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Author Topic:   Effect of Heating on SONAR Transducer

sinkers posted 10-10-2010 06:55 PM ET (US)
I recently purchased a new Garmin 7000 series combination unit. Whilst installing the unit I left the transducer on the transom next to a spotlight. When I picked up the transducer to install it was very hot. Would this heating have any impact on the transducer's performance?.
Every thing seems to work okay, however I am not 100-percent happy with the sounder.
jimh posted 10-10-2010 10:06 PM ET (US)
The components inside the typical SONAR transducer are usually copper wire and a piezo-electric element often made from ceramic material. The thermo-plastic housing of the transducer will typically have a lower melting point than either copper or ceramic materials. If the temperature of the transducer was not hot enough to deform the thermo-plastic, it seems reasonable to think the ceramic and copper components were not likely damaged. The lead-tin alloy used to solder connections probably also has a higher melting temperature than the thermo-plastic housing, and it would be unlikely any solder connections were damaged.
The position of the transducer relative to the water flow, any aeration in the water flow, or any upstream obstructions in the hull all affect performance. Try moving the transducer up or down slightly from its current location to see if the performance is improved. Often a small adjustment can make a significant change in performance.

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Author	Topic: Effect of Heating on SONAR Transducer
sinkers	posted 10-10-2010 06:55 PM ET (US) I recently purchased a new Garmin 7000 series combination unit. Whilst installing the unit I left the transducer on the transom next to a spotlight. When I picked up the transducer to install it was very hot. Would this heating have any impact on the transducer's performance?. Every thing seems to work okay, however I am not 100-percent happy with the sounder.
jimh	posted 10-10-2010 10:06 PM ET (US) The components inside the typical SONAR transducer are usually copper wire and a piezo-electric element often made from ceramic material. The thermo-plastic housing of the transducer will typically have a lower melting point than either copper or ceramic materials. If the temperature of the transducer was not hot enough to deform the thermo-plastic, it seems reasonable to think the ceramic and copper components were not likely damaged. The lead-tin alloy used to solder connections probably also has a higher melting temperature than the thermo-plastic housing, and it would be unlikely any solder connections were damaged. The position of the transducer relative to the water flow, any aeration in the water flow, or any upstream obstructions in the hull all affect performance. Try moving the transducer up or down slightly from its current location to see if the performance is improved. Often a small adjustment can make a significant change in performance.