Transducer for the Raymarine RL70C

onislandtime

Hey guys, new season and new problems. My temperature reading on the RL70C now indicates 140 degrees and I am getting a "sonar unavailable" alarm. Talk to Raymarine and they say most likely the transducer has gone back. Asked what they recommend and he referred me to find a Raymarine dealer and they could help. In other words they weren't allowed too recommend lol. I know nothing about transducers, so what transducer should I go with? I would prefer to have one that drops into the existing thru hull if that is possible. 

LaRea

What do you have now?  Is it a fish finder with a separate interface box that plugs into the RL70C?  Before assuming the transducer died, I'd check all of the cables, and make sure power is getting to the interface box.  

onislandtime

Thats another dilemma. Where is this box? I'm almost sure it isnt in the dash. I have had my dash apart for other reasons and never noticed it. Its has sonar, but i dont think its a fishfinder. Im not that educated on transducers

LaRea

When it was working, did it only give you water depth, or did you have a moving display something like this:


The box would be a DSM300 or DSM250 that looks like this:



https://www.ebay.com/itm/Raymarine-DSM300-Sounder-Module-E63069-W-Cables-and-manuals-Good-Condition/332641060449 

onislandtime

I found it. It was behind the gauge panel. Mine is a 250. I get everything else. moving map and moving sonar etc.

LaRea

You're saying it works, and you get the moving depth map, but the temperature sensor stopped working?  

reneechris14

Looks like the transducer plug is missing the twist lock. My be some corrosion. But if the sonar works could be sensor went bad.

onislandtime

Yes, all features work except temp is at 140 degrees. so do I need a new box or transducer?

onislandtime

found it. Its a 250. Unplugged the transducer and still get the alarm "sonar unavailable". drives me crazy

onislandtime

@LaRea if I buy the 300 is it plug and play with the RL70C?

LaRea

Yes.  The 300 is the same unit but it adds ethernet connectivity.  Did you verify that the box is getting power?

Kaptain_Ken

Slightly different, but related topic.  Wondering how to get the latest software update for the RL70C.  The Raymarine site is useless.  I don't have the unit myself, but a buddy does.

LaRea

I had to send my C80 Classic to Raymarine.  They updated it for free, and I had it back in a week.  

http://rinkerboats.vanillaforums.com/discussion/4888/raymarine-charges-0-00-to-install-software-updates

onislandtime

@LaRea I believe its getting power. The light was green and I receive depth. Thanks for the tip. I"ll get with Raymarine. I will still need a new transducer along with the DS300? 

LaRea

Hard to say for sure.  No moving parts ... maybe a cable problem. 

onislandtime

I hate tracking electrical problems. 

onislandtime

Update guys. Talked with James at Gemeco Marine. After measurements, photos sent and emails back and forth, he concluded I need a new insert and a junction box.