Airmar R199, R299, R399, R111LH, R111LM User Manual

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONSOWNER’S GUIDE &

In-Hull, 2-3kW

Transducer

Models: R199, R299, R399

R111LH, R111LM, R599LH, R599LM

U.S. Patent No. 7,369,458. UK Patent No. 2 414 077. U.S. Patent Pending

Follow the precautions below for optimal
product performance and to reduce the risk of
property damage, personal injury, and/or death.

WARNING: Always wear safety goggles and a dust

mask when installing.

17-467-01 rev.06 01/12/13

CAUTION: The fiberglass hull below the transducer
must be solid. The transducer will not transmit through
coring material such as foam or balsa wood.

CAUTION: CHIRP transducer—Do not install in the
engine compartment or other hot place. The
transducer may fail if the temperature of the liquid in
the tank exceeds 60° C (140° F).

CAUTION: CHIRP transducer—Always operate the
transducer in liquid. Operating in air will allow the
transducer to overheat resulting in failure.

CAUTION: Never pull, carry, or hold the transducer by
the cable. This may sever internal connections.

CAUTION: Never use solvents. Cleaners, fuel, sealant,
paint, and other products may contain solvents that can
damage plastic parts, especially the transducer’s face.

IMPORTANT: Please read the instructions
completely before proceeding with the installation.
These instructions supersede any other instructions in
your instrument manual if they differ.

Record the information found on the cable tag for future reference.

Part No._________________Date___________Frequency________kHz

Applications

• Fiberglass hulls only

• Recommended for high-speed boats

• Accommodates a deadrise angle up to: (see Figure 1)
12° on the long side of the tank
22° on the short side of the tank

• Operates at tank fill-liquid temperatures up to 60° C (140° F)

Assembling the Transducer

1. Remove the paper backing from the adhesive side of the gasket.
With the adhesive side facing the plate, align the holes and
edges of the gasket with the under side of the plate (see
Figure 2). Press the gasket firmly into place.

2. Thread the cable through the cable hole in the gasket and plate.

3. Rest the plate on the transducer with the gasket side down and
align the mounting holes. Fasten the plate to the transducer.
Use four of the hex-head bolts and lock washers supplied.
Tighten using a torque wrench with a force not exceeding
85 in-lb. Do not over tighten the bolts.

4. Thread the cable under the handle as seen in the drawing above.

Tools & Materials

Safety goggles
Dust mask
Torque wrench
Rope
Detergent (some installations)
Weak solvent (such as alcohol)
Disk sander (some installations)
Thin sealable plastic bag (some installations)
Cable ties (some installations)
Water-based lubricant (such as K-Y
Carpenter’s level
Pencil
Saw
Scissors
Sand paper: 80 grit
Bonding material (see www.airmar.com for additional brands):

Fiberglass resin: Bondo 401

or Marine-Tex epoxy putty (14 oz. pack)
or 3M™ Marine Adhesive/Sealant 5200

Propylene glycol (non-toxic anti-freeze / coolant)
Funnel
Grommet(s) (some installations)

®

jelly) (some installations)

West Marine #1937762

22°

12°

Figure 1. Maximum cutting angle

Copyright © 2006 Airmar Technology Corp.

cable
hole

Figure 2. Assembling the transducer (R299/R399 shown)

Copyright © 2006 Airmar Technol ogy Corp.

9/16" bolt (4)

lock
washer (4)

plate

gasket

(adhesive
side up)

cable

transducer

outboard and I/O

displacement hull

planing hulls

pressure waves

150- 300 mm
(6-12")

inboard

Boat Types (see Figure 3)

• Displacement hull powerboats—Locate amidships near the
centerline. The starboard side of the hull where the propeller
blades are moving downward is preferred.

• Planing hull powerboats—Mount well aft, on or near the
centerline, and well inboard of the first set of lifting strakes to
ensure that the transducer will be in contact with the water at
high speeds. The starboard side of the hull where the propeller
blades are moving downward is preferred.

Outboard and I/O—Mount just forward of the engine(s).
Inboard—Mount well ahead of the propeller(s) and shaft(s).
Stepped hull—Mount just ahead of the first step.

Testing the Selected Mounting Location

Establishing a Performance Baseline

stepped hull

Figure 3.

Best location for the transducer

Copyright © 2006 Airmar Technology Corp.

Mounting Location

About Fiberglass Hulls

Since the hull absorbs acoustic energy, transmitting through the
hull reduces the transducer’s performance. Fiberglass hulls are
often cored in places for added strength or to reduce weight. These
cored areas contain balsa wood or structural foam which are poor
sound conductors. Do not locate the transducer over coring.

Choose a Location

• Where the fiberglass is solid (no air bubbles are trapped in the
fiberglass resin) and where no coring, flotation material, or dead
air space is sandwiched between the inside skin and outer skin
of the hull.

• Where the hull below the transducer will be in contact with the
water at all times.

• Where the water flowing under the hull is smoothest with a min­imum of bubbles and turbulence (especially at high speeds). Do
not mount the transducer near water intake or discharge open­ings; or behind strakes, fittings, or hull irregularities.

• Where the transducer beam will not be blocked by the keel or
propeller shaft(s).

• Away from interference caused by power and radiation sources
such as: the propeller(s) and shaft(s), other machinery, other
echosounders, and other cables. The lower the noise level, the
higher the echosounder gain setting that can be used.

The results of this test are used as a basis of comparison to
determine the best in-hull location for the transducer.

1. Take the boat to the maximum depth in which you will be
operating the echosounder. If deep water is not available, find a
location with at least 30m (100').

2. Connect the transducer to the echosounder.

3. Tie a rope securely around the handles of the transducer (see
Figure 4). Lower it over the side of the boat until the active face
is fully submerged and parallel to the water surface.

4. Observe the echosounder’s performance and the depth reading.

Testing the Location

While the boat is at the same site (depth of water), test the
transducer inside the hull at the mounting location. Use one of the
test methods below:

A.If the transducer will be located near the stern and the boat

has a minimum deadrise angle—Clean away any build-up of
dirt and/or grease using detergent or a weak solvent such as
alcohol. Place the transducer against the hull and allow bilge
water to cover the surface where they touch (see Figure 5-A).

B.For a moderate deadrise angle—If the hull surface is not

smooth, grind it with a disc sander. Place the transducer inside
a thin plastic bag. Partially fill the bag with water and close it
tightly with a cable tie. Wet the surface of the hull and press the
active face of the transducer against it through the bag (see
Figure 5-B).

• Where the deadrise angle does not exceed either 12° on the
long side of the tank or 22° on the short side of the tank.

• Where there is space inside the vessel for the size of the tank
and removing the transducer.

• CHIRP transducer—Mount in a cool well-ventilated area away
from the engine to avoid overheating the liquid inside the tank.

2

active face

Figure 4. Establishing a performance baseline

Copyright © 2006 Airmar Technolog y Corp.