Problem with transducer?

[geopan81]

I am in the first season of ownership of a 1976 E-29 hull number 492 and I cannot get the depth sounder to work. Its a Datamarine unit, I had a trouble code and sent it back to Pocasset MA. for repair got it back with no trouble code just not reading the depth. Does anyone on this list know how to trouble shoot a transponder? It is the type that sits above the inside of the hull, does not go through the hull. Any help woud be appreciated.

George Panenka

E-29 Sea Girl

 

[Geoff Johnson]

Can you hang the transducer over the side to see if you get a reading? If the cable is not long enough, you can put the transducer in a bag of water and move it around the inside of the hull. You might have poor bond with an air gap that is killing the transmission of the signal.

 

[geopan81]

Geoff

Thanks for the reply, but now I'm confused is the unit supposed to be immersed in water in order to work? What I have is a round pipe with a PVC threaded cap. The bottom of the pipe appears to be sealed to the inside of the hull, so now my question is does that pipe have to be filled with water for the transducer to work?

Thanks in advance for any help.

George Panenka

E-29 Sea Girl

 

[Geoff Johnson]

The transducer has to be in contact with the hull either by epoxy (or I have heard that silicone work as long as there are no air bubbles in it) or if you have a tube, as you say, you can fill it with mineral oil. One thing is certain,the transducer will not work through air. You can find more information on the Airmar web site:


http://airmar.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/airmar.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php

 

[geopan81]

Geoff

Thanks as you can tell I have no clue. My last boat was a Hunter 20 had a thru hull sounder so no oil involved.

Regards

George Panenka

E-29 Sea Girl