vdo sumlog

[jaycee]

this instrument has stopped working aboard though power is reaching the readout clock.My problem is that vdo used to be part of siemens in birmingham but it appears to have been sold.What I am looking for is the paddle wheel assembly.Any ideas where I can locate one?

 

[ccscott49]

I have one onboard the boat in Barce.
I'm offshore at the moment, but if you leave me an address on my PM page, I'll send it to you when I return, donate the postage to te RNLI.

 

[blackbess2]

http://www.furneauxriddall.com/shop/acatalog/Spare_Paddle_Wheels.html look here you can order over the phone

 

[William_H]

Sumlog originally had a mechanical drive from a propeller mounted under the hull and driven by a bowden cable. Later thye went to the paddle wheel with electronic pulses to drive an electronic head. I presume yours is the later type.

The paddle wheel tansducers suffer from build up of fouling and crustacions. I had a Smiths one which from week to week would almost always be fouled. In this case the transducer can be withdrawn into the hull for cleaning and a blank plug was provided to cover the 30cm hole in the bottom of the boat when the transducer is removed. I became adept at cleaniong the paddle one handed while the other hand plugged the hole. About a cup full of water came in when removing the hand and refitting the transducer. ie 2 cupfulls compared to 4 cupfulls if you fit the cap while cleaning.
I eventually abandoned the log in favour of GPS because of the fouling. (warm waters are worst)

When the paddle is clean you should be able to hold it near your mouth and blow on the paddle to spin it. You should easily be ab;le to get the log to show 10 knots. If it spins freely but no speed indication you have transducer problem. (almost certainly but it could be the head bad) Look for broken corroded wires especially in the bilge. Or buy a new transducer. good luck olewill

 

[actionoptics]

Just bought a new wheel and spindle from Speedy Cables near Swansea who also repaired the electronics in the head.
email cables@speedycables.com or phone 01639 732213. They have the parts in stock.