Electronics repair

seahunt202 · 02-26-2008, 11:28 AM

I've got a furuno fcv600l fish finder that needs the power plug jack (the one on the unit,not the cable) replaced. It's cracking and breaking away.I need to get this jack replaced and don't want to mail the unit out, the unit is about six years old. Does anyone know of someone that can get that part for me or replace that part for me? I'd really like to stay as local as I can, I Live in East Hampton Ct.

Scup · 02-26-2008, 12:52 PM

Any of the better fish finders are sealed with a dry nitrogen gas in them. If you open them up you lose the seal. Of course, the manufacturer repairs them all the time, but they will almost always replaced the seals when they do any work on their units and replace the dry nitrogen gas in addition to any other work needed. Since this is likely an off season for you, most West Marine stores will get you a cost of repair quote before proceeding from the manufacturer as a service to their customers. If you do not like the quote then don't do it. Do not worry if you did not buy the unit from West Marine, they need customers and it would not be good business sense to turn away a potential customer. There could be electrical shops that have the knowhow to work on these units but I do not know of any. If the seal is broken, and regular moist air gets in, the unit will seem to work fine for a while. Eventually, however, you will see moisture building up on the inside of your display. It could be a slow death, but the marine environment is a bitch on electronics. The rule of thumb I use is if it is going to cost you anything close to 1/2 the price of a new unit, go for the new unit. I know you are thinking that a connector at most (even with a ripoff charge) should only go about $20 bucks and be simple enough to install in less than an hour. You are going to be in for a surprise should you go with a quote and that is if they are still willing to repair an older model. Let the form know how you make out and if you can find someone who can repair it properly and at a reasonable cost.

seahunt202 · 02-26-2008, 06:59 PM

Thanks Scup,
I didn't realize that, maybe I'll have to leave that unit on the boat and let some punk rip it off...........file a claim and get a new one.

plugmeister · 02-27-2008, 07:22 PM

Sea, I had a Furuno unit that needed repair. I mailed it out and was quite satisfied with the service, turn around time and cost.

seahunt202 · 02-28-2008, 01:43 PM

Plug, Who did you send it out to?

Scup · 02-29-2008, 03:40 PM

Seahunt,

I was curious about the potential repairs to your unit. Do not let it get stolen just yet. I called up Furuno (800) 343 9171 to ask about how their unit was sealed. It is not a pressurized unit as it carries a different spec than say a Garmen hand held GPS unit which can be submerged. The rep assured me that everything would be fine if just the connector was the only issue. The cost of the connector is $14.30. If you have any soldering skills it may be possible that you can do it. The old connector would have to be removed and the new connector re-soldered to the circuit board. I would not think this would be a hard thing to do but I am not familiar with the unit. You should be home free on this one a assuming of course this is the only thing wrong with your unit. I did ask the Furumo rep if you could buy the connector directly from them; they would prefer if you purchased the connector from one of their distributors. The names that the rep gave me was Defender in Waterford, and Dockside in the Mystic area (860 536 1919). Another local marine repair shop in my area is Ocean Connection 860 460 6540 and they do connectors all the time although they too would prefer you obtain the connector and then they will put it in for you. Just how much these shops charge for labor is another issue. Ocean Connection charges by the hour so it still could run up to some substantial $$$$ should it take more than hours time. Do not know who is in your area, but I would think any decent electrical repair shop could fix you up. I would show them the unit first and then get an estimate. If they worked on a unit similar to yours they should know pretty much how much of an effort it is going to take. Good luck, let us know how you make out.

One last item, when I talked to the rep, he did not mention West Marine as one of their distributors. Seemed strange to me as I know I have sold them in the past. I called up my supervisor to find out the lowdown on this. We are not exactly clear on this but it would seem we are currently not handling them. From reading the feedback on this form, the charter boat captains think they are the greatest.

ARCTEKJim · 03-01-2008, 10:10 AM

seahunt try the guys @ custom navigation in westbrook. ask for steve.

seahunt202 · 03-06-2008, 09:43 AM

jim, do they have a phone number?

ChuckA · 03-07-2008, 06:03 AM

Mark here ya go

www.customnav.com

633 Boston Post Rd
Westbrook, CT 06498
(860) 399-5511
Get directions

seahunt202 · 03-08-2008, 12:43 PM

Thanks guys, I ended up ordering one thru L&L marine electronics, I took the unit apart last night, kinda half in the bag..............wish me luck!
If I know me, I'll most likely forget my whole game plan by the time my new part comes in(they said 7 to 10 days).

02-26-2008, 11:28 AM	#1
seahunt202 NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: May 2007 Location: East Hampton/Mystic,Ct. Posts: 100	Electronics repair I've got a furuno fcv600l fish finder that needs the power plug jack (the one on the unit,not the cable) replaced. It's cracking and breaking away.I need to get this jack replaced and don't want to mail the unit out, the unit is about six years old. Does anyone know of someone that can get that part for me or replace that part for me? I'd really like to stay as local as I can, I Live in East Hampton Ct.

