Lowrance downscan/sidescan help

I am trying to help my dad out with his new boat and accompanying electronics. We took it out last friday for the first time, it's got an HDS-5 and and a HDS-8 units. The sonar works great as does the GPS. However when we tried to use the downscan/sidescan the screen just simply read "No Source" and no scan images would show up. Any thoughts on what this means or more importantly how to fix it? I'm assuming it means that the "source" means either the transducer or mabey just a loose connection. Thanks for the help.

Does the boat have the Down/Side scan imaging transducer? These units will have 2 Transducers, 1 is for the standard Sonor and one for the down scan. The Down scan is about 2 inches wide and 5 inches long, which is much larger than the standard sonor.

If equipped with the above, check all connections.

[QUOTE=bkehl;466923]Does the boat have the Down/Side scan imaging transducer? These units will have 2 Transducers, 1 is for the standard Sonor and one for the down scan. The Down scan is about 2 inches wide and 5 inches long, which is much larger than the standard sonor.

If equipped with the above, check all connections.[/QUOTE]

I THINK it has both transducers, but not sure. The boat was advertised as having it, however I have yet to check for it. I assume it can only be 1 of two things either the lack of the proper transducer or a loose connection? Thanks!!

Could be a seperate power switch to turn on the computer.. I had to install the switch when I added it to my HDS 5.

If your unit has no source, that means that the LSS-1 unit is not sending the info to the HDS unit. Look at the LSS-1 unit to see if it has power and all of the cables are connected to the units, if all is ok you may have to send the Lss-1 unit to get looked at by Lowrance.

[QUOTE=Issy1;466935]If your unit has no source, that means that the LSS-1 unit is not sending the info to the HDS unit. Look at the LSS-1 unit to see if it has power and all of the cables are connected to the units, if all is ok you may have to send the Lss-1 unit to get looked at by Lowrance.[/QUOTE]

Okay I am very, very new to Lowrance products. I'm not sure what the LSS-1 unit is?

Nevermind I just realized that LSS stands for Lowrance Structure Scan. So i guess there is a module somewhere where the two HDS units are networked, and that is probably where the issue is?

Yes, it will be under the console, in the rod locker in front of your console if I was going to guess.

My guess is that you dont have the LSS module, but its not hard to add. As said above, first check and make sure you see the LSS module and the second LSS transducer. The module looks like a small car stereo amplifier. The transducer is large like the posts above says. If you have these then it may be the LSS isn't turning on (there may be switch you dont know about). When I added my LSS I had trouble getting the HDS to recoginze it. I had to update my firmware to get them to talk. So I feel your pain. I hope this helps.

Sometimes when they add something like this you have to turn on an accessory switch

I would call the boat dealer and ask to speak to the guy that rigged it.......JMO

Gary

I have this same set-up but with 2 hds-7. The transducer should be on a seperate switch on your control panel somewhere. If the transducer for the structure scan is not on a seperate switch, it will run all the time and drain power. Even if it is on a trailer. You can actually here the transducer clicking out of the water if it is on all the time.

Mine will show no source until I hit the switch and then it comes on. Good luck.

[QUOTE=Dahlbebop;467081]I have this same set-up but with 2 hds-7. The transducer should be on a seperate switch on your control panel somewhere. If the transducer for the structure scan is not on a seperate switch, it will run all the time and drain power. Even if it is on a trailer. You can actually here the transducer clicking out of the water if it is on all the time.

Mine will show no source until I hit the switch and then it comes on. Good luck.[/QUOTE]

Man that makes alot of sense, I'd be willing to bet thats exactly what it is. Thanks to everyone! We'll get it figured out and let you all know what it was, i appreciate all the ideas!