NASA depth sounder

[david100952]

The yacht I have purchased has an old NASA Depth Sounder which is not connected. (there are two plug-in sockets in the back but no wiring). There is also a hull mounted spinner and cable for a log but the instrument has been removed from it's circular cutout in the cockpit. I dont know if these were the "original instruments" but would like to use them if posible. Can anyone tell me if parts are available commercially or do I have to do the boat jumbles

 

[Rivers & creeks]

The sounder can use the old Seafarer echo unit which can be found for a fiver at jumbles or brand new for £25. There should be three wires protruding from the back of the display unit - red, black and green. Instruction and fitting manual is a pdf download from the nasa marine web site. The log unit will be tricky to get a display unit for and if the wire is cut from the log transducer it will be a pain the get the right end fitting. Having said all of that, a brand new nasa duet (combined log and depth unit) is only £139 from compass24.com

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
The yacht I have purchased has an old NASA Depth Sounder which is not connected. (there are two plug-in sockets in the back but no wiring). There is also a hull mounted spinner and cable for a log but the instrument has been removed from it's circular cutout in the cockpit. I dont know if these were the "original instruments" but would like to use them if posible. Can anyone tell me if parts are available commercially or do I have to do the boat jumbles

[/ QUOTE ]

Most Nasa stuff will take same transducer as Seafarer, EchoPilot, and most other older machines. Any boat jumble etc. will have suitable transducer for it.
The two sockets are most likely .... 12v in and the co-ax style transducer plug.

Give model numbers or details of front / back of machine and more help can come ....

You say circular cut-out - then that was probably a later digital display - easily obtainable new or 2/hand .... ebay has a Nasa guy selling on stuff at discounted prices ...

Nasa may be cheaper than others - but it works and many people are happy with it - I certainly was.

 

[ShipsWoofy]

The hull mounted spinner / circular hole sounds like the Sowester (I think) that I removed from TC a few years ago.

I prefer it to the digital types, but we ended up with a leak, water was coming in through the cable, between the cable and the outer. Also, it was forever getting weed and barnacles stopping it working. I am presuming you have the white external spinner with the prop held away from the hull?

I may still have this head unit, I can't remember if I chucked it or not, I will check the shed later if you think this might be the type. I do not have cable though, I had to cut it to remove.

 

[david100952]

The description sounds very similar (white plasticky prop covered in all manner of foriegn sea-creatures & water seeping out of the cable end - even though its been on the quay for a week!).
If you do find it in your stores I would be interested. Should you find it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gifI will measure the aperture to see if the case on your unit is a match.
ps this is the first time I have sent a pm so I wuill also put in in regular post just in case!

 

[david100952]

Sorry chaps - I did not have the unit to hand when I sent the quiry but have now retreived it from the box of bits. The model is a NASA "Sting Ray" Dual Alarm Echo sounder. The plate on the back is obliterated other than that is was bought at Tedford Chandlers in Befast.

 

[Guest]

Any standard transducer will work with the Stingray .... Seafarer, Echo-pilot, etc. as long as its the single freq. 150KHz version.

Plenty of them at Boat Jumbles etc.

BUT first I would ask some friendly boat owner if they could connect their transducer to your display and see if it works !! I have a Stingray and it's duff ! Because it sat in a locker and was never "aired" ... reckon damp got to the innards.

Nasa can supply a new Transducer if you want one ...

 

[hubert]

Nasa still produce the stingray depth sounder so transducers and power cables are readily available. Give them a ring on 01438 354033

 

[ShipsWoofy]

Sorry mate, I have searched in all the usual places in my shed and it is not there, I think I must have chucked it.

The only advice I can give, those impellers (well little propellers) are more trouble then they are worth, if you want an analogue none electric log getting a trailing log so you can clean it easily. I would really like an analogue readout that uses the more modern paddle wheel to drive it, but there is no way to do this none electrically. But at least you can extract the paddle wheel to clean it.

FWIW, my nasa log has never let me down, they are not to everyone's taste, but I do think the log is the most reliable instrument nasa make.

Though, if I started over, I would use the log ability on my fishfinder and have a single instrument like the duet but better.