Will dry running a sonar transducer damage it?

[BiteFactory]

I sent this question to Airmar customer support. I currently have a separate power switch to turn on/off sonar. With my new electronics it will be controlled from the chartplotter - so pretty much it will be on when the chartplotter is on. I don't run the chartplotter dry much, but it will happen especially during install...

Note: this may not apply to a non-Airmar transducer.

Will running an airmar transducer (say the P66) out of water cause damage?...

Discussion Thread
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Response (Irene) - 10/25/2005 04:00 PM
Dear John,


Thank you for contacting AIRMAR Technology Corporation. Damage could possibly occur, but failures are rare. If the P66 or any transducer for that matter, is run at its maximum power rating out of water for an extended period of time, it could potentially overheat and burn out the ceramic element. Additionally, if the P66 has a paddlewheel and the boat is tailored, it is advisable to either remove the paddlewheel or tape it stationary. Extreme air speed could potentially short the paddlewheel and cause the sensor to fail.

[Mr. Fisherman]

Check the install manual to be sure.
My Furuno manual warns not to operate the dual frequency transducer out of the water. If you are using the chartplotter in the driveway or for some other reason when you are out of the water just disconnect the transducer from the back of the unit.
Your results may vary...
I hope this helps.

[BiteFactory]

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too. No point in testing my luck. I like the part of their reply "extreme air speeds..." Next on MTV - Extreme Boat Towing, starring JohnE's alcohol/nitrous fed Ford F-750 on the salt flats. "Yes, we've done extensive modifications to the rig in preparation for this land speed record, however all we had to do with the trailer and boat was to tape down the paddle wheel on the airmar transducer" said JohnE before the record attempt. <cut to 6-million dollar man wreckage footage>

[backlash]

Good stuff, nice bionic man reference, best laugh all day.

[Catching Nemo]

JohnE,

Leave the ducer disconnected from the head unit/main wiring harness. This will automatically put the head unit into GPS only mode. Or you can select GPS only and turn off the ducer from your menu options. You shouldn't need to connect the ducer until you are ready to go in the water.

FWIW, I have accidently left on my P66 ducer for approx. 10 minutes with no problems - so I think you will be fine either way.


Make sure to keep that boat below the sound barrier when "tailored" :grin:.

[BiteFactory]

I couldn't find a sonar on/off setting in the chartplotter via the manual. I think I saw it once, but can't find it now. When I actually lay hands on the stuff I'll find the setting I'm sure. Either that or I'll just disconnect it while I dink around. The waiting is the hardest part.

With a 6 cyl/300 F-150 I don't have to worry about taping down my paddle wheel and I'm glad for it.

6-Million Dollar Man was my thing when I was a kid. Man did I want to get in a jet crash so I could be rebuilt and fight monster sasquatch.

[ArimaRees]

I noticed a pink plot line on my combo lorance all the way from scapoose up 30 to I5 and home to tigard every thing still works fine ( I always wanted Steve August's hand for working on stuff without having to use tools)

[QwikSticks]

I was being an idiot :jester: one day and hit that paddle wheel with my some air from my air compressor and got it spinning real good. I then heard a pop and it disintigrated :bigshock: sending pieces of magnet ( I thought it was plastic ) through my shirt and embedding into my skin :whazzup:. lucky i didnt lose an eye.

Beware of high air speeds.