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[email protected] February 27th 08 01:25 AM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
The depth sounder on our 1978 San Juan 28 dates from around 1983. It's
a Standard Communications DS-1. I suspect that company no longer
exists. We get crazy readings or blanks in both deep and shallow water
whatever adjustments we make. The alarm works only too well so it
thinks it's detecting something. The electric connections all look
good and clean and the PO has always painted around the transducer,
not over it.

I'm happy enough to buy a new unit but would rather not mess with the
through-hull transducer (which looks fine from the inside). Does
anyone know whether a 2008 depth sounder is compatible with a 1983
transducer, or how to check?

Thanks in advance

Richard

Capt. JG February 27th 08 02:41 AM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
wrote in message
...
The depth sounder on our 1978 San Juan 28 dates from around 1983. It's
a Standard Communications DS-1. I suspect that company no longer
exists. We get crazy readings or blanks in both deep and shallow water
whatever adjustments we make. The alarm works only too well so it
thinks it's detecting something. The electric connections all look
good and clean and the PO has always painted around the transducer,
not over it.

I'm happy enough to buy a new unit but would rather not mess with the
through-hull transducer (which looks fine from the inside). Does
anyone know whether a 2008 depth sounder is compatible with a 1983
transducer, or how to check?

Thanks in advance

Richard



Don't know, but a quick google of "Standard Communications" company marine
returns StandardHorizon.com, which seems to have some archived manuals call
DS. They've been in business since 1969.


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com




sherwindu February 27th 08 07:14 AM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
I would first check if it is the depth sounder or the transducer giving the
problem.
Get a hold of another transducer and just hang it over the side to see if the
readings
improve.

Sherwin

" wrote:

The depth sounder on our 1978 San Juan 28 dates from around 1983. It's
a Standard Communications DS-1. I suspect that company no longer
exists. We get crazy readings or blanks in both deep and shallow water
whatever adjustments we make. The alarm works only too well so it
thinks it's detecting something. The electric connections all look
good and clean and the PO has always painted around the transducer,
not over it.

I'm happy enough to buy a new unit but would rather not mess with the
through-hull transducer (which looks fine from the inside). Does
anyone know whether a 2008 depth sounder is compatible with a 1983
transducer, or how to check?

Thanks in advance

Richard



You February 27th 08 08:00 PM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
In article
,
" wrote:

It's
a Standard Communications DS-1. I suspect that company no longer
exists.


Seems like you, suspected , WRONG..... Look up Standard/Horizon
Communications, in your favorite Search Engine. They are still
a Big Player in the non-commercial Marine Electronics Business,
and doing quite well.....

[email protected] February 29th 08 01:31 AM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
On Feb 27, 12:10 pm, wrote:
On Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:00:00 GMT, You wrote:
In article
,
" wrote:


It's
a Standard Communications DS-1. I suspect that company no longer
exists.


Seems like you, suspected , WRONG..... Look up Standard/Horizon
Communications, in your favorite Search Engine. They are still
a Big Player in the non-commercial Marine Electronics Business,
and doing quite well.....


Bought by Vertex, and still in operation

http://www.standardhorizon.com/

They are out of the instrument biz, but still have "some" old parts
laying around. The tech department is very helpful if you CALL them
and ask nicely.


Yes,you're right, their tech dept is very helpful but they have
nothing left that fits my need.

If I can't get the old DS-1 working I may try a cheap inside the hull
depth sounder, eg Uniden QT 206 which you can get for under $100 and
doesn't need a hole in the hull. Some say they work fine.

Thanks for the help

Richard

Capt. JG February 29th 08 03:09 AM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
wrote in message
...
On Feb 27, 12:10 pm, wrote:
On Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:00:00 GMT, You wrote:
In article
,
" wrote:


It's
a Standard Communications DS-1. I suspect that company no longer
exists.


Seems like you, suspected , WRONG..... Look up Standard/Horizon
Communications, in your favorite Search Engine. They are still
a Big Player in the non-commercial Marine Electronics Business,
and doing quite well.....


Bought by Vertex, and still in operation

http://www.standardhorizon.com/

They are out of the instrument biz, but still have "some" old parts
laying around. The tech department is very helpful if you CALL them
and ask nicely.


Yes,you're right, their tech dept is very helpful but they have
nothing left that fits my need.

