[C320-list] ST60 gauge problems

[Warren Updike]

I'm giving up on my speed transducer. I'm looking to installing the CruzPro
SOG1 device.  www.cruzpro.com/sog1.html Assuming I can find a US source for
it.  

This thing takes a NEMA0183 signal from a GPS and outputs an analog speed
signal to replace the paddlewheel transducer.  I presume I can feed it from
a NEMA0183 output on my ST50 GPS and output to the cable that goes to my
ST50 tridata control head.  Cost about $100.  

Has anyone done this?  Any advice will be appreciated.

Why do this?  On the older hulls as is mine, the transducer is not easily
accessible and does not have the flapper valve that limits the amount of
water entry when I pull it.  We have pulled out the drawers under the
V-berth so I also have to pull out a lot of stuff stored in there to get at
it.  Here on the North Chesapeake, where most of the larger water life
(crabs, oysters, fish,) are becoming scarce, muck, turbidity, and small
critters are not.  Let the boat sit for a week and the speed log won't work
for a month.  I'm done with it.

Besides, using the SOG to feed the speed signal is actually more accurate
for calculating true wind than is speed through the water that is affected
by wind, tides, and currents. 

Warren & Pattie Updike
Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"
Middle River, Chesapeake Bay

-----Original Message-----
From: Jerry Clayton [mailto:jsea at prodigy.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 11:18 PM
To: C320-List
Subject: [C320-list] ST60 gauge problems

My ST60 boat speed gauge reads - - -, also water temp reads - - - , now true
wind reads - - -, although apparent reads correctly.
I though it might be a speed (paddle wheel) transducer (speed and temp
problem), but not sure now that the wind gauge is acting up.  
Anyone had these experiences?  I am going to contact Raymarine tomorrow but
thought I would ask the group also.
Pertinent info:
1)  First problem was boat speed reading 0.00 (paddle wheel was able to turn
freely)  but water temp ok, after moving wire around by the thru hull paddle
wheel it would work ok, thus making me thing it was a bad wire.
2)  Second problem was - - - reading on boat speed, temp and wind, again
moving wire and rebooting solved problem for a 8 hour sail.
3) Third moving wire and rebooting is no longer working.
4)  All gauges and chartploter are Raymarine and SeaTalk linked.
5)  Check 5 wires  coming into Speed gauge.
6)  Also check all Sea Talk connections.
7)  Boat and gauges are  5 years old, and I do remove the paddle wheel after
each sail to keep build up from forming on the paddle wheel again making me
think this movement could have affect the wires.

I am going to check the readings with a multimeter as suggested by Raymarine
to see if the paddle wheel is sending info.
Any thoughts on this?

Sorry for the long post, just wanted to give as much info as possible.

Regards,

Jerry Clayton
#988 (2004)