Seafarer 3 problem

[dur]

My Seafarer 3 echo sounder is displaying random lights the whole way around the display, even with the gain turned right down. It was working a couple of weeks ago. I would be grateful for any pointers on where to start looking.

 

[Searush]

Sort out the co-axial connector into the back of the unit. You are probably getting lots of reflections. Take it out, clean off any corrosoin, clean the socket. It that doesn't solve it, dismantle the plug, check, clean & solder it. If that doesn't work, you might need to look at the transducer end, but I doubt it unless it has been knocked recently.

If all else fails, chuck it & get a slightly more modern one off e-bay! But you will miss the real intuitive 60' to one revolution display! I can read mine at a glance from the opposite end of the boat - it's just like telling the time.

 

[Kylora]

My Seafarer 501 sometimes does the same thing, but only on the shallow scale, and also makes a 'screeching' noise when faulty. As you might expect, it tends to do it at a crucial time!

If you pull the coax plug out, it creates the same fault.

I think that my problem is that I'm using a standard TV coax plug, but the cable is much thinner than TV coax. I usually open up the plug, and remake the connection, which usually works, but I try to be careful not to move the cable about too much.

SWMBO has lost all faith in it, so I've bought a Clipper Duet, but haven't got round to fitting that yet.

Ash

 

[VicS]

Transducer connection on the back? Clean the connections. If in any doubt cut the old plug and the minimum amount of cable off and fit a new one . Television type.

Check that the transducer mounting is still sound and filled with (castor) oil if it's internally mounted but i think if there was problem there it would just not show anything esp with the gain right down.

Check the battery connections if you run it off a battery or the power supply and all connections if you run it off "the mains" (Even the battery could have a fault internally)

Gentle tapping have any effect?

Behaves the same on both ranges?

The cases are not totally watertight so if mounted outdoors water gets in and corrodes the circuit board in one corner. It puts the voltage stabiliser circuit out of action I think which can be a problem if running off "the mains" especially with the engine running.

Wish mine would go wrong then I could justify a new modern one which would have a display that I could read in bright light.

Buy me a nice new Nasa Duet and you can have my old Seafarer 3

 

[dur]

Thanks everyone. It sounds as if the coax connection is the place to start. The transducer is through the (wooden) hull so I am hoping not to have to touch that end.

I think the roundy roundy display is pretty good except that it is set up to be viewed though a porthole at about waist height. An alarm would be an improvement. I have been given a Nasa Sting Ray but it looks a bit modern!

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
I have been given a Nasa Sting Ray but it looks a bit modern!

[/ QUOTE ] But it will almost certainly be compatible with the existing transducer if the fault turns out to the the Seafarer 3 itself. (the instruction books should tell you the frequencies the Seafarer one does)