If I can't get the old DS-1 working I may try a cheap inside the hull
depth sounder, eg Uniden QT 206 which you can get for under $100 and
doesn't need a hole in the hull. Some say they work fine.

Thanks for the help

Richard



I used one of those... different manufacturer... it worked great (on a Cal
20). I glued a piece of PVC pipe to a centrally location spot, filled it
with mineral oil, then put the transducer in. I fitted a piece of PVC in the
top of the pipe with enough room for the wire to come out. It was enough to
preserve the oil level even with fairly extreme heel.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com




Bruce in Bangkok[_2_] February 29th 08 01:21 PM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
On Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:31:42 -0800 (PST), "
wrote:

On Feb 27, 12:10 pm, wrote:
On Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:00:00 GMT, You wrote:
In article
,
" wrote:


It's
a Standard Communications DS-1. I suspect that company no longer
exists.


Seems like you, suspected , WRONG..... Look up Standard/Horizon
Communications, in your favorite Search Engine. They are still
a Big Player in the non-commercial Marine Electronics Business,
and doing quite well.....


Bought by Vertex, and still in operation

http://www.standardhorizon.com/

They are out of the instrument biz, but still have "some" old parts
laying around. The tech department is very helpful if you CALL them
and ask nicely.


Yes,you're right, their tech dept is very helpful but they have
nothing left that fits my need.

If I can't get the old DS-1 working I may try a cheap inside the hull
depth sounder, eg Uniden QT 206 which you can get for under $100 and
doesn't need a hole in the hull. Some say they work fine.

Thanks for the help

Richard



Generally recent depth sounders work on one of two different
frequencies. you might try to determine what frequency your instrument
works at and try a new transponder of the same frequency.

You can but standard transponder heads designed to epoxy inside a
fiberglass hull. I have been using one for ten years with no problems.
I believe with a 'Standard" display.


Bruce-in-Bangkok
(Note:remove underscores
from address for reply)

Phil Abuster February 29th 08 02:18 PM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
Transducers will work throught the hull from the inside if properly mounted
in a bed of epoxy.

Here's one example:

http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Rayma...ransducer.html

I've mounted a thru-hull inside the hull bedding in epoxy (make sure no air
bubbles in epoxy) and it works great.

Make sure the mechanical connection of your current transducer is good. If
loose from the hull you will get erratic readings. Also, did you put
anything new/different mounted to the hull (on the inside) and then the
problems came about?


wrote in message
...
The depth sounder on our 1978 San Juan 28 dates from around 1983. It's
a Standard Communications DS-1. I suspect that company no longer
exists. We get crazy readings or blanks in both deep and shallow water
whatever adjustments we make. The alarm works only too well so it
thinks it's detecting something. The electric connections all look
good and clean and the PO has always painted around the transducer,
not over it.

I'm happy enough to buy a new unit but would rather not mess with the
through-hull transducer (which looks fine from the inside). Does
anyone know whether a 2008 depth sounder is compatible with a 1983
transducer, or how to check?

Thanks in advance

Richard




Capt. JG February 29th 08 05:39 PM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
"Phil Abuster" wrote in message
...
Transducers will work throught the hull from the inside if properly
mounted in a bed of epoxy.

Here's one example:

http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Rayma...ransducer.html

I've mounted a thru-hull inside the hull bedding in epoxy (make sure no
air bubbles in epoxy) and it works great.



They don't need to be mounted in epoxy (those not going through the hull) to
work properly. They do need to not shoot through air. If you mount them in
epoxy, you'll find it difficult to remove them if they fail. In the method I
mentioned elsewhere, you don't have to be concerned with bubbles in the
epoxy because the transducer sits in mineral oil in a stable container (one
that is epoxied to the hull in the appropriate spot). The main issue is
finding a spot via testing (as another suggested) before placing the
transducer holder.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com




Capt. JG February 29th 08 06:28 PM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
wrote in message
...
On Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:39:45 -0800, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

"Phil Abuster" wrote in message
...
Transducers will work throught the hull from the inside if properly
mounted in a bed of epoxy.

Here's one example:

http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Rayma...ransducer.html

I've mounted a thru-hull inside the hull bedding in epoxy (make sure no
air bubbles in epoxy) and it works great.



They don't need to be mounted in epoxy (those not going through the hull)
to
work properly. They do need to not shoot through air. If you mount them in
epoxy, you'll find it difficult to remove them if they fail.


Not difficult at all.


