Lowrance FF problem - plug disintegrated - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Hammerhead_77 · 11-04-2013, 09:21 AM

Bad day for my Elite 5...the power/transducer cable plug crumbled on me. Although I am careful to hit the connections with WD-40 when I'm done cleaning up, some saltwater must have stayed in there and corroded one of the pin sockets until it just crumbled.

Two questions for the community: First, how do I fix this? the head unit is fine and I don't want to shell out for a new one. Replace the transducer or solder on a new plug?

Second, anybody had this before and what do you do to protect this weak link in the electronics chain?

YakDout · 11-04-2013, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammerhead_77

Bad day for my Elite 5...the power/transducer cable plug crumbled on me. Although I am careful to hit the connections with WD-40 when I'm done cleaning up, some saltwater must have stayed in there and corroded one of the pin sockets until it just crumbled.

Two questions for the community: First, how do I fix this? the head unit is fine and I don't want to shell out for a new one. Replace the transducer or solder on a new plug?

Second, anybody had this before and what do you do to protect this weak link in the electronics chain?

I may have a spare transducer that I can give you. I'm upgrading my mark 4 to an elite 5 this week and if the transducer is the same, you can have mine.

MrM · 11-04-2013, 09:29 AM

I smother all my connections in dielectric grease. My kayak is stored outside, too. (in the shade, on saw horses, under a tarp) Dielectric grease can be found at any hardware store. I think Andy carries it in SSB, I would image they do down south too. WD-40 works well, but can aide in the rusting process if you leave too much on there.

If you are good with a soldering iron, I say fix the plug and move on. No need to buy a whole new ducer or head unit if you can buy a plug and fix the issue yourself! Get her fixed, and back out there!

Edit- Or take a free ducer from YakDout. Nice. ^^^^

Lipripper92592 · 11-04-2013, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammerhead_77

Bad day for my Elite 5...the power/transducer cable plug crumbled on me. Although I am careful to hit the connections with WD-40 when I'm done cleaning up, some saltwater must have stayed in there and corroded one of the pin sockets until it just crumbled.

Two questions for the community: First, how do I fix this? the head unit is fine and I don't want to shell out for a new one. Replace the transducer or solder on a new plug?

Second, anybody had this before and what do you do to protect this weak link in the electronics chain?

Had a similar problem on my Mark 4, the brass poles are still good but the rubber plug has broken down....I big chunk of the rubber just fell away.

ful-rac · 11-04-2013, 10:08 AM

Try this:

Always connect your fishfinder first, then connect the battery.
When removing, disconnect your battery then your fishfinder.
Use dielectric grease on all connections, rinse with freshwater asap.
You never want power going to a open plug, that just opens it up for immediate
electrolysis.

If you follow these steps you will mitigate your corrosion problem.

alanw · 11-04-2013, 12:06 PM

+1 on the dielectric grease

Use WD-40 only to displace any water that may have gotten in the connection. WD-40 is NOT good for corrosion protection.

Dannowar · 11-04-2013, 01:25 PM

makobob · 11-04-2013, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

Try this:

Always connect your fishfinder first, then connect the battery.
When removing, disconnect your battery then your fishfinder.
Use dielectric grease on all connections, rinse with freshwater asap.
You never want power going to a open plug, that just opens it up for immediate
electrolysis.

If you follow these steps you will mitigate your corrosion problem.

NICE TRICK

TJones · 11-04-2013, 02:06 PM

to cut the cable . i read that in the hummingbird manual . each manufacturer might be different . our yaks are not 20 ' long , so i would like to take a good 6 ' off , but i would be willing to bet that cutting is not advised due to insulation purposes . i would say buy a new transducer .

INGRIDSDAD · 11-04-2013, 02:55 PM

Call Lowrance, their customer service surprised me.

Hammerhead_77 · 11-04-2013, 08:25 PM

Thanks much for all the advice.
Ful-rac - that makes good sense! I would not have thought of that and ive been doing it wrong.

Alanw - dielectric grease it shall be!

I called Lowrance and they suggested buying an extension cable ($22.95) and splicing it in. A new transducer costs $55 as a plan B. Just glad i dont have to shell out for a whole new Ff.

11-04-2013, 09:21 AM	#1
Hammerhead_77 Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: San Diego - North County Posts: 82	Lowrance FF problem - plug disintegrated Bad day for my Elite 5...the power/transducer cable plug crumbled on me. Although I am careful to hit the connections with WD-40 when I'm done cleaning up, some saltwater must have stayed in there and corroded one of the pin sockets until it just crumbled. Two questions for the community: First, how do I fix this? the head unit is fine and I don't want to shell out for a new one. Replace the transducer or solder on a new plug? Second, anybody had this before and what do you do to protect this weak link in the electronics chain?

11-04-2013, 09:29 AM	#3
MrM Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: The Matrix Posts: 643	I smother all my connections in dielectric grease. My kayak is stored outside, too. (in the shade, on saw horses, under a tarp) Dielectric grease can be found at any hardware store. I think Andy carries it in SSB, I would image they do down south too. WD-40 works well, but can aide in the rusting process if you leave too much on there. If you are good with a soldering iron, I say fix the plug and move on. No need to buy a whole new ducer or head unit if you can buy a plug and fix the issue yourself! Get her fixed, and back out there! Edit- Or take a free ducer from YakDout. Nice. ^^^^ __________________ -Kevin

11-04-2013, 10:08 AM	#5
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Try this: Always connect your fishfinder first, then connect the battery. When removing, disconnect your battery then your fishfinder. Use dielectric grease on all connections, rinse with freshwater asap. You never want power going to a open plug, that just opens it up for immediate electrolysis. If you follow these steps you will mitigate your corrosion problem. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

11-04-2013, 12:06 PM	#6
alanw Made in U.S.A. Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dana Point Posts: 1,625	+1 on the dielectric grease Use WD-40 only to displace any water that may have gotten in the connection. WD-40 is NOT good for corrosion protection. __________________ Hobie PA 14 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Jackson Kraken ¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu X-Factor ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu Stealth-12 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Its not a spelling B its a fishing B ~yakjoe

11-04-2013, 01:25 PM	#7
Dannowar Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,823	__________________ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you’ll suck forever." — Brian Wilson

11-04-2013, 02:06 PM	#9
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,526	it is not recommended to cut the cable . i read that in the hummingbird manual . each manufacturer might be different . our yaks are not 20 ' long , so i would like to take a good 6 ' off , but i would be willing to bet that cutting is not advised due to insulation purposes . i would say buy a new transducer .

11-04-2013, 02:55 PM	#10
INGRIDSDAD Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Riverside Posts: 108	Call Lowrance, their customer service surprised me.

11-04-2013, 08:25 PM	#11
Hammerhead_77 Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: San Diego - North County Posts: 82	Thanks much for all the advice. Ful-rac - that makes good sense! I would not have thought of that and ive been doing it wrong. Alanw - dielectric grease it shall be! I called Lowrance and they suggested buying an extension cable ($22.95) and splicing it in. A new transducer costs $55 as a plan B. Just glad i dont have to shell out for a whole new Ff.