Winter and my Humminbird..... - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

peguinpower · 02-15-2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregAndrew

Did you buy your unit on a credit card that might have extended your warranty? I have gotten a few breaks because of that.

Its 3 years old. I guess I can upgrade, but I expected indefinite use of these things. bummer.

/bing

dsafety · 02-15-2010, 09:39 PM

If you decide to get a new one and buy it from West Marine, you can purchase an extended warranty that doubles the time for about 10% of the cost. A good deal if you use your FF a lot as they are known for their limited life spans.

Bob

stairman · 02-16-2010, 04:56 AM

I have to agree with the word lowrance.I bought a hummingbird for my yak when i first got it and within ten trips had the same problem.

Willy · 02-16-2010, 06:51 AM

Bing,
I'm in the middle of a refurbishing project on my 535, and I'm not suprised at all it fogged up on you.
The seals they use are made from thin maliable material, seem really small and weak, and look like they are really prone to failure.

If any of you guys have upgraded and would like to get an extra $20 I will buy your old one for parts!

I'm just messing with mine as a hobby project (yeah, I'm a geek), trying to rebuild a broken one (which also failed due to fogging, leakage, and weak wires/pins) to get it to work.

Willy

peguinpower · 02-16-2010, 07:14 AM

Its working again!

After a quick bath in formalin, overnight air dry, and a date with a heat gun, I was very careful, shes working again. I have to do water tests but its seems promising.

I rebuilt the whole unit by slipping a silica gel pack inside (for the moisture), sealing the screw holes with 3M 5200 sealant and taping the seal around the case shut with tape.

I do have an extra transducer assembly (complete) it anyone wants it.

/bing

GregAndrew · 02-16-2010, 08:20 AM

That sounds promising, where did you get the silica packets?

fishdude · 02-16-2010, 08:49 AM

Wow, I thought I was the only one with a hummingbird problem. Exact same thing as dsafety with mine. In and out some times works then nothing then works again.

I will be looking into lowrance next time.

peguinpower · 02-16-2010, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregAndrew

That sounds promising, where did you get the silica packets?

I got mine from a box that one of my camera lenses came in. I do know Samy's camera has 'em.

Guys...two things....

Humminbird has a flat rate to repair their units, whatever the issue is. Prices vary from model to model but almost all the mid priced units service rate are around 80 bucks. If its completely fried, I would think you would get a refurb. Their customer service is A++.

Secondly, its pretty easy to open the cases and dry it out with a blow dryer. Ive done that in the past to minimize condensation and it works. I just havent done it in a while and this is the first time that I actually had it not work due to really bad condensation. It has to be said that I had it at Pyramid lake quite a few times this year at freezing temps. That might have someting to do with it. I will report if I got it working good again.

/bing

02-16-2010, 07:14 AM	#5
peguinpower bing! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: socal Posts: 246	Its working again! After a quick bath in formalin, overnight air dry, and a date with a heat gun, I was very careful, shes working again. I have to do water tests but its seems promising. I rebuilt the whole unit by slipping a silica gel pack inside (for the moisture), sealing the screw holes with 3M 5200 sealant and taping the seal around the case shut with tape. I do have an extra transducer assembly (complete) it anyone wants it. /bing Last edited by peguinpower; 02-16-2010 at 07:29 AM.

02-15-2010, 09:39 PM	#2
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	If you decide to get a new one and buy it from West Marine, you can purchase an extended warranty that doubles the time for about 10% of the cost. A good deal if you use your FF a lot as they are known for their limited life spans. Bob

02-16-2010, 04:56 AM	#3
stairman Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 84	I have to agree with the word lowrance.I bought a hummingbird for my yak when i first got it and within ten trips had the same problem.

02-16-2010, 06:51 AM	#4
Willy Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: La Jolla Posts: 189	Bing, I'm in the middle of a refurbishing project on my 535, and I'm not suprised at all it fogged up on you. The seals they use are made from thin maliable material, seem really small and weak, and look like they are really prone to failure. If any of you guys have upgraded and would like to get an extra $20 I will buy your old one for parts! I'm just messing with mine as a hobby project (yeah, I'm a geek), trying to rebuild a broken one (which also failed due to fogging, leakage, and weak wires/pins) to get it to work. Willy

02-16-2010, 08:20 AM	#6
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	That sounds promising, where did you get the silica packets?

02-16-2010, 08:49 AM	#7
fishdude Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: In a house Posts: 79	Wow, I thought I was the only one with a hummingbird problem. Exact same thing as dsafety with mine. In and out some times works then nothing then works again. I will be looking into lowrance next time.