Transducer not reading at speed

[PaulyB]

I recently installed my Garmin EchoMAP 50dv with a downvu transducer. The unit works well at no wake speeds, but as soon as I get going it is unable to find the bottom and mark anything. What is key to mounting the transducer? I mounted it next to the Scupper on my 07 AR230, but it just isnt working...

Here are pics of where I mounted it. Thanks

 

[Murf'n'surf]

You are most likely picking up too much turbulence in that area and killing the transducers ability to read.
I would move it to the next step back so that there is no steps in front of your transducer. IE--mount it where the factory transducer is.

 

[PaulyB]

Has anyone else had theirs mounted in this location and not had issues? I thought that I had read that this is a good spot to mount it. I am thinking that maybe it is mounted too low.....

 

[CrankyGypsy]

I am going to install this same unit in the next week or two. I figured in that location, there would be too much turbulence ...it was never an option.

I'm placing the old transducer inside, directly over the keel and just behind the transom (as a backup if the Garmin flips up). then I removed the old speedo wheel altogether (bc it's absolutely terrible), am in the process of repairing all the holes, then mounting the Garmin unit where the paddle wheel was. I'm fabbing a mount that will center the unit over the speedometer, so it won't matter that I have a "dead" gauge.

 

[scokill]

You are most likely picking up too much turbulence in that area and killing the transducers ability to read.
I would move it to the next step back so that there is no steps in front of your transducer. IE--mount it where the factory transducer is.

Mine is where the old transducer was as close to the drain hole as I could get. It is offset from center slightly. I have no problems with reading at speed.

 

[Bruce]

I have a RayMarine Dragonfly mounted in the factory location. It read depth into the 20s. I lose depth readings before 30 mph.

There is another thread saying that where you mounted yours is better. I wonder if yours needs adjustment? Could it be flipping up?

Have you called the manufacturers tech support? I asked RayMarine about mine and they did not expect it to have depth readings over 30.

I use the charts for depth at speed.

 

[PaulyB]

I have a RayMarine Dragonfly mounted in the factory location. It read depth into the 20s. I lose depth readings before 30 mph.

There is another thread saying that where you mounted yours is better. I wonder if yours needs adjustment? Could it be flipping up?

Have you called the manufacturers tech support? I asked RayMarine about mine and they did not expect it to have depth readings over 30.

I use the charts for depth at speed.

I saw the other thread saying that this is the optimal place to mount the transducer, thats why I did it here. Other people have claimed that mounting it where the speedometer wheel is causes the transducer to break and not function anymore, possibly from the engine thrust pressure being put on it when the engines are in reverse.... I dont believe the transducer is flipping up, because it is difficult for me to move it by hand when on shore, and it wouldnt flip back down on its own...

 

[subysti]

There is too much turbulence there. It needs to be in a spot always in the water at speed. The step below in front of it is causing the water to flow under the transducer at speed.

 

[Glassman]

yeah, what they said ^

 

[CrankyGypsy]

Other people have claimed that mounting it where the speedometer wheel is causes the transducer to break and not function anymore, possibly from the engine thrust pressure being put on it when the engines are in reverse

now you got me thinking, because i can see that happening - it's huge and could easily catch reverse thrust.
...wondering if placing it directly above the paddlewheel would get it out of the thrust area?

Mine is where the old transducer was as close to the drain hole as I could get. It is offset from center slightly. I have no problems with reading at speed.

are you saying under the "step" that Pauly has his? ...so your bracket is mounted horizontally? picture?

 

[scokill]

now you got me thinking, because i can see that happening - it's huge and could easily catch reverse thrust.
...wondering if placing it directly above the paddlewheel would get it out of the thrust area?


are you saying under the "step" that Pauly has his? ...so your bracket is mounted horizontally? picture?

Mine is where the factory one is in Pauly's picture...opposite side of paddle wheel in basically the same position. I have Lowrance Mark 4 and it reads depth at all speeds.

 

[maboat]

Mine is where the factory one is in Pauly's picture...opposite side of paddle wheel in basically the same position. I have Lowrance Mark 4 and it reads depth at all speeds.

Same for me.

 

[Seadeals]

Other threads I referenced used the step below that by the drain plug. Here is mine. I still need to get her out to test it. Low clearance above puts it in the water a little deeper than ideal; but it should not have the turbulence of the higher location at speed. This is the old 210 hull shown.

 

[beachbum]

@Seadeals ... that would seem to me the best spot for the transducer. My dealer located mine in the same place as PaulyB... well different boat ... but the transducer is on behind the "step" and it will not read depths at anything over 20 mph... too much turbulence. PITA ... when I want a depth I have to slow to a crawl and wait for the unit to get a clear signal. My fear with Seadeals location any contact with the bottom will dislodge or worse, remove the transducer... If you like to beach the boat... hmmm. I really do want to move mine.

 

[Seadeals]

@beachbum I do like to beach and while I suppose that could pose an issue, I am not going to worry much about it. The transducer still has plenty of clearance to pivot up with any contact and it is not even an inch below the keel. I will report performance when able.

 

[Seadeals]

I finally made it out on the water today. The transducer location proved to be perfect. It always read perfectly at every speed. Here it is at 40 mph. You can make out I just crossed into the channel (on map and sounder).

 

[subysti]

very nice!

 

[PaulyB]

I moved mine down as far as I could today and kept it on the same step where it was previously, and it still didnt read at anything over 7 mph. I am going to be moving it to next to the drain plug tomorrow and hopefully be done with this problem... Thanks guys for your input and pictures....

 

[PaulyB]

Well, I just got done mounting the transducer in its new home.... Hope it works this time, there isn't really a way to adjust up and down with the way I mounted it this time... Hope it works...

 

[Bruce]

Good luck. Please let us know how it works!