Depth sounder not working

[Dennis Broome]

I wrote an inquiry on Aug. 5, 1999 regarding the Autohelm ST50 Tridata & Repeater on my 1984 Hunter 31. Since that message I have more information.  The knotmeter, trip meter, etc. appear to be functioning. The reading for depth just blinks. I've checked the wiring from the instrument panel, and, it seems to be intact (no loose wires, corrosion). I put my ear to the area near the sensor and hear no "pinging" (but the area around the sensor is hard to get to, so, it might be "pinging" and I just couldn't hear). It seems like I might have a defective sensor. I'd like to be as sure as possible before I attempt to have it, or the entire system, replaced.I understand that sensors seldom go bad. If it has, any ideas on how I might replace it without pulling the boat?

 

[Bill Sheehy]

Same Problem

I have the same problem on my Passage 42 with my depth sounder. It reads 25 to 31 feet all the time. I followed a power boat into a Harbor where he only had 8' under him. I still showed 31 so I was ok. I took the head unit in to be looked at and it was ok. One of these days I will buy the end that you are having problems with and hook it up. Then I will take the boat out and drop it over the side to see if it makes a difference. I will try and do it somewhere I know how deep it is. If its the same then I will replace the head unit. You can replace it with out pulling the boat but you have to be fast as alot of water will be coming into the boat.

 

[Dennis Broome]

Rayeheon Speaks

Thought those checking this question might like to know that I E-Mailed Raytheon about this problem. John Wyant, their product support specialist, contacted me. He says that the problem is the transmit circuit of the display unit. It can be repaired by sending it to Raytheon, 676 Island Pond Rd., Manchester, NH 03109. Raytheon's help line telephone # is 1-800-539-5539 ext 2131.

 

[Brad Cavedo]

Well, consider this about autohelm depth sounder

We have the same problem on our 1997 Passage 42. Depth is usually wrong by 20 to 30 feet, or numbers blink or they fade in and out. About 1/3 of the time it reads the correct depth, but is generally unreliable. Mr. Wyant fron autohelm contacted me to say it was the head unit and to send it in for recalibration. HOWEVER, we had an autohelm service guy on board last week, to work on the autopilot, and he connected a new transducer to the head unit, hung it over the side and everything worked fine!! Of course, our transducer is permenantly installed through the hull. I have written Mr. Wyant about this and am awaiting his reply. Did Hunter get a bunch of defective transducers from Autohelm?