[PSUBS-MAILIST] OTS Issue

Fri Oct 25 08:30:26 EDT 2013

Sounds like our transducer connectors are a little different, which could be explained by the fact you have a surface unit whereas I use a diver unit on the surface. I know Dan Lance, Cliff, and Scott all have surface units like yours, so maybe they can weigh in. But to me it does sound like it might be broken, and your plan to plug in an un-hacked transducer the way to find out for sure.

From: Personal_Submersibles [mailto:personal_submersibles-bounces at psubs.org] On Behalf Of James Frankland
Sent: Friday, October 25, 2013 8:20 AM
To: Personal Submersibles General Discussion
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] OTS Issue

Hi Alec,

Ok, at least i wasnt being a noddy.

So, this is what i did.

Plugged the batteries in and checked 12V at the output.  All ok.

At the back of the transducer socket, there are 3 wires coming out.  2 go into 1 plug on the pcb and 1 goes into a seperate plug.  Lets call them A\B for the pair and C for the single.

I could just get my meter on the exposed wires to check voltage.

WITHOUT the transducer plugged in, I was getting 12v accross A\B to C and also continuity the same.

WITH the transducer plugged in i got nothing.  No voltage at all and no continuity between A\B and C.

Next I manually connected pins 1 to 3 together in all configurations.  Nothing came on.

I have a horrible feeling its broken.

Next I am going to take the whole unit to my local tech dive shop.  The guy has lots of OTS kit and will have a transducer thats not been hacked for me top try.

regards
James
On 25 October 2013 13:09, Alec Smyth <alecsmyth at gmail.com<mailto:alecsmyth at gmail.com>> wrote:
The OTS box does not know whether the transducer is in the water or not. What will turn it on is connecting the transducer cable. When you do so, you are closing the connection between contacts 1 and 3, and closing that circuit is the equivalent of clicking an "on" switch.

Best,

Alec

On Fri, Oct 25, 2013 at 6:52 AM, James Frankland <jamesf at guernseysubmarine.com<mailto:jamesf at guernseysubmarine.com>> wrote:
Hi Alec,

Before i report my finding of last night, i think i might be being a complete numpty.  I am assuming that the radio will come on even though the transducer is not in the water?  Obviously no signal but i was assuming the radio would at least crackle to life.  Does the transducer need to be underwater before the radio will switch on??

Thanks
James
On 24 October 2013 13:09, James Frankland <jamesf at guernseysubmarine.com<mailto:jamesf at guernseysubmarine.com>> wrote:
Hi Alec,

Ok, i think i get it.  I will investigate later and report back...!  Many thanks.
James
On 24 October 2013 12:56, Alec Smyth <alecsmyth at gmail.com<mailto:alecsmyth at gmail.com>> wrote:
Let me try and re-word this... You will find the cable has two conductors, but the connector has three contacts. Two of the contacts are connected to the same cable. Thus when you screw the connector onto the OTS unit, it closes a circuit between the two contacts. Don't cut open the connector, you can explore this just by checking continuity between the contacts.

Sorry, I hope I'm not repeating myself!

Alec

On Thu, Oct 24, 2013 at 6:42 AM, James Frankland <jamesf at guernseysubmarine.com<mailto:jamesf at guernseysubmarine.com>> wrote:
Im a bit confused as when i cut the cable (some distance from the connector), there are only 2 cables.  The inner cable and the shield.  So not sure where this 3rd cable is.  I will take the connector appart and investigate....

Thanks
james
On 24 October 2013 11:20, Alec Smyth <alecsmyth at gmail.com<mailto:alecsmyth at gmail.com>> wrote:
In the connector you screw onto the OTS box, just connect both 1 and 3 to the same cable.

Best,

Alec

On Thu, Oct 24, 2013 at 5:02 AM, James Frankland <jamesf at guernseysubmarine.com<mailto:jamesf at guernseysubmarine.com>> wrote:
Hi Emile\Alec,

Thanks for that info.  Not quite sure how i can connect pins 1 and 3, but i will have another look at it later on after work and see how it looks.
Many thanks
James
On 23 October 2013 18:14, Smyth, Alec <Alec.Smyth at covisint.com<mailto:Alec.Smyth at covisint.com>> wrote:
Hi James,

OTS have done something clever. The OTS transducer has only two contacts, but the when you use the factory cable for mounting the transducer remotely you will notice the cable connector has three contacts. What they are doing is using two of them (#1 and #3) connected together to act as a switch, so that when you plug in the cable the OTS box turns on. I think if you keep your current arrangement, but also connect contacts 1 and 3, you might find it works.

Best,

Alec

From: Personal_Submersibles [mailto:personal_submersibles-bounces at psubs.org<mailto:personal_submersibles-bounces at psubs.org>] On Behalf Of Emile van Essen
Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2013 12:34 PM
To: 'Personal Submersibles General Discussion'
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] OTS Issue

James,

It usually gives no problem to cut a transducer cable and solder it again. Don't forget the shield.
Obvious, the transducer must be in water and may not be in the shade of the sub.

Got mine on top of the sail. Best place but works not on surface..

BTW; I am dealer of  Ocean Reef  UW Communication ;  This brand share the same technology as OTS so you can talk between the 2 brands..)

Best regards, Emile
.

________________________________
Van: Personal_Submersibles [mailto:personal_submersibles-bounces at psubs.org] Namens James Frankland
Verzonden: woensdag 23 oktober 2013 18:05
Aan: personal_submersibles at psubs.org<mailto:personal_submersibles at psubs.org>
Onderwerp: [PSUBS-MAILIST] OTS Issue

Hi All,

Anyone got any thoughts on this.

My OTS surface station mounted inside the sub didnt work.  It didnt even switch on.  I checked the Vout at the batteries (16x AAA inside the unit) and it was good at 12V.

I suspect the problem is that i cut the transducer cable to pass it through a sub conn bulkhead connector.  When you plus the transducer into the unit, that is supposed to turn it on at the same time, but nothing.  Suspect no signal from the transducer so unit not switching on.

You can see the rubbish effort i made of it here.  Im almost sure this is the fault.

http://www.guernseysubmarine.com/Extended_files/Page22133.htm

Anyone got any ideas?  I need to get this fixed before the nest dive.

Thanks
James

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