Is there any way to illuminate this depth sounder?

[DangerousPirate]

It's installed by the previous owner and I don't find an exact manual, but it bothers me that I can't see anything at night.

As far as I can tell there isn't an illumination button

 

[Momac]

Try this

https://busse-yachtshop.de/pdf/ray60Tridata.pdf

 

[AntarcticPilot]

For what it's worth, that must be very ancient - it's the predecessor of the Raymarine St50 range (see Box). I note that the display is also badly degraded. In your position, I'd be thinking about replacement.

 

[Bobc]

Torch?

 

[DangerousPirate]

Try this
View attachment 191498
https://busse-yachtshop.de/pdf/ray60Tridata.pdf

No that didn't work. If I press depth I can only adjust depth alarm

For what it's worth, that must be very ancient - it's the predecessor of the Raymarine St50 range (see Box). I note that the display is also badly degraded. In your position, I'd be thinking about replacement.

Very true. But for now I am sure there has to be a way to illuminate it

Torch?

I tried that but with headtorch I don't see much unless very close to it. Phone works better but not ideal when single handing it while needing to check depth to not run aground

 

[noelex]

The screen has deteriorated. More illumination may help but is not the real answer judging from the photo.

It is time for replacement, or a lot of squinting .

 

[DangerousPirate]

The screen has deteriorated. More illumination may help but is not the real answer judging from the photo.

It is time for replacement, or a lot of squinting .

I mean yeah. Soon. Once I financialy recover from buying this boat. Until then I just want to know if it can be illuminated, and if so, how. Not sure if it even is possible, but it definitely should have been thought of as a feature. I don't see why you'd have a deoth sounder without.

 

[Tranona]

I mean yeah. Soon. Once I financialy recover from buying this boat. Until then I just want to know if it can be illuminated, and if so, how. Not sure if it even is possible, but it definitely should have been thought of as a feature. I don't see why you'd have a deoth sounder without.

Yes there would have ben a light source originally probably aa little LED which is now dead. If you are switching it on according to instructions and it is not working then almost certainly dead.

 

[DreadShips]

How much are you happy to bodge things? I can see ways to maybe rig up a cheap led light underneath a shade so that it doesn't wreck your night vision etc

 

[LittleSister]

For what it's worth, that must be very ancient - it's the predecessor of the Raymarine St50 range (see Box). I note that the display is also badly degraded. In your position, I'd be thinking about replacement.

Gulp! Mine are even older - ST40. Mine, though, aren't degraded, but still working including the illumination. I was also able to buy a different model - i40 - repeater which works with the original displays and transducers.

The ST50Plus Handbook you linked to is dated 2012. That doesn't seem that old to me, though the OP's instrument looks like it's had a hard life.

 

[DangerousPirate]

Yes there would have ben a light source originally probably aa little LED which is now dead. If you are switching it on according to instructions and it is not working then almost certainly dead.

No, it's not working not because the light died but because it doesn't function in the way as described. If I press the button I don't get any options for brightness, I only get the option to adjust the depth alarm

 

[DangerousPirate]

Gulp! Mine are even older - ST40. Mine, though, aren't degraded, but still working including the illumination. I was also able to buy a different model - i40 - repeater which works with the original displays and transducers.

The ST50Plus Handbook you linked to is dated 2012. That doesn't seem that old to me, though the OP's instrument looks like it's had a hard life.

I am not quite sure how mucj it was sailed before I got it, but the boats instruments, engine and electronics are otherwise well kept, and the depth sounder had a cover on, ruling out marina/yard uv damage despite no sailing. So I assume - it was sailed a lot.

 

[LittleSister]

. . . the depth sounder had a cover on, ruling out marina/yard uv damage despite no sailing. So I assume - it was sailed a lot.

Or the cover was left off or lost for a long time (sailing or otherwise) and was belatedly replaced.

 

[OCuea]

Have you got the time, skill and desire to try to fix it if you cannot replace it yet?
I can’t tell if the digits themselves have degraded (happened to me even though my white and red light still worked). If digits not degraded 2 options I’d look at would be a new acrylic cover after repairing the internal light. Assuming you can open it and seal it again. There used to be electronic experts on here and probably still are who can say whether it can be disassembled or is heat welded together. It could just be a blown bulb if lucky ….. is it modern enough to have used LEDs?

 

[OCuea]

How much are you happy to bodge things? I can see ways to maybe rig up a cheap led light underneath a shade so that it doesn't wreck your night vision etc

Worth a first easy attempt but I’d be worried that reflection would make digits unreadable at night, but worth a first attempt before looking inside

 

[ducked]

Tape a wee button LED to the screen. The tape should prevent it shining directly in your eyes and should reflect some light back into the display. Maybe silver tape, perhaps supplemented with a bit of foil or a silvery plastic sweetie wrapper?

 

[PCUK]

As per Momac. Have you tried various timings for pressing the depth button as that is the illumination adjustment for all Tridata instruments. It should select the illumination settings unless the instrument is faulty in other ways. Persevere with it.

 

[harvey38]

I have a fully functioning unit available, £100.

 

[Isolano]

As they said the screen is deteriorated, in particular it seems that the front "polarizer" of the LCD display is damaged and would need to be replaced but it is a very delicate and complex job, it is however possible to buy the entire LCD screen (screen only)
LCD Screen for Autohelm / Raymarine ST50 TRIDATA Head - Replacement Display | eBay
for an easier replacement even if it requires skill to open the tool.

 

[Isolano]

I have a fully functioning unit available, £100.

This is a ST60 Tridata instrument, it is electrically compatible with ST50 series but has different type of connectors and need some (even if not too complex) work for adaptation, is not possibe a simple direct replacement.