[Z275]

My depth sounder stopped working this Spring and just flashes 0.0ft on the display. All connections seem good so I contaced Faria for any other troubleshooting pointers. They said their depth sounders use an Airmar Transducer which is filled with liquid and a common problem is the liquid gets low. He said you can take it apart and put 2.4oz of mineral oil in it.
I'm going to try that this weekend and see what happens. I would have never guessed there was liquid in the housing.

[ShabahZ280]

Great info, let us know how it turns out!

[mis4tun81]

Is the Airmar Transducer the Larger one in the engine compartment forward of the engine, and to the left as you are facing it?

If thats it, I thought it looked like it might have some sort of cap on it.

[Z275]

Originally Posted by mis4tun81

Is the Airmar Transducer the Larger one in the engine compartment forward of the engine, and to the left as you are facing it?

If thats it, I thought it looked like it might have some sort of cap on it.

In yours you should have 2 transducers in there on the starboard side of the hull. The large one is the sonar for the Lowrance GPS **wrong - should be depth sounder** and the small one is for the depth sounder **wrong - should be Lowrance**.

[mis4tun81]

I must have it backwards,

the smaller of the two looks just like this



and I thought was for the Lowrance, is that what the airmar looks like?

Thanks

[z275st]

I just so-happen to have mine apart right now. I had a small leak that forced me to keep adding glycerin last summer. For reasons unknown to me, my mechanic told me to use glycerin (I got from a pharmacy) and not mineral oil. I have used silicon sealant to try to stop the leak. To remove turn counterclockwise until it clicks and pull up (see pics). The small transducers ar for Lowrance.

[Z275]

Originally Posted by mis4tun81

I must have it backwards,

the smaller of the two looks just like this



and I thought was for the Lowrance, is that what the airmar looks like?

Thanks

Yep, you are right. I had them backwards

[Z275]

ok, here's what I found from Airmar - Note the mineral oil warning for certain adhesives:

Non-toxic antifreeze/coolant (propylene glycol) should be used to fill an in-hull base/tank.

Note:
New M260 tanks should only be installed with fiberglass resin or Marine Tex epoxy putty. On our latest tanks that have "GF NYLON" printed in raised lettering on the sides of the tank, 3M5200 may also be used to adhere the tank to the hull. It must also be noted that mineral oil must NOT be used to fill a tank that is secured with 3M5200. Only use non-toxic propylene glycol (RV anti-freeze) when using this adhesive.

The P79 base may installed with silicone sealant, fiberglass resin, 3M5200 or Marine Tex epoxy putty.

[Z275]

Well over the weekend I went and got a bottle of Glycerin. The non-toxic antifreeze was $15 a gallon and the Glycerin was $1.79 for 4oz so that's what I went with! I was affraid the mineral oil would soften the adhesive on the mount so I stayed away from that.
Anyways, I cleaned out the old fluid, which was almost gone and dirty, then filled back up with 2.4oz of glycerin and took it out on the water. Now my depth gauge does show readings but they are not correct. Way too low. So now I'm wondering if I just need to add more fluid or maybe the glycerin isn't transmitting the soundwaves correctly??

[z275st]

I have used glycerin for two years and it works fine until it gets low. I fill mine most of the way up, it spills out when I put the transducer in but I don’t have to worry about air pockets. Hopefully I have the leak fixed!