Transducer Location

[sarcazmo]

Just had my 1198 c SI installed and took it out on the water yesterday to figure out how to use it.

 

Overall it seemed to do ok, but I seemed to be getting a lot of interference.  Most notably in sonar mode there were many vertical lines throughout the screen.  This would happen occasionally but not always in DI.  Also my side imaging looked to have interference on the left side but not really the right.  Just want to double check the transducer locations.  Just to clarify I did not install this.  Went to someone locally recommended.

 

 

 

Starboard to port

 

Underneath looking up

 

Port to Starboard

 

Unfortunately in my excitement I forgot my sdcard at home so I was unable to capture any images.  I should be able to go back out monday or tuesday and I'll be sure to grab some captures then.

 

Thanks!
 

[Jig Man]

Your motor may be the cause of the left image trouble.

[sarcazmo]

Your motor may be the cause of the left image trouble.

 

Should the unit be mounted somewhere else?  Any recommendations?  Forgot to mention that it also turns off every time I start the motor.  I'm thinking that might be a fuse issue?

[Wayne P.]

OK, you have three things that reflect sonar pulses on the left side of the transducer.<br />The speedometer pick-up tube, the right side of the jackplate and the inside of the left side of the jackplate.<br />All three of those have vertical surfaces.<br />The SI pulses cover from the water's surface to past vertical under the tranducer on both sides.<br /><br />Your GPS function gives you speed so the speedometer tube is not needed.<br /><br />Next is the position of the transducer on the transom.<br />It should be positioned in the center of two of the hull ridges since the ends of those are create air bubbles when on plane, additionaly the weld bead at the transom/bottom juction is a air bubble maker too.<br />You have the second worse hull construction type (sloppy welds) to get good performance with a transom mounted transducer for on plane depth readings. The ones with numerous rivets are worse.<br /><br />The position of your speedometer pick up tube would be a better location. That will have it closer to the jackplate so the left side SI pulse can "see" past it better.<br /><br />As far as the unit shutting down, there are several things that cause that and can be one or all of the following:<br />Your battery is too small to provide power to other stuff when you start the outboard.<br />Your battery is not fully charged and or failing.<br />Your battery connections are not clean and tight.<br />Your wiring has too much resistance to provide the voltage under load the unit needs.<br /><br />Number one item to start with is the unit power cord should be connected directly to the battery. If it is too short, add at least 16 guage wire to it and solder the splices and waterproof them. Use a spade type fuse with waterproof holder at the battery. That is the Humminbird installation suggestion and eliminates any defective/weak wiring your boat has that would be part of the power connection.

[sarcazmo]

Wayne thank you for the reply!

 

I called the guy who installed it and he offered to meet me at the lake to see if we cant sort it out.  Just to make sure, you'd recommend placing the transducer where the speedometer tube is?  That wouldn't put it too close to the motor? 

 

Thanks again for all the help and patience!

[Wayne P.]

No it would not be too close. You want equal distance between two of the hull ridges and the pick up tube looks like the right position even though I can't see any to the left of it.

[sarcazmo]

Took some new pictures, hopefully these help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sarcazmo]

Some pics as promised.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sarcazmo]

First two pics show the lines on the sonar I was referring to.  Weirdly today the sonar started off looking pretty clean as evidenced in the bottom.

 

Can also see some of the left sided interference in the last pic on the side image.  Also in all the side images just to the left of midline you can see some interfenrence.