I have a Datamarine Dart system on my Motorsailor 300. The DART system is about 12 years old. The Brain is located in the starboard locker next to the helm seat. The depthsounder randomly shows 2.6 regardless of the depth.
It appears to be some sort of "noise" problem because when I don"t have the engine running the depthsounder works well "most of the time"
I have an 80 amp alternator on the westerbeke 46. I thought the problem might be related to noise from the high output alternator so I disconnected the instruments from the boats 12v system and connected it to a separate battery. When I took the boat out to test this idea I got the same random 2.6 even with the depthsounder connected to a separate 12v battery,
The whole idea was to add an isolator to the system if the test worked. However the test results would lead me think an in-line isolator will not solve the problem.
Any suggestions?
SOLO
Motorsailor 300 Dart depthsounder problem
Moderator: Jim Walsh
-
Hobby Marine
Re: Motorsailor 300 Dart depthsounder problem
Stu:
I have several ideas. First, call datamarine and ask them.
I also have some questions. Was the alt. an upgrade and did the problem start when it was installed? What changes/repairs were made to the boat that may of started this? If the problem is trash in the voltage, one way to clean up DC voltage is with a capacitor. I have made a capacitor box to be used on several problem installations when trash voltage was a problem. Check for a loose connection/semi broken wire. Engine vibration may be just enough to cause a problem. With the engine off, move all of the wires including the transducer wire and see if the meter goes to 2.6. Have someone watch the meter when you do this.
Also, check your ground/bonding system. A loose or broken wire here cane cause some strange things to happen.
Good luck and let me know what you find.
Glen
glen@hobbymarine.com
I have several ideas. First, call datamarine and ask them.
I also have some questions. Was the alt. an upgrade and did the problem start when it was installed? What changes/repairs were made to the boat that may of started this? If the problem is trash in the voltage, one way to clean up DC voltage is with a capacitor. I have made a capacitor box to be used on several problem installations when trash voltage was a problem. Check for a loose connection/semi broken wire. Engine vibration may be just enough to cause a problem. With the engine off, move all of the wires including the transducer wire and see if the meter goes to 2.6. Have someone watch the meter when you do this.
Also, check your ground/bonding system. A loose or broken wire here cane cause some strange things to happen.
Good luck and let me know what you find.
Glen
glen@hobbymarine.com
-
Tom S
Re: Motorsailor 300 Dart depthsounder problem
will not solve the problem.Stu Wyman wrote: I have a Datamarine Dart system on my Motorsailor 300. The DART system is about 12 years old. The Brain is located in the starboard locker next to the helm seat. The depthsounder randomly shows 2.6 regardless of the depth.
It appears to be some sort of "noise" problem because when I don"t have the engine running the depthsounder works well "most of the time"
I have an 80 amp alternator on the westerbeke 46. I thought the problem might be related to noise from the high output alternator so I disconnected the instruments from the boats 12v system and connected it to a separate battery. When I took the boat out to test this idea I got the same random 2.6 even with the depthsounder connected to a separate 12v battery,
The whole idea was to add an isolator to the system if the test worked. However the test results would lead me think an in-line
Stu I had a similar problem with mine that had me going for a while.I found that the power plug into the unit was bad(engine vibration would cause it to operate eraticaly)I resoldered the connection and no more problems: Any suggestions?
Stu Wyman wrote: SOLO
TShel11523@aol.com