Instrument dilemma

[Storyline]

Have an old B&G log and depth system (20 years+). They both function perfectly OK but the repeater in the cockpit must have lost it's cover a long time ago and now the LED display is becoming very hard to read. The main one at the chart table works fine.

Am not too bothered about having speed in the cockpit but obviously depth is essential.

This was built before the days of NMEA (I assume) so I cannot simply get a new cockpit display but is it likely anyone would be able to supply just a new LED screen or is it more complicated than that ? It seems a shame to replace the whole setup because it was obviously built to a high standard to have lasted so long.

Anyone any advice ?

 

[Houleaux]

It may be worth giving these people a call - http://www.tinleyelectronics.com/service.htm They've successfully repaired a very old Autohelm 2000 for me and say that they work on B&G stuff. Otherwise perhaps just keep an eye on ebay and the like for a replacement?

 

[prv]

Have an old B&G log and depth system (20 years+). They both function perfectly OK but the repeater in the cockpit must have lost it's cover a long time ago and now the LED display is becoming very hard to read. The main one at the chart table works fine.

Am not too bothered about having speed in the cockpit but obviously depth is essential.

This was built before the days of NMEA (I assume) so I cannot simply get a new cockpit display but is it likely anyone would be able to supply just a new LED screen or is it more complicated than that ? It seems a shame to replace the whole setup because it was obviously built to a high standard to have lasted so long.

Anyone any advice ?

NMEA 0183 was standardised in 1983 (hence the name) so it's not impossible that your system might speak it. Equally well might not though.

You're very unlikely to be able to obtain the LCD screen as a replacement part, as they're generally specific to the application (or at least they were then). You might just find someone selling the whole repeater on eBay.

A new display system may be able to use the existing transducer as they tend to be fairly standard, though I don't know for sure that B&G didn't use something unusual.

Pete

 

[vyv_cox]

Is it an H1000? If so then I'm afraid you will find it very difficult to obtain another. I am in the same position and have been advised by Tinley and B&G that mine cannot be repaired and there are no spares. They are telling me that the only option is to buy new but I am most reluctant to do that.

 

[bikedaft]

Ours is heading same way

However it looks relatively easy to replace the plastic screen over the LCD display? Famous last words...

 

[jsl]

Try The Barge at Bursledon: they have all sorts of old stuff. (Best to call in rather than phone, if you can.)

 

[Lakesailor]

It seems a shame to replace the whole setup because it was obviously built to a high standard to have lasted so long.

Anyone any advice ?

But how much longer will the rest last?

 

[bikedaft]

But how much longer will the rest last?

Possibly outlive both of us?

Dad's echo transducer is older than me, and works just fine. Ours is not quite of the same vintage but is approx 20-25 years old and in rude health

Etc

 

[vyv_cox]

But how much longer will the rest last?

Probably a very long time. My B&G analogue instruments, featured in PBO's Classic Gear feature last month, were installed in 1984 and still work perfectly. I know that there are many older than that. My two H1000 displays still work perfectly well and give me all the information I want but one of them was damaged and the display is gradually fading. The damage was caused when I attached the instrument with a screw that was slightly too long, penetrating the back of the instrument and making a small blob on the grey screen. I assume that air/moisture is getting in here.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Probably a very long time. My B&G analogue instruments, featured in PBO's Classic Gear feature last month, were installed in 1984 and still work perfectly.

I have precisely the same stuff as you (Hecta/Hornet) and it also works perfectly. I have spares fr all the repeaters, acquired on eBay, and the only other bit which might fail, the masthead wind gubbins, is still available.

 

[vyv_cox]

and the only other bit which might fail, the masthead wind gubbins, is still available.

Look after it! I had mine serviced, new bearings and a few other bits, well over ten years ago at a cost of over €500. I carry a spare three-cup impeller that cost me nearly £50. I dread to think what a new arm would cost. Mine needs new bearings again but this time I shall do it myself.

 

[Storyline]

Not sure about the age of mine and I cannot for the life of me remember the model/range. The b&g site does not seem to have all the discontinued products which is a bit suprising considering they were/are the Rolls Royce of instruments. Hazard a guess that they are as old as Vyv's but hard to tell and also not sure whether instruments came as standard when Storyline was built or if it was a customer option. At that time she was Westerly's flagship model and there was a lot of customer options. (amazing that 36' was considered large at the time).

It is a judgement call as to how much money/effort to throw at an old system but am very loathe to make any more holes in the hull. Things have certainly moved on a lot with the NMEA standards which now give mix & max solutions. Encouraging to hear tales of their longevity so will try to find a solution.

Edit: The instuments must have been reliable as I have just searched through the meticulously kept invoices for work done on Storyline (she was owned by the Sea Scouts) and nothing has been spent on service/spares.

 

[Storyline]

Ours is heading same way

However it looks relatively easy to replace the plastic screen over the LCD display? Famous last words...

Have you had any further thoughts about what you are going to do with yours - do you think that replacing the plastic screen cover will make it easier to read ? Am ignorant about LED technology but i get the feeling that it is the display itself is dim rather than the screen making it dim.

Thanks
Paul

 

[bikedaft]

Have you had any further thoughts about what you are going to do with yours - do you think that replacing the plastic screen cover will make it easier to read ? Am ignorant about LED technology but i get the feeling that it is the display itself is dim rather than the screen making it dim.

Thanks
Paul

not much as i can still read it. found the UV cover as well. however our display looks fine, but the clear plastic doesn't - crazed etc

what is your like at night? (ours is fine, as you don't notice the crazing due to backlit LCD)

 

[Storyline]

not much as i can still read it. found the UV cover as well. however our display looks fine, but the clear plastic doesn't - crazed etc

what is your like at night? (ours is fine, as you don't notice the crazing due to backlit LCD)

It is virtually unreadable at night. At some stage in the past I think the cover must have been lost and I seem to recall reading that sunlight can damage the LED display. Even though we now cover it, it has got a lot worse in the past season. It nearly caused us to touch at an anchorage last week when I mistook a 3 for a 5 and at low water in the early hours we had 0.2m under the keel ! Swmbo put me under great psychological pressure (she ordered me) to stay up and watch until the depth increased