depth gauge not working
 

Well actually it did take one reading for a brief moment. I checked out the transducer in my boat and it looked fine as far as I could tell. I was thinking about replacing it especially at 58 bucks or so. Are there any other tests I can do to make sure the transducer is the culprit?

Re: depth gauge not working
 

does the display seem to have power? Mine quit working and found a blown inline fuse. Replaced that and seems to be working ok.

Re: depth gauge not working
 

Check to see if the x-ducer has come unseated. If there is air under it you may get no reading. Put enough water in the bilge to submerse the x-ducer and see if you get a reading. If so you would need to remove and re-stick it with no air pockets.

Re: depth gauge not working
 

Unsane, I had a similar problem with mine. Almost always read zero. Sometimes it would work for a short time, then it would hunt up and down. Found out the transducer puck had come loose from the hull even though it looked like it was still epoxied down. If this is the case with yours I think you can reuse it. Hope this helps.
Dave

Re: depth gauge not working
 

Yes unit on dash has power, it did read once for a brief second. I did check the transducer and it appeared to be seated. I'll take another closer look at it and just restick it. Thanks guys!

Re: depth gauge not working
 

If you have to restick it... make sure that the location (and puck) are clean and then use SLOW setting epoxy... like a half hour or longer... air bubbles in regular fast set epoxy will stay in the epoxy and mess with your puck.

Good luck.

Re: depth gauge not working
 

I have one reading 20 some feet when I'm in 3ft of water... stirring mud. It looks ancient and came w/the boat and will be replaced eventually, but I'd like to figure it out for now. Any ideas?

Box on top right dash... don't remember the brand, it's all tarped up now. Puck in bildge.

Re: depth gauge not working
 

one good test would be to get the boat on plain-go as fast as you can towards the beach-when the boat stops -look at the guage-if it reads 0 its working ok.make sure it reads 0 when the boat stops or you may have to recalibrate it alittle

Re: depth gauge not working
 

Nice. :evilb: :eek: :D

Re: depth gauge not working
 

Thanks Mr Mercruiser. I see how you got your name. Most helpful.
Sometimes you can over look the obvious, that's what makes this tech forum so helpful. You don't get all the bs here like some other forums.

Re: depth gauge not working
 

My previous non stepped boat had the transducer in the bilge. It was epoxied in a PVC tube that was FG'd to the hull bottom.I don't know if the tube extended into teh bottom or was just flush with it. That one would read up to 80mph every time.
My current boat, stepped bottom, never worked after the boat was put in gear. Even at idle speed, so no chance of air. It was just epoxied to the bottom in the bilge.

Re: depth gauge not working
 

:D :D

That won't work, has to be in water. But it should work right up till it says 0. ;)

Re: depth gauge not working
 

Hell, I already did that with my Stingray!!! :eek:

Re: depth gauge not working
 

Craig I am sure you allready checked all of your connections under the dash but if it worked for a minute mabee just a bad ground or something simple take another look even run a temporary ground wire to make sure if you find nothing there then it is most likely your x-ducer try reseting it like fund razor said
Darryl

Re: depth gauge not working
 

I did double check it again today, everything looks fine except where the wire gets crimped because of that round access panel. It looks and feels solid in there, won't wiggle or anything. I'll pick up some epoxy at the Home DeePot this week and if that doesn't work, then I'll just take it out and point it at the Ex, she's very shallow, should set off the alarm :evilb: :evilb:

Re: depth gauge not working
 

Unsane, call me and I will be glad to help you troubleshoot the problem. Make sure that when you re-mount the transducer, that it is at least 10" from the center of the vee(cored from center out 10"). That is why the transducer is mounted in that inspection hole and not in the step itself. There was some problems with epoxy that was supplied with the transducers and a lot of them came loose from the hull. If this happened to the original owner, it may have been re-attached with an adhesive that does not allow good transmission of the signal. This may explain why it is still secure but not working correctly. I use Marine Tex, be sure to remove current adhesive. My number is 252-975-7048, ask for Chris.

Re: depth gauge not working
 

I'll keep your number and call you the next time I'm with the boat, probably this Sat, thanks for all the help.

Re: depth gauge not working
 

Unsane, that is my work number here at Fountain, and we aren't here on Saturdays. Also if you call with your address, I'll be glad to send you warranty registration info so that the hull warranty can be transferred to your name. I am available from 8:00-5:00 EST Monday-Friday.

Re: depth gauge not working
 

I'm off work today, I'll go over to the storage this afternoon and call you from the boat, thanks.

Re: depth gauge not working
 

I tried to get over to the boat today, but I guess I'm not feeling as good as I thought (mild case of food poisoning or something) I'll get a hold of you when I can get over there during the week. Can I just PM my info to you for the warranty stuff?

Re: depth gauge not working
 

rackster
So they should not be as close to center as possible, because the bottoms are cored there?
Why do some stepped boats have the transducer mounted in the bilge, and others under the cabin step? Mine is a '99 32 and it was in the bildge, but it never worked. I popped it loose and hung it over the side and it read just fine then. Where do you recommend me to remount mine at? Inside the cabin step, it is not wide enough to mount it 10" off center.

1 more question. What are the approx 4" wide strips that are FG in the bottom of the bilge, mounting blocks for the bilge pumps?
Thanks

Re: depth gauge not working
 

Just send your info to my email address ([email protected]) and let me know your hull id #, and I will get the paperwork mailed to you.

Re: depth gauge not working
 

US1Fountain, just about every model Fountain is cored down the center (approx. 10" from center on each side of the keel). I checked on the transducer location for your boat and was informed that we mounted it in the step (going into the cabin). Mount it as far to the side as you can. I don't know why yours was mounted in the bilge (possibly aftermarket installation?). The 4" strips are there to add "stiffness" to the hull bottom. FG has good strength on its own, but will flex without coring or "stiffeners". They help to keep the bottom straight without having to core the entire hull.

Re: depth gauge not working
 

I'm planning on installing the depthsounder in my '91 27' Fever as soon as i get it on the water. Being that there's no step, should i still try to put it under the step in the cabin, or can i put it in the bilge? I would think the rear part of the boat is more likely to still be in the water at speed.

Re: depth gauge not working
 

SD, you can install it in the bilge, just mount it off center about 10".

Re: depth gauge not working
 

I have no idea if it was added later. I bought it used.
It was mentioned earlier about mounted inside an access hole. Is that the large hole with the snap in cover thru the side inside of the cabin step? I never knew why it was there. Figured it was to do with the sink. Would it be better to mount the transducer inside that access hole, or is that to far off center?
Thanks for looking up that info for me. Much appreciated.

Re: depth gauge not working
 

That access hole is where you should mount it. That way you will be outside of the coring. Don't mind helping any way that I can, thats what I do here. Sometimes it takes a little research, (everything not documented as well as it could have been, especially older boats). Call or email any time.

Re: depth gauge not working
 

Thanks!