FL-8 problem?

[FireRanger]

I have an older boat mounted FL-8 that I purchased this spring off a guy on Craigslist. I have just purchased the Ultra Pack to have it portable for Ice Fishing. It works, however I'm not sure if I need the ice-ducer or if I have a prolem with it. It measures the depth fine and shows the fish but I cannot see my bait. I have 3 different batteries I've tried after fully charging and I've never been able to see my bait/lure on the flasher. Is this just due to it being the boat mounted style transducer and not the actual Ice-Ducer? I looked at Fleet Farm at new ones (ice-ducers)and I would pay the same price for the new ice ducer as I paid for the whole thing in the spring.....any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[lentz]

Did you turn your gain up

[rod-man]

gain up
noise reg off
make sure your level (transducer)

[DDSBYDAY]

  Transducers have a crystal in them that can get damaged reducing their sensitivity.  The type of transducer will not matter.  Other than the shape the only difference may be the cone angle.  All should show what is directly below you.  My thoughts are if the gain is up and still not showing your lure you may, as rodman suggested not be level.  That is the purpose of the foam float for the ice ducer cord.   I hope it a simple problem and not the transducer.$$$

[snow]

Another thought is "scum build up" if your ducer is level and the gain is up,you might have scum build up which happens now and then,clean up the ducer and give it a whirl.

[FireRanger]

Okay, the ducer is clean and one of the problems is that it has the cord to the going into the side of it. I have the float on the cord but have problems keeping the ducer lvl. I have it 'rigged' with a lead anchor above it to hold it down in the water and have it taped so the ducer is as lvl as I can get it. It reads the depth accurate enough, it coincides with what I get when I drop a weight down. Is there a way to convert this transducer with the cord in the side of it to a top threaded cord?
And something weighted??   

[DDSBYDAY]

  You will have to mount it on a metal bracket.  You should then just be able to drop it down the hole.  It would look similar to a portable mount that would hook on to the transom of a boat.  That should keep it level.  I'm sure that is the problem.

[FireRanger]

Sounds good DDS, I'll give it a try when I get home from Canada next week, wish it was a fishing trip but it's just to see family. I had it mounted like that before, should have tried it before I rigged it up for the ultra pack.

[The General]

If there is a flat spot on the top of the transducer you could put one of those small levels on it.  This is how the original ones came.  My dad may even still have this original ice ducer and if he does you can have it for free.