Horizon Fishfinder User Manual
17
16A
Troubleshooting
The Fishfinder won’t turn on:
1.
Check the power cable socket at the back of the Fishfinder.
2.
Make certain the power cable’s red wire connects to the positive battery terminal
and the black wire to negative or ground.
3.
Measure the voltage at the unit’s power terminals. It should be at least 10 volts. If
it isn’t:
•
the battery terminals or wiring on the terminals are corroded
•
the battery needs charging.
•
the wiring to the unit is defective
4.
Check any fuses you may have placed in the line.
The Fishfinder freezes, locks up, or operates erratically:
1.
Electrical noise from the boat’s engine or an accessory may be interfering with the
sonar unit.
To stop this, try:
•
re-routing the power and transducer cables away from the other electrical
wiring on the boat
•
routing the unit’s power cable directly to the battery instead of through a fuse
block or ignition switch
2.
Inspect the transducer cable for damage or pinched wires.
3.
Check the transducer and power connector. Make certain it is securely plugged
into the unit.
Weak bottom echo, digital readings erratic, or no fish signals:
1.
Make certain the transducer is pointing straight down.
2.
Electrical noise from the boat’s motor can interfere with the Fishfinder. This causes
the Fishfinder to automatically decrease the gain level unless the gain control has
been set manually. The Fishfinder thus eliminates weaker signals such as fish or
even the sea bed from the display.
3.
Manual gain may be set too low, if you have the instrument set in manual mode.
4.
The water may be deeper than the Fishfinder’s ability to find the bottom. If it cannot
find the bottom return signal while it is in the automatic mode, the display will flash
continuously. It may change the range to a realistic one, and increase the sensitivity.
As you move into shallower water, a bottom signal should appear.
5.
Check the battery voltage. If it is too low, the unit’s transmitter power is also low,
reducing its ability to find the bottom or targets.
Bottom echo disappears or erratic digital reading while your boat is moving:
1.
The transducer may be in turbulent water. Air bubbles in the water disrupt the
Fishfinder signals, interfering with its ability to find the bottom or other targets.
This often happens when you reverse the boat. The transducer must be mounted
in a smooth flow of water in order for the Fishfinder to work at all boat speeds.
2.
Again, electrical noise from the boat’s motor can interfere with the Fishfinder.
