We had trouble last year with our depth finder, an SR instruments model #DDM 1. The digital readout flashed all sorts of random numbers when turned on. We traced all the wiring and every connection was secure. The previous owner (we bought this boat last fall) reported that the depth finder had been working well for him. We are wondering two things: 1) as the hull collects algae, etc. during the summer can this affect the instruments ability to properly read depth; and, 2) is there a way to test the unit while the boat is still in the cradle...or does it require water against the through-hull sensor?
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General Info
Hi Ben: I have the same instruments in my boat. I guess that enough accumulation of slime could effect your readings, but I doubt that it would make it erratic and yes, the transducer would to be in water to give you any kind of accurate reading. There are shallow and deep water gain controls on the back of the instrument. If they are set too high, you could be getting a bounce of the signals causing the readings. They might bee too sensitive for the type of bottom that you have there. I'm not an expert on these things by any stretch of the imagination, but there is a guy named Corry that works for SR Instruments in the repair department that is. Try calling him at 1-800-654-6360 extension #109 and see if he can help you. Good Luck!!
Hi Ben: I have the same instruments in my boat. I guess that enough accumulation of slime could effect your readings, but I doubt that it would make it erratic and yes, the transducer would to be in water to give you any kind of accurate reading. There are shallow and deep water gain controls on the back of the instrument. If they are set too high, you could be getting a bounce of the signals causing the readings. They might bee too sensitive for the type of bottom that you have there. I'm not an expert on these things by any stretch of the imagination, but there is a guy named Corry that works for SR Instruments in the repair department that is. Try calling him at 1-800-654-6360 extension #109 and see if he can help you. Good Luck!!
Thanks...
The a.m. radio option is a new one to me! Thanks for your thought. Thanks J.B. for the tip on Corry. I will try him on Monday.
The a.m. radio option is a new one to me! Thanks for your thought. Thanks J.B. for the tip on Corry. I will try him on Monday.
Let us know what Corry Says
Ben - I had a similar problem last year - Please post the final analysis/solution for your problem when you finally get down to the real cause. Thanks
Ben - I had a similar problem last year - Please post the final analysis/solution for your problem when you finally get down to the real cause. Thanks
Hang in there
Ben, this is the busy time of the year for them. Corry is a nice guy and will get to you as soon as he can. Fortunately for me, I dealt with SR during the off season when they were not as busy.
Ben, this is the busy time of the year for them. Corry is a nice guy and will get to you as soon as he can. Fortunately for me, I dealt with SR during the off season when they were not as busy.
He called!
Funny, I had just posted my last update and Corey called. You are right, he is a very pleasant and courteous man. At this point I am sending him the head unit for testing. And if he finds the head unit is OK...then I will need to replace the transducer (which has a lifespan of 6-7 years he said). Given that his testing of the unit may be weeks from now and I would like to get the boat in the water sooner, I am a little anxious about possibly having to change the transducer while the boat is wet. However, he had several helpful suggestions for making this change with the boat in the water...specifically having someone hold a plunger over the opening while the transducer is removed. More to follow!
Funny, I had just posted my last update and Corey called. You are right, he is a very pleasant and courteous man. At this point I am sending him the head unit for testing. And if he finds the head unit is OK...then I will need to replace the transducer (which has a lifespan of 6-7 years he said). Given that his testing of the unit may be weeks from now and I would like to get the boat in the water sooner, I am a little anxious about possibly having to change the transducer while the boat is wet. However, he had several helpful suggestions for making this change with the boat in the water...specifically having someone hold a plunger over the opening while the transducer is removed. More to follow!
Ain't no thing
Glad you two got together. Changing out the transducer with the boat in the water is not that rough. I can service mine in the water and not take on a quart of water at the most. If you do have to change it, just have the new one in one hand and unscrew the top and pull the old one out with the other hand. It won't start gushing water until it's completely out. Just have the new one in place and ready to stick it in the hole, that will stem the flow of water until you get it ligned up. In case your not familiar with them, there will be a slight slot on the front side of the transducer that lines up with a guide in the front of the through hull. It should pop right in. Good Luck with it.
Glad you two got together. Changing out the transducer with the boat in the water is not that rough. I can service mine in the water and not take on a quart of water at the most. If you do have to change it, just have the new one in one hand and unscrew the top and pull the old one out with the other hand. It won't start gushing water until it's completely out. Just have the new one in place and ready to stick it in the hole, that will stem the flow of water until you get it ligned up. In case your not familiar with them, there will be a slight slot on the front side of the transducer that lines up with a guide in the front of the through hull. It should pop right in. Good Luck with it.
same problem, same solution, same service
I have SR instruments on my O272 and Corey has always been helpful. I have e-mailed him with descriptions of my problems and spoken with him on the phone. Back in '98 he sent me a transducer (paddlewheel) at no cost after I had sent in the display for the knotspeed indicator and he couldn't find a problem. Last season the digital readout on the knotspeed indicator went kaput and he repaired it for me in the off-season. I usually get that sort of work done when the snow flies and the service is quicker. I had also been seeing random readings on the depth sounder and sent that display in. He couldn't find anything wrong with it and recommended a new transducer which I replaced a few weeks ago. The old one was OEM in '86 so I guess its useful life was over. The problem would occur in water over 15' (app.) deep and was totally unpredictable. I would get accurate readings and then the display would take off and run up and down the scale of numbers... then it would work for awhile and then off it would go again. I can't tell you if the transducer is truly the solution as we haven't launched yet this season, but the problems sound similar. Tom Ehmke
I have SR instruments on my O272 and Corey has always been helpful. I have e-mailed him with descriptions of my problems and spoken with him on the phone. Back in '98 he sent me a transducer (paddlewheel) at no cost after I had sent in the display for the knotspeed indicator and he couldn't find a problem. Last season the digital readout on the knotspeed indicator went kaput and he repaired it for me in the off-season. I usually get that sort of work done when the snow flies and the service is quicker. I had also been seeing random readings on the depth sounder and sent that display in. He couldn't find anything wrong with it and recommended a new transducer which I replaced a few weeks ago. The old one was OEM in '86 so I guess its useful life was over. The problem would occur in water over 15' (app.) deep and was totally unpredictable. I would get accurate readings and then the display would take off and run up and down the scale of numbers... then it would work for awhile and then off it would go again. I can't tell you if the transducer is truly the solution as we haven't launched yet this season, but the problems sound similar. Tom Ehmke
Transducer
Arghhhh! Went and tried to remove the transducer yesterday. It wouldn't budge! The twisting began to move the thru-hull plastic seal. So, I suspect I will try to remove the unit by clamping on the threaded thru-hull sleeve with some vice grips and then twist off the top (so the transducer can be removed) with a set of channel locks.
Arghhhh! Went and tried to remove the transducer yesterday. It wouldn't budge! The twisting began to move the thru-hull plastic seal. So, I suspect I will try to remove the unit by clamping on the threaded thru-hull sleeve with some vice grips and then twist off the top (so the transducer can be removed) with a set of channel locks.
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