Winter and my Humminbird..... - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

GregAndrew · 02-15-2010, 07:49 PM

dsafety, I have the same problem. You only have 800 ft range in ideal circumstance (perfectly clear water, etc.). So when my fish finder loses the bottom it reads like yours until it finds the bottom again.

Nice to see you out there today Bing. Like I was telling you, my 580 screen was fogging, so I sent it back and they replaced the back of the case. And it fogged right back up on the first use. Mine does some weird chit, but so far (knock on wood) it is still working. Did you buy your unit on a credit card that might have extended your warranty? I have gotten a few breaks because of that.

peguinpower · 02-15-2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregAndrew

Did you buy your unit on a credit card that might have extended your warranty? I have gotten a few breaks because of that.

Its 3 years old. I guess I can upgrade, but I expected indefinite use of these things. bummer.

/bing

dsafety · 02-15-2010, 09:39 PM

If you decide to get a new one and buy it from West Marine, you can purchase an extended warranty that doubles the time for about 10% of the cost. A good deal if you use your FF a lot as they are known for their limited life spans.

Bob

stairman · 02-16-2010, 04:56 AM

I have to agree with the word lowrance.I bought a hummingbird for my yak when i first got it and within ten trips had the same problem.

Willy · 02-16-2010, 06:51 AM

Bing,
I'm in the middle of a refurbishing project on my 535, and I'm not suprised at all it fogged up on you.
The seals they use are made from thin maliable material, seem really small and weak, and look like they are really prone to failure.

If any of you guys have upgraded and would like to get an extra $20 I will buy your old one for parts!

I'm just messing with mine as a hobby project (yeah, I'm a geek), trying to rebuild a broken one (which also failed due to fogging, leakage, and weak wires/pins) to get it to work.

Willy

peguinpower · 02-16-2010, 07:14 AM

Its working again!

After a quick bath in formalin, overnight air dry, and a date with a heat gun, I was very careful, shes working again. I have to do water tests but its seems promising.

I rebuilt the whole unit by slipping a silica gel pack inside (for the moisture), sealing the screw holes with 3M 5200 sealant and taping the seal around the case shut with tape.

I do have an extra transducer assembly (complete) it anyone wants it.

/bing

GregAndrew · 02-16-2010, 08:20 AM

That sounds promising, where did you get the silica packets?

02-16-2010, 07:14 AM	#6
peguinpower bing! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: socal Posts: 246	Its working again! After a quick bath in formalin, overnight air dry, and a date with a heat gun, I was very careful, shes working again. I have to do water tests but its seems promising. I rebuilt the whole unit by slipping a silica gel pack inside (for the moisture), sealing the screw holes with 3M 5200 sealant and taping the seal around the case shut with tape. I do have an extra transducer assembly (complete) it anyone wants it. /bing Last edited by peguinpower; 02-16-2010 at 07:29 AM.

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02-15-2010, 07:49 PM	#1
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	dsafety, I have the same problem. You only have 800 ft range in ideal circumstance (perfectly clear water, etc.). So when my fish finder loses the bottom it reads like yours until it finds the bottom again. Nice to see you out there today Bing. Like I was telling you, my 580 screen was fogging, so I sent it back and they replaced the back of the case. And it fogged right back up on the first use. Mine does some weird chit, but so far (knock on wood) it is still working. Did you buy your unit on a credit card that might have extended your warranty? I have gotten a few breaks because of that.

02-15-2010, 09:39 PM	#3
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	If you decide to get a new one and buy it from West Marine, you can purchase an extended warranty that doubles the time for about 10% of the cost. A good deal if you use your FF a lot as they are known for their limited life spans. Bob

02-16-2010, 04:56 AM	#4
stairman Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 84	I have to agree with the word lowrance.I bought a hummingbird for my yak when i first got it and within ten trips had the same problem.

02-16-2010, 06:51 AM	#5
Willy Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: La Jolla Posts: 189	Bing, I'm in the middle of a refurbishing project on my 535, and I'm not suprised at all it fogged up on you. The seals they use are made from thin maliable material, seem really small and weak, and look like they are really prone to failure. If any of you guys have upgraded and would like to get an extra $20 I will buy your old one for parts! I'm just messing with mine as a hobby project (yeah, I'm a geek), trying to rebuild a broken one (which also failed due to fogging, leakage, and weak wires/pins) to get it to work. Willy

02-16-2010, 08:20 AM	#7
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	That sounds promising, where did you get the silica packets?