Raymarine c80 with Airman Transducer depth finder issues

[PLyn]

Raymarine c80 with Airmar Transducer depth finder issues

Hi everyone, I'm once again looking for your help as I'm not getting any depth readings on both my Raymarine c80 and vessel view devices. I went boating last weekend and depth reading was fine. I noticed the temperature reading was off (reading 152 degrees Fahrenheit). After anchoring for the day I had no depth readings once we restarted the engines. I did some research and spoke with my marine mechanic to find a fix. Everything pointed to either a loose connection or a bad DSM. I spent all day yesterday pulling he boat apart searching for the DSM; which in nowhere to be found. Is it possible to connect an Airman Transducer directly to Vessel View or a c80 without a DSM?

Here's what I have done so far;

1/ Removed the Airman (through hull) transducer, cleaned and replaced. Did not hear any 'ticking' coming from the transducer
2/ Traced wire from the transducer into a wire harness which seems to lead to the helm. Could not find a DSM.
3/ Performed a Factory 'Sensor' Reset on the Vessel View, but still no depth reading.

Does anyone know where to find the DSM if one is installed onboard? My boat is a 2008 Sea Ray 330DA.

Is there a way to test if the transducer has truly bit the dust?

Have I missed anything?

Thanks in advance for your responses!

Peter

 

[Creekwood]

A couple of things to check.

Is the Airmar transducer the kind that is angled and sits in a plastic well? If so, is the well full of antifreeze? If not, that would be your problem. You need to have it filled with liquid. Up here you should use antifreeze so it won't freeze and break. Some use mineral oil, but its messy and can dissolve the sealant holding the well to the hull.

If the DSM is not turned on you will get a no DSM warning and the sonar won't show at all. If you are seeing the sonar page, but with --.- for depth, then I would bet on the first item being your issue.

The installation manual shows pictures of what the sonar symbol should look like upper right side of the screen. Its a boat icon with a fish under it. If its grayed out, your DSM is not connected.

 

[PLyn]

Thanks for the advice. The transducer is the type that is exposed to the water. When you pull it out you get a gush of water coming in the bilge. On the c80 the boat icon with the fish is grayed out, so I'm guessing there is no DSM or it is disconnected. Do you know where the cable from the DSM should be connected? I'll try tracing the cable back in the opposite direction if I know where to start.


Peter

 

[Creekwood]

Mine is not the original plotter so not sure. The DSM unit is not a small box. It's about 8 inches square and 2 inches high. Either trace the wire from the transducer or from the C80 head unit. If it's there you should find it.

 

[Bay B's]

Sounds like you have standard temp/depth Airmar transducer installation from Sea Ray (no DSM). And it sounds like the transducer's connections are faulted or the transducer is bad. I believe the transducer is connected to Vessel View then to the C80 either NMEA or SeaTalk. Double check the connections and clean/repair as needed. Hopefully your transducer is still good.

Hi everyone, I'm once again looking for your help as I'm not getting any depth readings on both my Raymarine c80 and vessel view devices. I went boating last weekend and depth reading was fine. I noticed the temperature reading was off (reading 152 degrees Fahrenheit). After anchoring for the day I had no depth readings once we restarted the engines. I did some research and spoke with my marine mechanic to find a fix. Everything pointed to either a loose connection or a bad DSM. I spent all day yesterday pulling he boat apart searching for the DSM; which in nowhere to be found. Is it possible to connect an Airman Transducer directly to Vessel View or a c80 without a DSM?

Here's what I have done so far;

1/ Removed the Airman (through hull) transducer, cleaned and replaced. Did not hear any 'ticking' coming from the transducer
2/ Traced wire from the transducer into a wire harness which seems to lead to the helm. Could not find a DSM.
3/ Performed a Factory 'Sensor' Reset on the Vessel View, but still no depth reading.

Does anyone know where to find the DSM if one is installed onboard? My boat is a 2008 Sea Ray 330DA.

Is there a way to test if the transducer has truly bit the dust?

