ST60 Speed Transducer cleaning question

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J

jack boats

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Sep 25, 2006
59
Hunter 420 SD
How do I pull an ST60 Speed Transducer while in the water for cleaning and testing? I'm currently not getting speed but Temp looks good, so I'm, thinking the wheel is jammed. After unscrewing the cap, I give the ring a tug and it won't budge. I don't want to apply to much force as I often break things that way.

Has anyone experienced this? please advise as to proper technique.

~~_/)~~
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
It's an AIRMAR transducer, spec'ed for Raymarine. you are doing it right.. But be careful. The newer ones generally have a self closing valve that limits the water that comes in if you pull the transducer. Without this, you will get a jet of water that hits the roof. In any case make sure you have a way to close the hole, with out without the transducer or plug. Good idea to have a wooden plug handy.
 
J

jack boats

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Sep 25, 2006
59
Hunter 420 SD
I've got the plug for it handy. So you think I should just pull harder? I'm not going to crack the through hull caulking or whatever?? thanks for the quick reply!
 
J

jack boats

.
Sep 25, 2006
59
Hunter 420 SD
Still can't budge it but I tried the other one and it pulled out easily. Turns out its the speed, the other must be depth and I don't want to mess with it. Anyway the paddle looks good so I don't know, will have to wait for a mate to test readout while turning it or sea trial tomoroz :)
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Well I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. But that plug should come straight up. It's aligned with the water travel outside the hull and does not turn. There is a small keyway. You may want to wiggle it a bit, but not to much. The doors on the transducer can get stuck. How long has it been between removals?
 
kloudie1

kloudie1

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Nov 6, 2006
10,051
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
If the speed transducer came up easily, don't try to pull the depth transducer .. it is probably glued in place !
 
RichH

RichH

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Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
kloudie1 said:
If the speed transducer came up easily, don't try to pull the depth transducer .. it is probably glued in place !
Click to expand
The ST60 depth transducer does not COME OUT, its solid and integral with the thruhull -- a single piece. Only way to clean it is from the 'outside'.

The ST60 speed (paddlewheel) transducer is 'cleanable' by pulling it out of its thruhull.
 
Scott B

Scott B

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Sep 20, 2006
2,952
Hunter 33 Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada
RichH said:
The ST60 depth transducer does not COME OUT, its solid and integral with the thruhull -- a single piece. Only way to clean it is from the 'outside'.

The ST60 speed (paddlewheel) transducer is 'cleanable' by pulling it out of its thruhull.
Click to expand

I have pulled both my speed and depth ST60/Airmar transducers while in the water. I guess it depends on the model year and/or installer?

Both have a plug attached to install while out.
 
Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
If you want to test with the unit out you are not going to have much success. The wheel has to spin VERY fast to even show 1 knot of speed. Which is why it needs to spin freely with no drag.
 
TAK

TAK

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Nov 29, 2009
47
Beneteau 381 Punta Gorda
Best way to clean it is a wet tooth brush. I use WD 40, McLube or water (whatever is handy) to help break up the crud. The tooth brush easily cleans out the crud from the sides of the paddle wheel and the paddle. Give it a few good spins to make sure it is clean and then reinstall. Keep the tooth brush in the bilge with the transducer.
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,164
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
smear some Desitin (zinc oxide, baby rash ointment to discourage marine growth) on the paddles before you replace it for use.
 
C

Cayennita

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Nov 28, 2009
495
Catalina 30 St. Croix
I always remove my speed transducer when not using the boat from weekend to weekend. It has the flapper and limits water intake. Install the plug, clean the unit and store in bilge after lubricating.
 
J

jack boats

.
Sep 25, 2006
59
Hunter 420 SD
Great Advice

Hmm, I thought it was spinning free but this makes me think it's not. I'll try cleaning it as others have suggested. Yes the depth transducer must be glued in, glad I asked before muscling it out.

Thanks for the advice everybody!


Bill Roosa said:
If you want to test with the unit out you are not going to have much success. The wheel has to spin VERY fast to even show 1 knot of speed. Which is why it needs to spin freely with no drag.
Click to expand
 
SamLust

SamLust

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Jan 2, 2008
547
Hunter 33 (Cherubini design Forked River, Barnegat Bay, NJ
Once the transducer is free of the hull you should be able to slide the axle out of the wheel. This will allow it to comne free so you can clean it. Best to reassemble in the right direction for lest innacurate readings.
 
Mike B

Mike B

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Apr 15, 2007
1,013
Beneteau 43 Baltimore, MD
One more thing to check for are barnacles on the lip of the transducer assembly. I've found some just in front of the speed wheel that effectively blocked water flow over the wheel. If the surrounding area was not properly painted with antifouling you can get quite a build up. You'll likely need to dive under the boat or use a long object to feel around that area.
 
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