ST50 Depth Sounder Woes

[Rich_F]

This weekend I discovered that the depth finder on my 12-year-old ST50 Tri-data was flashing 0.00; not really all that useful though it did help me to justify previous purchase of lead-line to SWMBO.

However, once the novelty of lead-lining had worn off (SWMBO getting a little damp, dangling over the pulpit while thrashing across the Solent), thoughts turned to getting an electronic fix to the problem.

So, has anyone got any quick-fix ideas for the ST50? Or should I just be grateful that it lasted so long, and has given me an excuse to upgrade to a fish-finder???

Rich

 

[claymore]

Its worth phoning mailspeed so see if they have any bits. Just a matter of locating the problem then!

regards
Claymore
/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[chriscallender]

Before condeming it check all the connections to the transducer for corrosion, and if the transducer is a through hull job in an oil bath then check that it is full of oil.

Ideally beg/borrow/steal (no, not really) a new transducer, plug it in and dangle it over the side to see if the problem is in the instrument or transducer. If its the transducer you are in luck, it should be possible to get a spare.

Chris

 

[Trevethan]

Is it an in hull or thru hull mount?

I discovered why my old seafarer had given up the cost. The plastic drain pipe in hull mount it sits in got damaged, and spilled all its castor oil into bilge, so there was an air interface instead of oil which gave dodgy readings

I guess I will have to really clean up the area before re-bondiong. Presumably castor oil and epoxy won't stick.

regards,

Nick

 

[Rich_F]

Hard to tell whether it's in-hull or through-hull until I get the boat out of the water! However, I'll check the transducer mounting for possible damage - thanks for the idea.

Rich

 

[Rich_F]

Good plan, regarding trying a different transducer.

Has anyone got an old ST50 depth transducer that I can borrow? Maybe I should start browsing the boat jumbles!

Rich

 

[charles_reed]

Get in touch with Raymarine Customer Service and ask if you can have a replacement transducer on SoR.

tel 02392 693611, ask to speak to one of the techies, he'll probably take you through an easy faultfinding exercise or even .. if it hasn't been sorted lend you a transducer.

x1230 gets you Ruth Willet or Jane Curtis - take it from there.

They did me and have taken me through faultfinding on an ST6000 in Ria de Ribadeio (faulty fuse on earth, stupid German agent), re-loading software into an ST4000 control head and rectifying a faulty ST50+ anemometer capsule.

They've improved their customer service immeasurably since they went private out of Raytheon.

Good luck

 

[snowleopard]

flashing means it's not getting a return signal, the value of the number is the last reading before the echoes stopped. on that basis the computer thinks the signals are going out but it's getting no response from the transducer. odds on it's the transducer or connections to it.

i would suggest you check the crimp connectors on the transducer lead at the back of the instrument. the wire supplied is very thin copper, not pre-tinned and may have corroded through or cracked where it enters the crimp fitting.

 

[aod]

I have a full set of ST50s and they leak like buggery. Every time I have had a problem it's turned out to be a corroded PCB. Spares are getting quite a problem now although Raymarine may have some.

As mine pack in (again) I intend to replace them with 60s which apparently just need a plug change and away they go interfacing perfectly with the remaining 50s.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[yachtbits]

If it is mounted inside the hull in an oil tube, pull the transducer out, and listen to it. You should hear a quiet click-click-click. This would confirm whether the transmit/transducer side of things is working.

If it is a thru hull fitting, and it is a removable one. (T-bar on top near cable). Pull it out and listen to it, but make sure you have a blanking plug and someone helping you.

Transducers are still available, but the display spares are hard to get.

If it is the display, then a ST40 display should also work, but it is a different shape. ST60 is real solution.

Thinking of a fishfinder instead? we've got Garmin 100's on offer at the moment!

kev



<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtbits.co.uk>http://www.yachtbits.co.uk</A>
sales@yachtbits.co.uk
marine electrics & electronics

 

[Piers]

Try calling Dave Wellcome of Raymarine. If he can't help, no-one will be able to. Dave is a development engineer, and the main contact for the MBM Crusing Club. He's helped many people on this forum with fixes where others have said change.

02392 693611 extension 1614

<hr width=100% size=1>Piers du Pré
www.playdeau.com