NASA clipper duet depth problem?

[steve yates]

My mates new twister has one of these, when we turn it on it reads out on the depth and an alarm screams constantly. Have tried setting the min depth alarm right down to 40cm, but makes no odds.
Anyone had this? Is it wiring? The transducer? Something else?
Any ideas much appreciated. Thx.

 

[VicS]

My mates new twister has one of these, when we turn it on it reads out on the depth and an alarm screams constantly. Have tried setting the min depth alarm right down to 40cm, but makes no odds.
Anyone had this? Is it wiring? The transducer? Something else?
Any ideas much appreciated. Thx.

If it reads the correct depth it is unlikely to be a problem with the transducer

Have you tried disabling the depth alarm ?

Is it in fact the depth alarm that is sounding or is it the speed alarm ?

If all else fails phone Nasa, they have a reputation for being very helpful

 

[steve yates]

Sorry, I wasn't clear, it doesn't read depth at all, it displays "out" for depth.

 

[VicS]

Sorry, I wasn't clear, it doesn't read depth at all, it displays "out" for depth.

In which case the transducer, its mounting, or the wiring could be faulty. It it in an oil filled "in hull" mounting that has lost its oil?. Is it badly bonded directly to the hull?

 

[jala150]

Mine kept reading out when there was no oil in the hull fixing. Topped it up and it’s been fine since.

 

[steve yates]

Oil may be the answer, took the transducer out, it had a film of oil but I wouldn't have said it was sitting in a bath of oil.
Baby oil? Castor oil? Anything in particular?

 

[MikeCC]

Vegetable oil or antifreeze

 

[VicS]

Oil may be the answer, took the transducer out, it had a film of oil but I wouldn't have said it was sitting in a bath of oil.
Baby oil? Castor oil? Anything in particular?

It must be immersed in oil with no air trapped under it!

Castor oil is what was recommended by Seafarer when I installed mine. It is not quite as readily available as it used to be but you can still get it. I guess baby oil would be a good alternative.
Clean away the old oil just in case its not miscible with the new.

Almost any liquid will do provided it is not volatile, does not "go off" will not attack the hull or transducer, freeze, or smell nasty

 

[steve yates]

Replaced the little oil that was there with vegetable oil, no joy.
The cable runs into a conduit, so difficult to check, but unlikely to get damaged in there. Next check is where the cable comes into the unit, and the connections. But is there anything i could have done wrong with the oil? Overfilled it?

 

[VicS]

Replaced the little oil that was there with vegetable oil, no joy.
The cable runs into a conduit, so difficult to check, but unlikely to get damaged in there. Next check is where the cable comes into the unit, and the connections. But is there anything i could have done wrong with the oil? Overfilled it?

No! The only important requirement is that there is no air trapped between the transducer and the hull.

If you were installing one from new you would "explore" first by temporarily sticking it down with a blob of Plasticine or blue tack to be sure the location chosen is free from voids in the GRP but I assume it worked in its current position originally.

 

[Corribee Boy]

The relevant handbook should have an option to reset the entire thing back to factory settings. It's available with a bit of googling, but each unit seems to vary a little bit.

I'm waiting to try it on mine, which is doing exactly the same thing. It used to work just fine so I hope the reset cures it.

 

[stevie69p]

If the OP decides it is the transducer at fault, then I have a brand new one that is of no use to me any more, and would be happy to pass it on for the cost of the postage. PM me if interested.

 

[Stemar]

If the OP decides it is the transducer at fault, then I have a brand new one that is of no use to me any more, and would be happy to pass it on for the cost of the postage. PM me if interested.

I'd go for that solution. The most likely thing is a fault in the transponder or cable, which, IIRC can't be separated.

Can you get the transponder over the side into the water? If so, that would tell you if it's an issue with the installation.

 

[steve yates]

The reset didnt work, ( its holding in illum and trip together with power off, then flip power on while keeping them pressed.) Nasa said either the didplay unit or the transducer is goosed.

 

[Corribee Boy]

The reset didnt work, ( its holding in illum and trip together with power off, then flip power on while keeping them pressed.) Nasa said either the didplay unit or the transducer is goosed.

Well I'm doomed, then.

Let me know if you find a solution, will you?