I need a little help here. I have a Cat 30 with a Standard Horizon 45 series Depth Sounder. I was getting a -- reading. I called Standard and they said it was either the instrument or the transducer (duh). At their advice, I purchased a new transducer, plugged it in and hung it over the side. No reading on the instrument. According to Standard, this means its the instrument, so I opt to replace the 15 year old instrument. When I install the new one, I get a reading, but then it immediately jumps from 8.8ft to 15ft where it begins to fluctuate with the rolling of the boat. The problem is I only have about 9ft of water according to a lead line. I called Standard Horizon again, described the problem, checked the wiring, and they said what was happening couldn't happen. When I am on the water, the sounder seems to work fine, displaying accurate depths and transistions, except that it will occasionally revert back to "--" on the screen. Of course, this only happens in shallow water (7ft and I have a 5ft draft. I have tried all settings with no real difference in performance. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm a little dissapointed that I've tried a transducer and a new instrument and still getting these type of readings. I really need to stay with the 45 series ast that is what the remainder of my instruments are. Any help or comments are appreciated.
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Well, that's a weird one...
Hey Dave- How and where is the transducer mounted? Have you tried changing the location of the transducer? Is voltage to the instrument good and stable? Kind of hard to troubleshoot something weird like this via email, but you might want to start by moving the transducer and see what that does. Seems quite strange that it would operate properly at greater depths but not in the shallows. And don't ya just love it when a manufacturer tells you "that can't happen" while you're sitting there WATCHING it happen?
Hey Dave- How and where is the transducer mounted? Have you tried changing the location of the transducer? Is voltage to the instrument good and stable? Kind of hard to troubleshoot something weird like this via email, but you might want to start by moving the transducer and see what that does. Seems quite strange that it would operate properly at greater depths but not in the shallows. And don't ya just love it when a manufacturer tells you "that can't happen" while you're sitting there WATCHING it happen?
D
Dave
Jeff
The transducer is mounted through the hull. Unfortunately, since the boat is in the water, the transducer can't just be moved at will. I did try the new transducer in different locations before I returned it. No Luck. I have not checked the voltage, but the instrument does function normally. I've checked all connections. The instrument feeds off of a power distribution block that also feeds the other instruments in the pod. They are functioning correctly, so my instinct tells me it is not a voltage issue. I was always under the idea that a transducer either "works" or it doesn't as it is basically a crystal that has no moving parts. If anyone out there has any other suggestions, I would be happy to listen and try them. I guess for now, I need to get out my multi-tester just to be sure. Thanks
The transducer is mounted through the hull. Unfortunately, since the boat is in the water, the transducer can't just be moved at will. I did try the new transducer in different locations before I returned it. No Luck. I have not checked the voltage, but the instrument does function normally. I've checked all connections. The instrument feeds off of a power distribution block that also feeds the other instruments in the pod. They are functioning correctly, so my instinct tells me it is not a voltage issue. I was always under the idea that a transducer either "works" or it doesn't as it is basically a crystal that has no moving parts. If anyone out there has any other suggestions, I would be happy to listen and try them. I guess for now, I need to get out my multi-tester just to be sure. Thanks
S
Sam Lust
Weird readings
I have two different depth transducers and two different depth gages, all Standard horizon. When I made my first run with the newer instrument I had both running at the same time. The readings on both were wacked. Took me a while to figure out that one gage was hearing and interpreting the "ping" from the other. After turning off the second, the first was fine. I've also had the readings go weird when in close proximity to other boats, I'm assuming for the same reason. You might wannt to go through the settings to be sure you didn't somehow get a strange keel offset or some other bit of weirdness.
I have two different depth transducers and two different depth gages, all Standard horizon. When I made my first run with the newer instrument I had both running at the same time. The readings on both were wacked. Took me a while to figure out that one gage was hearing and interpreting the "ping" from the other. After turning off the second, the first was fine. I've also had the readings go weird when in close proximity to other boats, I'm assuming for the same reason. You might wannt to go through the settings to be sure you didn't somehow get a strange keel offset or some other bit of weirdness.
T
tom
sensitivity settings
If you have sensitivity adjustments you may want to make the settings less sensitive. The unit responds to echos. It recieves multiple echos off of some bottoms. If you have soft mud over hard mud over rock it can "see" all three layers. With reduced sensitivity you can't find the bottom as easily when it's deep. At really sensitive settings you may even pick up fish. My old fishfinder would indicate bottom type and fish size. My depthsounder really drove me crazy until I played with the sensitivity settings. We would be in 100+ feet of water then the bottom alarm would go off!!! In this particular lake it was possible to hit ledges. I figure a fish swam under the boat or maybe a deadhead. When it was set less sensitive the spurious alarms disappeared.