Have I missed anything?

Thanks in advance for your responses!

Peter

 

[searay495]

I am having the same problem, except I get an intermediate depth reading. I called Raymarine and the rep told me the transducer either works or it doesn't. He also told me to check the DSM, and I also can't find one. I believe I have the same set up. My boat however is 2003.

 

[Bucit]

I thought you had to have a DSM in order for the depth to show on your C-80. I would trace the wire from the head unit and see where it goes. I think it's the smaller 4 or 5 DIN plug that's on the left of the unit (looking at the screen).

 

[searay495]

I'm sorry, but I should have clarified, but my C80 does not show depth, only the smart craft. Just got off the phone with Mercruiser who gave me a totally different answer from the rep I initially spoke with. This last one told me he knows of no DSM, and that the transducer can work intermittently..!!! Go figure. Now what?

 

[Bay B's]

Bucit, I think you're correct. He never mentioned seeing depth on the C80. Going from standard Sea Ray install (I had depth and temp available in SmartCraft, but not on C80 or C70), I added a DSM and an additional transducer for added FF/Sonar features.
Like you said, check the back of the C80 to see if a DSM cable is connected.
Page 38 shows factory installed DSM location on helm behind the panels.
http://searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/Company1729/_24_14201233038PM.pdf

 

[PLyn]

Hi everyone, thanks for all of the great advice so far. This forum is awesome! Just to clarify, I turned on the depth and temp readings on the c80 but they both show zeros. I also pulled out the c80 and there is no cable in the DSM plug. So I'm now certain that I do not have a DSM on board. I also found another thread that mentioned that the transducer can be wired into a harness that connects in behind the starboard engine.(http://clubsearay.com/archive/index.php/t-58321.html) I've asked my mechanic to have a look for me. I'm hoping that it's just a loose connection. I'll report back with what he finds.

Cheers!

Peter

 

[PLyn]

Re: Raymarine c80 with Airmar Transducer depth finder issues

So my mechanic has confirmed that I had an Airmar Smart IDT P17-RETR transducer and has now replaced it with a new Airmar Smart IDT800-P617V-12 transducer. I have also performed a sensor reset on my vessel view and I still do not have any depth or temp readings.

Do you guys have any other thoughts on what to check next?

Thanks!

Peter

 

[rwf]

Very helpful thread, as I have similar issues. My depth sounder is intermittent, often working in the slip, quits after an hour or so until the engines are power cycled. When broken I get the --.- depth reading and a temp of -29 degrees.

My question is about getting the transducer out, it is pretty stuck in there. How much force to apply? Is the sensor keyed (so don't twist it) or can it rotate in the housing? That is, just pull / wiggle the sensor, or also twist?

I'm trying to get a read on whether I have to wait until hauled to get it out or if I can apply a bit more oomph. Last thing I want is to somehow crack it and have a leaking transducer I can't get out.

Thanks. It's great that everyone on this forum is willing to share their experience!

Rich

 

[PLyn]

Hi Rich, I got lucky. My transducer was the retractable type that you can simply pull out after unscrewing the locking cap. Be prepared for the gush of water that will come in and quickly insert the plug to block the flow. If yours is not the retractable type, you will have to haul out your boat.

Good luck!

Peter


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[rwf]

I suspect mine is welded in by paint or barnacles.


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[j98052]

I have a 2008 Sundancer 330 that I purchased about 2 months ago, with a Raymarine c80. Until a few days ago, I had depth on the C80 and VesselView, but now I get an error on the C80 stating that it no longer was getting signal from the DSM. I reset everything, but still no luck.

I do see a transducer in the bilge, under the batter charger, that has a plug zip-tied to it. If I pull it out (and put the plug in), what do I look for? Or do I assume I need to replace it?

BTW, the temperature has always been off by 30-40 degrees.

 

[SAshton]

Same boat here. -29 and depth all --- hate to spend 300 on a new sensor if that doesn't fix it. If so when putting new sensor in any sealant or just in screw and pop new one in?