Skipper DL850 User Manual (English)

Questions and Answers:

J
John GarnerAug 26, 2025
What does it mean when my Skipper Marine Equipment status screen shows Handshake (HSIN HSOUT) and the LEDs on the power and transmitter PCBs inside the transceiver cabinet never turn on?
- G
  Gerald KeyAug 26, 2025
  If the status screen shows 'Handshake (HSIN HSOUT)' and the LEDs on the power and transmitter PCBs inside the transceiver cabinet never turn on, it could mean the transceiver unit power is off. Switch on the power in the transceiver unit or check the fuses. It could also indicate that a pair HSOUTA/HSOUTB on the display side or HSINA/HSINB on the transceiver side is not connected properly to the terminals or the polarity of the connection is wrong. Check the connection and polarity of the handshake lines. Finally, the communication cable might be damaged. Test or replace the cable.
R
Ryan DavilaAug 27, 2025
Why is the bottom tracking intermittent or erroneous on my Skipper Marine Equipment?
- V
  Vincent RogersAug 27, 2025
  Intermittent or erroneous bottom tracking could be due to marginal gain or power settings. Try adjusting these settings. Weather conditions can also affect bottom tracking, so try adjusting gain and power settings accordingly. A faulty transducer installation could also be the cause. Check the transducer wiring.
K
Kimberly CowanAug 27, 2025
What does it mean when my Skipper DL850 Marine Equipment status screen shows Transmit/Receive (TX RX)?
- L
  Lisa CastanedaAug 27, 2025
  If the status screen shows 'Transmit/Receive (TX RX)', it could indicate that there is no connection of the data lines to the terminal (XMITA/XMITB, RECEIVEA/RECEIVEB) or the polarity of the connection is wrong. In this case, check the connection and polarity of the XMIT and RECEIVE data lines. It could also mean that the communication cable is damaged, so test or replace the cable.
M
Michael HutchinsonAug 27, 2025
Why are the LEDs on the power and transmitter PCBs periodically turning on and off, and the status screen showing Handshake (HSIN HSOUT) on my Skipper DL850 Marine Equipment?
- R
  russell11Aug 28, 2025
  If the LEDs on the power and transmitter PCBs are periodically turning on and off, and the status screen displays 'Handshake (HSIN HSOUT)', it could be due to a pair HSINA/HSINB on the display side or HSOUTA/HSOUTB on the transceiver side not being connected properly to the terminals, or the polarity of the connection being wrong. Check the connection and polarity of the handshake lines. It could also be due to a damaged communication cable; test or replace the cable. Another possibility is a bad connection of the transducer cable. Check if the transducer is connected to the transceiver unit terminal according to the colour diagram in appendix.
F
farnoldAug 28, 2025
Why are NMEA input signals listed but not accepted by the DL850 in my Skipper Marine Equipment?
- T
  Tanya MckenzieAug 28, 2025
  If NMEA input signals are listed in the NMEA input screen but not accepted by the DL850, it could be due to DL850 initialization issues. Cycle the DL850 power or perform a 'factory reset' after the NMEA connection is established. It could also be due to an irregular message mnemonic. In this case, check the remote (talker) setup.
J
Jane JenkinsAug 29, 2025
What causes the rotary encoder to malfunction in Skipper Marine Equipment?
- E
  Erik RogersAug 29, 2025
  A malfunctioning rotary encoder could be due to a defective encoder or interface. Replace the keyboard PCB in this case. It could also be a software problem, so recycle power or do a 'factory reset'.
C
Cody CantrellAug 25, 2025
What to do if there is no picture on the LCD screen of my Skipper DL850?
- J
  Joshua CallahanAug 25, 2025
  If there's no picture on the LCD screen, here's what you can check: * Ensure the system is receiving AC or DC power by checking the switches and fuses on the terminal board inside the DL850 cabinet. * The system might be in standby mode. Press any button on the panel to exit standby. * The screen contrast might be too low. Increase the contrast settings or replace the keyboard PCB. * The LCD module might be defective. In this case, replace the LCD module. * The voltages might be out of range, requiring replacement of the terminal board.
C
Carlos HoustonAug 30, 2025
Why does my Skipper DL850 Marine Equipment show constantly wrong speeds or no speed?
- M
  Michael CharlesAug 30, 2025
  If you are experiencing constantly wrong speeds or no speed, it could be due to wrong calibration. Check the calibration and recalibrate if necessary. It could also be a damaged sensor, which would require replacement.
J
Julia JacobsAug 31, 2025
Why is user setup and calibration data lost on my Skipper DL850?
- J
  Janice WilliamsAug 31, 2025
  If user setup and calibration data is being lost, it could be because the battery backup is not enabled. See “Back-up Battery Jumper JP200” on page 39 for details. It could also be due to a faulty battery. Replace the battery or I/O board.
C
Candace GordonAug 31, 2025
Why does the ambient temperature in the status screen of my Skipper DL850 show too high?
- C
  Crystal CampbellSep 1, 2025
  If the ambient temperature in the status screen shows too high, it could be due to obstructed air flow. Check installations for obstructions of vent holes. It could also be a defective fan, which would need to be replaced.

Skipper DL850 Specifications

General

Brand	Skipper
Model	DL850
Category	Marine Equipment
Language	English

Summary

TERMINOLOGY

Units

Definitions of units used for distance, speed, rotation, pulse indication, and temperature.

Abbreviations

Symbols and abbreviations used on runtime and setup screens for various parameters.

INTRODUCTION

System Overview and Components

Description of the DL850 Doppler speed log system, its capabilities, interfaces, and main components.

OPERATION

Screen Navigation and Controls

How to navigate between screens, use Day/Night mode, and adjust brightness.

Operation Screens and Parameter Entry

Details on primary, setup screens, and procedures for entering system parameters.

Advanced Parameter Access

Steps to enable advanced functions using the "hidden" button for system configuration.

INSTALLATION

Installation Warnings and System Supply

Important warnings, handling precautions, and components included in the DL850 system supply.

Component Installation Procedures

Guidance on installing transducer, operator unit, transceiver, and selecting voltage settings.

External Connections and Interfaces

Details on terminal PCB connections, NMEA interface, pulse outputs, and power failure relay.

CALIBRATION PROCEDURE

Heading Error Correction

Procedure to correct angular sensor installation error for accurate heading measurements.

Enabling Calibration Functions

Steps to enable calibration functions, which are disabled by default for safety.

Speed Calibration Methods

Manual and semi-automatic methods for calibrating speed variations due to drag or mounting tilt.

TROUBLE SHOOTING

Basic System and Installation Issues

Troubleshooting common problems like no display, backlight issues, and installation connection errors.

Interface and Functionality Problems

Diagnosing issues with NMEA signals, analogue/pulse outputs, and basic system functionality.

Status Screen and Diagnostics

Interpreting status screen information and using diagnostic tests for fault finding.

Data Recording and Reset Procedures

Methods for recording sensor data and resetting system parameters to factory defaults.

SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions and Functional Properties

Physical dimensions, mounting details, and technical specifications of the DL850 system.

Performance and Environmental Data

Operational ranges, accuracy, limitations, and environmental operating conditions.

SERVICE AND APPENDICES

Service Procedures

Guidelines for requesting service, including required information for support.

Installation Diagrams

Collection of diagrams showing PCB layout, connections, and unit dimensions.

Software Upgrade and CPU Setup

Procedures for upgrading software and configuring the CPU board.

Non-Wheelmark and Experimental Features

Details on echo sounder, GPS:BT, current, beam filter, and NAUT rules functionalities.

Related product manuals

Skipper DL850 User Manual

Table of Contents