Broken Transducer Cable? You have 3 Options
by Brad Wiegmann
If you haven’t broken a transducer cable on your electronics, you probably will sooner or later. Even though sonar transducer cables appear to be flexible and well fortified, in reality these cables can easily be pinched, pulled or cut resulting in a broken connection to the heartbeat of electronic imaging.
Without a properly functioning transducer cable, the image could appear distorted or inaccurate. If the cable is severely damaged, your unit won’t display anything at all.
The number one reason transducer cables get damaged is being pinched in the trolling motor bracket due to an improper install. However, “stuff happens” occasionally no matter where your cables are installed or run.
Anglers have three options if this happens.
In many cases, the best and easiest option is to simply buy a replacement transducer and cable. In some cases, you can actually buy an upgraded transducer with sonar frequencies, allowing for other sonar views such as down imaging or CHIRP sonar.
Another option is to repair the damaged sonar transducer cable yourself. But repairing a transducer cable often requires a skill set many anglers don’t have. However, a quick search on YouTube for “how to repair a transducer cable” reveals several do-it-yourself videos, so it’s obviously it is an option many anglers consider and/or try.
Finally, the third option is to find a transducer cable repair specialist. There aren’t many. One that I recently contacted was Transducer Doctor. The owner Joey Cook had been repairing sonar transducer cables and doing electronic installs for 25 years.
Cook noted that it takes him around 4 days to repair then ship back to the owner a fixed sonar transducer cable.
“I seal the repaired cable watertight and it’s shielded to ensure the cable will be protected as good as new,” said Cook.
In addition to fixing the sonar transducer cable Cook also tests the repair before sending back to a customer.
The cost to fix a broken sonar transducer cable for most repair companies is around $225. That’s significantly less compared to purchasing a new sonar transducer.
From Springdale, Arkansas, Brad Wiegmann is a professional photographer, videographer and outdoor writer published in dozens of print and electronic media outlets all across the nation. He is also a well-known guide, podcaster and social media influencer. Learn more about Wiegmann at BradWiegmann.com.
