Lowrance Globalmap 2000 Problem

[Jason Adam]

I picked up a new boat and took it for a shakedown trip this weekend. The boat was awsome, but I have a problem with my sonar. The boat has a Globalmap 2000 w/GPS, Chartreader, and 192kHz Sonar(and SAM module). The unit had no problems friday night or saturday morning. We were running out on saturday afternoon and the depth started flashing at about 74ft(flashing meaning it lost bottom). Then I got no bottom( --- in the depth reading). Throughout the afternoon and the next day, it would change between no reading and like 500 - 600ft(near the lighthouse in Port Austin(<100' of water). I jumped in the water and checked the transducer to see if it "kicked up" or if something was obstructing it, but nothing seemed to be abnormal. The built in diagnostics test the SAM(sonar access module), but not the transducer it-self. Occasionally throughout the weekend, I would get a "Sonar not responding" message. I picked up a new transducer and tested it in a 3' deep plastic garbage can. It seemed to read ok. I tried the old transducer and it read exactally the same. I cant imagine that this thing just started working again after we screwed with it for two days this weekend with no results. I mounted the new transducer next to the old one and ran the cable up, so I have a backup if the transducer does go, but I'm hoping I dont get all the way across the state this weekend and have the same problem. If anyone has any experiance with this, any suggestions would be appreciated. Oh Yeah, The GPS portion has not had any problems. I'm gonna call Lowrance when they open today, but I figured I would give this a shot.

[RSGS]

I was running the same setup and found on several occasions that the problems I was experiencing was as a result of the transducer. I did have one occasion when I did have to send the unit in. I also replaced the transducer.

One other thing I did (and should have done from the start) was to run a 8 guage wire from my battery bank to a new busl at the bridge. I then wired all my electronics into this terminal. The main bus for 12v accessories on the bridge suffers voltage/amp drop because of the long run and small size wire. I get almost a full 12.5 v now from the batteries. As with any transmitting device, the more voltage/amps in, the higher the wattage out. This applies to radios as well as sonar units and radar.


Lowrance does have one of the best Customer Service departments I have ever worked with. Good luck.

[Jason Adam]

Thanks. Yeah, I was not real impressed with the previous owners wiring job on any of his electronics. I will be re-doing that this winter. I took the spare transducer and mounted it next to the old one, so, worst case scenario, I have a backup already wired up. Headed to Frankfort tonight. We'll see what happens.

[Jason Adam]

We went to Frankfort last weekend and never had a problem using the old transucer... I spent 3 days the previous weekend plugging, unplugging, turning off and on, heck, I even jumped in to see if it was blocked or damaged. Thing wouldnt do anything. Last weekend, never had a problem... ????Boats?????