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depth sounder question

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steve25
1st Mate

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USA
27 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/05/2013 : 04:27:20

After launch, I find that my Signet depth finder isn't working.

I remembered that the guy who painted the bottom with ACT ablative, painted over the transducer. (he will remain nameless)

The question, does painting over the transducer effect it's performance?

Thanks,

1986 C-25 SR/FK #5427

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2013 : 07:10:56

I have never painted mine, but know people who have, and theirs works. There are paints made specifically to anti-foul the transducer, but I have never had a barnacle on mine, so I never felt a need to use it. Some people install their transducer inside the boat without cutting a hole through the bottom. The transducer shoots it's signal through the fiberglass hull, so, a little paint isn't likely to interfere with it much.

My depth sounder has an on/off switch on the back of the instrument, and it has it's own breaker on the electrical panel. Also, the main battery switch has to be turned on. If all three aren't on, it won't work. I'd check to be sure one of them didn't get switched off by accident. On mine, the one on the back of the instrument would be easy to switch off by accident.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 05/05/2013 07:13:48

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2013 : 08:59:03

Seems like this problem came up last year and the answer was after the boat was in the water a few days the depth finder started working. Something to do with the anti-fouling paint having to get fully saturated with water.

I may be way off but that is what I remember.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2013 : 10:18:03

I have a problem with my Signet depth guage - it just flashes 18.8
Does anyone have a solution?

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2013 : 11:44:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Derek Crawford
 I have a problem with my Signet depth guage - it just flashes 18.8
Does anyone have a solution?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
From the www.dmimarine.com website:

The S200DL will show MSD when the transducer is not in the water, in water under 2.5 feet or in water over 190 feet, this is normal since the instrument can not read in these situations. If it happens at normal depths this could be a fault in the instrument or the transducer.

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.

Edited by - GaryB on 05/05/2013 11:44:56

binky
Navigator

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USA
115 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2013 : 14:36:55

Signet still services their items, http://www.signetmarine.com/index.html
I had mine repaired at a local marine electronics shop but I had spoken to Signet about having it repaired there.

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binky
Navigator

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USA
115 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2013 : 14:46:07

As a note, I needed the LCD replaced, Signet quoted around $80 for repair or $120 for repair, complete system check and calibration. Local marine electronics guy quoted $70(over the phone) for replacing LCD. Local guy said it would take about a week. Due to boat shows etc it took him about 3 weeks...no big deal. When I picked it up, he had replaced the LCD and put the whole component in a case he had. My case looked pretty rough and weathered...it now looks brand new with a working display. He charged me $20 for the whole deal...woohoo.

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steve25
1st Mate

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USA
27 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2013 : 03:03:23

Thanks Gary, I hope that's it. I can always reach down and scrub it off.

I too had to replace my LCD display, Signet sent me a used display at half price and I installed. $35 spend

Edited by - on

shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2013 : 03:39:56

A painted depth transducer shouldn't really affect it. In fact I'd recommend you paint it, otherwise it'll foul.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2013 : 09:09:29

This probably does not apply to your situation, however, the other year when I had the bottom waterproofed and 2 coats of ablative put on, initially, when the boat was put in the water, the fishfinder had erratic/error readings. The next day I was going to be sailing back to my marina and so I figured I would just have to deal with it then. But the next day and from then on it has behaved flawlessly. What I suspect is that when the boat was initially placed in the water, the bottom was covered with bubbles. Given 24 hrs later, the bubbles dissipated and then the fishfinder worked fine.

Edited by - on

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