Data Marine Sounder has become a random number generator

[M. R. Bober]

Towards the end of last season, the Data Marine depth sounder would periodically determine that the water was quite deeper than it truly was. This season after a winter on the hard--with no bottom paint covering the transducer--the problem has gotten worse. The sounder regularly show "no bottom". I see 12.2VDC at the instrument. The cables appear fine.

Is this classic instrument ready for a trip to the classic instrument farm?

Does anyone know if the the Data Marine transducer is compatable with any other brands. I'm trying to avoid another hole in the hull.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Mitchell Bober
RESPITE
CD330

[Bob Loewenstein]

What is the model number on your DM? I have an easily removed receiver unit which you could use to determine whether the problem is in the transducer or receiver. I can't remember my model number. The manual is in the other room, but I can't get up now without bothering the cat.

[len]

mitchell

i had the same problem, turned out to be the transducer (replaceable but not fixable) - i now carry a spare transducer that can be hooked up and dropped over the side in an emergency - i assume you have fiddled with the shallow gain knob on the back without that helping

len



md.frel@nwh.org

[D. Stump, Hanalei]

Mitchell,

You might try taking a hair dryer to all the connections from the transducer to the receiver. The signal is very low, a little wet in a connector and you will show a problem.....FWIW......

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei

[Robin Meigel]

My 15 year old depth sounder showed the same pattern. I had the head unit checked by Bayside Electronics and it was OK. When I replaced the transducer with Navico instrumentation, the same hole was used. I still have the head unit if you'd like to hook it up and eliminate it as the issue. Yours for free, M.R.

[Dennis Truett]

I might be wrong, but I think the bottom of the transducer must be wet to work proporly. Mine is of the PUCK type and is not a through hull type. It is mounted inside the boat in side a PVC conduit that I have put winterized windsheild washer fluid. If you want more info, let me know or you can search this BB for "Transducer"

Hope I've helped.
Dennis Truett
CD26D

Towards the end of last season, the Data Marine depth sounder would periodically determine that the water was quite deeper than it truly was. This season after a winter on the hard--with no bottom paint covering the transducer--the problem has gotten worse. The sounder regularly show "no bottom". I see 12.2VDC at the instrument. The cables appear fine.

Is this classic instrument ready for a trip to the classic instrument farm?

Does anyone know if the the Data Marine transducer is compatable with any other brands. I'm trying to avoid another hole in the hull.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Mitchell Bober
RESPITE
CD330

[Brian]

Our DataMarine is doing the same thing. We had the head unit tested last year, and was told it was ok. So we replaced the transducer. I was out on it the first time last weekened and on a four hour trip, it showed 2.4 feet for a good part of the trip. My Father told me there's a chip in it that can be replaced, so I may try that route.

Brian
CD 33

[Bill]

I had a similar problem with a Datamarine Depthsounder, Corinthian Series a
year ago. I contacted Datamarine at:

Datamarine
(508) 563 7151
fax 508 563 7159
Datamarine Service
4 Barlows Landing Road
Pocasset MA 02559

http://www.sea-dmi.com/datmar/dmicorin.htm

They suggested that the problem was either the "instrument head" or the
transducer, most likely the transducer given that my unit slowly and
intermittently went bad of course choosing the times when I was furthest
from home waters to really fritz-out! Mine went the other direction locking
on 2.5 feet at the oddest times!

However given the cost of transducer replacement Datamarine suggested that
I could send them the instrument, they would check it for operation and
proper spec, fix if necessary. I did so, it was not the instrument, they
returned it certified to original operations specification for $35.

I then ordered Dx104 Transducer 5/16 $150. It was an exact swap out for the
original. The yard did the replacement (the haul-out and swap was the most
expensive part of the enterprise), it now works flawlessly.

As far as going bad again or carrying a spare, transducers rarely break all
at once unless hit or something. Its usually slow water
intrusion/corrosion. I figured if the original worked for over 17 years,
the new one will work as long as I own the boat.

Just my experience - but I found working directly with Datamarine's
factory service folks the best way to go. They knew the product, even an
old series install on my 1984 Cape Dory, they helped as noted above with a
good troubleshoot, they didn't try to sell me a new line of gear like the
local dealer who all but harassed me for wanting to retain those old and
obsolete "round instruments" on my boat.

Good Luck and Happy Sailing!




dalbers1@earthlink.net

[Bob Loewenstein]

Yours for free, M.R.

Robin, If Mitchell isn't interested, I am. What model number receiver unit do you have?

Bob



rfl@yerkes.uchicago.edu

[M. R. Bober]

When/where would be convenient. I am hoping the transducer is OK. I'd hate to haul this soon after put-in.
Mitchell Bober (thebobers@erols.com)
RESPITE
CD330



thebobers@erols.com

[Jim Alexander]

Our DataMarine is doing the same thing. We had the head unit tested last year, and was told it was ok. So we replaced the transducer. I was out on it the first time last weekened and on a four hour trip, it showed 2.4 feet for a good part of the trip. My Father told me there's a chip in it that can be replaced, so I may try that route.

Brian
CD 33

Two years ago I sent mine to Data Marine and paid $78 for repairs. When it still didn't work they said replace the transducer. I said I want more than just the depth anyway so I bought a Humminbird 300 fish finder. Don't have it installed yet; maybe next week. I'll post a note when I have tested it out.
CD 33 Ragtime



jimalex@earthlink.net