03-01-2008, 10:10 AM	#7
ARCTEKJim User Gallery Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: VOODOO GRILLE MYSTIC Posts: 2,785	seahunt try the guys @ custom navigation in westbrook. ask for steve. __________________ custom built t tops/towers/hardtops etc www.arctekmarine.com CLINTON, CT

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-26-2008, 12:52 PM	#2
Scup NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Stonington Posts: 375	Any of the better fish finders are sealed with a dry nitrogen gas in them. If you open them up you lose the seal. Of course, the manufacturer repairs them all the time, but they will almost always replaced the seals when they do any work on their units and replace the dry nitrogen gas in addition to any other work needed. Since this is likely an off season for you, most West Marine stores will get you a cost of repair quote before proceeding from the manufacturer as a service to their customers. If you do not like the quote then don't do it. Do not worry if you did not buy the unit from West Marine, they need customers and it would not be good business sense to turn away a potential customer. There could be electrical shops that have the knowhow to work on these units but I do not know of any. If the seal is broken, and regular moist air gets in, the unit will seem to work fine for a while. Eventually, however, you will see moisture building up on the inside of your display. It could be a slow death, but the marine environment is a bitch on electronics. The rule of thumb I use is if it is going to cost you anything close to 1/2 the price of a new unit, go for the new unit. I know you are thinking that a connector at most (even with a ripoff charge) should only go about $20 bucks and be simple enough to install in less than an hour. You are going to be in for a surprise should you go with a quote and that is if they are still willing to repair an older model. Let the form know how you make out and if you can find someone who can repair it properly and at a reasonable cost.

02-26-2008, 06:59 PM	#3
seahunt202 NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: May 2007 Location: East Hampton/Mystic,Ct. Posts: 100	Thanks Scup, I didn't realize that, maybe I'll have to leave that unit on the boat and let some punk rip it off...........file a claim and get a new one.

02-27-2008, 07:22 PM	#4
plugmeister I've Been Banned !! User Gallery Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Branford, CT Posts: 356	Sea, I had a Furuno unit that needed repair. I mailed it out and was quite satisfied with the service, turn around time and cost.

02-28-2008, 01:43 PM	#5
seahunt202 NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: May 2007 Location: East Hampton/Mystic,Ct. Posts: 100	Plug, Who did you send it out to?

02-29-2008, 03:40 PM	#6
Scup NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Stonington Posts: 375	Seahunt, I was curious about the potential repairs to your unit. Do not let it get stolen just yet. I called up Furuno (800) 343 9171 to ask about how their unit was sealed. It is not a pressurized unit as it carries a different spec than say a Garmen hand held GPS unit which can be submerged. The rep assured me that everything would be fine if just the connector was the only issue. The cost of the connector is $14.30. If you have any soldering skills it may be possible that you can do it. The old connector would have to be removed and the new connector re-soldered to the circuit board. I would not think this would be a hard thing to do but I am not familiar with the unit. You should be home free on this one a assuming of course this is the only thing wrong with your unit. I did ask the Furumo rep if you could buy the connector directly from them; they would prefer if you purchased the connector from one of their distributors. The names that the rep gave me was Defender in Waterford, and Dockside in the Mystic area (860 536 1919). Another local marine repair shop in my area is Ocean Connection 860 460 6540 and they do connectors all the time although they too would prefer you obtain the connector and then they will put it in for you. Just how much these shops charge for labor is another issue. Ocean Connection charges by the hour so it still could run up to some substantial $$$$ should it take more than hours time. Do not know who is in your area, but I would think any decent electrical repair shop could fix you up. I would show them the unit first and then get an estimate. If they worked on a unit similar to yours they should know pretty much how much of an effort it is going to take. Good luck, let us know how you make out. One last item, when I talked to the rep, he did not mention West Marine as one of their distributors. Seemed strange to me as I know I have sold them in the past. I called up my supervisor to find out the lowdown on this. We are not exactly clear on this but it would seem we are currently not handling them. From reading the feedback on this form, the charter boat captains think they are the greatest.

03-06-2008, 09:43 AM	#8
seahunt202 NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: May 2007 Location: East Hampton/Mystic,Ct. Posts: 100	jim, do they have a phone number?

03-07-2008, 06:03 AM	#9
ChuckA User Gallery Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Madison Ct Posts: 2,150	Mark here ya go www.customnav.com 633 Boston Post Rd Westbrook, CT 06498 (860) 399-5511 Get directions

03-08-2008, 12:43 PM	#10
seahunt202 NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: May 2007 Location: East Hampton/Mystic,Ct. Posts: 100	Thanks guys, I ended up ordering one thru L&L marine electronics, I took the unit apart last night, kinda half in the bag..............wish me luck! If I know me, I'll most likely forget my whole game plan by the time my new part comes in(they said 7 to 10 days).