Thanks, Doug. Someone else on TFF tried to convince me that silicone was the way to go, but I used the fast cure epoxy that Lowrance sells and it worked great. I am all set now. Now I just need to learn how to use it and the added maps.

Would anyone be up for help reading a Humminbird PiranhaMax 170? It's a friend of mine's, and we are trying to locate structure for primarily going after crappie and also catfishing. We are both very new to electronics and are just trying to get on the right track. It's mounted at the back, on the lower right side if you're facing the motor.

What are you needing?

Just how to read the screen really. How to determine what would be some brush or structure under the water, and also how to determine where what's on the screen is in the water. So if we find a brush pile, where we need to cast or drop the bait. I probably sound like a dummy but we are both new to the electronics and it seems like we are doing it wrong as it is.

I would look at some of the basics of 2D Sonar..

http://www.biggeorgiaspots.com/boats-and-electronics.html

I bought a 2000 Cobra Bass Boat that came with a HB 898SI unit. I'm having a hard time with the depth function. It shows 3 feet most of the time even when I know I'm in 15 to 20 feet water. This happens even at 1 to 2 MPH. It will jump back and forth but only read correctly for a few seconds then jumps back to 3 feet. The transducer is mounted on the jack plate with a special mount. Any ideas?

Does it have a shoot thru transducer and Y cable? Many installed this way to get on plane speed readings and sounds like the 2D transducer is not getting good readings thru the hull. I would check to see if you have a Y cable plugged into the transducer port on the back of the unit.

Doug,

All it has hooked to the back of the unit is a single plug that covers the 4 ports on the right side of the unit. Is that a Y Cable??? There is an old transducer laying in the battery compartment but I assumed it wasn't connected. It's not glassed in...it's just laying on it's side in the bottom of the hull.

I have a 788CI and tried to download my waypoints, etc yesterday. I have done this before with no problem. But, when I went to Naviagation, there was no option to Export Nav Data. Any thoughts on what could be the cause?

Look at the Cable Collector that holds all the individual Cables. Look at the Transducer Port do you have one cable or two coming from that port?

Here is 800/900 Series Cable Collector and Port Locations:



Since i run the 1100 Series here is the Cable COllector for it



The back of the Cable collector may have wiring like this. One Wire to Power, Comm Port could have Y Cable installed for GPS and Accessory like InterLink, Weathersense Etc and the Transducer Port has one wire transducer is connected direct. IF using AS SI DB Y Cable will have 2 Wires

800/900 will have same set-up just all in a line not in square cable collector



Here is a closer look at AS SI DB Y Cable removed from Cable Collector

If you updated software with the new Waypoint Management Menu you will have to use that feature to select all and export.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I will be reading up.

Doug,

It doesn't have a Y cable. For some reason it worked today all but for a few minutes then it was fine again. Could I have a loose connection? The SI and DI works fine even when the depth isn't reading.

I'm planning on running a Y cable with a thru hull transducer. If I put the cable on do I have move back and forth between transducers or does it always use the thru hull for depth? Do you have instructions on what kind of epoxy to use and how to install? I want to make sure it will read on plane at 70MPH.

How to Install Shoot-Thru (Epoxy In Hull) Transducer:

First: It is recommended to test the location prior to installation. Hull construction can have effects on getting good readings and it's best to find the best location. Air Pockets, Areas that Glass Matts Overlap, Delamination of Hull can effect the sonar performance. The best wasy is to disable automatic bilge pump temporarily and add a couple inches of water to the hull. Next build a small sand bag using a Ziploc bag. Place transducer in hull and using sand bag hold it down to find the best location for installation. Normally the closer to the rear of the boat and center of the boat the higher speed the sonar will stay locked on. Make sure the location is away from strakes underneath as these will cause aerated or turbulated water underneath and disrupt the clean water flow accross the bottom of the hull which can effect sonar readings.

Second: Mark the location of the best readings and drain the water and allow hull to dry. Hull must be dry for epoxy to adhere and set-up.

Third: I like to sand or smooth out area of hull the transducer is mounted so it's flat and smooth surface.

Fourth: Using Plumber's Putty or Play Do build a small dam around the Area the transducer will installed about an 1" wider than transducer to keep epoxy from flowing during installation.

Fifth: Use Slow Cure Epoxy - I recommend the epoxy that comes with the transducer direct from Humminbird. Slow Cure Epoxy stays cooler than fast cure. DO NOT use silicone or any other material than epoxy. Silicone can absorb sonar waves and creates alot of issues. Mix thoroughly until consist color. Avoid whipping while mixing to reduce creating air bubbles in the epoxy. The less air bubbles the better the final results and improved sonar readings.

Sixth: I like to apply a thin layer of epoxy on the transducer, I also like to apply a thin layer pressed into the bottom of the dam to squeeze out any potential air bubbles between epoxy and hull. Fill the rest of the dam with remaining epoxy.

Seventh: Installation of transducer. As you push transducer into the epoxy start 90° from foward and push and slowly turn the quarter turn. This will helps squeeze out air bubbles under the transducer.

Eighth: Using Sandbag from step one place on top of transducer to hold it in place. And allow the epoxy to cure for a minimum of 24 hours.

Ninth: Remove Sandbag and Plumbers Putty. Your Transducer is now installed and ready to use.

Tenth: Test Transducer in the Water to make sure you have good sonar readings. If not you may have air the epoxy and may need to repeat procedure to get good sonar readings.

I sent the unit to HB in March and they exchanged it. I assume they loaded the most current software, but I didn't see a Waypoint Management Menu. Do you know if this new menu is since March? I guess I can see if there are any updates and install those.