Transducer Problem? - Depth Always Blinking

M

Mike W.

New member
Joined
Jul 6, 2015
Messages
1
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C SE
Vessel Name
Theodore
Hi! I own a 2010 Ranger Tug 21EC. It came with the GarminMaps 541 and an in-hull depth transducer. Depth readout always a problem - always blinking. Went to manual, 80% gain and I get 5 mins of decent readings for every 1/2 hour or so on the water. Am thinking of replacing transducer with thru-hull type. Anyone else experience this problem? What transducer did you switch to?

Thanks!
 
Mike W.":11zgt38m said:
Hi! I own a 2010 Ranger Tug 21EC. It came with the GarminMaps 541 and an in-hull depth transducer. Depth readout always a problem - always blinking. Went to manual, 80% gain and I get 5 mins of decent readings for every 1/2 hour or so on the water. Am thinking of replacing transducer with thru-hull type. Anyone else experience this problem? What transducer did you switch to?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hello Mike,

WELCOME to Tugnuts!

I have an in-hull Garmin transducer which is basically an Airmar P79 like this
cf-lg.jpg


There is liquid inside the 'cup' part of the transducer which is glued to the inside of your hull. Sometimes that liquid can dry out and it can be replaced by unscrewing the top part and replenishing it. You might check the fluid before getting another. Google P79 owners manual for details. I"ve always left my Garmin transducer settings on auto; occasionally I have to cycle the 740 off/on to get the transducer working

My P79 is still working fine. I DID add transom mounted transducers which, contrary to the installation manuals, DO work fine in an inboard situation like the 21EC. Mine are mounted on the STB side of the transom.

Let us know how it turns out,

dave
 
Mike,

I have the Cutwater 28 and the 5212 GPS, but I am experiencing the same issue, among other issues. My research my help you and others on these issues. Here's a few things to consider:
1. As the earlier post indicates, the transducer is mounted to the hull. The transducer may be directly attached to the hull using epoxy (the common method used by ranger/cutwater) but not recommended by the transducer manufacturer. Mine is now attached using the well filled with Propylene glycol. If yours is attached using this method, then you may need to fill the well as it does evaporate or sneak out over time...
2. If the GPS unit runs hot, it will exhibit a number of strange characteristics, one of which is no read on the transducer. Others include freezing, random panning mode, unresponsive. If you have a fan, turn on to cool down. Notably, if this is the issue, it is more likely that your problems will start after about 30 mins of operation.
3. I have an SD card with extra maps, and I noticed that this will also cause problems, probably due to using memory. I remove the card when it acts up too much.
4. I noticed that garmin units are picky about memory use, so if you have lots of tracks and routes saved, this extra memory use with also cause the system to do strange things. Sometimes a "factory reset" helps clear this all out (after you save routes and user data to SD card)
5. You may have a defective transducer or GPS unit. My GPS unit has been sent back to Garmin once and now a second time due to these and related technical issues. My transducer was replaced by dealer/cutwater, as it popped off in the first months of ownership (this is the reason why the manufacturer of the transducer does not recommend epoxy, but for some it works).

That's my exhaustive research around Garmin GPS, which as you can see has wasted a lot of my time being on the water!
 
Hello Mike,

The fact that the numbers are blinking is a good thing. That tells me the transducer is working, it just can't find the bottom. The first thing I'd check is the gain and make sure it is set to "Auto". If the gain is not in this setting a lot of times you won't get depth because the transducer is set to ready a certain depth. For example, if the gain is set to 30ft and you exceed that depth the numbers will flash.

99% of the time this will fix your problem.

Thanks,
-Kenny
 
I was just out on my 21EC with the garmin 741 XS and the depth would blink every so often. I went to the the status screen and it logged several errors during the blinking that stated "unsupported transducer installed" any suggestions. The boat has now 6 hours on it.
 
Pilotnavigator":1gqz6oph said:
I was just out on my 21EC with the garmin 741 XS and the depth would blink every so often. I went to the the status screen and it logged several errors during the blinking that stated "unsupported transducer installed" any suggestions. The boat has now 6 hours on it.
Click to expand...

HEllo John,

Which transducer are you running when you get the "unsupported..." error message?

On which software version is your 741 operating?

I saw on Hull Truth forum that the latest GArmin software update addressed an issue with your "unsupported.." message. Hopefully that is all it will take.

/dave
 
Not sure but I think I have the same transducer that you showed. I have the sw version that was posted by garmin in May. I will check to see it there is another one.
If it continues I will think about getting a garmin sonar transducer in the fall when the boat gets winterized.
Thanks
 
I have software version 4.5 which does day it adds the airman support. There is a new 4.6 out now that I will load when I next get to the boat.
My garmin search lists the transducer as a match for the plotter, so not sure why the error message. Do others that get the flashing depth get these status messages.
 
I had the same "blinking" issue just after buying Cutwater 26. I determined the issue was with the transducer after seeing depth error messages on both my Garmin 5212 and Yanmar i5601E electronic instrument. Cory of Bellingham Yachts (great guys) gave me a cup of glycol to put in the transducer and all has been great since.
Bob
 
My new R-23 has the same issue. I'm adding fluid now and will post after a test ride.


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