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Hi All,
Our boat came with a DDM-1 Digital Depth Meter by SR Electronics Inc. If you would like to see a picture of it, please follow this link:
<A href="http://www.srinstruments.com/Mariner/Item-Display.asp?URI=1055">http://www.srinstruments.com/Mariner/Item-Display.asp?URI=1055</A>
The depth sounder was working fine when we purchased the boat, and continued to do so for almost 2 years after. I'm assuming this unit came installed/was installed since she was brand new, so let's say about 18 years ago.
A few months ago I noticed more than usual condensation between the glass and the LCD display which I try to dry out but it kept coming back. You can now see big drops of condensation there. The problem is that the unit stopped working and I'm not very sure why nor I know how to test it.
I have tried cleaning all the connectors, tested for power and small things like that. I was able to dry out the condensate water using an electric heater, but still the unit doesn't work. I can't find any information about this unit nor I know how to troubleshoot it. If anyone could be give an idea about how to test the unit or what's steps to follow I would be a very happy camper.
Also, if after all the efforts the sounder still doesn't work... do I need to take the boat out of the water to replace the sounder? I don't know much about electronics... but I'm assuming that the transducer works with an specific sounder? or are all transducers the same?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Guillermo
Last edited by (2004-12-30 02:37:32)
1. SR is still in business, and their customer service is very helpful if you call them.
<A href="http://www.srinstruments.com/Mariner/default.asp">http://www.srinstruments.com/Mariner/default.asp</A>
2. You can disconnect the instrument and have it tested and serviced.
3. If you want the transducer tested you must remove it from the thru hull, and replace it with a threaded plug that fits the thru hull. This is easy on many boats where the fitting is easy to reach - you just get a few cups of water coming in between removal and replacement. However, on my MKV the thru hull is very hard to reach, so I have reserved this activity for winter, when the boat is on the parking lot and can not sink.
4. You must never cut the wire leading from the transducer to the instrument - you must disconnect at the instrument end and pull it all the way forward to the thru hull and keep it attached to the transducer. That is a pain - so try servicing the instrument end first.
Distant Thunder
MKV Hull #69
Re: Difficult access to instrument transducers on Mark V boat. This concerned me also, so I installed a round 6" access port (Beckson, if I remember correctly) on the forward side of the "bridge deck" which separates the head area from the storage area under the V-berth. This can't be seen during normal use of the boat, but it gives me much better access to the thruhulls in case of an emergency; I just need to unscrew the access port cover. In retrospect, I wish I had installed this on the aft face of the structure. There, access to the thruhulls would be even better, and the hell with apprearances. Safety first.
Bob, Heatwave
Last edited by (2004-12-31 06:28:17)
what happens if you "cut the wire" from the transducer to the instrument?
I cut mine a while back when I had to have the transducer serviced. No problems yet, but they are probably coming.
Faced with a similar situation but with a Raymarine ST60 instrument, I queried Practical Sailor about whether the length of the wire could affect the resistance and, hence, the accuracy of the instrument. I was told that this was the case. That said, I was told by Silva (previous boat) that it shouldn't affect their instruments' accuracy. I think the change in impedance from a minor shortening of the wire shouldn't be a huge problem; besides, instruments can be calibrated. I also suspect the factories don't want people shortening the cables and then resoldering connectors, etc., improperly and then bugging them with questions.
Ken Pole
Santiva
Ottawa
Ken Pole, Ottawa
1975 Mark III Santiva
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