Association Forum - Standard Horizon Depth Finder Broke

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Standard Horizon Depth Finder Broke

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

kayest
Deckhand

Member Avatar

12 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/01/2006 : 08:58:47

On my first trip of the season as I powered on the instruments, my Standard Horizon Depth Finder greeted me with an continuous alarm tone and a fixed but incorrect depth reading. No switch, knob or adjustment (front or back) would silence the alarm or fix the reading. I concluded it was fried.

Is this circular gauge (2.5 in hole?) likely original equipment on my 1980 Cat 25?

What would be a good replacement (cheap)?

Are the transducers standard and interchangable? It plugs into the gauge with a standard RCA connector. I'd like to use the old one if possible. Is there any way to test it? I'd hate to have to install a new one, even the type that don't require drilling through the hull.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2006 : 07:27:48

I replaced my origianl Standard Horizon depth sounder with a new Standard Horizon depth sounder several years ago. The instrument and the transducer fit perfectly in the original mounting holes.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2006 : 08:04:04

Kayest, It's inportant to keep the transducer face clean. Not just clean of slime and barnacles etc. but also free of bottom paint. The folks at Standard Horizon advised me to use special transducer paint, ( West Marine $ 8.00 )it comes in a 4 or 5 ounce bottle with applicator and works fine. I've used nothing but since replacing the depth unit ( $ 139 ) from S. H.

Val on Calista # 3936, Patchogue, N.Y.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2006 : 08:27:08

That N was intended to be an M, mea culpa.

One further thought; my instrument starts misbehaving as battery capacity deminishes, at which juncture I recharge them. Worth a try.

Val on Calista # 3936, Patchogue, N.Y.

Edited by - on

bbriner
Captain

Members Avatar

349 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2006 : 11:36:13

I'm interested in doing the same... I haven't seen any references to SH Speed Gauge - just depth.

Kayest - are yours the same as these(below)?

Anyone have any suggestions?

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2006 : 12:02:03

Kayest,

I neglected to mention that aerated water such as that which follows a power boat will throw off the readings of your depth sounder. Also schools of fish or masses of aquatic fauna have the same effect as rocks, stumps etc. That being said ya can't be without the depth sounder.

Val on Calista # 3936, Patchogue, N.Y.

Edited by - on

10timesSaltier
1st Mate

Members Avatar

80 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2006 : 22:52:02

Too weird.

I just saw this post, and I'm having a problem just this last weekend with my Standard Horizon depth finder. Must be something in the air, or the fact that it is 6/6/6? :)

My depth finder works for a while on a given trip, then starts seeming confused and only displays 'MSD 18.8'

Should I try to get it repaired or just replace it? Could it just be a fouled transducer?

Edited by - on

IndyJim
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
130 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2006 : 16:36:20

I had the same type of problems with my Standard Horizon depth finder last spring. I had a variation of symptoms. First I had a continuous counting sequence from 0 to 99 and then repeating. Later I got erronious readings that seemed random. So, I spent a lot of money on a new Standard Horizon unit because I didn't want to fill the hole with something smaller. Upon preparing to install the new unit, I noticed the small guage wire from the transducer was faulty. This wire is very delicate and very small guage. The wire to the connector plug was slightly broken. A magnifying glass, some solder and some delicate handling and it worked. I returned the unit to West Marine and haven't had any further problems.

Here is another Standard Horizon question for you. When I purchased my C-25 from the P.O., there were very nice lid type covers for the external displays. They fit like a glove and kept the weather elements off when not in use. I guess with the sun and cooling, they got brittle and cracked. So, I called Standard Horizon and ordered 2 new covers. Weeks went by and no covers. When I called to inquire they said they had been discontinued. Being innovative, I thought I'd go buy a couple cans of coffee and use the plastic lids. No luck. The diameter and fit of the navigational instruments is unlike any can lids I can find. Believe me, I've walked the aisles of grocery stores, Sam's Club and the like to find lids that would fit snuggly.

Anyone have any alternative to the Standard Horizon Depth and Speed instrument covers? It sounds like a simple thing but it's caused me many hours of searching for a little protection from the elements.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.