Well, it's not impossible, but it certainly easier if you don't have to do
it at all.

In the method I
mentioned elsewhere, you don't have to be concerned with bubbles in the
epoxy because the transducer sits in mineral oil in a stable container
(one
that is epoxied to the hull in the appropriate spot).


The epoxy may not have bubbles in it to begin with, and if it does, it
is a very simple matter to remedy.


I'd really like to know how... how can you be sure one doesn't develop after
it hardens? I thought you said that it happened to you? Maybe I mis-read
that... a friend is contemplating the exact same type of installation.


The main issue is
finding a spot via testing (as another suggested) before placing the
transducer holder.





--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com




Phil Abuster February 29th 08 07:38 PM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
Silicon attenuates too much (
http://scitation.aip.org/getabs/serv...cvips&gifs=yes )
, epoxy is much better. Mineral oil is very good, but it can be
messy/complicated. Ideally you want to match the speed of sound in the
materials to water to avoid high power reflections at the
transducer-epoxy-hull-water interfaces.

To bleed air bubbles from the epoxy, take an orbital sander put on a felt
pad and place it on the other side of the hull opposite the epoxy. The
vibration will bleed out the bubbles, do this before applying the transducer
and the epoxy must still be unhardened. Epoxy does sheer off in one nice big
chunk when removing. Also be sure to fill in the air bubbles in the
fiberglass mat of the hull if there are any.

Make sure you get a license before doing this!



wrote in message
...
On Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:28:20 -0800, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

wrote in message
. ..
On Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:39:45 -0800, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

"Phil Abuster" wrote in message
...
Transducers will work throught the hull from the inside if properly
mounted in a bed of epoxy.

Here's one example:

http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Rayma...ransducer.html

I've mounted a thru-hull inside the hull bedding in epoxy (make sure
no
air bubbles in epoxy) and it works great.


They don't need to be mounted in epoxy (those not going through the
hull)
to
work properly. They do need to not shoot through air. If you mount them
in
epoxy, you'll find it difficult to remove them if they fail.

Not difficult at all.


Well, it's not impossible, but it certainly easier if you don't have to do
it at all.


Actually, it's easier to remove one that is epoxied than it is to
remove all traces of silicone from one that is set in Silicone. I
removed one for a friend using a hammetr and a chisel. Took a lot less
time than when I had to deal with silicone residue n my own boat to
replace the install using epoxy. For that matter, if I was to do it
again, I wouldn't even worry about the existing puck, and would just
mount the new one in a different spot, like an inch away from the old
one. No removal is really needed.

In the method I
mentioned elsewhere, you don't have to be concerned with bubbles in the
epoxy because the transducer sits in mineral oil in a stable container
(one
that is epoxied to the hull in the appropriate spot).

The epoxy may not have bubbles in it to begin with, and if it does, it
is a very simple matter to remedy.


I'd really like to know how...


a sewing needle works very well.

how can you be sure one doesn't develop after
it hardens? I thought you said that it happened to you? Maybe I mis-read
that... a friend is contemplating the exact same type of installation.


No. The problem I had was after a few years, my silicone installation
apparently started to separate from the hull slightly (clear silicone
is NOT a good adhesive) and formed a gap that caused intermitant loss
of readings. I redid the install with epoxy and everything is fine.
The "possibility" of air bubbles is slight if you pour carefully, and
as I said, easy to remedy if there is a bubble or two.

I've done the old "tube full of oil" method, but its a lot more work,
and requires a spot with more space. It's also more vulnerable to
something knocking into it and causing it to leak. BTDT. That's why I
stopped doing them that way.



The main issue is
finding a spot via testing (as another suggested) before placing the
transducer holder.





Capt. JG February 29th 08 08:10 PM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
"Phil Abuster" wrote in message
...
Silicon attenuates too much (
http://scitation.aip.org/getabs/serv...cvips&gifs=yes )
, epoxy is much better. Mineral oil is very good, but it can be
messy/complicated. Ideally you want to match the speed of sound in the
materials to water to avoid high power reflections at the
transducer-epoxy-hull-water interfaces.

To bleed air bubbles from the epoxy, take an orbital sander put on a felt
pad and place it on the other side of the hull opposite the epoxy. The
vibration will bleed out the bubbles, do this before applying the
transducer and the epoxy must still be unhardened. Epoxy does sheer off in
one nice big chunk when removing. Also be sure to fill in the air bubbles
in the fiberglass mat of the hull if there are any.

