Silva Star Depth Amplifier

[ferrispeterchris]

Morning all, there are two sockets on this beastie.One for the transducer the other for the display/instrument.Problem is no markings on amplifier to show which is which.I am not even going to try contacting Silva! Ps nothing in instructions,doesn't even mention an amplifier! Many thanks Peter.

 

[Rustyknight]

Try looking HERE, or start from HERE and find your way to the support pages /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[mikewade]

If I remember the cable connectors to the amplifier are keyed so you cant get it wrong, but I will be at the boat this morning so will check and come back to you. Despite the adverse reports my units all work well and I have good service & advice when needed from Ian in their service /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif department

 

[Talbot]

Yes. plugs are different. no way you can put them in the wrong one!

Mine works well as the combined depth/speed system, and I have their wind system as well, very pleased with them all!

 

[SvenglishTommy]

Are you guys sure the plugs are different? I remember having the same problem and I ended up taking it back to the shop where they exchanged it for one where the amplifier was marked (as it should be). I dont think I would have bothered doing this if it was obvious which went where.

 

[Rustyknight]

I'm possibly being a little simplistic here, but from mooching around the links I put up earlier, the wiring diagram shows the log input going to the bottom left of the amplifier, and from the bottom right of the amplifier to the display.

I agree that it would be nicer if things were marked, and that I might be just too simple in assuming I'd their diagram is correct, but.......

No doubt someone will shoot me down in flames when thay've checked their own set-up, I might even have to eat my words and grovel a bit after looking at my own this weekend.....

A quote from Silva's troubleshooting page reads:- Check the connection at the amplifier box. Make sure the cable is correct between, instrument and transducer, as marked on the box., if the thing doesn't work. However, it doesn't say if it'll blow up if things connect wrong....... or if it will work again after trying the alternative connections.

 

[SvenglishTommy]

I think SIlva need to have a word with their amplifier marker sticker onner. Perhaps givre him a less complicated job to do, and employ someone who is up to the task.

 

[Rustyknight]

It looks like you're the closest........ p'raps it might even a job for you? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[mikewade]

sorry to have been so long - the sailing has been really good today so couldnt resist staying out longer.
looking at the front of the amplifier it is marked up "depth"
the transducer cable - 3 core goes to the left side of the connector block and the instrument cable - 4 core is mounted on the right side

 

[ferrispeterchris]

Many thanks for your replies.I have to agree with Tommy I managed to easily reverse the plugs without difficulty.Will go with Mike's diagram.By the way it looks as if you need only supply power to one half only of the depth/log connectors, is this correct? Peter.

 

[Rustyknight]

[ QUOTE ]
By the way it looks as if you need only supply power to one half only of the depth/log connectors, is this correct? Peter.

[/ QUOTE ]

According to Silva's wiring diagram, yep!

Slightly different point, but relevant to the Sea Data kit....... if you have a Silva Star wind instrument connected up to it (for apparent versus true wind readings) rather than "stand alone", BOTH units need to be switched on to get a log reading. For some reason, if you only turn the Sea Data unit on, you don't get a speed readout on the log.

That had me scratching my head for a while before I twigged. Even went as far as buying a new log transducer..... and then when that didn't give a reading either, the penny slowly dropped.

I did send the SWMBO back to get the refund mind! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[SvenglishTommy]

[ QUOTE ]
p'raps it might even a job for you? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Unfortunately I'm already fully employed putting the stickiness on post-it notes. My skills are more geared towards making things sticky rather than sticking things on things. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif