Test for ST30 Bidata Depth Transducer?

joliette

joliette

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The depth is not displaying on my ST30 Bidata. The display itself appears to be working fine. It is flashing 00. Does anyone know if there is a way to test the depth transducer? I've cleaned up the two terminals and crimp connectors for the depth transducer on the back of the display but that didn't make any difference! I put a multimeter across the depth transducer wires thinking I might get a resistance reading, but I didn't get anything ... I'm wondering if there's a way to figure out if it's the display or transducer at fault, or both?!
 
It's not very easy to do any sort of test on the transducer, esp. with the boat in the water, unless it's an in-hull type.
If it is, a very light, finger-tip touch on the working face, or listening with it very close to one's ear might detect the pulses as clicks, which is some indication that it might be working.
Otherwise, a portable radio, preferably tuned to AM Long Wave should pick up the pulses, Not 100% reassurance though.
Resistance reading isn't useful.
Possibilities are the transducer wire broken or the transducer heavily fouled.
 
In each of my last 5 boats, depth sounder failure has been caused by the transducer going kaputt.

Symptoms are that they start to 'lose signal' ever more frequently, until they fail completely. They all fail eventually, and they're usually not too expensive - Airmar manfacture most of them.

Current one has just failed after 7 years - new one in the post (hopefully).
 
My ST30 depth display shows the same fault as yours, so I took the display to Raymarine in Segensworth, Southampton who tested it free of charge, and said it was working, and suggested the transducer had failed. They said the only way to check the transducer was to listen for a very quiet ticking from it, which, in my case, due to the location of the tranducer isn't easy to do. Luckily, I have another depth transducer for my Furuno chartplotter, so I haven't bothered to change the Raymarine/Airmar transducer.

Cheers, Allan
 
Something I keep meaning to get for myself is astethoscope with a solid tip (don't know the correct terminology). Touching the tip to the transducer would allow you to hear the clicks if it is working. Must try to find a supplier...

Rob.
 
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