Lowrance HDS12 Gen 3 – Structure Scan not working

Hello,

Having problems with HDS 12 structure scan. I have done soft and hard reboots with no luck. Just the blank screen with a vertical line in the middle. I have two HDS units networked via hub, with another cable unused for a bow unit. Does it matter which yellow ethernet plugs go where? Just pulled the boat out so will be checking to see if the LSS transducer is sending signals, but it seems like a software or settings problem. The standard sonar works fine, but that is using the separate skimmer transducer. Any input would be great! Thanks – KDW

Since it seems you dont have a totalscan or all in one transducer that does 2D and structurescan, make sure you check the sonar settings for source to make sure its reading the correct transducer for structurescan.
Also, the yellow ethernet cord can only plug into one port on the back.

Thanks, CaptainMusky! Hmmm – I have two yellow ethernet plugs going to the two HDS12’s on the console – One I use exclusively for charts – I wonder if I switch the yellow cables on the unit I use for sonar it would make a difference? Also, I was told that the skimmer transducer needs to be selected from a menu but the structure scan transducer is automatically “sensed” by the unit. If not, then what would it be on the menu – LSS- 2? It has the long transducer, but not the new all in one. I have attached a pic of the unit in question. It worked until late last summer, but I haven’t had the water time until now to troubleshoot. Thanks again!!

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The 12 must have more ethernet ports than the 9 and smaller units. News to me. My units only have 1. My totalscan transducer as a different colored plug than what I see in your pic. Mine is red. Im not staring at the back of my unit now, but I will check later to see how it compares otherwise. Sometimes when units are networked it flips the source. Make sure sonar source is “this unit” for the one you have the transducer hooked up to. You can view on both units, but if you arent using the source that the transducer is hooked up to it wont work.

Sounds good – I will play around with it and see. I’m thinking if the yellow ethernet plugs are reversed, the “In” port is reading from the other unit, not the hub? I’m sure they are plugged in as I have in the past, but I am getting older and not so sure these days! Thanks again – K

The hub ethernet ports should be numbered 1,2, and 3.
Label or remember your units as 1,2, and 3 as well.
Plug 1 to 1, 2 to 2, etc.
You might just have #1 ethernet plugged in at the hub to #2 unit or something along those lines.

Hope that helps

I think you’re right – I probably plugged them in wrong at some point last fall and have been using it that way since. I have the labels ready and will double-check & label everything from the hub to the units this Friday. If it’s something else I’ll be back whining again…Thanks, guys – it’s appreciated!