06-27-2010, 08:58 PM
So, a couple of weeks ago I opted for a Humminbird Fishin' Buddy 120. I have had it out about 3 times now, and each time I have had weirdness
Everything seems to be fine for a while, showing accurate depth (probably) and structure, maybe some "fish" with the sidefinder. Not too long into the session I will look over and there is black all over the screen, and it shows me in 215 feet of water, sometimes shallower at 130 ish feet. I know that this is ridiculously inaccurate, as I was just moments before in 7 feet of water. This lake couldn't top 20 feet in depth. Then a vertical line will appear on the chart, a wall of black on the chart and then it just shuts down. Sometimes I can't even get it to reboot. Until I let it sit idle a while....then I restart it and get the same symptoms, but sooner.
I was boxing it up to take it back from whence it came and as an afterthought I decided to test each of the six AA batteries that it requires. With a multimeter I tested VDC and each measured about 1.47 volts.....except one! It actually measured -200 mV. All had 0 ohms of resistance except same said battery which was measuring about 24 ohms. Looking at the battery, it appeared to have some dry leakage on the negative end...mind you this was a brand new battery.
I have a really limited knowledge of electronic devices....can anyone tell me if the symptoms I was experiencing could be a result of this bad battery? I am going to try it out soon to see if replacing that battery will yield better results. I can take the unit back if not, as I bought it locally with a service plan.
Next question, in my limited use of the 120, I think I already hate the 2 foot fixed shaft that sticks down into the water. Anybody ever hear of dismantling one of these units and mounting the transducer in some alternate fashion? I can only guess that the shaft just houses wiring that goes to the transducer on the bottom end. I'm sure that would void the warranty and would not fall under the service plan. It would be interesting to see if one could eliminate the 2 ft shaft, nonetheless.
Currently, I have it mounted on a piece of 1 1/4" PVC with a union, so I can quickly turn the shaft up out of the water so it is parallel with the side of the Fishcat 4. See picture. If anyone has any other suggestions, please offer them. No laughing at my first PVC creation..... I am already rethinking it. Notice I have two other unions so I can rotate the pole holders 360 degrees. Really handy when heading into that bunch of trees I just hung a lure in....
Thanks,
DJ
[signature]
Everything seems to be fine for a while, showing accurate depth (probably) and structure, maybe some "fish" with the sidefinder. Not too long into the session I will look over and there is black all over the screen, and it shows me in 215 feet of water, sometimes shallower at 130 ish feet. I know that this is ridiculously inaccurate, as I was just moments before in 7 feet of water. This lake couldn't top 20 feet in depth. Then a vertical line will appear on the chart, a wall of black on the chart and then it just shuts down. Sometimes I can't even get it to reboot. Until I let it sit idle a while....then I restart it and get the same symptoms, but sooner.
I was boxing it up to take it back from whence it came and as an afterthought I decided to test each of the six AA batteries that it requires. With a multimeter I tested VDC and each measured about 1.47 volts.....except one! It actually measured -200 mV. All had 0 ohms of resistance except same said battery which was measuring about 24 ohms. Looking at the battery, it appeared to have some dry leakage on the negative end...mind you this was a brand new battery.
I have a really limited knowledge of electronic devices....can anyone tell me if the symptoms I was experiencing could be a result of this bad battery? I am going to try it out soon to see if replacing that battery will yield better results. I can take the unit back if not, as I bought it locally with a service plan.
Next question, in my limited use of the 120, I think I already hate the 2 foot fixed shaft that sticks down into the water. Anybody ever hear of dismantling one of these units and mounting the transducer in some alternate fashion? I can only guess that the shaft just houses wiring that goes to the transducer on the bottom end. I'm sure that would void the warranty and would not fall under the service plan. It would be interesting to see if one could eliminate the 2 ft shaft, nonetheless.
Currently, I have it mounted on a piece of 1 1/4" PVC with a union, so I can quickly turn the shaft up out of the water so it is parallel with the side of the Fishcat 4. See picture. If anyone has any other suggestions, please offer them. No laughing at my first PVC creation..... I am already rethinking it. Notice I have two other unions so I can rotate the pole holders 360 degrees. Really handy when heading into that bunch of trees I just hung a lure in....
Thanks,
DJ
[signature]