transducer problems

HI guys its my fifth hummingbird  transducer that broke down. I just traded it in for elite 4. I use a suction mount and hang off side of yak I'm wondering if these transducers are not as waterproof has they say.is anyone having same issues. Im getting sick of driving down to west marine and dealing with them twise a season for this. I don't want to mount inside haul if I have to.

I have had a Hummingbird in my yak for 6 years without a problem and it is fixed to the bottom. I also have had a number of transducers from Hummingbird, Lowrance and Garmin and have had no waterproof problems what I think might be happening is with the suction mount is the constant on and off application( its design ) and the wire might be getting bent while moving it on and off. I think the less you move wires the less chance of breaking them.

Did you always get the same "transducer not connected" message? Did you know the model of the transducer? Check this out:

http://www.humminbird.com/Category/Support/FAQ/Transducer-not-connected/

thanks for the replies. I think I might have to mount the transducer in my haul.

 
   You best bet for best signal is to continue having the transducer in the water, not in side the hull.  The transducers are designed to be under water.  If you suspect water is getting inside the transducer,  at the cable maybe apply some silicon to the cable at the transducer.
  I don't see how the suction cup mount can be the problem,  maybe it's the head?

Hi ken.  I tried to use transducer out side with suction cup,  I was Alexus having problems.  I finally placed if inside with duct seal.  Only problem is sometimes I forget to check before I launch

And I have to crawl to the back hatch and put some h2o in the middle  of the duct seal.  It has worked for three years now. 

I have worked as a marine electronics technician for 12 years now in the Coast Guard.  I deal with depth sounded and transducers almost everyday on a variety of boats with many different mounting arrangement.  In all 12 years I bet I haven't seen more than 6 failures that were actually a transducer issue!  They just aren't a high failure item.  Pinched cables, cables that exceed the maximum bend radius, and connectors are normally what cause issues.  Transducers themselves are made to be in the water and are "potted" in epoxy these days to protect the internal circuitry.  I seriously doubt water intrusion is your problem.