Testing a depth transducer

[fryedaze]

My Raymarine 127e is not recognizing the sonar transducer. It has worked well for about 18 months, but now it doesn't indicated depth or feed the fish finder page. The page message tells me to connect the transducer and restart the unit.
Is there anything I can do to test it? Maybe take resistance readings?

Cant find anything on the net.
Thanks

 

[psneeld]

If installed...pretty hard.


Any troubleshooting guidance on the AIRMAR site? they have pretty good install info....or maybe a tech support call?


Abut the only thing I know of is see if you can borrow someone's fishfinder or MFD that will accept the ducer plug and see if it works with that one...if not, I would suspect the ducer, wiring, pins....

 

[bayview]

check the cable connections for corrosion.

 

[rwidman]

You're not telling us much. Is it still there? Are the wires still connected? Could the transducer have been damaged during a haulout or other work? Could the cable have been damaged? Does the depth sounder have it's own power supply like some Garmins and if so, is it getting power? Is it showing an error message?


Have you tried removing power from everything (not just turning it off) for a few minutes and then reconnecting the power?

 

[fryedaze]

You're not telling us much. Is it still there? I don't know, but my diver was on the hull last week cleaning and I assume he would have reported if it was smashed. Are the wires still connected? Yes, I have traced the entire length, it looks good. Its actually in a plastic wire sheath. Could the transducer have been damaged during a haulout or other work? I really don know, probably not. Could the cable have been damaged? I don't think so. Does the depth sounder have it's own power supply like some Garmins and if so, is it getting power? No its fed from the display unit. Is it showing an error message? Yes is says to connect the transducer and restart the unit/


Have you tried removing power from everything (not just turning it off) for a few minutes and then reconnecting the power? Yes I have down powered everything from the breakers.

After disconnecting and reconnecting the cable several times the unit started to work for about a minute and then was intermittent for a few seconds on and off. Then it went back to the error message that the transducer should be connected and restart. Sounds like I may have a bad connection.

 

[jwnall]

. Sounds like I may have a bad connection.

Yup. That would be my guess. Probably some corrosion.

 

[rwidman]

Another thought: Is the cable crimped somewhere? Is it strapped down too tight with wire ties? Try wiggling the wires at the plug and at the transducer.


I'm not sure the diver would inspect the transducer unless you asked him to.

 

[DonnyMeek]

Are the wires still connected? Could the transducer have been damaged during a haulout or other work?
Could the cable have been damaged?
Does the depth sounder have it's own power supply like some Garmins and if so, is it getting power?

 

[Bluto]

I don't know if you already have this or tried it, but there's electrical contact cleaner spray you can pick up at the local electric supply.
Give all the plugs a good spray, brush up anything you can and work the plugs on and off a few times while wet.
The cleaner evaporates in a few minutes.

Good luck, I hope it isn't broken.

 

[TG]

Also, turn it on and put your ear near the transducer. If it's working you will hear it clicking.

If it's a transducer that shoots through the hull, make sure the fluid (ethylene glycol) hasn't leaked out of the tank.

 

[fryedaze]

Now that we are sitting in Marathon for a while I will give all these great ideas a shot.

 

[fryedaze]

I can't hear any ticking in my good or bad sounder. I did discover that a voltage tester will alarm as the good transducer pulses. I have one of those gadgets that light up and alarm when next to a hot wire. Diver says transducer looks fine.
Does anyone know a good Electroncs Technician in Marathon FL.?

 

[Shoalwaters]

If there are plugs at both ends, how about unplugging them and doing continuity tests?

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. S. I haven't seen many transducers but those I have seen only have a plug at one end.

 

[fryedaze]

I will cut the cable at the transducer today. Airman (transducer company) says the cable can be cut and spliced. I will do the continuity check after cutting

 

[fryedaze]

Mission accomplished

Cut the cable about 18" from the transducer and did resistance checks back to the MFD connection. One of the bare copper strand wires was open. There was a spot where the bilge floor board pressed on the wire. Over time the strands let loose. There was only a small sign of wear from the board compressing the wire jacket. Used a splice box and wired its back up. Works fine now. Thanks for the help TF.

 

[Shoalwaters]

Thanks for letting us know the end of the story.
I always like a happy ending!

 

[fryedaze]

The rest of the story! The sounder started acting up again. It turns out that the Voice of America transmission towers screw up lots of electronics in Marathon Fl. The unit stated working fine once we left Marathon. I called Seamark Electronics and they said the towers do that. Probably 10 hours of TS and work for nothing. Live and learn.