Depth Sounder Problems

[Guest]

I have a traditional style Echopilot 312 'flashing light' sounder which is playing up.

When I bought the boat (Hunter 490) initially, the coaxial plug on the transducer lead was coroded, I replaced the plug cutting the lead shorter by about 12".

I subsequently read an article in PBO that mentioned in passing that you should never shorten the lead between transducer and display - It didn't say why!!

Anyway the display light works - it just stays put at less than 1m reguardless of the actual depth.

I did think that it could be reading an echo off the keel bulb which is close to the transducer. The Hunter 490 has a steel plate 3 ' dagger board with an elongated cast iron bulb protruding aft.

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Guest]

I suspect you have damaged the transducer irrepairably, but someone with greater technical expertise may offer salvation. Read the earlier ES posts. I would certainly try refilling the oil bath with liquid glycerine or castor oil first. If this fails, check the type of transducer fitted. Most of them from that era are similar. You might get lucky on this forum or at a Boat Jumble.
Good Luck.

 

[Stingo]

There's another thread 9 postings below this one titled "echosounder problems" that has quite a few useful suggestions.

Good luck

John