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Knotmeter Repaired

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3478 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/30/2012 : 04:23:49

First, I wanted to thank all those that contributed to earlier postings regarding the removal of the knotmeter transducer and replacing with the dummy plug. I finally got the courage up to remove the transducer and the boat took in about a 1/2 gallon of water before the dummy plug was secured.

My knotmeter had been working sporatically over the last few years and finally bit the dust last summer. Up to then, I only cleaned it when the boat was taken out annually just for a pressure wash before being lowered back in the water. The knotmeter would then work fine for about 1/2 a season...sometimes the whole year. After it stopped working completely last summer, I was considering replacing it but it seems the best replacements to fit in the original hole in the bulkhead for the gage would be either a Signet or Moor but they would not be able to utilize the same transducer hole as best that I could determine. As some others have done, I called up SR Instruments to see if they still support repairing the old knotmeter which was now over 22 years old (SR Instruments stopped selling their Mariner line of gages back around 2006.) and they still provide support. While I have a handheld GPS, I still like a working knotmeter for speed over water readings. Removing/twisting off the threaded cap on the old transducer was of concern to me but it came off without too much trouble and that's saying a lot considering it was probably never removed before then (the dummy plug was still in it's sealed plastic bag).

Removing the wiring was a bit of a bear but all was removed and gage removed as well. I had made up a temporary starboard disc to cover up the bulkhead hole with an identical disc to fit on the inside of the bulkhead. I had bolt holes within the inside diameter of the holes and those I used to bolt the discs together and seal the bulkhead opening until my meter was repaired. Corey at SR Instruments provided me the repair details and eventually shipped my meter back to me. The oriignal transducer was okay but needed a new impeller due to a missing impeller lobe and another that was hanging on by a thread. The meter itself was prone to moisture and that did the gage in. They replaced the meter movement, seal, gage display & card and the outside housing. One wonders what exactly was left from the original gage !! It cost $150 to fix and ship back to me but to look at it - IT looks equivalent to a new gage with brand new workings. The outer display is all new and while the gage is same diameter as the old, the face is new and slightly smaller face diameter than the original. The face of the disc is now all black whereas the original had a sort of trim ring on it that was faded.

Reinstalling the gage was a bear regarding the rewiring but got it done. Reinstalling the transducer in place of the dummy plug did not go as smoothly as when I removed the transducer the first time around. When I removed the dummy plug and inserted the repaired transducer, I then noticed the o-ring/gasket came off with the dummy plug and so I had to remove tha trasducer again and slip on the gasket...which resulted in more water gushing into the boat...and if that was not enough, then I realized that in hastily slipping on the o-ring/gasket, I then installed the transducer 180 degrees wrong way and so I had to once again remove the transducer and and re-insert so the impeller was lined up properly. No 1/2 gallon water this time around...I estimate it was more like 5-6 gallons !! This time water went into the bilge and there was enough to actually try out the old bilge pump and see if it actually works, which it did !! Then I used about 6 hand towels to continually soak up and wring out into a bucket to clear water out from under the V berth area and the residuals in the bilge. After that was done...transducer area and bilge were bone dry !

A new Signet or Moor replacement would have cost between $180 - $280 and the transducer housing would have had to be replaced which would have been more involved to accomplish and would have had to be accomplished with the boat on land. I am very happy with getting the original gage repaired to like new condition. Was out sailing, yesterday, with my spouse and my newly married daughter and husband. Then as we were sailing, I finally remembered about the new knotmeter, took a look and indicated to all - Hey ! The new knotmeter is working !! It was great to have it back in operation. Though, only I seemed to appreciate it.

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

Edited by - OLarryR on 07/30/2012 04:30:23

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4316 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2012 : 21:06:36

Thanks for posting this Larry. My knotmeter hasn't worked since I bought the boat. I'm now going to send it in and get it repaired.

Did your boat come with a SR depth meter too? I wonder if they can repair that also? Do you have a phone number?

Edited by - on

rrick
Captain

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USA
261 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2012 : 21:34:39

My 1978 Moor was recently replaced with a 2011 Moor. Plug and play (have an extra dummy plug if someone needs one).

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3478 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2012 : 03:21:46

Gary,

I believe I had an SR Mariner depthfinder but I replaced it 7 years ago with my Humminbird Fishfinder and I forget the details with the old depthfinder except that it was not working when I bought my boat.

SR Instruments still supports the Mariner line of marine instruments but cancelled production of all their marine products back in 2006. I would give a call to them at 716-693-5977 and then press the number they indicate for technical support for the Mariner products. Most likely you will be talking to Corey since he appears to be the main guy handling the Mariner support. Basically, he will ask that you ship the unit (including transducer) to them and they will call or EMail you the estimate for fixing the unit. Recommend first visit their website and click on the Mariner products/support since that will give you an inkling of what they sell in the way of replacement parts but as with my experience, they pretty much can replace most of the internals regardless if shown on their website:
http://www.srinstruments.com

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3478 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2012 : 03:30:58

Rick,

Well you lucked out in that Moor is one of the mfrs that still sells the instruments and worked out well in that it was an exact replacement regarding the transducer housing.

Many boats apparently were also outfitted with SR Instrument knotmeters and fishfinders and both Moor and Signet websites mention their instruments can replace the SR instruments in that I believe their gage display is about the same size but it's the transducer housing that creates the problem for most unless they take the effort to replace the transducer housing - Not exactly a plug and play if switching mfrs.

I believe in my scouring the internet for a replacement knotmeter, I came across the last pricing of the SR Knotmeter and it was fairly expensive compared to the Moor and Signet products sold at today's prices. Not sure if that is why SR Instruments got out of selling marine products ? I did not really look into it but SR Instruments seems to be selling industrial scales these days.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4316 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2012 : 18:37:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OLarryR
 Gary,

I believe I had an SR Mariner depthfinder but I replaced it 7 years ago with my Humminbird Fishfinder and I forget the details with the old depthfinder except that it was not working when I bought my boat.

SR Instruments still supports the Mariner line of marine instruments but cancelled production of all their marine products back in 2006. I would give a call to them at 716-693-5977 and then press the number they indicate for technical support for the Mariner products. Most likely you will be talking to Corey since he appears to be the main guy handling the Mariner support. Basically, he will ask that you ship the unit (including transducer) to them and they will call or EMail you the estimate for fixing the unit. Recommend first visit their website and click on the Mariner products/support since that will give you an inkling of what they sell in the way of replacement parts but as with my experience, they pretty much can replace most of the internals regardless if shown on their website:
http://www.srinstruments.com
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I've got a Humminbird Fishfinder too. I just thought I'd fix both since they are already mounted.

Thank you for the info and I will call SR tomorrow.

Edited by - on

Alan Clark
Captain

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406 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2012 : 15:13:35

This year after sending back our Data pak head from Signet marine and Y cable a couple of times in the past to get it cleaned Claibrated ETC, I bought a new transducer from them (depth gauge and Data pak SL250 Signet has been good about repairing/cleaning/calibrating our unit but this year with the help from friends the boat was pulled/transducer was replaced and new SL 250 was installed, took about an hour. We could not be happier. Signet has parts they will repair/replace BUT after almost 25 years.. IT was fiscally prudent and helped maintain my wifes happyness when she asked asked about depth. Also safety.. It was time. Signet does a good job of repair. Older units!

Edited by - on

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