transducer problem

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D

ddolacky

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Joined
Apr 14, 2017
Messages
18
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Non-Fluid Motion Model
Cutwater 24
Vessel Name
OlgaMarie
I have a 2017 Cutwater 24 with an In Hull Transducer. It is an Airmar P79. I had been low on my liquid due to leakage from an insecure cap. I topped it off and all was functioning properly for a while but now I am getting intermittent false depth readings or frozen/no depth readings or images on my Garmin imaging. The speed or water depth does not make a difference. I am looking for a solution to the problem. What do you suggest? Yes, the bowl is currently full.
 
I would start by checking connection of the transducer at the chart plotter. If the transducer is not adhered to the hull look for debris between the transducer and hull. Just a few quick thoughts
 
Thank you "piglet 2013" for your thoughts. Connection to the plotter is solid and the transducer is adhered to the hull. Due to very limited space at the plotter back, it is not easy to definitively check the connection. I'll check the connection again to make sure it is solid.
 
If I recall correctly, there is a place in the settings program for the depth finder that lets you select various depth ranges and I think an "auto" setting. You might look for that and make sure it did not get set to some range that your current depth does not work well with. (Just a guess here. I once had an electrical storm turn the transponder off completely in the settings and took me weeks to even find the option to turn it on and off. The Garmin tech folks never advised me that was a possibility even after sending me an entirely new transponder which of course did not work either when the setting was on "Off".)
 
Thanks, "S. Todd". I'm pretty sure my depth range setting is correct but I wouldn't bet a penny on that right now.
I'll double check it tomorrow to make sure.
Is it possible that any sensors (if there are sensors) on the underside of the transponder lid might have been damaged by not having the correct amount of fluid in the bowl for a period of time?
Would sure appreciate someone from the Cutwater/Ranger factory to weigh in with troubleshooting thoughts on my problem. Or maybe they would know of someone who specifically works with this type of transponder. Thank you.
 
We had the cup on our R25 loose fluid and the one on our R29 detached in part from the hull and completely drained of fluid. Neither of these incidents resulted in any failure of the transponder, so I think that it is unlikely that you have a problem with the transponder. If you take the transponder out of the cup and turn on the depth finder you should be able to hear transponder make a clicking noise, if it is working correctly. It is not very loud so it helps to do it in a quiet setting.
 
Well, there goes my “lack of fluid” theory. I do hear the ticking when the transponder is activated and initially seeks out the depth. When underway, I don’t always hear the ticking due to other sounds but I’m not necessarily listening either. With my problem being intermittent, I’ll listen more closely when the readings freeze or are inaccurate to learn if the ticking also has stopped. If that is the case, well, I guess it’s time for another theory or I can find someone who specializes in this area. Just want to have as much information as possible before finding and talking to a specialist. Thanks again for your help “S. Todd”.
 
if you can hear the ticking then its likely that the transducer is well attached and functioning well.

my bet would be settings in the Garmin depth sounder. easiest way to check is to set it all to auto again and let the computer try and find bottom again.

if the water column has a lot of organic material near the top it can really upset the depth sounder for the p79 especially if auto is not selected.
 
Cutwater28GG, your suggestion and insight on organic material interference are greatly appreciated. I'll check out those Garmin settings again and see what happens. Thank you!
 
On checking the depth settings, I had a similar fault and reset the Sonar depth an seemed to resolve the issue.
 
Thank you, "William Sanborn". I really appreciate your comment. I'll be giving it a try. With all the helpful comments I have, and may still receive, my frustration level has decreased. Can't wait to find the transducer "cure". My availability to take my Cutwater 24 out for testing is somewhat limited at the present, so reporting on finding a solution may take a while.
I'm still interested if someone else has insight to share on possible solutions. The more I can learn from other boater's experiences is always welcome.
 
I mistakenly installed an in-hull transducer on my Albemarle as I was concerned about installing a thru-hull. Seems it always was having problems with it. Next boat had a transom transducer and it worked great except at high speeds and I never had to do anything to keep it working.

Current boat came with a thru-hull, but a very basic model (no CHIRP). I installed a new transom transducer with CHIRP, sideview and downview and it works great at all speeds. Like changing from black and white TV to today's best TV.

I guess the transducer you use is based on your needs and an in-hull will provide depth info. I need fishing sonar, temperature readings and very deep depths and this transom transducer is so much better than the in-hull I suffered with previously. I probably would have been happy with the thru-hull if it had more capability, but the transom transducer is great. Maybe up there in the NorthWest an in-hull is all you need. Out here in the mid-Atlantic I need all I can get from a transducer.
 
"HookedUp", thanks for sharing your experiences. Much appreciated. Ain't technology great. Always choices and often too many to easily find just the right one for our specific needs. On the other hand, if the first choice was always the right one and we never had any issues with boat equipment, well heck, boating wouldn't be anywhere near as much fun.
 
Howdy,

My 2020 C 24-C has a Garmin GT15M-IH transducer. It was non operational when I picked up the boat 2nd hand last season. The indications it gave me that it was non functioning was; pink fluid in the bow of the boat where the cup was mounted and the depth field on the GPSMap 942xs read dashes (----) where the actual numbers should be. Also, selecting a sonar chart yielded irregular images.

I pried the cup from the hull, cleaned both (leaving bare fiberglass on the hull and plastic on the cup), slightly re-positioned the cup so that I could access the screws for the sounder better, and adhered the cup with three rings of 3M marine silicone to the bare fiberglass hull. I pressed the cup so that silicone squeezed from the around both the inside and outside of the cup all the way around while still maintaining as best I could a bead of silicone between the cup and the hull so that there was never plastic on fiberglass. The install I had to clean up had used an adhesive similar to 3M 4200 and they had used gobs and gobs of it inside and outside of the cup as well as had applied it to the spray-in foam. I used Propylene Glycol as the fluid and used enough to displace some while placing the transducer in the cup. The red o-ring I lubed with Silicone Grease. Both the silicone grease and the Glycol I used are nontoxic and flame/fume free.

I'm wondering if the fluid you used to refill the cup leaked out again or perhaps, is not compatible with the fluid that was already in there. Also, if the tab on the cup and the arrow on the ducer are both pointed toward the keel as they should be.

CJ
 
"CrisJ", intriguing scenarios. The cup appears to be correctly positioned and secured to the hull. The cup has not leaked fluid since the cap was properly screwed on. I'll check on the positioning of the cup. I'm not sure what the operating or installation differences may be between your transducer and my Airmar P-79.
I wasn't aware that there could be a compatibility issue with the fluid. The fluid I used, which was suggested by a Cutwater maintenance member, to replace that which had leaked out worked fine for a good period of time before my irregularities began to appear.
I'm hoping I can find the solution to my problem without having to consider replacing the transducer. When I do find the answer, I'll be sure to post it on this site.
More helpful information to expand my education. Thank you.
 
Hi Folks - Just brought my boat out from its winter nap. My depth finder is also misbehaving. Can I ask a basic question - where is the transducer so I can start to think about the problems with it?

I have a Ranger Tug 29S 2015.

Thanks,
Daryll.
 
I have a 2017 29S and mine is in the aft cockpit storage just behind where the Generator or wood platform for generator is. Just in front of stern thruster.
 
On our 2021 R29S the transducer is under the floor just forward of the head, next to the shower sump. I have had to reattach it to the hull but it is holding antifreeze now since my repair.
 
Thanks for the hints. I will go look today.
 
I had similar problem, took months to resolve. Final solution was to connect “chassis Gnd “ on the garmin unit to ground on boat in fuse panel.
 
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