at Shilshole if you need any transportation needs to get something for the fix. Please don’t hesitate to call 206-755-9928

Craig


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You guys are awesome. And this forum is such a valuable resource. (And thanks Craig for your generous offer! I think we’ll be ok but it means a lot that you were willing to drop everything and come.) So there is a West Marine just one-third mile down the road. I am going to pick up some straight propylene glycol to add to the transducer cup. (I have coolant aboard but it is 50/50.) Is there any trick to detaching the transducer from the cup?
 
Let us all know when all is good and your headed north again! Have fun


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New info for you John.......just got a call from another tugnut member who wanted to add additional info for you. He is not close to his computer so asked me to relay for him. He said that unless you have the most recent update your sonar will not turn on when you restart your system. To get it back in action you have to tap your fish finder icon to restart the sonar. Hope that works and enjoy your journey. See you back at the marina when you are home.

Craig and Jill


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Update: Removed the transducer from the cup (super easy). There was some oil in the cup but about a third of the transducer bottom was dry, leading me to think that this may be the problem. Even though some of the transducer had contact with fluid, it may not have been enough. Meanwhile I walked up to West Marine and what they had set aside for me was the pink antifreeze. They did not have pure propylene glycol. So Suzanne got out her folding bike and rode off to the local supermarket for mineral oil which I think should work fine (thanks for the idea Jim!). Don’t Have a final report yet but we are hoping we can be on our way first thing in the morning. (Craig, I did try tapping the fish finder/sonar icon before going to the nav chart without success - if I understand what you were suggesting.) So I’ll let you all know the results.
 
Woo hoo! Back up and working again perfectly! Brian, thanks for the link to the manual. That was very helpful in positioning the o-ring, determining how much fluid to put in, and seeing how it all fits together. I downloaded it to my iPad for future reference. I ended up using mineral oil, though when I removed the liquid that was previously in the cup, it looked pink and maybe about the same consistency as the pink antifreeze that West Marine sells, so I’m guessing that would have worked too. Stu, I wasn’t sure at the time if it was the same as what you used because the guy at the store said he thought it was diluted and would probably not work for a transducer. Don’t know for sure.

So I removed the old fluid, wiped out the cup and cleaned off the transducer, poured 2.4 oz of mineral oil in the cup, cleaned the o-ring and spread vaseline on it, positioned it carefully on the transducer, then latched the transducer back onto the cup. The fix was actually a very fast job, maybe 10 minutes. Went in to the chart plotter, turned on the sonar and immediately saw bottom - both on the graph and in numbers (26.5’). Success!

So thanks everyone! You got us on our way again.

John
 
Safe travels! Enjoy


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I'm glad you got it fixed and on your way. Our sonar is spotty also. How hard was the cap to turn to get to the liquid. I can't get mine to budge, what is the secret.
Les
 
Try pushing down on the reservoir cap as you turn it and see if that helps.

Jim F
 
yeah it should be a firm but easy twist off.

just to make sure, make sure you actually have the cup as many of these transducers dont have a cup and the transducer is just glued straight onto the hull by the factory
 
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