Make sure you get a license before doing this!



Huh? How do you do that with the boat in the water... without electrocuting
yourself or the nearby diver? And, how do you do it after the epoxy has
hardened?

License??

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com




Phil Abuster February 29th 08 11:19 PM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
"Phil Abuster" wrote in message
...
Silicon attenuates too much (
http://scitation.aip.org/getabs/serv...cvips&gifs=yes )
, epoxy is much better. Mineral oil is very good, but it can be
messy/complicated. Ideally you want to match the speed of sound in the
materials to water to avoid high power reflections at the
transducer-epoxy-hull-water interfaces.

To bleed air bubbles from the epoxy, take an orbital sander put on a felt
pad and place it on the other side of the hull opposite the epoxy. The
vibration will bleed out the bubbles, do this before applying the
transducer and the epoxy must still be unhardened. Epoxy does sheer off
in one nice big chunk when removing. Also be sure to fill in the air
bubbles in the fiberglass mat of the hull if there are any.

Make sure you get a license before doing this!



Huh? How do you do that with the boat in the water... without
electrocuting yourself or the nearby diver? And, how do you do it after
the epoxy has hardened?

License??

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com




You wouldn't install a thru hull with the boat in the water would you?

The most interesting use I've found for the display type depth finder is to
press it against your belly or head and use it as an ultrasound scanner.
It's really neat to see body parts moving (such as your heart, lungs) or
check bladder fullness with it. Much cheaper than a doctor!

The license is so you don't electrocute yourself.

Salty has the whole process down pat. He must have a license.



Capt. JG February 29th 08 11:41 PM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
"Phil Abuster" wrote in message
...

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
"Phil Abuster" wrote in message
...
Silicon attenuates too much (
http://scitation.aip.org/getabs/serv...cvips&gifs=yes )
, epoxy is much better. Mineral oil is very good, but it can be
messy/complicated. Ideally you want to match the speed of sound in the
materials to water to avoid high power reflections at the
transducer-epoxy-hull-water interfaces.

To bleed air bubbles from the epoxy, take an orbital sander put on a
felt pad and place it on the other side of the hull opposite the epoxy.
The vibration will bleed out the bubbles, do this before applying the
transducer and the epoxy must still be unhardened. Epoxy does sheer off
in one nice big chunk when removing. Also be sure to fill in the air
bubbles in the fiberglass mat of the hull if there are any.

Make sure you get a license before doing this!



Huh? How do you do that with the boat in the water... without
electrocuting yourself or the nearby diver? And, how do you do it after
the epoxy has hardened?

License??

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com




You wouldn't install a thru hull with the boat in the water would you?


No, but it sounds like you would. We were talking about sounders that shoot
through the hulls.

The most interesting use I've found for the display type depth finder is
to press it against your belly or head and use it as an ultrasound
scanner. It's really neat to see body parts moving (such as your heart,
lungs) or check bladder fullness with it. Much cheaper than a doctor!


Sounds like you wouldn't find much if you point it at your head! LOL

The license is so I don't electrocute myself.


I agree!

Salty has the whole process down pat. He must have a brain.





--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com




Wayne.B March 1st 08 12:29 AM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
On Fri, 29 Feb 2008 19:07:31 -0500, WaIIy wrote:

It's a fantastic adhesive.

You just need to know how to apply it.


Please do tell us.


Red March 2nd 08 03:34 AM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
Wally stated:
Final cleaning with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol works well.


Isopropyl alcohol leaves quite a lot of residue unless rubbed dry with a
clean cloth.

You can dip your finger in IPA to work it if you want to smooth a seam,
wipe a drip, etc. Also good for cleanup before initial set.


Why on earth would you want to waste a good India Pale Ale that way???

Red

Jakob Krutzfeld March 3rd 08 05:40 PM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...

Sounds like you wouldn't find much if you point it at your head! LOL


If it were pointed toward your rectum we would find an assortment of
interesting objects, including your head! LOL



Gregory Hall March 3rd 08 05:47 PM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 

"Jakob Krutzfeld" wrote in message
...

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...

Sounds like you wouldn't find much if you point it at your head! LOL


If it were pointed toward your rectum we would find an assortment of
interesting objects, including your head! LOL


It sure doesn't take long for people to realize Jon Boy is gay. Har har har!



