Running Sonar/Transducer out of water?

[BenL]

Is it ok to run the transducer/sonar out of the water, say if the boat is on the trailer? I know I won't get a reading and have done it in the past, but is it ok for the unit(s)?

[glen e]

I've heard both ways....but I try not to unless I need to calibrate something....

[offshore]

I have heard in the past that it is not ok to fire up the sounder out of water. I know you should not connect or disconnect the transducer cable while the unit is powered up. Make sure the power is off while disconnecting and conecting any cables to your unit. I have always disconnected my transducer cable while using the GPS if my boat is not in the water....Mark

[Kern O]

In theory, the transducer will get hot because the sound energy that it is creating does not get absorbed by the water. But, I've also found that I've left the sounder on until I've gotten the boat washed and home and never had a ducer failure. So it is obviously OK to do it for a short time. The greater the output of the unit, the faster it will heat up.

[offshore]

I sent the following question to Airmar based on what I am running and the they sent this reply.....Mark

Customer (Mark Miller) - 11/13/2007 12:50 PM
I have a B260 transducer and would like to know if it is safe to turn on my Simrad CX44e while the boat is out of the water? In the water I can hear the normal clicking while using the (chartplotter only) so I know the transducer is active. Should I remove the transducer cable with the power off so it does not damage the transducer if I want to use the chartplotter while out of the water? ....Thanks Mark


Response (Paul) - 11/13/2007 03:37 PM
Dear Mark,

Thank you for contacting AIRMAR Technology Corporation. The transducer should not be harmed if it runs out of water for short periods of time. I would not recommend leaving the transducer running for more than a couple hours. Of course, if you want to play on the safe side just unplug the transducer from the electronics.

Sincerely,

[FairWeather]

Mark,

that's awesome, thanks a bunch!

[glen e]

nicely done mark....

[SKEETERMAN]

That's what i like to see. Non-debatable hard facts from the source.

[welder]

Very good work Mark but the guy that emailed you is the Janitor at Furuno.

Just kidding , Thats GREAT foot work and the way it should be done.

[Capt. Fred]

Wait, I thought I was the janitor at Furuno! Thanks Mark. I always wondered about when I forget to turn it off and I haul the boat out.