Depth sounder problem

[rogerowen]

I have an Autohelm (Ray Marine?) ST50 Depth Sounder that is flashing zeros even though there is plenty of water under the boat. Any tips, suggestions? Thanks.

[sailormed]

Normally there is a section at the end of the user manual about trouble shooting. Do you still have the operators manual?

[rogerowen]

Originally Posted by sailormed

Normally there is a section at the end of the user manual about trouble shooting. Do you still have the operators manual?

Unfortunately, no manual came with the boat - maybe I could take a look to see if I can find one online. I'm thinking that it might be a problem at the transducer end and wonder if I listen for clicking when switched on I could eliminate that as the problem.

[dfelsent]

Raymarine has their manuals online. Including many many long discontinued models.

https://www.raymarine.com/service-an...and-documents/

[Kalinka1]

is the transducer inside the hull? If so it might be dried out so no signal is sent. if you can remove it Coat the bottom with vaseline or put a bit of cooking oil in the bottom of the socket or box or whatever it was in. it should then start to register. if it is mounted through the hull the transducer might be dirty or covered with something. Is the Boat in or out of the water? If out it won't work! Hope this helps and you don't have to replace the whole thing.

[rogerowen]

Originally Posted by dfelsent

Raymarine has their manuals online. Including many many long discontinued models.

https://www.raymarine.com/service-an...and-documents/

That's very helpful - thank you.

[rogerowen]

Originally Posted by Kalinka1

is the transducer inside the hull? If so it might be dried out so no signal is sent. if you can remove it Coat the bottom with vaseline or put a bit of cooking oil in the bottom of the socket or box or whatever it was in. it should then start to register. if it is mounted through the hull the transducer might be dirty or covered with something. Is the Boat in or out of the water? If out it won't work! Hope this helps and you don't have to replace the whole thing.

The boat was launched yesterday, It's through the hull, had 2 thick coats of antifoul - which could be a problem I guess.

[a64pilot]

Paint really shouldn’t be a problem I don’t think, they can shoot thru quite thick hulls so I assume they can paint?

[Cheechako]

Maybe it is the paint, there's metal in it.

[rogerowen]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Paint really shouldn’t be a problem I don’t think, they can shoot thru quite thick hulls so I assume they can paint?

I think my transducer is designed as a through-hull fitting, so maybe not as strong as later in hull models. But, I hope it might be a wiring issue.

[rogerowen]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Maybe it is the paint, there's metal in it.

As now in the water, I'll check the wiring first -then run aground on a mid-tide and scrape some antifoul off. Running aground's going to be easy for me at the moment!