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Forums, Electrical Systems, Navigation and Safety equipment, Depth sounder transducer

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00:45 16 October 2023

Depth sounder transducer

Zoom 495 at 20/10/2015 16:38:13
Hello all. It looks like I will haul Zoom out of the water forr a while this winter to do some stern gear work.
So, in the interest of getting two birds stoned at once (Canadian saying ), I would like to do something about the depth sounder. Presently, the transducer sticks straight down through the hull just forward of the nav station bulkhead under the stbd settee. It protrudes in a very parasitical dragging kind of way out of the hull. There appears to be a transducer on the vessel`s centreline, just forward of the heads compartment under a hatch on the sole. The cable for it terminates dead end at the nav station. Is this a depth sounder transducer? Can I find an instrument that can use it if it is?
And whilst on the subject of electrics, what make/model of tiller pilot is fashionable on Contessa 32 these days?
Thanks folks,
Cheers,kris

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00:45 16 October 2023

Depth sounder transducer

George Isted at 22/10/2015 17:07:33
Hi Kris,
the transducer that is on the centreline just forward of the heads is almost certainly an old depth transducer that would have been fitted when new and is where they are normally located. You can replace this by drilling out the old and fitting a new one of the correct type for your electronics (although most manufacturers uses Airmar transducers). A new transducer will come with a plastic skin fitting designed to be used on a flat part of the hull but can be used on a Co32’s centreline if you are happy to build up the area around it. Alternatively you can buy a bronze fitting from the Rogers yard that is easier to bond in-place and does not have a flange

Tiller-pilots – Raymarine ST2000+ and Simrad TP20 and TP30 are ok but for heavy use I would suggest going for something with a separate ram and controls like the Raymarine Evolution EV100 kit.

Hope this helps

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00:46 16 October 2023

Depth sounder transducer

Zoom 495 at 22/10/2015 18:15:55
Thank you George. I thought that was a transducer. Seems like a more logical spot than the one I have now. Too bad one can`t get an older depth sounder and use the transducer as/where it is!
Now I shall shop around for a tiller pilot also. If I go with the ST2000or TP20/30 is it best to use the tiller pilot bracket supplied by Rogers, or can I get by with something else?
It will be busy refit this winter for Zoom!

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00:46 16 October 2023

Depth sounder transducer

doug at 26/10/2015 19:22:35
These people:

http://www.echopilot.com/products/

….used to do a product called the Bronze+ Depth or alternatively the Bronze trio:

http://www.echopilotdigital.com/bronze-trio.htm

(This semi defunct page shows a few details of the Trio, ignore the bit at the bottom about looking forward it is a simple sounder)

They could be configured to use almost any existing transducer, however they have been discontinued in the past couple of years.

They are a small company, it might just be worth giving them an E mail. Otherwise you would probably have to source a secondhand unit.
Edited: doug on 2015-10-26 19:25:37

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00:46 16 October 2023

Depth sounder transducer

Galatea at 30/10/2015 00:55:20
Kris,
I have the Airmar P79 transducer (http://www.blueheronmarine.com/airmar-p79-mix-match-transducer-p79-mm-31-234-1-11/) mounted inside the hull under the forward end of the port berth. The transducer works easily down to a few hundred feet. If you decide to go this route you can glass over the hole from the old transducer.
Mark

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00:46 16 October 2023

Depth sounder transducer

Keny at 30/10/2015 19:56:26
The Nasamarine one does’t need a skin fitting at all. You’re present forward one could be this – need to identify it with a pic.
keny

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00:46 16 October 2023

Depth sounder transducer

Speedwell at 07/02/2016 17:50:04
Sorry to hijack this thread but when looking in the forepeak floor cubby today I noticed the Airmar transducer caked in what I presume us salt crystals which I’m sure weren’t there a few weeks ago. Is this normal? Google is no help as all I get is a million hits about crystal transducers.

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00:46 16 October 2023

Depth sounder transducer

George Isted at 08/02/2016 12:10:53
Hi Red, it doesn’t sound normal, maybe you have a small leak there, not enough to cause a problem but the seawater is drying out to leave the salt?

Maybe you should get a service kit for the transducer to replace the O-rings? There should also be some lube on the O-rings, probably silicone grease but worth checking because the wrong lube may eat the rubber or plastic.

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00:46 16 October 2023

Depth sounder transducer

Speedwell at 08/02/2016 19:17:58
Thanks George. I washed the salt off and there is a rim of water in a lip around the edge of the fitting which doesn’t want to dry out. I suspect the salt is being created by the evaporation as you say. The hull fitting is sound and there is no water escaping the unit so I’ll keep an eye on it and have it properly looked at next time she’s lifted out. At least I know the dehumidifier is working!

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00:46 16 October 2023

Depth sounder transducer

George Isted at 08/02/2016 20:31:02
Is it the Depth or the speed transducer that we are talking about here? Most likely it’s the speed/Log and a new set of O-ring seals can be fitted while afloat. You should have a blanking plug you can stick in the hole while you replace the seals.

If quick you will get no more than a pint or so of water into the boat when swapping he transducer for the plug, less if your transducer fitting has a flap to slow ingress (many do).

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00:47 16 October 2023

Depth sounder transducer

Speedwell at 09/02/2016 19:08:57

Thanks George. Actually it’s the depth one which is more or less flush to the hull and unfortunately no blanking plug. Looks most like this one on the Airmar website.

http://www.airmartechnology.com/2009/products/marine-product.asp?prodid=33&manf=All

I do have the blanking plug for the speedo which works well if I remember to put it in the right way round!

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