"Vintage" Lowerance Depth finder issues

[Rob406]

So I have a new to me 1993 Celeberity 190 BR with a Lowerance digital depth gauge on the dash. It is the 2" type just like the rest of the gauges, just with a "alarm clock" style number display and an up and down button. Not sure if this is standard factory equipment or if it was added some time after but it is not working correctly. Numbers are sporatic and also the glass is cracked. So this is my first boat with instrumentation like this, no clue how it works, and just want to get everything working properly. Assuming there is a sensor some where (transducer??) cant see anything under the boat. Where do I start?

 

[MTboatguy]

That is an old one, the transducer may be epoxied inside the hull. You probably need to look at getting a new one, they are really not that expensive and let the "vintage" retire, if the LCD is going flakey, it is probably not long for this world. 25 years is a long time for electronics and LCD's screens.

 

[Rob406]

Ok Thanks for the response. So Is it possible to get just a new gauge or do I need a new gauge and transducer kit?

 

[dingbat]

Ok Thanks for the response. So Is it possible to get just a new gauge or do I need a new gauge and transducer kit?

Both

 

[MTboatguy]

Ok Thanks for the response. So Is it possible to get just a new gauge or do I need a new gauge and transducer kit?

You are going to want to buy a complete new system, they are quite improved these days over the older ones and will last quite a long time as well as offer many more features over the old one you have.

 

[Rob406]

Got it. Well just for sake of conversation, if i was to buy a new 2" gauge, like a faria or other brand, would it work with the existing transducer? Reason being, i think its buried inside the hull and i dont like the idea of mounting another one on my transom. Also depth isnt something i am particularly interested in, only reason is cause the boat already has the gauge and i just want it to be functional. Thoughts?

 

[Faztbullet]

Call Celeb as they used to have a R/R service for that unit......

 

[Scott Danforth]

Got it. Well just for sake of conversation, if i was to buy a new 2" gauge, like a faria or other brand, would it work with the existing transducer?

not going to say no, however maybe a 0.0000000001% chance of it working. they really have changed the frequency and style of signal they are using today over what they were 26 years ago. if you get that one odd-ball manufacturer that is still using technology from 25-30 years ago, you may get lucky

or you could buy a complete kit, install it and go boating.

 

[lmuss53]

Or you could get a 2 inch display with a volt meter and a USB charger in it, and forget about the depth gauge if it really isn't important to you. You can actually probably use the charger.

Scott is right about the slim chance for the transducer to to work with a new gauge, the Lowrance transducers have changed about 4 times in the last 20 years. Your only hope would be to find a new old stock gauge, and hope you 'ducer is not shot. Check ebay for the NOS gauge.