RE. Depth Sounder

[Lake Effect 340]

Wondering if anybody has had this problem. 2006 340 sundancer with smartcraft 5000 and e-80 . a All the smartcraft functions work properly with the exception of the depth finder. Looked at the transducer and it appears to be ok .I was also told that they need to be filled with fluid, dont know if thatis the case.Any suggestions would be helpful. Were currently in storage as there is still snow on the ground.

 

[Henry Boyd]

You do know that the depth transducer does not work when the boat is out of the water?

Not trying to yank your chain, but you didn't say when it stopped working.

Henry

ps Welcome Aboard

 

[Lake Effect 340]

The depth finder was functioning when I sea trialed the boat. After takind delivery of it and traveling two days back on the barge canal , it stopped working and has not functioned since.

 

[Jaay757]

I am also having the same problem, no depth. This is the only function not working. Any suggestions would be appreciated also.
Thanks

 

[Henry Boyd]

OK, lets get serious.

LE 340, I doubt you have an in hull transducer as it really is a c%$p set up. The actual transducer is suspended inside of a container that is adhered to the inside of the hull. The housing is about the size of a pound can of coffee with a domed head. It will be full of mineral oil. The problem is they always come loose and leak a quart of mineral oil into the bilge. If you have one and it has this problem, there will be a noticeable oil slick.


The first step is to determine how the depth information gets to the SC5000. There are two ways this can happen:

1) The depth transducer is a part supplied by Mercury and is a Smartcraft transducer. In this configuration depth can only be displayed on Smartcraft devices when the ignition system is on. Smartcraft on a stock 2006 boat can only receive incoming data, it can not export it. The ability to export data from Smartcraft has only just been introduced in the past couple years.

2) The depth transducer is part of the RM system. The transducer is connected either to a ST-40 or ST 60 depth gauge or a DSM (Digital Sounder Module). These are connected to the E80 via RM's SeaTalk protocol. In both cases for the data to get from RM to SC it has to be converted from SeaTalk to NMEA0183 and then exported from the E80 to the SC5000. This by the way is how GPS waypoint data gets sent to the SC5000.

Determining what is wrong, and how to fix it will depend on whether your boat is configured as option 1, or option 2.

Some possible hints:
1. a gauge on the dash for depth, ST-60 tri-data, or dedicated ST-depth gauge, or a RayMarine box under the dash marked DSM followed by some numbers (30,300,250 are possible models), or you remember having depth, or fish finder data on your E80 means option 2.

2. On the back of your engine (output side where transmission is connected) there is a short wiring harness on the engine that should be tagged depth, temp and speed. If that has a plug you then have to trace that back to its sources. The speed portion will go to the paddle wheel sensor. Temp and depth will go to the depth transducer. If the depth transducer connects to the engine harness, it is Smartcraft - option 1.

LE340 where yours is out of the water you can locate the transducer and paddlewheel from the outside. The transducer will be about 3" in diameter raised slightly from the hull.

Henry

 

[Lake Effect 340]

Thanks for imput regaurding the depth sounder. In my case I have a thru hull transducer. Idid not notice any "oil slick " in the bilge .Just figured since the boats is up on blocks, now is the time to address the issue.Thanks

 

[kaz911]

I don't have a fix, but have the same issues with the E-80. My depth/fish finder freezes at irregular intervals, and often the only way to restore it is to de-power the raymarine 300 box to reset it. (I have the raymarine 300 module with a B-60 thru hull transducer)

I've tried updating the software and firmware to no avail. Irritating as hell.

Just a fyi: If you go to THT there is a whole thread on DSM300 problems - and Raymarine standing up and saying they WILL fix them all not matter what the age of the DSM300... Especially if the DSM300 was made in Mexico.

http://www.thehulltruth.com/marine-electronics-forum/483462-open-invitation-raymarine.html

 

[jason78]

If indeed you do have a Smartcraft transducer, these are known to be problematic after several years of use. As Henry Boyd already mentioned, If it is a SC transducer, the cable from the transducer should plug in to the harness on one of the engines, probably the Starboard. This should be relatively easy to see. If the cable disappears in to the abyss of wiring, it is probably going to the Raymarine System.

Question- Has the depth EVER functioned? Is this something that just stopped working or never worked? Do you have proper Sea Temp readings? Normally people report the Sea Temp goes out first and either reads insanely high or low. My guess would be a bad transducer if it is SC since it is such a common problem. The fix for that is replacement at around $200-$300 last time I checked. Quick fix though.

 

[Jaay757]

Henry,
great info I am also on the hard and shrink wrapped. Should be coming off soon so maybe I can get a fix also. Will let u know my findings.
thanks
Jason

 

[rcuff]

Hello all- I am new to Club Sea Ray and you have provided answers that I could not get from anyone. I have been having a similar problem this year with my SC 5000 depth finder. I have a 2007 Sundancer 320 which we purchased a year ago. Depth finder worked well last year but since launch this spring has intermittently displaying depth and then "---" on the screen. Sea temp and air temp appear to be working fine. I just had someone from the shipyard look at it and they think it is the transducer (but wasn't sure) and cannot evaluate or replace it until we are out of water. Interestingly, I have noticed an increase in oil in water coming out of bilge pump if the boat sits for a while. Which is now explainable given the response to this thread. Hope everyone has a good close to the summer and thanks again for your expertise and help.