Airmar dB Plus II User Manual

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dB PLUS II

Acoustic Deterrent System

U.S. Patent No. 5,610,876

Norwegian Patent No. 304001

European Patent No. EP 0706 317 B1

AIRMAR

TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

OWNER ’ S

MANUAL

35 Meadowbrook Drive, Milford, New Hampshire 03055-4613, USA
Tel: [phone]

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Fax: [phone]

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E-mail: [e-mail]

17-5000 rev . 4 06/02

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Table of Contents

Section Page

Airmar Technology Corporation .................................................. 1

dB Plus II

Installation ................................................................................... 2

Operation ..................................................................................... 5

Maintenance ................................................................................ 6

Safety .......................................................................................... 7

Troubleshooting Problems .......................................................... 7

Specifications .............................................................................. 8

Repair .......................................................................................... 8

Options, Parts and Accessories .................................................. 9

Airmar Limited Warranty ............................................................ 10

dB Plus II

System Overview .................................................. 1

System Layout ......................................................................... 2

Projector Installation ............................................................... 3

Transmitter Installation ........................................................... 3

Power Supply System ............................................................. 4

Battery Charging ..................................................................... 4

Battery Enclosure .................................................................... 4

Power-up ................................................................................. 5

Normal Mode .......................................................................... 5

Power Save Mode ................................................................... 5

Shutdown Mode ...................................................................... 6

Fuse Protection ........................................................................ 6

Batteries .................................................................................. 6

Projectors ................................................................................ 6

Transmitter Inoperative ........................................................... 7

Projector(s) Not Pulsing .......................................................... 7

Reduced Sound Output. .......................................................... 7

Cable ....................................................................................... 8

Transmitter .............................................................................. 8

External Triggering Capability ............................................... 9

Parts and Accessories .............................................................. 9

Limited Warranty .................................................................. 10

Warranty Return Procedure .................................................. 10

Limitation of Remedies ......................................................... 10

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Registration Form ................................................ 11

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AIRMAR

To our customers:

Thank you for purchasing Airmar Technology Corporation’s
Since its founding in 1981, Airmar has been a leader in product innovation and technical excellence. Our
position as a world-class manufacturer is evidenced by the many U.S. and foreign patents we hold.

You have chosen a product with a proven performance record of reliability and quality, and we are
confident you will be satisfied with it. This manual provides important information regarding its operation
and maintenance. To achieve optimal performance, it is important that you familiarize yourself with its
content.

Installation of your
determine the best layout of equipment based on a site assessment. The proper placement of the sound
projectors is necessary to ensure maximum protection from predators.

A reliable power source is of crucial importance to the effectiveness of the product, especially when it must
be installed away from shore power. Care should be taken to ensure proper installation and maintenance
of your power supply in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Airmar has made product safety a priority in the design of the
using the safety features, should ensure the protection of both humans and marine mammals.

Airmar Technology Corporation backs the
defects in workmanship. However, we cannot guarantee that the system will completely eliminate attacks,
such as those from hearing impaired seals. Hearing loss, occurring in a small portion of marine mammals,
can be attributed to interactions with fisheries using “seal bombs” and parasites known to effect the hearing
of older marine mammals. Airmar recommends using the
predator control methods.

Welcome to the Airmar family of satisfied customers!

dB PLUS II

system should be performed by a factory authorized technician who will

Technology Corporation

dB PLUS II

dB PLUS II

dB PLUS II

equipment with a one year warranty against

dB PLUS II

system in conjunction with other

Acoustic Deterrent System.

system. Proper operation,

dB Plus II

dB PLUS II

The
projectors
that cause significant discomfort to seals in the guarded area. However, these pulses have no known effect
on fish since the system’s frequency of operation is well above their hearing range.

The rugged
environment. This feature-rich system includes low-power warning alarms as well as an array of safety
enhancements.

To protect both divers and marine mammals, it is equipped with a unique Soft-start  feature which allows
time to clear the area before reaching full sound output. As further protection for divers, the transmitter
power switch is designed to be locked in the “OFF” position to prevent accidental activation, and the high­visibility cover can be drawn over the transmitter box to signify a diver’s presence in the water.

Development of the
over an extended period of time. It is the most advanced system available today.

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, operating from one, four circuit, DC powered transmitter, provide high intensity acoustic pulses

1.Projector and transducer are synonymous terms in this document.

Acoustic Deterrent System provides up to 3,000 square meters of protection. Four

dB PLUS II

dB PLUS II

equipment is designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the marine

Acoustic Deterrent System has involved extensive field tests conducted

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System Overview

1



Installation





After the installation of your

dB Plus II

system by a trained authorized technician, please familiarize
yourself with the following principles of installation, operation, and maintenance. This system has been
custom engineered and carefully installed at your facility. Should it be necessary to move equipment,
including relocating any of the projectors, it is recommended that the move be done by an authorized
technician for best results.

System Layout

At fish farms with square pens, Airmar recommends placing the batteries, charging devices, and
transmitter in the center of the set of pens thus allowing the projectors to be located close to the outer
corners (see Figure 1). However, if a sheltered location is available for the batteries, charging devices, and
transmitter, it should be used.

projector

pens

12m
(40')

transmitter

projector

30m
(100')

projector

60m (200')

battery bank (can be connected to alternative charging sources

such as: solar panels, wind generator, AC mains or portable generator)

projector

Figure 1. Recommended system layout for typical square pen configuration

(

The

dB Plus II

Layout will vary with different pen styles

system is designed to emit high intensity acoustic pulses from each of its four underwater

)

projectors resulting in significant discomfort to most seals. Sound pressure drops dramatically with
increased distance from the projector, so proper projector layout is

Since the placement of the projectors is the key to the success of the

imperative

dB Plus II

.

system, they must be
positioned so that the sound patterns overlap. The closer the spacing between the projectors, the higher
the intensity of the sound field, and therefore the greater the protection from predators. Using the 60 m
(200') long projector cables provided, will result in the maximum recommended spacing between
projectors at a fish farm with the above pen layout. For protection from seals, the distance between
projectors should never exceed 60m (200').

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