stowe depth sounder

[Guest]

I purchased a second hand etap 22i with a Stowe micro 200 depth sounder.
Alas it will only read 0.0. Occasional it flashes at me. I don't have a manual to consult and I understand Stowe were taken over by Simrad who offered no practical assistance.
Any advice?

Conor

 

[pete]

Same happened to me last year was told they are obsolete so replaced mine with like sized plastimo navman at a reasonable price from mmsdirect.co.uk.
pete

 

[yoda]

Have also fitted Navman echo sounder (happens to be combined spedo log unit) which was easy to fit and works a treat. Got good price from Chandler in Mayfower Marina Plymouth (better than mail order). Echo sounder was standard through hull type but fitted it in a tube glassed to the inside of the hull (solid GRP) filled with brine and gives perfect reading. Electrical connections were very easy and fitting unit couldn't be simpler.

Yoda

 

[Aja]

Same thing happened to me too. Replaced with a Clipper depth. Glassed the hole in the hull and fitted new Transducer internally. Perfect.

Donald

 

[rogerm]

I have a set (log/depth/wind) of Stowe micro 200 instruments. On the one hand to say that the depth transducer sits internally in a puddle of oil surrounded by some grey stuff and works fine from that point of view. However the wind speed paddles have siezed and if the sun shines on any of the displays for more than about 15 minutes the digits fade out..... even though covers are always fitted when not in use.
As you say Simrad are not terribly interested. I plan to junk them all as soon as I can and fit NASA clipper instruments starting with the wind unit in the next couple of months...
Roger

 

[SloopJohnB]

Same problem, different make.
Mine sorted itself out spontaneously.
Have you antifouled? This can cause the problem because your only supposed to use a thin smear. I presume she is in the water cos it wont read unless she is. If she is in water I presume you have sailed her by now anyway to find out you have a problem. If you have and the problem has not sorted itself out you may have a problem in transducer or wiring. I am told (unless it is a wind up!) that you can check whether the transducer is working by turning it on and then putting one end of a long screwdriver on the transducer and your ear on the other end of the screwdriver. If you hear ticking then you know the transducer is working and the problem lies elsewhere.
Hope this is some help.
Cheers

John

 

[Allanrichard]

Hi Conor, I still have my original Stow instruments fitted. The depth sounder problem you outline is shown in the manual as :
1. Transducer not connected - Check and correct
2. Marine growth on transducer face - LIGHTLY scrub or sand.
3. Poor 12v connection or loose fitting fuse - Check all connections and fuses.
4. Battery voltage too low (depth range decreases markedly below 11v) - Check by starting battery charging, switching to another battery,etc
5. Bonding broken (in-hull mounting only) - check
If you want a copy of the manual I will photostat and send on if you wish . E mail address is: beetiar@blueyonder.co.uk

 

[trout]

Conor,
I have the Manual for the Stowe Navsounder. For reading the zero the probable causes are
Transducer not connected.
Marine growth on transducer face
Poor 12v connection or loose fitting fuse
Battery voltage too low ( the depth range decreases markedly when the supply volts are below 11 volts)
The transducer bonding may be broken

Hope this helps.

Regards Graham

 

[zephyrsailor]

a w marine at haslar marina repair stowe stuff
info@awmaine.com