[Jared]

I have a question:

when the guy at the dealership put my new lowrance and transducer in the other day he, he left the old transducer in the boat as well. So now i have two thru the hull transducers, one for the old x48 and one for the new 520c and they are not even a foot away from each other. I always heard that if transducers were too close together and both on at the same time, the signals would interfere. This guy said they wouldnt. I also know that this guy who told me they woldnt interfere has only been in the business for a little less than a year so I am finding it hard to believe that he is correct about them not interfereing. I really dont plan on turning them both on at the same time, but still Id like to know what would happen if I did.

 

[Ouachita]

For now turn both on, first one, then see if the second starts interference. Most interference is just lines of dots cluttering the screen. If that happens one solution is to set one unit on maximum ping rate, the other a little under 50%. Ping is the rate of soundings per second. The idea is to have both units out of sync with each other. Another solution is to use one on the bow with a bow mounted transducer. Sooner or later you will figure out you really need that. That would separate two active transducers by the length of your boat, widening the distance between transducer cones.

A third solution is more complex. Your 520 has some elaborate noise cancelling features. You can use the automatic noise filter or refine that to add in water clarity filters that help sort out signals not put out by that unit.

Jim

 

[imonembad]

Jim, thanks for showing me how ignorant I really am! Thanks a lot! I got a lot to learn.

 

[Ouachita]

That's a lot of what this place is about, learning and sharing what's learned. I aim to have us all on the same level of expertise. It's like water seeking its own level. With everyone involved we'll all get there quicker.

Jim

 

[Ouachita]

More about ping. Use maximum ping rate for high speed boating. You want the most signals going out as possible to get enough return signals back. The shallower the boat and slower, the slower the ping rate needed. A high ping rate doesn't hurt at any depth or speed, but giving some up in shallow water does help reduce noise problems.

In most cases a high chart scroll speed really helps keep the screen refreshed, vital in deep water at high speed. If the screen is just going by so fast you can't study it, slow it down. Even with the chart scroling rightto left at full speed it's quite slow, but too fast for some with slow eyes. :sleepy01:

Jim

 

[Jared]

Another solution is to use one on the bow with a bow mounted transducer.

I guess I should have clarified.. I have 3 total sonars on my boat. The two originals that came with the boat... an X48 up front (transducer on trolling motor) and an X48 in the dash, transducer mounted thru the hull. Then they installed my 520c, but rather than tearing my dash up with an even bigger hole they decided to mount it on the side of the boat near the console on a RAM mount. Instead of removing the old x48 from the dash, leaving a big hole, t hey just left it in. They also just left the console x48s thru the hull transducer in the boat too. Now the console x48s transducer and the 520c's transducer are sitting side by side in the back of the boat (both are thru the hull) In essence, I can turn on and run all 3 sonars at the same time. Not something I plan on doing at any point but I was curious of what would happen if they two rear sonars both ran at the same time.
I would have rather they just taken out the old transducer and the old console mounted x48 but thts not what they did. I understand their reasoning but... well... anyway... hehe

 

[oldschool]

Having you new unit RAM mounted is good as that allows you to remove the unit easily when trailering or storing the boat. If you want to remove the dash mounted X48 unit, that is easy. Your X48 transducer is epoxy cemented in permanently. You may also want to bracket mount the front X48 unit, in lieu of panel mounted so it can be removed for trailering and storage. To cover the panel/dash holes, make up a plate 6.5" X 5.5" with 4 corner holes 5/32 D to accommodate #6 self taping screws. 1/8" thick black Plexiglas sheet material works well for this.
Tom