www.iFourWinns.com

Hello all,

I've installed the new dash for my 2000 H230 and I replaced the Airmar ST69 paddle wheel transducer with another one I believe to be an S69 (not temperature feature). Since the new dash doesn't have temp, I figured it wouldn't hurt. All works well but the speedometer which only indicates about half speed. WOT shows about 24 mph, which I know is not right. Do you know of a logicial reason for the half speed readings?

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2000 Horizon 230

Maybe the speedo port in the outdrive just has some gunk in it? Mine had exact same problem when I bought it. Hole was plugged with sand. Use a small drill bit to clear it.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

This is an electronic speedo, am I right? The 2000 manual for the VDO unit you replaced says that speedometer could be calibrated "+/- 50% with VDO calibration software"; does the new speedo have any adjustment? A switch on the back maybe like tachometers have ? They also mention an Airmar P-32 transducer and that the transducer can be checked by :

1. Connect a DC Voltmeter to the “Green” (Signal) and “Bare” (ground) wires of the
Transducer.
2. With the key switch “on” rotate the paddle wheel one paddle at a time. The Voltage
should switch from about “8” volts to near “0” volts as the two magnets in the (4)
paddles pass by the body of the transducer

The speedo converts the number of pulses to speed. I must admit I seem to remember the paddle wheel on my 1999 boat had 8 paddles ( which would give twice the number of pulses per revolution) , but that's 4 years ago so maybe I'm wrong.. If the speedo is expecting 8 pulses per revolution but is only getting 4, it would read half speed.


Graham

Not that I can help answer your question, but I have a couple of my own
Where did you pick the speedo paddle wheel and how much did it cost? Mine was broken off when I purchased my boat. It's been low on the priority list since I don't care for my local dealer and I can use gps anyhow....but it would be nice to have it working.

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'99 Horizon 200

Graham,

It is an electronic speedo. I didn't notice switch but I can easily pop it out to check. There could possibly be another wriring method available on the back of the gauge as well.


yrless11,

I don't remember the company name but they were on Ebay. It was was cheap, around $15. However, most go for around 2-3 times that. A search on google should provides some additional options.

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2000 Horizon 230

cnst,
I have noticed you on some of the VDO issue posts. Did you replace one of the POS VDO clusters? Where did you get your replacement dash? How much was it? Can you post a link to the one you got? I am about fed up with not trusting my gauges and may be ready to take that step. Note: If you also got the replacement dash on eBay, please post a link to that completed auction; they usually keep them up for a couple months.

Thanks!!!

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2001 Four Winns 180 Horizon
4.3L Volvo Penta

mrkaly88,

POS VDO indeed. I got mine from the local Four Winns dealer. After taxes and shipping expect to pay around $550. In the link below there is the model number for the 2 dash types available for 2000 and 2001 (one wood grain and one grey). Your boat being a 180 I think the dash in your boat is not the same as the 230's. I would recommend calling Four Winns direct to confirm the replacement model number. They are very pleasant and ready to help.

http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2784

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2000 Horizon 230

UPDATE:

Thanks to AmericaRocks I was able to make adjustments to the speedometer via a dial on the backside of the gauge. The speedo works just fine now. Thanks John.

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2000 Horizon 230

UPDATE: Again

Everything was fine for a couple days. Then the speedometer stopped working. The next time out, the speedometer worked but the tach stopped. I was able to bounce in between the two by jiggling the wires. Then they were both out. So I did a bunch of trouble shooting assuming ground was the issue. Short story is the connector had a loose pin for the bare wire on the speedo. Also, and more surprising, the tach signal wire on the NEW connector was loose. I connected a couple jumpers to bypass the main connector and all is well. The lesson is don’t trust the connectors, old or new.

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2000 Horizon 230