Hummingbird Matrix 12

[Ram-rod]

hi all
I have a hummingbird matrix 12 system and the sounder is hopeless under way. will not read at all at anything above about 4 knots. I have checked the transducer and all seems ok. A dealer told me to have the transducer facing toward the front so that it is getting more clean water but it doesn't help. It works perfectly while stopped. Not sure what to try next, maybe its the nature of the beast, but pretty useless sounder if you can;t read the depth while under way.
Fitted to a Quintrex 540 spirit.
any ideas??
Russell

[Piscatory Pursuit]

Hi Russel,
It is definitely the installation of the transducer. The difficult thing is to tell you what part of the installation is wrong. The reason you lose your sounder at any kind of speed is the turbulence created by the hull or props if you have inboards. If you have inboard then you need to go with a thru hull or in hull ducer. The best way I know of to determine where on the transom to mount the ducer is to look over your transom while you are running at speed and look for the least turbulent water and that is where you should mount the transducer. The bottom of the transducer should be approximately 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch below the bottom of the hull. The transducer should be tilted upward just a little bit to conpensate for the angle change when you get the boat on plane.

Try setting the transducer up this way and you should see improvement. If it still doesnt improve then try raising or lowering the transducer approximately 1/4 of an inch until you start to see improvement and then continue to adjust until perfect. I usually make these adjustments in shallow water then run out and test the unit and then go back to shallow water and adjust and so on.

Good Luck!

[angler1]

russell i have a matrix 17 and had heaps of trouble setting it up. i had to lower the transducer well below the hull to get anything out of it, only problem now is the damage factor.good luck.

angler1

[Ram-rod]

thanks guys for both your help. will try that as soon as i get back on the water. the transducer is only just below the hull and i reckon the rounded transom on these cause a hell of a lot of turbulance around it, so down it goes. will test and let you know.