Fish finder problem - Cuda 350 s/map

I bought my yak with a Cuda 350 s/map installed. Its never worked right... I first thought it was just me not knowing how to use. But after a trip to Folsom lake im convinced its something else.

Problems:

- Only can see up to 50' deep.
- Only marks fish in 8' deep places.

All other features see to work fine including the GPS and maps.

I am guessing that the transducer is sitting wrong or just broken, but its is glued in and is never gonna move.

Does anyone else around here have one of these? I'd like to plug it in to your system and see if its the main unit having the problem or not.

I've got one and will be at Melones for the event on 2/20 if you want to test it.

I'll admit, I don't have much experience with the unit.  It's on my second yak that I've only used once but you're more than welcome to test it.

Michael

 

you said you gooped it down. I am thinking it may have air bubbles in the goop. The ducer seems to get power and makes some readings but they are not accurate. I would pull it and test it prior to re-gooping. Did you get it from an NCKA'er they may be able to tell you if it was working OK before you became the owner.

i am thinking the same thing, that you've got bubbles in your goop.  try to pull it off your kayak and look at the goop underneath it.  you may need to apply a little bit of heat to do so.

Nothing sticks to polyeth forever, I've had gooped xducers pop off with heat or cold, although I wouldn't apply direct heat to any area of the hull or ducer.  I concur, it didn't set properly and got an air bubble.

this may be a silly question but are you sure it's not in "Demo" mode?   

yeah, if you need to use heat (can't pry it off otherwise) don't use much heat.  maybe a hair dryer on the lowest setting but be careful not to overheat it or it could damage your hull.  you only need enough to make the goop pliable as in these cold temps it hardens up pretty good.

might be able to get it off carefully with a flat edge blade of some sort but be careful not to damage it!  

Take a look at it and make sure it it is sitting flat in such a way that it is beaming straight down when you are on the water.  If that's not the problem, use a wide head screwdriver ... pop it off like an abalone.  I've removed many transducers like this and have never needed heat.  Then when you have it off, test it the next time you are out by holding it in the water, again making sure it is beaming straight down.  If it appears to work, remount via the method of your choice.

-Allen

I had problems with my transducer, it gave eratic readings or not at all so I went the pool noddle way with a little water - works great now.  My silicone had some how loosened enough to create a miniscule air gap, no bubbles, just an air gap between the silicone and the bottom of my Manta Ray.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I bought the yak with it installed by OEX. So I don't know what the substance is that was used. I just got it off though. Heres the pics...

Looks like bubble mania. Any tips on cleaning this off?

I just sent the photos to OEX. The Richie compass they installed is not sealed either and its right there in the foot well. I guess I just got a bad installer...

Ive got some fixin to do

I just sent the photos to OEX  ...  I guess I just got a bad installer...

Ive got some fixin to do

Hopefully they compensate you in some way because that is shoddy work for sure. 

That's also why I like doing things myself - coming from the most unhandy person that exists.  No shortcuts are taken and I pay extra close attention to detail.

Michael

Besides the crappy bubbles, they used way too much goop.
I used a dab the size of a 50 cent piece. No issues for a year now.
Read some ducer install threads and good luck!

 Hahahahah I'm glad that was the problem!
Now you can install it right!  Do the "Wet bath" install!   Then there will be no doubt in your mind that there are no air bubbles under the transducer when It's sitting under water!  It's super easy, you just need to remember to add water when you get on or near the water!  you can search the DIY forums for pictures, on how I did my transducer install.

  Your going to be "Blown away" at how much better your FF will be working after this!

  As mentioned many times, you simply take some foam, (Those knee pads from Home depot's garden section will work) cut out a block big enough to surround the transducer,make it a tight fit though to hold the transducer firmly.  I left 2 channels, one at the front and one at the back of the foam block to allow water into the foam opening. These channels allow the water in basically. (If the foam is too thin, simply double it up gluing 2 similar pieces together to make a thicker piece, then hollow out the center to fit the transducer,  Glue that foam block to the hull, using silicon, goop, whatever your comfortable using, (Me, I trust good'ol 3M clear silicon) I've had issues with Lexel and will never use it again, Goop I think takes too long to cure fully, Silicon, it's good to go after 12hrs, fully cured in 24.
  Mark where you want the transducer, apply your glue to the bottom side of the foam block and squish the foam block down in place. 
   After I did this, I placed a brick on my foam block to help hold it place, but you can use duct tape, a rock, whatever.   
After your glue sets, add some water to the transducer cavity and check for leaks.  If none are seen, your good to go!
   When you get to the water, simply push transducer in add water to cover the transducer and off ya go!
  I keep one of those tiny 4 or 6oz water bottles in my OB nowjust so I have a means to add water to my ducer.

Thanks again for all the help with this guys.

I got the goop off with Goo Gone... that stuff will melt the plastic coating on the transducer too. I went to walmart and got a yoga foam step block and cut that thing up. Used Marine Goop I had on it. Cant wait to test it out!

OEX offered me a tube of goop. And they don't seal the compass installs. I gooped that too.