Signet Marine depth sounder problem

[Joe Myerson]

Hi all,
Since buying Crème Brûlée in 2003, I've been sailing with the original Signet Marine round depth sounder. I have stopped using the knot log altogether, because the paddle wheel gets totally fouled after a week on the mooring and my chart plotter gives me a satisfactory SOG reading.

A few years ago (I don't know when), I got a replacement instrument from Signet in California. I assume it was a rebuilt unit, as it did not cost a great deal. It worked extremely well--until this season. Now, I get flashing "1.1" or "1.0" feet on the screen, even though I know I'm sailing in the channel at high tide.

The transducer for my boat is mounted to port of the centerline, and housed in a custom bulge in the hull, which means it is not directly in the water.

I've just sent this message to Signet Marine, which is still in business. Any suggestions.

Thanks,

Joe
PS: I'm away from the water for a week, so I can't get the model number. DMI only services DataMarine products, so I have to deal with Signet.

[Frenchy]

Hi Joe, I can empathize. My Signet shows the dreaded flashing numerals too, usually when a depth reading
is critical. The only advice I can think of is to make sure the face of the transducer is clean ( if yours is mounted
externally) and to check the connections in the back of the display.
One odd thing about the Signet is that it reads depth below the keel, not the depth of the water. There's an
offset you plug in at installation and that offset is used to measure the depth below the keel.
I replaced my Signet with a newer unit too - mostly because the hole in the cockpit bulkhead was too big
for any other display. Anyway, good luck- these units are expensive and should be more reliable.

[wikakaru]

I've had 4 or 5 different depth sounders of various makes and models in various boats over the years, and every one of them occasionally gave near-zero readings for no apparent reason, usually when I REALLY needed to know how deep the water was. They always returned to normal in their own good time. If you want to check things, make sure all connections to both power and transducer are shiny, bright, and tight. Verify that the voltage from the battery at the display unit is the same as the voltage at the battery. Many depth sounder transducer cables are too short and need extensions, so there may be a connector somewhere between the head and transducer that is corroded, too.

Best of luck,

Jim

[Joe Myerson]

UPDATE: My depth sounder has been working well since I took several sails at high tide in strong winds,
Perhaps there was slime built up around the sensor? I hope posting this note won't make the gremlins angry..

Joe

[Frenchy]

That's good to hear, Joe. I'll clean up my connections at the back of the display and report back. The last time I did
that, there was improvement. Good luck - Jean