Replacement for my Depth Gauge

WGW Tuftonboro · 05-16-2011, 02:47 PM

My depth gauge went on my boat. Are there any good wireless systems that are effective?

chillininnh · 05-16-2011, 03:00 PM

If there is a wireless option I'm not aware of one. What brand is the gauge that failed? Transom mount transducer or thru-hull? Does it stand alone or is it built into the factory dash?

WGW Tuftonboro · 05-16-2011, 03:03 PM

I believe it is transom mount and it is a factory gauge in dash - 1995 Four Winns

chillininnh · 05-17-2011, 07:28 AM

It's tough to give a good recommendation without seeing it. Often times the factory simply installs there own bezel over a popular gauge manufacturers gauge. Is it clear that the gauge has failed or is it possible the transducer or transducer cable has been compromised? Is it a traditional gauge standing alone on the dash(2 5/16" round) or is it imbedded in a custom panel (I have seen these in Cobalts)?

lawn psycho · 05-17-2011, 04:59 PM

Pretty sure you have a Faria depth gauge. Is the gauge dead with no read out and back lighting or just reading wacky?

http://www.faria-instruments.com/depthsounder.php

You can either call your dealer or Four Winns to get the Faria model. Go on website to get the connection diagram. It may be in your manual but I'm on road so can't check mine to see if it's in there.

Do you have voltmeter (and ideally a little DC power supply?).

Start at connection under the dash. Pull it off an reconnect to make sure you have solid contacts. If connection is good, it's either wiring, transducer, or guage.

You need to get the model number to find what voltage input the gauge is to see if you can get it to read over the range. You need DC power supply to do this. Without knowing voltage range not sure if a C or D cell batter will work.

To check the wiring between gauge and transducer you need to check contunuity. Short one end of wires together and measure resistance at other end. Should be near zero. If you get easy access to transducer you can get good look at it to see if wiring is bad, corroded, etc. Sometimes just cleaning contacts and connections gets it working again.

Hard to give you step by step without knowing how savvy you are with troubleshooting wiring. If you take pictures we can walk you through it. Not hard. Cheerio....

NoBozo · 05-18-2011, 10:53 AM

For what it's worth: A depth sounder will not work if the boat is OUT of the water. The transducer is designed to send signals through water..not air.

Also, when the boat has been out of the water for any length of time..say all winter, the down facing surface of the transducer may have to be "wetted" for it to work imediately. Smear a dab of dish washing liquid on face of the transducer just before launching.

NB

05-16-2011, 02:47 PM	#1
WGW Tuftonboro Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 3 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Replacement for my Depth Gauge My depth gauge went on my boat. Are there any good wireless systems that are effective?

05-16-2011, 03:03 PM	#3
WGW Tuftonboro Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 3 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Gauge I believe it is transom mount and it is a factory gauge in dash - 1995 Four Winns

05-16-2011, 03:00 PM	#2
chillininnh Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 54 Thanks: 8 Thanked 14 Times in 10 Posts	If there is a wireless option I'm not aware of one. What brand is the gauge that failed? Transom mount transducer or thru-hull? Does it stand alone or is it built into the factory dash?

05-17-2011, 07:28 AM	#4
chillininnh Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 54 Thanks: 8 Thanked 14 Times in 10 Posts	It's tough to give a good recommendation without seeing it. Often times the factory simply installs there own bezel over a popular gauge manufacturers gauge. Is it clear that the gauge has failed or is it possible the transducer or transducer cable has been compromised? Is it a traditional gauge standing alone on the dash(2 5/16" round) or is it imbedded in a custom panel (I have seen these in Cobalts)?

05-17-2011, 04:59 PM	#5
lawn psycho Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: On the move... Posts: 987 Thanks: 113 Thanked 248 Times in 133 Posts	Pretty sure you have a Faria depth gauge. Is the gauge dead with no read out and back lighting or just reading wacky? http://www.faria-instruments.com/depthsounder.php You can either call your dealer or Four Winns to get the Faria model. Go on website to get the connection diagram. It may be in your manual but I'm on road so can't check mine to see if it's in there. Do you have voltmeter (and ideally a little DC power supply?). Start at connection under the dash. Pull it off an reconnect to make sure you have solid contacts. If connection is good, it's either wiring, transducer, or guage. You need to get the model number to find what voltage input the gauge is to see if you can get it to read over the range. You need DC power supply to do this. Without knowing voltage range not sure if a C or D cell batter will work. To check the wiring between gauge and transducer you need to check contunuity. Short one end of wires together and measure resistance at other end. Should be near zero. If you get easy access to transducer you can get good look at it to see if wiring is bad, corroded, etc. Sometimes just cleaning contacts and connections gets it working again. Hard to give you step by step without knowing how savvy you are with troubleshooting wiring. If you take pictures we can walk you through it. Not hard. Cheerio....

05-18-2011, 10:53 AM	#6
NoBozo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Portsmouth. RI Posts: 2,231 Thanks: 400 Thanked 460 Times in 308 Posts	For what it's worth: A depth sounder will not work if the boat is OUT of the water. The transducer is designed to send signals through water..not air. Also, when the boat has been out of the water for any length of time..say all winter, the down facing surface of the transducer may have to be "wetted" for it to work imediately. Smear a dab of dish washing liquid on face of the transducer just before launching. NB