Bilge mounted puck transducer

[DINK WHISPERER]

Hey all!

I just received my puck transducer for my HB 581i sonar. I went out to test it before i permanently epoxy it in the bilge. My question is, how much accuracy is lost with bilge transducers? I was in an area that is 6ft deep and the transducer was saying 4ft. Everywhere i went it seemed to be about 2ft off from actual depth. I tried holding it over the side of the boat like the manual says first to get a reading but it wouldn't read bottom that way. There are two spots in the bilge on each side of the drain plug that sit lower than the rest of the bilge. On one side there is an old transducer epoxied in that isn't connected anymore. I tried my new one on the other side that is the lowest point in the bilge. So does it sound about right or do i have even more sonar issues again?

[Way2slow]

I've run nothing but Lowrance for many years and they have a keel offset you can program to compensate for the Xducer not being on the surface.  Might want to check for that feature on yours.

[DINK WHISPERER]

Never heard of that for HB. I figure minus 1ft for being under water line and the rest for sensitivity lost through the fiberglass. I'm sure someone on here knows better though......................

[=Matt 5.0=]

. Everywhere i went it seemed to be about 2ft off from actual depth.

Are you comparing it to the depth that the trolling motor transducer is giving you?

[DINK WHISPERER]

. Everywhere i went it seemed to be about 2ft off from actual depth.

Are you comparing it to the depth that the trolling motor transducer is giving you?

Tape measure actually.....................the lake is only 10ft deep at most.

[=Matt 5.0=]

Just wondering if the transducer on the trolling motor is lower than the bilge...

[fishfordollars]

I have not owned a bird in a while, but all the older units I use to run had the keel offset feature built in them. Not at all sure about the newer versions, but I would bet they do.

[Wayne P.]

The birds have the keel offset feature. Most use it for the opposite of this discussion for deep hulls with the transducer higher than the keel to avoid hitting the bottom.

[DINK WHISPERER]

Can you guys help me locate this keel offset on my unit? I looked everywhere and don,t see it!

[Al Wolbach]

Dink- If you want to remove that old transducer place a block of wood against it and hit it with a hammer. Should come loose easily allowing you to place your new transducer in a known good spot............Can't answer Hummingbird questions...................Al

[DINK WHISPERER]

I tried everything on that old ducer with no luck. There is no room to swing a hammer hard plus there is a lot of epoxy around it!

[Wayne P.]

Dink, go to the "Settings" menu. Change the "User Mode" to "Advanced". Then scroll down the "Settings" menu to "Depth Offset".

You can add depth for the actual difference in the distance from the water line to the transducer or you an subtract depth to allow for the keel in relation to the transducer or to make sure you don't hit the bottom by subtracting additional depth by a couple of feet. Basically you can make the unit display that the water is deeper or shallower than the transducer.

The manual describes the purpose of the setting.

The newer units just use a different phrase (Depth Offset) for the adjustment.

In case you don't know how to get to the "Settings" menu, push the menu button twice with any screen showing and scroll across the top to that menu item, then scroll down to the "User Mode", etc.

To remove the transducer, take a wood chisel or screw driver and chip away some of the epoxy that surrounds the transducer until you get to the edge of the transducer, then force the chisel/screwdriver under it the transducer and pry it up.

[DINK WHISPERER]

Thanks a MILLION Wayne P. Won't removing it that way leave chips and rough areas where the puck will be? Guess i can just sand it if it does?

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Yeesh Dink, you sure are having some issues with getting all of your electronics to work.  Hope you get everything sorted out.  Look at the bright side though, at least the lakes you fish are really shallow, you can use a broomstick to check the depth if you need 

[DINK WHISPERER]

Yeesh Dink, you sure are having some issues with getting all of your electronics to work. Hope you get everything sorted out. Look at the bright side though, at least the lakes you fish are really shallow, you can use a broomstick to check the depth if you need

I know man! I was just telling a friend that i don't even know why i went and bought new sonars..................like you said, i fish mostly shallow holes! Too late now though

[Wayne P.]

Dink, where the transducer is now will be the smoothest and cleanest place to mount the new one if the diameters are the same. If the new one is larger, then you will have to remove the access epoxy to get the area completely flat. Just chip it away with the screw driver or chisel. Clean away the debris, and clean the area with some solvent to make sure there is no oil/gas residue, then use the correct epoxy to mount the new one.

[DINK WHISPERER]

Should i use the epoxy that HB sent with the transducer or buy a different kind?

[Wayne P.]

Yes, use the HB epoxy, it is the correct kind. Just follow the instructions included.