Depth sounder problems

[Bob Ohler]

I have a Datamarine model # S200DL depth sounder on board a CD25D. Last week, I noticed it starting to give false readings ( 183' as I pullled out of the slip). The problem soon coreected itself. A day later, while sailing and the depth sounder functioning normally, the shallow water alarm came on and the depth sounder read 0'. It has stayed on this reading since last week. The transducer is not the type that is drilled through the hull, but rather sends the signal "through" the fiberglass, so the idea of something being snagged on the hull below the waterline is remote. I have never had trouble with this instrument before. The connections at both the trnsducer and the instument mounted in the cockpit seem to be ok. Can anyone tell me what to test, and how to test it to see if the problem is in the transducer, or instrument itself.
Many thanks! Bob Ohler



bobohler@chesapeake.net

[Paul Grecay]

Depth sounders are very quirky...they seem to have minds of their own...mine is the same as yours but is through the hull...if it gets any growth on the transducer, it doesn't work. So first try scrubbing the hull area over the transducer. Also, mine doesn't work with the engine running...maybe all the noise and vibration confuses it. The rest of the time it works ok...except in shallow water when I need it. For that, I also have a lead line, chart, gps, and proceed-with-extra-caution policy. I guess I'll run aground sometime.



rfurman@dmv.com

[Lee H. Hodsdon]

Bob,

I have experienced similar problems, and have used the following fixes with good results. First check the face of the transducer for fouling, clear the surface frequently if fouling is found. There is a transducer paint available (small container so you can loose the first, buy a second, then find the first and have a spare!) Second, has there been a great deal of moisture in the air? Try really ventilating the cabin and instrument enclosure. No guarantee, but I hope this helps.

Lee

I have a Datamarine model # S200DL depth sounder on board a CD25D. Last week, I noticed it starting to give false readings ( 183' as I pullled out of the slip). The problem soon coreected itself. A day later, while sailing and the depth sounder functioning normally, the shallow water alarm came on and the depth sounder read 0'. It has stayed on this reading since last week. The transducer is not the type that is drilled through the hull, but rather sends the signal "through" the fiberglass, so the idea of something being snagged on the hull below the waterline is remote. I have never had trouble with this instrument before. The connections at both the trnsducer and the instument mounted in the cockpit seem to be ok. Can anyone tell me what to test, and how to test it to see if the problem is in the transducer, or instrument itself.
Many thanks! Bob Ohler

lhodsdon@nh.ultranet.com

[john churchill]

my depthsounder is a Standard, but try fiddling with the shallow gain. i have mine set very sensitive so i can tell the difference between 3.7 feet(5 knots) and 3.6 feet (0 knots). also are you sure you have 12 volts at the instument? many electronics are fussy about that sort of thing. worse comes to worse, buy (borrow) a transducer from west marine to at least localize your problem. good luck.

[Jon Larson]

Bob, I have a Datamarine depthsounder on PERI, and it may well be the same model number as yours. I started getting some rather quirky readings some years ago, especially in shallow water, it turns out that the transducer had failed. A new transducer, and it works like new again with no problem from fouling, etc. If your depth sounder is the same age as mine was and the same model, the original one required the entire through hull to be removed, the replacement is just like the speedometer pickup, it's a permanent mounted through hull with an insertable insert with either the transducer, or a plug, so that in the future, you can replace this thing without having to pry the whole through hull off the hull.

Jon Larson
Cape Dory 30 PERI
San Francisco Bay

I have a Datamarine model # S200DL depth sounder on board a CD25D. Last week, I noticed it starting to give false readings ( 183' as I pullled out of the slip). The problem soon coreected itself. A day later, while sailing and the depth sounder functioning normally, the shallow water alarm came on and the depth sounder read 0'. It has stayed on this reading since last week. The transducer is not the type that is drilled through the hull, but rather sends the signal "through" the fiberglass, so the idea of something being snagged on the hull below the waterline is remote. I have never had trouble with this instrument before. The connections at both the trnsducer and the instument mounted in the cockpit seem to be ok. Can anyone tell me what to test, and how to test it to see if the problem is in the transducer, or instrument itself.
Many thanks! Bob Ohler

jon9@ix.netcom.com

[Matt Cawthorne]

Bob,
I had some quirky symptoms on my CD-36 unit several years ago. Instead of it reading 0 it tended to read 88 all of the time. When I called Datamarine they suggested that it was probably the display unit itself. The LCD display unit is removable. I purchased a new one and the problem is fixed. The total cost by my recolection was 15 or 30 dollars and 20 minutes of my time (not including the call to Datamarine). You may wish to call them and try and get some free advice first. Then see if you can borrow someone elses unit (the part that mounts to the bulkhead) and plug it in.
Datamarine's address is 53 portside drive, Pocasset, Ma 02559 and their number used to be (508) 563-7151. With all of the area codes changing since 1994 the phone number may be stale.

Matt

I have a Datamarine model # S200DL depth sounder on board a CD25D. Last week, I noticed it starting to give false readings ( 183' as I pullled out of the slip). The problem soon coreected itself. A day later, while sailing and the depth sounder functioning normally, the shallow water alarm came on and the depth sounder read 0'. It has stayed on this reading since last week. The transducer is not the type that is drilled through the hull, but rather sends the signal "through" the fiberglass, so the idea of something being snagged on the hull below the waterline is remote. I have never had trouble with this instrument before. The connections at both the trnsducer and the instument mounted in the cockpit seem to be ok. Can anyone tell me what to test, and how to test it to see if the problem is in the transducer, or instrument itself.
Many thanks! Bob Ohler

mcawthor@bellatlantic.net