If you have sensitivity adjustments you may want to make the settings less sensitive. The unit responds to echos. It recieves multiple echos off of some bottoms. If you have soft mud over hard mud over rock it can "see" all three layers. With reduced sensitivity you can't find the bottom as easily when it's deep. At really sensitive settings you may even pick up fish. My old fishfinder would indicate bottom type and fish size. My depthsounder really drove me crazy until I played with the sensitivity settings. We would be in 100+ feet of water then the bottom alarm would go off!!! In this particular lake it was possible to hit ledges. I figure a fish swam under the boat or maybe a deadhead. When it was set less sensitive the spurious alarms disappeared.
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david
Tried that, any other ideas
I'll try to respond to all the ideas. It's the only depth instrument and only transducer--I don't think thats the problem. Tried all sensitivity settings. It doesn't seem to make any difference at all. All offset readings have been neutralized. The depthsounder actually reads too deep, not to shallow, so I don't think it's a case of interference. Any other ideas? Thanks
I'll try to respond to all the ideas. It's the only depth instrument and only transducer--I don't think thats the problem. Tried all sensitivity settings. It doesn't seem to make any difference at all. All offset readings have been neutralized. The depthsounder actually reads too deep, not to shallow, so I don't think it's a case of interference. Any other ideas? Thanks
S
Steven Green
Depth sounder problems
I would suggest that you run a new power supply to the unit. I have had some similar problems with a depth sounder unit in the past. I found that the wiring was corroded inside the casing, as it was quite old and ran through the bilge. You could try just running a new pair of wires temporaily to see if it helps. Also could be getting interference from other instruments if they have bad gound wires. You didn't say if you are having problems when under power or sail or both. A bad rectifier or voltage regulator in your charging source could be a problem, or a battery that is out of voltage spec.
I would suggest that you run a new power supply to the unit. I have had some similar problems with a depth sounder unit in the past. I found that the wiring was corroded inside the casing, as it was quite old and ran through the bilge. You could try just running a new pair of wires temporaily to see if it helps. Also could be getting interference from other instruments if they have bad gound wires. You didn't say if you are having problems when under power or sail or both. A bad rectifier or voltage regulator in your charging source could be a problem, or a battery that is out of voltage spec.
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david
I'll try
the temporary jumper to the instrument. The "rising" readings only seem to occur under shore power. The other readings of -- seem to happen randomly whether under sail or power and have happened at the dock under shore power also. I really do appreciate all of the feedback and advice
the temporary jumper to the instrument. The "rising" readings only seem to occur under shore power. The other readings of -- seem to happen randomly whether under sail or power and have happened at the dock under shore power also. I really do appreciate all of the feedback and advice
D
david
I'll try
the temporary jumper to the instrument. The "rising" readings only seem to occur under shore power. The other readings of -- seem to happen randomly whether under sail or power and have happened at the dock under shore power also. I really do appreciate all of the feedback and advice
the temporary jumper to the instrument. The "rising" readings only seem to occur under shore power. The other readings of -- seem to happen randomly whether under sail or power and have happened at the dock under shore power also. I really do appreciate all of the feedback and advice
J
J.B. Dyer
Gave Up!
Dave, I had a Standard Horizon that was doing exactly what you described. I fooled with it for the biggest part of a year. Went through all of the standard stuff, checking the wiring, rechecking the wiring, tinkering with the adjustments. I also called the factory and hashed it over with them and got the same answers (couldn't be doing that) and they told me to send the unit in. I did just that and after a month and a half they sent it back and said that there wasn't anything wrong with it. I reinstalled it and it continued doing the same thing. My solution to the problem was to tear the whole thing out and deep six it. I replaced it with an SR Instrument. Same wiring, same switches, same fuses, and everything works find now. I wasn't too satisfied with Standards customer service either.
Dave, I had a Standard Horizon that was doing exactly what you described. I fooled with it for the biggest part of a year. Went through all of the standard stuff, checking the wiring, rechecking the wiring, tinkering with the adjustments. I also called the factory and hashed it over with them and got the same answers (couldn't be doing that) and they told me to send the unit in. I did just that and after a month and a half they sent it back and said that there wasn't anything wrong with it. I reinstalled it and it continued doing the same thing. My solution to the problem was to tear the whole thing out and deep six it. I replaced it with an SR Instrument. Same wiring, same switches, same fuses, and everything works find now. I wasn't too satisfied with Standards customer service either.
E
Eldad
How to re-wire?
We have recently lost power to our Horizon depth sounder. The power cable goes through some really tight spots so we have decided to rewire. Problem is - our manual doesn't provide the connector's pin out. Anyone can help?
We have recently lost power to our Horizon depth sounder. The power cable goes through some really tight spots so we have decided to rewire. Problem is - our manual doesn't provide the connector's pin out. Anyone can help?
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Steve
Sounds like a quailty problem
I just purchased a catalina 30. the owner had a standard horizon 150 depth meter that worked last year. I installed my 150 multimeter that worked last year on my old boat and hooked up the depth to it. I got the same result "--". Must be the meter. I guess i'll look into new meters.
I just purchased a catalina 30. the owner had a standard horizon 150 depth meter that worked last year. I installed my 150 multimeter that worked last year on my old boat and hooked up the depth to it. I got the same result "--". Must be the meter. I guess i'll look into new meters.
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