Humminbird 580 erratic depth problem

Wanted to see if anyone else had this problem w/ their FF and how to remedy it.

The problem is the depth reading is constantly changing. It bounces around a few feet and then sometimes gets a really shallow or really deep and goes back to bouncing around. It's not too hard to deal with since it's always a ballpark figure but it's getting annoying. I'm using the foam puck filled w/ water method and always make sure to squeeze the 'ducer in until water gurgles out. The surface of the of it isn't exactly perfect but not bad by any means.

Any ideas?

Z

Zee, try hanging it over the side as a test to eliminate a mounting problem...just a thought.
It does sound like a problem I had when i mounted a xducer badly with air bubbles in the goop, but i have no idea how that relates to your problem..

mine will wig out when I turn it on before I launch. If I wait to power the unit up once I'm on the water there are no issues. Its like the unit gets outta whack trying to read into the ground/dock.

I have a 383c and I have the same problem.  Come to think of it, I did turn it on when I was still on shore...

I will try your technique, EWB.  When are we going fishing again?  Paradise? 

mine will wig out when I turn it on before I launch. If I wait to power the unit up once I'm on the water there are no issues. Its like the unit gets outta whack trying to read into the ground/dock.

Very interesting. I almost always power up before I get on the water as I want to make sure there's no issues before I get under way. I will give it a shot.

Z

Sounds like the same problem I was having yesterday. I want to say I started mine up immediately after launching, but can't say for sure that I didn't power up on shore. Was working fine for 5-10 minutes then showed anywhere from 500-999 ft depth. Powered up and down a few times during the day, figured it was a connection problem, but I was getting what I believe were accurate water temp readings 52-54 degrees. The transducer is the only thing touching water so, at least in my mind, eliminated connection problem.

Zee, I had the same problem with my Hummingbird 343c. My transducer made direct water contact. It seemed like it would work OK 50% of the time. I would adjust the sensitivity but it wouldn't help. Now I have a Garmin which is way more accurate and I'm very satisfied with it's performance depth reading wise. Problem with the Garmin is the temperature reading. For instance while on Monterey Bay today it read 75-77 degrees all day. The temp problem hasn't bothered me yet though. When I had the Hummingbird I would get so frustrated I would just turn it off

I checked the Humminbird website for support and here's what they have to say about it. I'll give some of these a shot.

http://www.humminbird.com/support/FAQ.aspx?faqid=49

Erractic Depth

Consult the Common Checks guide.    All testing related to the transducer and depth performance must be performed with the boat in the water.  Sonar does not read through air and testing your product while your boat is trailered WILL NOT give you correct information.

Erratic Depth (Bottom) Readings
Before trying the following suggestions, if possible, turn your unit on without using any options or selections to see if the problem may be in the way the depth sounder was set up to operate. Turn all features on Auto and/or set all options to "Restore Defaults" using the Setup Menu tab. If possible, check your unit on a friend’s boat that has the same type of unit and model number. This will indicate whether the problem is with the unit or with the accessories, cables and/or installation. If the unit still has the same problem on your friend’s boat, return it along with a letter explaining the problem in detail. If the unit works correctly on your friend’s boat, proceed with the appropriate suggestions below:

* Remember that the depth sounder measures the depth of water that is below the transducer. The motion of your boat riding up and down on waves can be detected by the depth sounder. Ensure that any variations in depth readings that you are experiencing are not due to the water conditions.
* Be sure you are not trying to run two depth sounders at the same time. Using two depth sounders that run on the same frequencies can cause one or both to show incorrect depth readings. Check your Operations Manual for operating frequencies.

Maximum Depth
Check that you are not trying to read beyond your depth sounders maximum depth capabilities. This is shown in your Operations Manual.

