Transducer Issue HST-WSBL

[Yam]

I have been fixing things that don't need fixing again. At times my skimmer transducer would click too loud. It didn't do it all the time so I figured it was a sign to replace.

So I replaced it with a new one. Same thing.. HST-WSBL. Now, when I put it on 83, it clicks louder than the old one all the time. It drives me nuts. If I put my hand on it and apply some pressure to the underside while in the water, along with a pleasing jolt, I am able to get it to be more quiet.

Any ideas? I know it's doing its job properly but wonder if the crystal or something inside is loose.

I'm not a fan of the bracket system as well. If you follow the instructions and tighten it a quarter turn after hand tight, it's just too loose. However, if you tighten it up, the rubber washers turn to mush.

[mwardncsu]

They click - doing it's job. Could try some rubber washers or a gasket between the metal bracket and the boat to see if it isolates any transfered noise. Or, move you bait tank to the rear of the boat, and make sure the pump is resting against the side of the tank and that will drone out any of the clicking you hear from the xducer

[striperjohn]

Yam I have never heard the clicking you are referring too, but my hearing is not what it was. Regarding the brackets, I put small flexible teflon washers in front of the rubber ones.

[Yam]

Thanks John. Good idea.

Mward.. I'm aware they click. But this one clicks really loud. Same model as last. My last one didn't click this loud. I have to believe there is some real inconsistencies in the manufacturing process.

Is there any advantage to the newer ducer with downscan other than getting downscan images at speed?

Better clarity? Combined picture from 2 ducers? Better 2d?

[Yam]

Aug 25, 2016 8:18:00 GMT -5 mwardncsu said:

They click - doing it's job. Could try some rubber washers or a gasket between the metal bracket and the boat to see if it isolates any transfered noise. Or, move you bait tank to the rear of the boat, and make sure the pump is resting against the side of the tank and that will drone out any of the clicking you hear from the xducer

Hmmm... The gasket thing is interesting. I ripped the old metal bracket off and scraped the 4200. I simply reinstalled with just 4200 on the screws. I wonder if the 4200 on the bracket worked as a damper. Woohoo... Something to try.

[Gator]

There are many different fixes to your problem Yam. Mward mention one of them. Isolation dampening can be a very long and drawn out ordeal and VERY frustrating. Especially when it doesn't work. My advice is to turn up the radio until you no longer hear the clicking. Problem solved.

[hotdog]

My advice is to turn up the radio until you no longer hear the clicking. Problem solved.

This always works when my truck starts making noises.
Good luck Yam.

[Yam]

To follow up, I custom made a thick rubber gasket and sealed it between my ducer and my boat. Additionally, I couldn't find ceramic washers locally so I purchased some harder rubber washers and installed them to replace the spongy ones that lowrance provides.

Results: The clicking is still loud. Very loud. However, the harder washers work much better. They are durable and still allow the ducer to kick up if it hits something... Although I would like my loud ducer to be shattered by a log so I can buy another one.

Other: My family and I beached our boat and while they had fun frolicking in the water, I decided to play around with my ducers. I found that both my transom and TM ducers were quiet on 200 and no notable sounds were present under water. I also found that both were audible under water on 83. The difference was that I could feel my loud transom ducer in the fillings of my teeth as I got closer to it. And once I got really close, I could feel a clicking sound in my head as if my brain was loose. Both my son and wife had similiar sensations. Today, we have all noticed a lack in our abilities to play "Go Fish" but we all are experiencing a jump in our ability to watch the same cartoon over and over again!

Additionally, I noted a 2 degree temp difference between my two ducers. Interestingly enough, my TM ducer was 15 inches lower in the water. Once I brought it up to match the distance below the water line as my transom ducer... The two were reading approximately the same.

Conclusions: Do not swim near your ducer while it is on 83 and if it is as loud as mine. Do consider buying harder rubber washers if you hate the ones you have been replacing. Water is very interesting.