If you are keen on ice fishing, you must know how helpful a flasher is. Humminbird Ice 55 appears to be one of the popular choices in this category.
Unfortunately, you may not expect mishaps. What can you do if the machine is out of order? How to continue your fishing?
In this post, we will focus on the three most common Humminbird Ice 55 problems and recommended solutions by the manufacturer.
Let’s jump into the details!
Humminbird Ice 55 Problems
Humminbird Ice 55 is a flasher with innovations. However, there must be times when you can’t handle everything.
The most common problems with this device are its power source and display. Here are solutions to tackle the issues at ease.
1. The flasher doesn’t power up.
If your Ice flasher control can’t power up, go for the Installation part. Then, check for three things:
The power cable
Do you connect the power cable securely to the devIce?
A loosened cable can’t transmit power from the input to the output. Hence, there won’t be any energy for the machine to run.
Another problem with the cable is the wiring. To wire the device correctly, the red cable must be in the positive terminal, and the black must go to the negative terminal or ground.
Battery voltage
The devIce won’t fail to power up if there isn’t enough power. The Ice flasher connector requires a voltage from 10.5 to 20 VDC.
Battery terminals
Corroded terminals will break the whole power system. In this case, you need to remove corrosion from the terminals. Otherwise, replace the battery.
2. There is no reading on display.
Check the transducer connector on the rear of the ice flasher control head if the screen does not display a bottom reading.
Furthermore, check to see if the cable connecting to the transducer shows any cutting or pinching. Even a minor erosion in the cable can impact performance.
Additionally, continuous depth gets lost when the sensor is in extremely shallow water. The automated distance control cannot latch onto the bottom in the water of less than one foot. Hence, this problem is common.
3. Screen fades
Examine the voltage value if the screen starts to fade and the colors are not as clear as usual. The Humminbird flasher cannot function properly when the input voltage is less than 10.5 VDC.
Humminbird Ice 55 Overview
Humminbird Ice 55 may have some problems, but these cases are rare. The advantages still outweigh the disadvantages.
Here are some things to expect from the flasher.
Specifications
- Power source: Battery powered
- Display type: LCD
- Operating frequencies supported: 240/455 kHz
- Sonar-maximum depth: 200 feet
- Transducer: XI 9 19
- Power draw: 250 mA
- Power input: 10.5-20 VDC
- Power output peak-to-peak: 2400 Watts
- Power output RMS: 300 Watts
Features
LCD screen
The 55’s use of an LCD screen within the frame is one of the anglers’ favorite features.
You can find helpful info on this monitor, such as a digital depth and numerical indicators showing the location of your targets in the water in either meters or feet.
Color display
There are three color displays in the unit:
- The first display is a green-red-yellow affair, with green being the weakest and red being the strongest.
- The second option can turn the returns white.
- The third option gives a blue effect for the weak returns.
Backlight
You can easily read the values on the screen even when it’s dark, thanks to the backlight. This feature is straightforward but very convenient.
In contrast to other earlier flashers, it’s important to note that this one features a flat-screen, allowing you to see what’s going on from different angles.
Interface
The 55’s interface is a little complicated for a flasher, but that’s partly because Humminbird included so many functions into it.
You can use the range and gain knob to control the system. There is also a gain button, but it may seem unnecessary to some anglers.
The other buttons let you switch through noise control, modify the cone angle, operate the target function, zoom, and change the color scheme.
You can press buttons to activate certain features. For example, you can press and hold the gain button to turn on the backlight, the noise button to change between meters and feet, and the angle button to examine the battery life.
Transducer
The ice transducer that Humminbird makes is the XI 9 19 transducer. Although this feature is not very impressive compared to the others, its range of up to 200 feet is enough for most ice fishing conditions.
Additionally, the transducer will have a floating device connected to hold it upright while you go fishing. The transducer emits two cones: 9° and 19°:
- 9° is excellent if you know where to fish because it emits a signal that can reach far downward and clearly identifies the targets.
- 19° can’t reach that far but allows you to see further. This feature is beneficial if you’ve drilled a hole, but there aren’t many fish in it, and you may want to drill a new hole.
Dual-Beam Sonar
Dual-Beam Sonar offers a narrow and wide beam. Both are excellent at locating and luring fish when they approach.
- The broad beam can cover the conical area in the ice. If you set the holes in a circular pattern, it can span over tip-ups and set lines within some feet.
- The narrow beam can give you more info about the fish swimming into the zone.
How does it work?
The ICE 55 flasher has an LCD that offers a digital depth readout and an automatic depth meter. It operates at its best in temperatures as low as -20°.
Then, the Dual Frequency Sonar allows you to fine-tune your sonar coverage thanks to user-selectable beam settings. Meanwhile, a customized target line keeps you in the strike zone.
Pros
- Dynamic zoom
- Three color displays
- Auto range
- Bright and backlit LED display
- Digital depth display
- Target line
- Dual-frequency sonar
Cons
- No CHIRP
- Limited transducer depth
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you use an ice transducer in open water?
Yes. You can adjust the transducer to create various beam angles.
Q: Can you use a Humminbird fish finder for Ice fishing?
Yes. These tools can be suitable for ice fishing. All you need is a mechanism to adjust the transducer in an ice hole and a mobile power source.
Q: What is the difference between an ice transducer and a regular transducer?
The differences between these transducers include:
- Transducers for ice fishing offer a slimmer profile for mobility and are self-leveling. You just need to drop it in the hole without leveling it.
- The cord typically has a foam float that allows you to customize the depth in accordance with the ice thickness.
- Transducers for ice fishing provide additional protection from freezing.
- The broader sonar beam of ice transducers provides more details about the ice conditions.
Q: What is a flasher for ice fishing?
The flasher employs sonar to display targets found in the water on a screen. The reading helps anglers monitor water depth and watch fish activities toward their lures.
Conclusion
Humminbird Ice 55 flasher is a powerful tool for ice fishing. It comes with advanced features to make the most of your angling.
Even though there will be problems sometimes, you can tackle them with a few steps we have shared.
Fishing becomes much easier once you use the right tools. Flashers should be with you whenever you head to the ice and cast your line.
If your flasher is still malfunctioning, contact the manufacturer for detailed instructions. Thank you for reading!