Fish Finder Disconnection Alarm

[rsysol]

I have been getting unusual readings from my sounder for several weeks now. The issue started after I had my boat hauled and bottom painted. I've checked the transducer and there is no bottom paint on the unit, I had a diver check as well.

I have a TZT14 MFD with the DDF1 sounder and an Airmar 600w transducer, all these items are just over one year old. I have not had any issues with the unit until the event noted above. I just updated the software to the latest version, that did not help.

The system no longer displays any bottom information. I do get a periodic readings on sea temp and bottom depth but only for a few seconds each minute or so, they seem accurate. I also get a periodic "Fish Finder Disconnection Alarm" on the TZ14. This happens every five minutes or so, beeps twice then clears.

My thoughts is that I have a couple of issues but I'm looking for suggestions on where to start. I have checked all the connections between the MFD, DDF and the transducer and they seem good.

Thoughts?

 

[Johnny Electron]

Is the sounder directly connected to the MFD or is there a hub?
Did any one change the any dip switches on the sounder since it was working fine?
If you haven't done so, I would temporally slave in a network cable directly from the sounder to the MFD and use a different port on the MFD than current.

 

[rsysol]

Johnny, thanks for the quick response. I did misspeak, my sounder is a BBDS1 and is directly connected to the MFD via a network cable. I have radar and AIS connected to the other two ports.

I've swapped ports and there is no difference in performance. I have not changed any switches as they are not accessible externally on the sounder.

One interesting thing is that when I first started getting the disconnect alarm it would be two beeps and then clear, now it's four beeps and a clear. Almost like a port is slowly failing, since I've swapped ports on the MFD, possibly on the sounder?

 

[Johnny Electron]

It is possible but MUCH more likely to be the network cable. Tie wraps too tight, tight bends, corrosion etc.. can take a toll on network cables. I would slave in a standard PC network cable between the units as a test. If it fixes it, I would get the correct metal RJ45 shielded replacement cable. If the unit still has issues with another cable; the sounder should be sent into the service center for evaluation. As a shot in the dark, you might also back up your setting/points and then factory clear the display unit. Sometimes after software updates, if things are strange, a clear can make all the difference.

 

[rsysol]

Johnny, thanks again. Looks like it is the unit that is failing, I'll be sending it back for warranty repair shortly. Appreciate the troubleshooting tips.