Testing a depth sounder

[Zing]

I’ve got an Airmar smart IDT combined depth sounder/temp sensor. N2K. It shows nothing on the network. Seemingly dead. Is there a way to find out if it is truly dead or not, or if maybe I’ve set the network up badly?

 

[Martin_J]

First check is to see if it shows in the 'device list' on one of your other instrument heads.

If it doesn't then check the backbone and drop cable. Maybe plug into another drop cable.

If it does show in the device list then you should be able to check (using that same display) the data output onto the backbone from that depth transducer.

We're assuming that the transducer is in water (and not fresh air) when trying to read it's depth data.

 

[Daverw]

May sound stupid, Is it one of the later Bluetooth ones, ours DST810 is and it’s spits out N2K dates but is tested and set up via app as it has not dedicated display

 

[Zing]

First check is to see if it shows in the 'device list' on one of your other instrument heads.

If it doesn't then check the backbone and drop cable. Maybe plug into another drop cable.

If it does show in the device list then you should be able to check (using that same display) the data output onto the backbone from that depth transducer.

We're assuming that the transducer is in water (and not fresh air) when trying to read it's depth data.

Moving it around like you suggested revealed the problem. Dirt or corrosion probably. It worked elsewhere and when moved back seemed to resolve its issues all by the unplugging and reconnecting presumably cleaning contacts.