Martin Baxter March 4th 08 02:40 PM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
WaIIy wrote:
On Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:01:20 -0500, wrote:

clear silicone
is NOT a good adhesive)


It's a fantastic adhesive.

You just need to know how to apply it.

Ps - Silicone is not gas and oil friendly.


NASA spent a bazillion bucks trying to find a suitable adhesive for the
heat shield tiles on the shuttle, ended up using good ol' silicone, (RTV
if you want to sound tech savvy).

Cheers
Marty

Marty[_2_] March 5th 08 04:35 AM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
wrote:

NASA spent a bazillion bucks trying to find a suitable adhesive for the
heat shield tiles on the shuttle, ended up using good ol' silicone, (RTV
if you want to sound tech savvy).

Cheers
Marty


Adhesive Bond Used on Columbia Space Shuttle Known to be Less Heat
Resistant, Says UB Materials Engineer


[snip PHD's pontificating]


Some days I wonder if they hand out PHDs with cornflakes. Typical
adhesives only good to 250F? What a crock. Just look at the use of high
temp silicones to gasket any modern internal combustion engine. Look
even further at the products manufactured by Loctite and used to both
fix an seal numerous fasteners and surfaces in relatively high
temperature places in motors manufactured by Rotax.

From a personal empirical point of view; I had bonded cement tiles to
drywall to act as a heatshield behind a wood fired cook stove in my
house, following a house fire, within two feet of the nearest tiles, the
tiles still could not be pulled of the wall by hand. A wrecking bar had
to be employed and the drywall was pulled apart. BTW, the fire had
nothing to do with the cook stove, but it did lead to about $200k in
repairs.

Cheers
Marty

Jakob Krutzfeld March 5th 08 03:49 PM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 

wrote in message
...

How well did your heat shield hold up during the streeses of supersonic
re-entry
from space?


There is controversy:

http://pointfiveblog.com/index.php/2005/07/39




Capt. JG March 5th 08 05:13 PM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
wrote in message
...

How well did your heat shield hold up during the streeses of supersonic
re-entry
from space?



Houston, we have a problem....

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com




Martin Baxter March 6th 08 01:28 PM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
WaIIy wrote:
On Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:40:17 -0500, Martin Baxter
wrote:

WaIIy wrote:
On Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:01:20 -0500, wrote:

clear silicone
is NOT a good adhesive)
It's a fantastic adhesive.

You just need to know how to apply it.

Ps - Silicone is not gas and oil friendly.

NASA spent a bazillion bucks trying to find a suitable adhesive for the
heat shield tiles on the shuttle, ended up using good ol' silicone, (RTV
if you want to sound tech savvy).

Cheers
Marty


Nice try, but no.


You could perhaps cite a source for your cynicism?

"To prevent damage to the tiles, Strain Isolation Pads - a layer of
nylon felt Nomex (flame-retardant material)- are used between the tiles
and the orbiter's surface. The pads are bonded to the tiles, as well as
to the skin of the Shuttle, with RTV, a room-temperature vulcanizing
silicone adhesive. The tile surface bonded to the pads is densified with
silica-type solutions for added tensile strength."

Even the grout uses RTV "The gap fillers are envelopes of ceramic fiber
cloth stuffed with a resilient ceramic filler batt, and sometimes with a
metal foil. The filler bar consists of strips of Nomex felt coated with
RTV, and is part of the assembly method used for tiles."

See
http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/nasafact/tps.htm.

Now your were saying?

Cheers
Marty
See

Martin Baxter March 6th 08 01:30 PM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
wrote:
On Tue, 04 Mar 2008 23:35:29 -0500, Marty wrote:

wrote:
NASA spent a bazillion bucks trying to find a suitable adhesive for the
heat shield tiles on the shuttle, ended up using good ol' silicone, (RTV
if you want to sound tech savvy).

Cheers
Marty
Adhesive Bond Used on Columbia Space Shuttle Known to be Less Heat
Resistant, Says UB Materials Engineer

[snip PHD's pontificating]


Some days I wonder if they hand out PHDs with cornflakes.


I dunno. At least he didn't use the term "bazillion bucks"


When did you lose your sense of humor?

Cheers
Marty
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Martin Baxter March 6th 08 05:52 PM

Depth Sounder on the blink
 
wrote:


When did you lose your sense of humor?


Last Saturday, why? Have you found it?

Cheers
Marty




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