Raymarine ds 500x not tracking above 3200 RPMs - The Hull Truth

tbn43 · 05-07-2006, 11:27 AM

I just installed a Raymarine ds 500x with a transom mount transducer and when I reach 3200 RPMs it not longer tracks the bottom. I know this is caused by turbulance from the prop, but what is the solution? Would moving it a few inches solve the problem? Should I switch to a though-hull transducer. This is a big dissapointment.

Think Tweiss · 05-07-2006, 12:18 PM

I had the same problem with my Garmin...and while some claim to be successful in moving the transom mount transducer a little higher, a little lower, a little to one side, tilted a little in one direction or another, I never could get it to read consistently at higher speeds. I installed a shoot thru the hull transducer and now never lose bottom. Best move I ever made.

Hewesfissher · 05-07-2006, 02:58 PM

I had the same probvlem. I promise you, if you keep adjusting a little at a time...YOU WILL GET IT. It took me 3 adjustments and now it operates perfctly. Try adjusting a touch higher. Keep making VERY small adjustments, and you'll get it. Don't give up...

Tom

edsmith03 · 05-07-2006, 03:57 PM

Start by moving it down a bit lower into the water.. Chances are, if it's working fine at slow speeds, when you're hitting higher speed, the transducer is now getting bubbles between the 'ducer and the bottom... By lowering it down a bit, you can hopefully eliminate that problem. That being said, if you installed the transducer as directed in the Raymarine install manual, this should be VERY easy to do... Just loosen the three install screws, and slide the transducer down...

oldrcap · 05-07-2006, 05:02 PM

I have the same transducer on my Raymarine A65 and lose the bottom almost all the time at higher speeds as described above. I want to try different adjustments but since my boat is slipped, and I don't own a trailer, the adjustment must be done while the boat is in the water. Can I loosen the adjustment screws and make my fine adjustments while the boat is in the water or should the boat be hauled for the adjustment?

Sorry for altering the topic.

Howard

edsmith03 · 05-07-2006, 05:33 PM

It would be best to take it out of the water, but as long as the screws are bedded in 5200 or silicon or something like that you should be fine.. Just don't take them all the way out, obviously..... Just loosen the screws the least amount that you can in order to move the 'ducer down a bit...

guanadropper · 05-07-2006, 06:37 PM

I had the same problem with my transom mounted 400x on a Twin Vee cat with two engines. Tried moving up, down and to the sides with no improvement. Then I tried it shoot-thru inside the bilge at various locations while weighted down with a ziplock bag of water until I found the best location. Then I semi-permanently mounted it with silicon caulk. Now it will read to about 600 ft at cruise (25 mph) and I can still read bottom at 2200 ft. while drifting and deep dropping. Of course, mounted this way you will loose the speedometer and water temp.

bilfshr · 05-07-2006, 08:09 PM

I also have the 500.But I have a different problem.I am not able to see the screen in direct sunlight.It is better with the "white backround" as apposed to black.And with sunglasses on,you see nothing!!.There were four of us on the boat.Four different brands of glasses.None of use could see the screen.Putting a shield around it helped.But to me it is essecentilally useless.Anybody have any suggestions?

guanadropper · 05-07-2006, 09:03 PM

No problem seeing the screen with my 400x. In fact, it is the brightest color FF screen I have seen. In very bright direct sunlight it does help to put some sort of sun shield around it. If you have polarized sunglasses, the screen will appear black from the side because the polarization of the unit and your glasses will cancel each other out. If you observe it straight from the front, no problem.

edsmith03 · 05-07-2006, 09:59 PM

Bilfshr, Are you sure you have the brightness all the way up?? If you do, then there may be something wrong with your unit. My 500 was VERY bright, even in the sun. Not as good as my new Lowrance, but pretty close... I never had any problems seeing the screen. If your brightness is all the way up, you may have a defective unit or something if you can't see it...