I've been getting a steady 18.5 ft readout for a while now and am open to suggestions on what to check as possible causes. And no, I'm not just sitting in one place where that's the depth of the water. Where is the original mount on an 83 H34 for the transducer? I'm about to installl a Lowrance 527c charplotter/fishfinder as my primary nav and depth indicator but I'd still like to get the original system in proper order. Thanks!
H34 Transducer Location?
- Thread starter Peter555
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The transducer isn't "scummed over" with goop is it?
Do you have a spare transducer to put into place to test?
What system is it?
Don't know if "factory original".
But mine (depth and log) are forward of and slightly to starboard of the keel.
Access is through the opening on the vee berth to the right of the stack of drawers.
Do you have a spare transducer to put into place to test?
What system is it?
Don't know if "factory original".
But mine (depth and log) are forward of and slightly to starboard of the keel.
Access is through the opening on the vee berth to the right of the stack of drawers.
Peter: There was no "standard" place for the speed & depth transducers. These were dealer installed items on the boats in that era.
Typically you want them close to the centerline nad forward of the keel by 18-24".
Typically you want them close to the centerline nad forward of the keel by 18-24".
Thanks Bob and Steve. It looks like my transducer is up by the vee berth under the round access cover in the sole. There is also what may be a speed sensor nearby. The instruments at the helm appear to be 1983 vintage, I believe they may be Raymarine. It looks like the best place to put my new transducer would be in nearly the same place, but I know there are concerns about interference. Putting the new transducer into the shower sump/bilge would give a little separation but would also possibly put it by or over the front of the keel. Any suggestions?
My original one was (is) mounted in the shower sump. Speed is on the other side.
When mine conked out I epoxied a fishfinder transducer near the prop shaft. It's too far back to be optimal, but it reads fine. The cord wasn't long enough to go any further forward.
http://www.dmimarine.com/ still services old datamarine instruments and makes new ones that look like the old ones, so you don't have to buy a new set. But for the $$ of repairs you could quickly get up to the cost of a newer unit.
BTW Peter, we usually post stuff about the 34s on the "big boats forum" so if you have any strictly model specific questions, you might be more likely to get an answer on there. But I think a lot of us are bored enough that we read both forums : ) !!
When mine conked out I epoxied a fishfinder transducer near the prop shaft. It's too far back to be optimal, but it reads fine. The cord wasn't long enough to go any further forward.
http://www.dmimarine.com/ still services old datamarine instruments and makes new ones that look like the old ones, so you don't have to buy a new set. But for the $$ of repairs you could quickly get up to the cost of a newer unit.
BTW Peter, we usually post stuff about the 34s on the "big boats forum" so if you have any strictly model specific questions, you might be more likely to get an answer on there. But I think a lot of us are bored enough that we read both forums : ) !!
The link really helped and I found some interesting info on the Datamarine depth display from DMI:
"The MSD18.8 reading is definitely in the instrument. This reading means that all the segments of the LCD are displayed at once. Just replacing the LCD may not be enough since the circuit that drives the LCD may have failed causing the LCD to fail. Replacing the LCD without testing the drivers could result in the same failure next season. By sending in your instrument for service we can check the LCD drivers, plus align and calibrate the transmit and receiver gain also replace any corroded hardware making your depth sounder as good as it was when it left the factory."
I'm thinking that once I install the fishfinder transducer and see how it works that I'll just go with that and possibly look to setting up a remote depth/speed indicator over the companionway for easy reference for all in the cockpit.
"The MSD18.8 reading is definitely in the instrument. This reading means that all the segments of the LCD are displayed at once. Just replacing the LCD may not be enough since the circuit that drives the LCD may have failed causing the LCD to fail. Replacing the LCD without testing the drivers could result in the same failure next season. By sending in your instrument for service we can check the LCD drivers, plus align and calibrate the transmit and receiver gain also replace any corroded hardware making your depth sounder as good as it was when it left the factory."
I'm thinking that once I install the fishfinder transducer and see how it works that I'll just go with that and possibly look to setting up a remote depth/speed indicator over the companionway for easy reference for all in the cockpit.
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