Raymarine ST50 / ST60 transducer compatability

W

Wandering Star

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 Feb 2009
Messages
5,545
Location
Dorset
Visit site
I think I know the answer (it’s yes) but I wanted the opinion of an expert!

My boat had ST50 depth & speed instruments. As far as I can make out the transducers for these are compatible with the ST60+ displays, the only thing is the ST50 displays have round plugs whereas the ST60+ uses spade connectors? I also want to resite the displays which will involve extending the cable lengths.

So my questions are, are the ST50 transducers already fitted to the boat compatible with the ST60+ displays and secondly, can I just cut off the ST50 plugs and join the wires to extension length of Seatalk cable terminating wiyh for ST60+ curved plug or spade terminals?
 
Boathook said:
All I know is that in the past altering the length of a depth sounder cable will alter the depth reading.
Click to expand...
Oh really, that’s quite significant then! I did purchase 2 x new transducers for the ST60+ displays but then wondered if I could save time by re-using the altready plumbed in one’s. I hadn’t consideeed cable length as a factor so thanks.
 
I was going to do this a while back but never got round to it. I do believe the old transducers are compatible, as least that is what my googling suggested.
 
Altering the length of the cable will not change the depth reading by anything you'll ever notice. The speed of the signal in the cable is about 3 x 10^8 m per second. The speed of sound in the water (which is what you are using to measure depth) is about 1500 m per second.
Changing the cable length will alter the impedance the electronics see. Which will be matched to the transducer. It will probably work but it is likely to limit the maximum depth you'll be able to detect.
From memory they both us 200kHz transducers made by AirMar, so that bit will match. You need to be careful with the joint you make and use exactly the same type of cable for the extension for best results.
 
If my memory is correct, the late ST50+'s depth had the same transducer as the ST60. Also, there was a connector available for the round to the flat pin.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top