Can you test a transducer?

[Ranger Rod]

Can I bench test a HUM-XP9HW through hull transducer?
My Helix 12 was showing hundreds of feet in 30 feet of water.
I disconnected the Y cable and the rear transducer works fine, just not well at speed so I need the through hull.
Or can I check the Y cable?
Not looking forward to being upside-down in the bilge to pull the glued transducer.

[bobcoy]

Did you test your thru hull before you epoxied it in? Then test the spot you decided to mount it on to see if it worked well at that spot before you epoxied it in? If not your choice might be all of the above including the “Y” cable.

[Ranger Rod]

It worked fine for 4 years.

[bobcoy]

It came loose then. Not unusual. You had not mentioned it always worked fine before You might be able to surround the epoxy connection with water (putty around the transducer filled with water). If it works better you will still end up replacing it unless you can break it loose and still undamaged. Probably best to put a new one in. Bob
Just a mention. If you set you max depth to Say 20’ below the normal max depth the finder wont take as long to get back to the correct depth. Not as good as no problem, but might help before you put a new one in.

[Ranger Rod]

It came loose then. Not unusual. You had not mentioned it always worked fine before You might be able to surround the epoxy connection with water (putty around the transducer filled with water). If it works better you will still end up replacing it unless you can break it loose and still undamaged. Probably best to put a new one in. Bob
Just a mention. If you set you max depth to Say 20’ below the normal max depth the finder wont take as long to get back to the correct depth. Not as good as no problem, but might help before you put a new one in.

Thanks Bob! It was actually a rough 4 hour trailer ride so I'm guessing this is how it came loose.

[bobcoy]

I have been upside down working on a transducer. Very much not fun!.

[Ranger Rod]

I have been upside down working on a transducer. Very much not fun!.

I also have to remove my batteries and the shelf that is on top of the transducer.

[SLYDoggie]

No way to bench test. Most issues are typically not with the transducer itself, but with the mount to the Hull. For older installations, it has probably come loose, and for new installations, you probably have an air pocket or something in the Hull interfering with the signal.

[Ranger Rod]

Are there any high speed transducers that are not through the hull?

[Wayne P.]

Are there any high speed transducers that are not through the hull?

Some use a transom 2D transducer since it is smaller than the Imaging models.
XNT 9 HW

BUT get the metal mount as the included plastic one can't handle very high speeds. The mount holes are different from the plastic one.

MHX MXNT - Metal Transom Mounting Bracket - Humminbird (johnsonoutdoors.com)

[Ranger Rod]

Some use a transom 2D transducer since it is smaller than the Imaging models.
XNT 9 HW

BUT get the metal mount as the included plastic one can't handle very high speeds. The mount holes are different from the plastic one.

MHX MXNT - Metal Transom Mounting Bracket - Humminbird (johnsonoutdoors.com)

Thank you Wayne. What do you suggest? I rarely go over 40 mph.
Can I reglue mine? These things have gone up 25% in 4 years.

[Wayne P.]

Thank you Wayne. What do you suggest? I rarely go over 40 mph.
Can I reglue mine? These things have gone up 25% in 4 years.

If you can remove it without destroying it, test it by holding it overboard. Then do the proper testing BEFORE bonding it to the hull again.

[Ranger Rod]

If you can remove it without destroying it, test it by holding it overboard. Then do the proper testing BEFORE bonding it to the hull again.

What glue would you use? I used the glue that it came with.

[Wayne P.]

What glue would you use? I used the glue that it came with.

Slow cure epoxy mixed slowly to prevent air pockets.