Check the Transducer
* Check the Operations Manual and transducer cable for the proper transducer. Normally, the transducer type is marked on the cable within the first 6 inches from the connector end. The correct transducers to be used with your depth sounder are listed in your Operations Manual.
* Check for proper transducer installation, according to the Operations Manual. If the depth sounder reads correctly at slow speeds but not at high speeds, The problem is usually with the installation. Make sure the transducer has not "kicked up". If it has, simply reset the transducer by snapping it back in its bracket. Check for any damage to the transducer or cable. If the transducer was installed to "shoot through" the boat hull, the installation may have degraded allowing air bubbles to be trapped between the transducer and boat hull. It may be possible to check for this by adding enough water inside the boat hull to partially cover the transducer. The water will displace any trapped air and may allow the transducer to work properly. If this happens, the only long-term solution is to try and remount another transducer in your boat's hull. If your side scan does not function properly, check that the transducer is positioned on your trolling motor or transom properly. Remember that this special transducer reads out the sides and out of the bottom of the transducer. Do not mount this transducer next to other transducers, speed/temp gauges or motor. Doing so will block the signal on that side of the transducer. This should also be remembered when the side scan transducer is mounted on a trolling motor as depending on the direction that the trolling motor is pointed in, the transducer may be 'viewing' the boat's hull. All transducers must be pointing straight down and have an unobstructed 'view' of the bottom to be able to give an accurate depth reading.
* Check for Marine growth or other obstructions that may be on the bottom of the transducer. Some anti-fouling paints may not be used or may only be used in a single thin coating. Clean the bottom of the transducer with soap or detergent and water or lightly sand with sanding paper. This will help "wet" the transducer. When putting a transducer in the water, it may form air bubbles across the face or "eye". This can be simply rubbed away with your hand. Older model transducers have to be allowed to wet before they will work properly.

i gave up on hummingbird and switched to lawrance.  Good luck with the problem

Are you using real closed cell foam or a pool noodle?  I ask because my first venture with the pool noodle I noticed the cell structure of the noodle had a lot of open areas that would leach out air bubbles around the transducer.  I went to a true closed cell foam and it ended the problem.

I have a 383c and I have the same problem.  Come to think of it, I did turn it on when I was still on shore...

I will try your technique, EWB.  When are we going fishing again?  Paradise? 

Soon... I am doing the FW event on the 28th. You? after that not sure....I think Albion is my next big one. I am pretty sure I'll be able to make it. I need to shoot SBD my info. I would like to hit up HMB soon.

I did have the same problem with my 383c but tried EWB's solution of turning on the machine out on the water and it seemed to work. 

By the way, I wonder if there has ever been an NCKA survey to find out how many people REALLY believe all those marks on the screen are fish?!  Especially when traveling over kelp, which always seems to have tons of "fish" in it.  Are the kelp stalks being registered as fish?  Will changing the sensitivity give me a better picture of fish in the kelp? 

At the RSS (Refugio State Skunk) opener earlier this year, I noted a huge amount of "kelp fish" on my screen, then jumped overboard and found a marine wasteland. 

just curious.  I will be at Albion and look forward to catching up with you guys.


Pete 

Zee,
I was having problems with my 363 unit. The depth would just jump to 1.2 ft and stay there till it felt like reading the depth again. i found the connector cable was not contacting well. I lubed the prongs with silicone tuning gel and then slightly bent the prongs to improve the contact. After I bent them, the problem ceased. Obivously one or more of the prongs was not contacting well enough. Give it a try.

Glory Hole Sports up in Angels Camp is giving a seminar on Fish Finders ... all types .. from beginner level to Expert level ..

It's in August, you can contact them, and if you're up that way, attend.
It's free.

I talked to the rep putting the seminar on and he does it for any group of people anywhere.  He works for Hummingbird, but, teaches them all.  He will be going to Glory Hole Sports with a bunch of equipment so that everyone registered will have their own stuff to work with.

I asked about having one in Sonoma County and he said no one has ever contacted him about it, but, if there are 25-30 at least attending - he would be glad to do it here.  All their classes are free, by the way.

A few tips he gave me and a few others there a few Sundays ago ?
Don't use your depth finder on automatic.  It will continuously bounce around trying to find the correct depth - turn your fish ID off - and use your gain properly - turn it up until the screen starts to show "static" then turn it down just a bit.

One thing he said, also, was that by the time we're done with the classes up there in August - you will know the difference between kelp, grass, and fish.

It would be interesting if we could get him down here for a few classes - for the yakers and boaters ..

http://www.gloryholesports.com/   ... Dawn has all the information .. if you're interested in something like this . . .

mine does the jump around a bit, but it settles down after a few minutes. 

Pete, the fish finder lies.  I too have registered kelp as fish, and other times see blues swarming below me yet the FF showing nothing new.  Or just that I really suck at reading my FF. 

A class would be cool, I would definitely sign up.

Eugene