Echopilot wiring help

[AndrewL]

My boat came with an echopilot forward looking sonar. It's an old model from 1994, labelled as FLS2/3.

It works but the power lead has a loose connection, a slight wiggle and it powers off. There is an 8 pin mini din supplying power, although it is only connected to +ve and -ve. I brought it home and attempted to work out which pin was which. I identified +ve but no amount of wiggling would get me -ve.

I disassembled the din plug to find it had been messed with by a previous owner. -ve was completely dettached and several pins had solder on so it could have been one of several.

Basically i need the pin out for this model. Ive not found anything on their website, although as the web was barely in existence in 1994 that's no surprise. Does anyone know anything which would help?

Thanks

 

[bitbaltic]

Know nothing about this kit but I hate to see a post going unanswered.

Google doesn't find an FLS 2/3. It can find a manual for an FLS2: https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&r...hlmll9FCiBRP1Z69o-YroA&bvm=bv.116274245,d.d24

and for an FLS Silver or Gold, which looks like a 90s vintage: https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&r...ml2sUVJqWBGYzA&bvm=bv.116274245,d.d24&cad=rja

There is also a FLS 3D but that seems to be a modern black box item. I assume you have something with an integrated display.

My only suggestions would be:

1) if what you have looks more like the gold/silver model, is there a three pin socket as well as the 8 pin DIN you are working with- because the 3-pin socket seems to be the power supply and the 8-pin NMEA on that model;

2) if it looks more like the 2D model, then the order of wires from left to right on the diagram on pg. 19 might- possibly- match the pin order? so (looking at the back of the unit, not the face of the DIN plug, and working left to right) it might be that pin 1 is the + and pin 7 the - supply.

Perhaps of some help.

Cheers

 

[savageseadog]

I do have a drawing. Somewhere.....................................

 

[prv]

Can you open it up and see what's connected where?

Pete

 

[Johntheyachty]

I have an FLS2 from 1994. The 8 pin plug is the transducer connection. The power lead is a standard 12v power lead hard wired to the unit. I would give them a call, or if you are going to the mainland, go and see them at Ringwood. I have always found them very helpful.

 

[AndrewL]

Thanks for the various suggestions.

I've taken a look at the two manuals you linked, I think mine is much closer to the 2D model. On the back there are two DIN sockets, with a cut-out for a 3rd (although nothing on the PCB for it). On mine the centre socket definitely provides the power. The other DIN socket is the feed from the thru-hull sensor.

I've attached a couple of pictures of the front panel and the centre DIN socket on the PCB. On the photo I labelled one of the pins as +ve as I was definitely able to identify this with the multi-meter. Using my basic GCSE electronics from many years ago I assume that the large capacitor (330 microfarad) is there to filter any AC noise on the power supply? The other leg of this capacitor is attached to both the centre PIN and something else, which I think must be the outer ring of the DIN socket. Would this make the centre pin the negative?




Thanks for the helpful replies.

 

[Johntheyachty]

Your unit is identical to mine - it is an FLS2. I would still recommend giving Echopilot a call. They will be able to answer all your queries.

 

[AndrewL]

Thanks, I think I will call Echopilot. I've heard good things about their support elsewhere too. I assume any company would be pleased to find out there 22 year old device is still working.