SI not working on both sides, fades to black quick

I was wondering if someone could point out what I’ve done wrong if possible. I’m having an issue with my SI, in that it’s cutting out after the first hundred feet or so. I have it set at 250′ to the left, and 250′ to the right; however, it’s cutting out to black after the 1st 1/3 of the scan.

Also my downscan doesn’t seem to be working either. A few 2d photos of pulling up the anchor and also of a fish on the bottom. However, nothing is showing up on the down scan.

Any helps would be awesome! thank you in advance. (I’ve included my mounting position also). thank you.

1) 250 feet to each side is way too far, IMO. I generally run no more than 120 feet to each side. Typically, I’ll run closer to 50-60 feet to maximize detail unless I’m searching for something, running a grid for structure, etc.

Once you get that far out to the side, you aren’t going to get as sharp of readings. (Think about the sonar return… It will lose “power” the further it has to travel through water… But also when you get further to the side, you are covering waaay more bottom content –vs shooting downward — per equivalent sonar arc angles. Yes, they say that you CAN image to 300 feet to each side, but in reality returns that you get from that far out aren’t worth much, at least not in 14 feet of water like you are in.

2) You aren’t moving (0.1 mph)…. Not that that should affect if it functions or not, but you won’t get any sort of clear image without at least some speed over ground.

3) Are you sure there is anything (bottom structure) to see on the downscan?? From your image, it looks like it is functioning ok. If your bottom is a plain-jane bottom, that might be about the extent of your image. Moving forward will probably help this as well, as your downscan image is based off of your side scan sonar returns. Remember, your 2-d down sonar is different than your DI/SI sonar… DI/SI takes a thin slice of the water, 2-d sends out a more general lobe or “cone” to cover more area. Is your DI setting set to WIDE??? Try altering that setting.

Shorten your side scan to something like 100 feet (or even 50-60) and try again. A good rule of thumb is side scan distance 3-4 times the depth.

Sensitiviy, speed, etc may all need to be adjusted to current depth, speed, lake conditions, etc… It’s not difficult, just don’t be afraid to spend a few minutes playing with the settings.

In short, I tend to doubt you have a malfunctioning unit. Your mount doesn’t look terrible, either, although its hard to tell from just one photo. You are getting correct-looking (to me anyway) readings based on your settings. Keep playing with your settings, you probably just need to tweak some of them….

I’m having a similar problem, however my unit shows great clarity on the left side and a similar image to yours on the right side. I’m guessing I have to move the transducer (its mounted to the port side of my motor). Someone told me that I have to tilt the transducer more towards the right side, however when I get a couple of guys to sit on my starboard side, the image doesn’t improve…thus I’m left to believe the motor is interfering with the sonar.

Either way, I’ll be watching the responses to your post in hopes of finding a solution to my problem. I’m heading up to the Chip Flowage for a couple weeks tomorrow morning. If I figure anything out, I’ll let you know.

And for the record, I agree w/ the previous post. I like to keep my distance from 75-100 feet when looking for structure or weedlines.

Good luck.

JD

JD –

Have you tried adjusting your transducer angle up/down, vs left right? Tried trimming up the engine a little? How far down your stern does the transducer sit? Any other obstructions like livewell tanks, etc?

Any pics?

BTW, 250 feet is close to 85 YARDS. That’s a heck of a long ways to each side.

And if there happens to be a rise, weeds, other obstructions, etc in between you and your target (250 feet to the side), then that sonar is going to have a darn hard time reaching that target anyway…

Not to beat a dead horse, but these units really shine much closer to the boat. (50-150 foot ranges)

Quote:

---

great clarity on the left side and a similar image to yours on the right side. I’m guessing I have to move the transducer (its mounted to the port side of my motor).

JD

---

With mounting the transducer on the port side there is a good chance your getting interference from prop turbulance. That is the big reason they recomend mounting on the starboard side. If is prop turbulance nothing you can do but mount it on the starboard side.

Try this trim the big motor up a bit, and use your bow mount trolling motor and see what your readings are, if it clears it up you know what you need to do.

well, cool. Thanks for the input. I was thinking 85 yards shouldn’t be too far for me to cast it right out there. I do have a 7′ pole. Ha. point taken.

I uploaded another photo of the stern so you can see where the transducer is mounted (lower right).

I’ll try those things you mention. THANK YOU for the helps.

If it were me, and if you still can’t get good readings after adjusting the settings, I’d move that transducer as far to the left side of that mounting board as you can. It also looks like it could drop down a touch, although its hard to tell by your photos — you want the midline of the transducer to sit right at the level of the boat hull touching the water. And preferably NOT behind a row of rivets, strake, etc…… But definitely move it left if you can’t get it to function otherwise. You are most likely getting a lot of wake/water motion interference by having it that far to the outside of the hull.

Here is my boat.. Sorry about the lighting and wide angle distortion… But you can see how far close to center I have mine sitting. (Just to the right of the main motor)

Engine interference has NOT been an issue one bit.

OK, thanks. I’ll try it this weekend. 1st messing with the setting, then moving it closer to center.