Another Lowrance 3500 Tale of Woe
 

First, I can say that I read all of the related posts about the OEM Lowrance 3500 depth finder on this group, so I've been thinking about wax toilet rings and replacement units. I really would not go to a transom mount, at this point....
I took my 202 out a couple of weekends back and hit the power switch for the depth finder. It powers up but alternates quickly between feet and meters and the reading is erratic. And that damned buzzer won't stop. Is the unit blowh, the transducer messing up, or am I missing something?
Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Re: Another Lowrance 3500 Tale of Woe
 

When my sounder failed it just wouldn't maintain a steady or accurate reading. When I removed it I found it was cracked. The head unit never alternated between feet and meters.

Re: Another Lowrance 3500 Tale of Woe
 

I called the 800 number for Lowrance this morning. I was looking for help in diagnosing my issue. The customer service representative thought that I had a 3500C plotter. I got the idea that he was speaking about another model when he spoke about "seeing the U.S. Map" during the reboot.
I checked that hockey puck transducer today and it is securely epoxied to the bilge depression. I am thinking that either the left button contact is stuck, even though I was wiggling it, or the entire head unit is toasted. I was at West Marine looking at a Hawkeye in their showroom for $100. It's only $10 more than eBay. I think I will look for an OEM 3500 head unit and then if I can't find it, it's be the Hawkeye.


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Re: Another Lowrance 3500 Tale of Woe
 

Just wondering if the Hawkeye head unit will direct fit the old Lowrance model 3500 transducer wire connector and power connection? Will it fit in same cutout also? Thanks, Michael. :-)

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Re: Another Lowrance 3500 Tale of Woe
 

Didn't go with the Hawkeyes after all. I decided to stay with the OEMs and bought a Faria Kronos 3 with in-hull transducer. I have not installed it yet. On my distant list of things to do.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01...7fb7742fa8.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01...fd9f1a72b2.jpg


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Re: Another Lowrance 3500 Tale of Woe
 

I want ro keep my Lowrance transducer that is fiberglassed hockey puck under the engine if possible so looking for plug and play alternative sounder since mine is toast in dashboard.

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Re: Another Lowrance 3500 Tale of Woe
 

A friend of mine that has been into boat fabrication and mechanics for a long time told me that a crow bar/chisel and one good hit from a hammer will remove the old transducer. It is epoxied in, not fiberglassed.


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Re: Another Lowrance 3500 Tale of Woe
 

I may just buy a Lowrance 3500 on ebay if available. :-) It will be alot easier to plug and play than crow bar. But if there is an other unit that would fit the wire harness and transducer of Lowrance transducer already in boat that would be cool to. :-)

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Re: Another Lowrance 3500 Tale of Woe
 

I spent last last years of formal education as an Avionics Engineering student. The Lowrance 3500 (if you can find it) goes for around $300. And that's IF your transducer functions properly. That's why I opted for a complete replacement with a new system.


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Re: Another Lowrance 3500 Tale of Woe
 

Oh... And after looking around and doing some research, the only transducer compatible with a Lowrance 3500 head is another Lowrance 3500. They are very proprietary in construction, voltage, frequency


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