Failing Transducer ?

[isobelk]

My sounder is a Furuno LS4100, it has both 50 and 200 htz frequencies. The display unit is only 2 years old, but the transducer is 13years.

Normally, this unit does an outstanding job of displaying depth.

During the last few days I have been getting erratic signals. Not only will I get a blank screen, but often the readings are WAY off. 1000 ft in 15 ft for example.



It seems to be able to hit once in a while on the 200htz setting, while the 50htz setting hardly even shows any signal, but is always wrong.

The transducer is a thru hull. mounted about 1/3 from the bow just to the port of the keel - pretty much the perfect location. No growth, just hauled for bottom paint this past June, so that is not it.

Also, it pretty much suddenly started acting up.



Would anyone know if this is sounds like a transducer going bad?

[threeriversmari]

Absolutely. Sounds like your transducer is dying for sure bud, but for 13 years out of a transducer, I must say that is impressive. When your vessel got pulled for bottom paint, the crystal inside could have had extremely small damage to it that just grew over time.

Keith

[isobelk]

Hi Keith,

Thanks for the reply.

I think the unit is toast also. I can get it to give a reading for a few seconds after being off for a while, but it then goes into crazy mode.

Of course I had just hauled the boat last June, so it would have been nice to know I had a failing transducer then. I am on a 3 year haulout cycle as the boat resides in brackish water, so this will end up being quite the expensive replacement.

Incidentally, the transducer is an Airmar B45 or Furuno 520-5msd. The part alone looks to cost $225 or so.

[threeriversmari]

PM sent.


Keith