Lowrance LCX-28C HD GPS Troubles

[Moondog]

I have been trouble shooting this unit for 2 summers. The real time graft display above idle just goes goes blotto......have moved transducer, changed transducer, moved wiring.

time to send it back???? Should work better than this for the $$$

Any other ideas? Works great sitting still but sure would like to be able to use it while moving....bottom contours, depth etc.

Think Cabelas would take it back? I have tried everything I can think of.

[Crankbaiter]

Moondog,
Your title is a bit confusing. Is this gps/sonar unit giving you trouble with sonar or gps or both?
What software update version are you running?

[Moondog]

WE purchased the unit in 07 and whatever software that was standard last year is what we have. The issue is with the sonar which becomes useless at any speed past idle. Tried moving the transducer location following the installation instructions plus a new transducer also. The unit is installed on a 1850 Lund Grand Tyee. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[Jim Carroll]

How does the LCX work when the engine is shut off and the boat is drifting?

If it works fine, then the problem is either transducer placement or electrical noise. If you are losing bottom contact (not showing bottom on the chart) and/or the digital depth is blinking when the boat is moving, it's likely the problem is with the transducer.

It could also be electrical interference from the boat. Is the unit wired directly back to the starting battery? If not, it should be to eliminate possible interference from the engine, radio, pumps etc. The best way to check for electrical interference is to take an extra battery out with you in the boat and hook the LCX up to it temporarily and see what it does when the boat is moving. If it still doesn't work correctly (and works fine when the boat is just drifting) then it's definitely a transducer issue.

If the transducer is the problem, the first thing to check is make sure its not mounted in front of a row of rivets on your Lund.

Lowrance has some good mounting tips here: http://www.lowrance.com/en/Support/Tips-and-Tutorials/Installation-Guide/

If the transducer appears to be mounted OK, try these tips to figure out what the problem is:

Identifying Interference
• If the screen interference increases proportional to vessel speed this usually indicates that the transducer face is exposed to aerated water
• If the interference appears at a specific rpm this could be a sign of electrical interference on the sounder’s powerline. Try powering the sounder directly from a stand-alone battery.

Identifying flow noise
• If experiencing interference with a transom mounted transducer test drive the vessel to determine what speed the image is lost at. Move the transducer to its lowest position and retest.
• If screen image is improved repeat until you are satisfied with results. If screen image gets worse, move transducer up and re-test until improvement is seen

Identifying flow noise
• Perform a slow but constant turn to the side of the hull that the transom transducer is mounted. Gradually increase rate of turn. If screen image improves the transducer needs to be mounted lower in the water.
• If screen image is worse when turning to the same side as the transducer try turning the opposite direction. This would indicate the transducer needs to be mounted higher in the water

Good Luck!

Jim Carroll NPAA #13

[pikeman007]

You can get ahold of Linda Colt, she helped me out with my 522 when I had problems.
linda.colt@navico.com

[Moondog]

How does the LCX work when the engine is shut off and the boat is drifting?

If it works fine, then the problem is either transducer placement or electrical noise. If you are losing bottom contact (not showing bottom on the chart) and/or the digital depth is blinking when the boat is moving, it's likely the problem is with the transducer.

It could also be electrical interference from the boat. Is the unit wired directly back to the starting battery? If not, it should be to eliminate possible interference from the engine, radio, pumps etc. The best way to check for electrical interference is to take an extra battery out with you in the boat and hook the LCX up to it temporarily and see what it does when the boat is moving. If it still doesn't work correctly (and works fine when the boat is just drifting) then it's definitely a transducer issue.

If the transducer is the problem, the first thing to check is make sure its not mounted in front of a row of rivets on your Lund.

Lowrance has some good mounting tips here: http://www.lowrance.com/en/Support/Tips-and-Tutorials/Installation-Guide/

If the transducer appears to be mounted OK, try these tips to figure out what the problem is:

Identifying Interference
• If the screen interference increases proportional to vessel speed this usually indicates that the transducer face is exposed to aerated water
• If the interference appears at a specific rpm this could be a sign of electrical interference on the sounder’s powerline. Try powering the sounder directly from a stand-alone battery.

Identifying flow noise
• If experiencing interference with a transom mounted transducer test drive the vessel to determine what speed the image is lost at. Move the transducer to its lowest position and retest.
• If screen image is improved repeat until you are satisfied with results. If screen image gets worse, move transducer up and re-test until improvement is seen

Identifying flow noise
• Perform a slow but constant turn to the side of the hull that the transom transducer is mounted. Gradually increase rate of turn. If screen image improves the transducer needs to be mounted lower in the water.
• If screen image is worse when turning to the same side as the transducer try turning the opposite direction. This would indicate the transducer needs to be mounted higher in the water

Good Luck!

Jim Carroll NPAA #13

Thank you for all your time and efforts! Using your info and the troubleshooting already accomplished, I'm certain that I have a transducer location and turbulence problem. There is a whole row of rivets across the bottom of the transom on this Lund. When the water and weather conditions improve I'll be back on the water experimenting....!!!!

[Moondog]

Thanks, I will do that!