X4 probe warning

fishinfreak · April 14, 2019

I had a question on mounting the transducer last week so I call the factory. After getting my questions answered. The gentleman told me to make sure to unscrew the probe battery cap when done for the day . He said if you dont it will eventually crack from the pressure inside and that is not covered under warranty. Just putting it out there take it for what its worth.

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Todd in NY · April 15, 2019

I don't own a Fish Hawk, but that's good information.

Is it mentioned in their owners manual?

Edited April 15, 2019 by Todd in NY

NymphO · April 15, 2019

Also line the threads with some lube

garrymny · April 15, 2019

I didn't see that in the manual. Thanks.

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fishinfreak · April 15, 2019

It tells you to unscrew it in the maintenance section. It dont say why but factory guy said its very important. That is the majority of their failures

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Todd in NY · April 15, 2019

I'm sure it applies to ALL brands of probes since they are all subjected to the same pressures.

I'll have to check for that warning in my Sub-Troll manual. I don't recall seeing that mentioned when I read the manual.

Todd in NY · April 15, 2019

2 hours ago, NymphO said:

Also line the threads with some lube

Just make sure the lube is compatible with the rubber O-ring.

AnglingAddict · April 15, 2019

The electronics are all sealed in epoxy so even if the cap cracks and leaks the most it does is ruin a pair of AA batteries....Lube the o-ring and threads with Vaseline and you are set. Never had a cap crack and I remove it a couple times per year to replace batteries....

billbobthorpe · April 16, 2019

The best lube for O rings is Jacks Lube. You can get it from Amazon. You shouldn't use petroleum based lubes on O rings. It breaks them down prematurely. I was informed about opening the probe also. I open my probe almost every trip. I noticed you do get some condensation in there so I just open it and let it sit in the cabin open till the next trip.

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UNREEL · April 16, 2019

Not familiar with Jacks lube, but if you can find it this stuff is recommended for "O" rings

NymphO · April 16, 2019

I used dielectric grease. Had it close by and said safe for rubber / plastic. A little bit goes a long way

Gill-T · April 16, 2019

I would be more concerned about condensation getting into the probe if you left it open for long periods of time. Open it up to equalize then close back up to store would be my anecdotal answer.

Frogger · April 16, 2019

I’m not a engineer but wouldn’t the pressure equalize when the probe comes out of water? The most pressure it will see is when’s down deep correct? So if it was going to crack it’s going to do it when’s it’s being used hence the cracking issue is happening during use which is a hole other issue. Just an opinion. The grease topic I’m sure is for preventing water from getting in to the electric side which some have already mentioned that the new units are separate. I thought the issue that was mentioned was the unit cracking.

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AnglingAddict · April 16, 2019

O-rings on the cap are standard size - not worried about premature failure of a 25 cent o-ring. Every probe eventually get's lost to the bottom - and on the average that's likely to happen long before my o-ring fails

fishinfreak · April 16, 2019

I’m not a engineer but wouldn’t the pressure equalize when the probe comes out of water? The most pressure it will see is when’s down deep correct? So if it was going to crack it’s going to do it when’s it’s being used hence the cracking issue is happening during use which is a hole other issue. Just an opinion. The grease topic I’m sure is for preventing water from getting in to the electric side which some have already mentioned that the new units are separate. I thought the issue that was mentioned was the unit cracking.

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I believe the theory behind it is. When the probe is down in the water the water is much colder therefore the air that is trapped in the chamber is cooled. When you bring a probe to the surface and it's a hot summer day the air molecules heat up and can rapidly expand increasing the pressure inside the probe.

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ifishy · April 16, 2019

the chamber gets a seal before the cap is screwed all the way in espcially if you have lube on the threads so the last turn or so of the cap actually compresses the air in the chamber creating a slight positive pressure inside. the smaller the chamber the greater the effect. it is similar to a syringe in principle. this may not have much effect over the course of a day buf if left as is over an entire season it could it could have an effect. changes in temperature will also cause changes in pressure in both directions. hotter than the day it was sealed will increase pressure. colder than the day it was sealed creates a vaccum. the constant push pull can wear on materials

Frogger · April 17, 2019

I believe the theory behind it is. When the probe is down in the water the water is much colder therefore the air that is trapped in the chamber is cooled. When you bring a probe to the surface and it's a hot summer day the air molecules heat up and can rapidly expand increasing the pressure inside the probe.

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I was thinking that at first but thought with the force of psi down 130-150 ft and only really having at the extreme maybe a 50 degree difference between atmosphere and down deep, the psi down deep would be greater, but I get it. I’m sure going to keep an eye on it, I hate to keep unscrewing the cap though if you don’t have to is all. Weird they don’t list it in the manual.

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thumbburn · April 17, 2019

I’ve got a headache....

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Tyee II · April 17, 2019

The pressure that builds inside the probe is from the gas that can be produced by the batteries inside. I don't think it can happen though unless you used 2 different batteries or 2 batteries that are unequal in charge, and I don't think it's possible if there's only 1 battery like my Cannon or Depth Raider probes.

I always open my probe and disconnect the battery after fishing anyway because I think it's a good practice. Batteries can explode...

Frogger · April 17, 2019

Interesting. I too just heard from Steve as I was too curious about it. Your correct. It’s the batteries. Never heard of it before. He did say it’s in the user guide under routine maint section to loosen cap daily.

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jimski2 · April 18, 2019

There are people with hammer hands that break every thing they touch. Over tightening a thread could split the plastic case.

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Sk8man · April 18, 2019

The little orange paper included with my X4D probe said to use silicone lubricant on the O rings.

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