Looking for a BAD Lowrance 3500 Depth Finder

[wingatesl]

I think I can repair the displays on them, but I am not brave enough to try on my own as it only has a single segment bad.

If anyone has one sitting in a box, let me know. If it works, I will send it back and you can eBay it

 

[wingatesl]

I think I can repair the displays on them, but I am not brave enough to try on my own as it only has a single segment bad.

If anyone has one sitting in a box, let me know. If it works, I will send it back and you can eBay it

I found one with a bad display. Thank you!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[LKN]

Did it work? Mine is starting to go bad... but it still works most of the time

 

[wingatesl]

It depends on the type of problem. I have a good fix for the ones with faded displays and intermittent digits. If the entire display is disappearing, there is not much that can be done. There are 2 main issues with these units. The older ones had the ribbon connector for the LCD soldered directly to the control board. The solder joints were weak and would begin to pull the traces off of the board. Depending on the condition, they can be repaired pretty easily (If you are comfortable with PCB repair). The other issue is just one of age. The polarizing film on the display gets damaged by sun exposure. That repair is a bit more difficult especially on the older units as it involves removing the polarizing film from both sides of the LCD without damaging the ribbon connector or the foam interconnect between the ribbon and the actual display. I have successfully repaired 3 units now. 2 on my own boats and the 3rd was the test unit I received.

Based on the fact that it works most of the time, I would guess that you have either an issue with the ribbon cable connection to the PCB or a failure of the control board.

It is not impossible, but it requires patience and a willingness to lose the entire device. That is why I hunted for the test unit first.

 

[LKN]

Thanks- yeah... mine works most of the time, although I'm starting to get the partial digits and such on the display. It seems to be somewhat heat related.... the problems seem to happen more once it's been out in the sun for awhile.

It depends on the type of problem. I have a good fix for the ones with faded displays and intermittent digits. If the entire display is disappearing, there is not much that can be done. There are 2 main issues with these units. The older ones had the ribbon connector for the LCD soldered directly to the control board. The solder joints were weak and would begin to pull the traces off of the board. Depending on the condition, they can be repaired pretty easily (If you are comfortable with PCB repair). The other issue is just one of age. The polarizing film on the display gets damaged by sun exposure. That repair is a bit more difficult especially on the older units as it involves removing the polarizing film from both sides of the LCD without damaging the ribbon connector or the foam interconnect between the ribbon and the actual display. I have successfully repaired 3 units now. 2 on my own boats and the 3rd was the test unit I received.

Based on the fact that it works most of the time, I would guess that you have either an issue with the ribbon cable connection to the PCB or a failure of the control board.

It is not impossible, but it requires patience and a willingness to lose the entire device. That is why I hunted for the test unit first.