I have (2) Scotty 1100 electric riggers. I had lost enough cable on one of them to merit replacing the cable. So... I get out my package of cable (300ft) that I bought from Berry's Bait & Tackle (I actually bought 2 - real cheap) when I bought my riggers and I start to install it. Everything went just fine. I even removed the "counter" so I wouldn't have to change the numbers from 300' back to zero. Well....I went fishing and my counter is all screwed up. It seems kinda inconsistent. For instance I'll be fishing in 45' of water and I'll run the ball down to 35' and the counter will only go to maybe 15' but I'll hit bottom.

I'm assuming that the extra cable has changed the ratio that the counter is set up for. Just like having taller tires on a truck, you're spedo and odo will be slower. Has anyone had a similar problem, or maybe my counter just happend to crap out?

What do you guys do to that fish deep water? I assume that you've had to change your cable because the Scotty's come stock with 150' of cable (I think). I can see the ball on my fish finder, so I can estimate my dept , but it's sure nice to have it accurate. Also, I'm planning on fishing Lake Chelan and that fishery is a deep water fishery, so I would like to keep the extra wire and also install the other 300' that I have on my other 'rigger. Thanks for any advice.

sonds to me like you messed up the counter when you took it off the rigger, which is not required to change the cable.

Without seeing it, anyone here will have a hard time diagnosing the problem. I would suggest bringing in to your closest Scotty dealer, or contacting Scotty directly. They may have some FAQ info on this type of problem.

Is your cable the same guage?
This could be why they were so cheap?
And if it so happens that you have to buy new counters, let me know where. I've been thinking of building my own electric DR's.

Ken

The Scotty line counter just counts revolutions of the spool. Line length or size won't matter. If you look under the cover, you'll see the wheel on the counter tht contacts a tooth on the spool. If you can't get it set up you can take it to Auburn Sports and Tom can fix it, probably on the spot.

-David

On the contrary...Line diamiter and how much you spool on is exactly what would make the line counter misread.

For that model,I believe you need to use 300' of 150# on EACH downrigger. If you split a 300' spool between two riggers,they will misread.

This is a longshot but I just bought a new scotty and took it out on the water for the first time and was having the same problem. Would hit bottom when the counter still read low. Turned out that two of the teeth on the spool that cause the counter to spin were broken off, came formt he factory that way. Returned it and got a new one.

Thanks for the ideas. Here's some more info. The counters are pretty simple to remove. There's 2 small screws that are just "friction screws" that hold/set the counters on the actual molded posts that the counter is attached too. I may of buggered up the counter, but probably not.

Bigdog is correct. The cable size and amount would definately make a difference. I just mic'd the old cable and compared it to the new stuff and it's the same. Before I submitted my post I had checked for the 4 plastic posts that index the counter and they were also intact.

I guess I'll change the counters from one 'rigger to the other and see if the problem persists. Does anyone know how much cable comes on a stock Scotty. I'll try to look it up too. After I had re-spooled the 'rigger I quickly compared (visually) the amount of wire on the spools and it wasn't obviuos which one I had just re-spooled even.

Snit

The counter receives it's input from the top of the spool- which is still in equal increments. So wire diameter or extra wire doesn't have any effect on the measurement. Did you reset the counter (zeroize)? Possibly the disparity is coming from the counter itself (???) I have been through a couple of counters on my DRs over the last couple years. They don't last every long at all. The good news is they are free. Just take the counter in to a repair dealer and he should give you one on the spot.

The Scotty electrics come with 250 feet of cable. 300 feet of cable should not throw off the counter.

My brother has put 300 feet of cable on his Scottys and it did not affect the counters at all.

Damon

Thanks guys! I'll change out the counter, and try them this weekend.