Troubleshooting - Humminbird Fishin' Buddy MAX Operation Manual

Troubleshooting

Do not attempt to repair the fishfinder yourself. There are no user-serviceable parts inside,
and special tools and techniques are required for assembly to ensure the waterproof
integrity of the housing. Repairs should be performed only by authorized Humminbird
technicians.
Many requests for repair received by Humminbird involve units that do not actually need
repair. These units are returned "no problem found." If you have a problem with your
fishfinder, use the following troubleshooting guide before calling Humminbird Customer
Service or sending your unit in for repair.
PiranhaMAX Troubleshooting
1. Nothing happens when I turn on the unit.
Check the power cable connection at both ends. Be sure the cable is connected correctly
to a reliable power source — red lead to positive, black lead to negative or ground. Ensure
the power available is between 10 and 20 VDC. If the unit is wired through a fuse panel,
ensure the panel is powered. Often accessory fuse panels are controlled by a separate
switch or the ignition switch.
Also, often a fuse can appear to be good when it is not. Check the fuse with a tester or
replace it with a fuse known to be good.
Check the power connection to the PiranhaMAX. It is possible to force the power cable
connector into the cable holder incorrectly. If the connector is reversed, the unit will not
work. Examine the contacts on the back of the unit to ensure there is no corrosion.
2. There is no transducer detected.
The PiranhaMAX has the ability to detect and identify that a transducer is connected.
When powering on, if a message indicates "transducer not connected", make sure that an
appropriate transducer connector is plugged into the unit. In addition, inspect the
transducer cable from end to end for breaks, kinks, or cuts in the outer casing of the cable.
Also make sure that the transducer is fully submerged in water. If the transducer is
connected to the unit through a switch, temporarily connect it directly to the unit and try
again. If none of these actions identifies an obvious problem, the transducer itself is
probably at fault. Be sure to include the transducer if returning the unit for repair.
3. There is no bottom reading visible on the display.
If the loss of bottom information occurs only at high boat speeds, the transducer needs
adjusting – see your PiranhaMAX Installation Guide for details. Also, in very deep water, it
may be necessary to increase the sensitivity setting manually to maintain a graphic
depiction of the bottom. If you are using a transducer switch to connect two transducers
to the PiranhaMAX, make sure that the switch is in the correct position to connect a
Troubleshooting
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