Airmar R99, R109LH, R109LM, R109LH-W, R209 User Manual

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONSOWNER’ S GUIDE &

External-Mount, 2 -3kW

Depth Transducer

Models: R99, R109LH, R109LM, R109LH-W, R209, R309,

R509LH, R509LM, R509LH-W, R609LH, R609LM

U.S. Patent No. 7,369,45; 8,582,393. UK Patent No. 2 414 077

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

WARNING: Boats capable of speeds above 25kn
(29MPH)—You must follow these instructions for a

17-335-01 rev. 10 01/09/14

safe installation. For boats exceeding 35 kn. (40MPH)
or when the instructions cannot be met, mount an in­hull transducer. At high speeds, the fairing and/or
transducer may break away from the boat.

WARNING: A stuffing tube is required. The stuffing tube
seals the hull forming a water-tight conduit for the cable.

WARNING: Always wear safety goggles and a dust
mask when installing.

WARNING: The fairing must be installed parallel to the
keel to ensure proper boat handling and water flow
under the transducer.

WARNING: Immediately check for leaks when the boat
is placed in the water. Do not leave the boat in the water
unchecked for more than three hours. Even a small leak
may allow considerable water to accumulate.

WARNING: Fiberglass hull—The transducer and stuffing
tube must be installed in solid fiberglass, not in coring

CAUTION: Aluminum hull—The stainless steel
hardware must be isolated from an aluminum hull to
prevent electrolytic corrosion.

CAUTION: Steel hull—Follow generally accepted
installation practices.

CAUTION: Never install a metal fitting on a vessel with
a positive ground system.

CAUTION: External mount only. The transducer will
overheat if it is mounted in a hull pocket.

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

CAUTION: Never strike the transducer.

CAUTION: Tighten the nylon locking nuts with a torque

wrench using a force not exceeding 27N-m (20ft.-lb.).
Do not over tighten. It may crack the transducer and/or
crush the fairing.

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

with Temperature Sensor

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

Part No.:_________________Date___________Frequency________kHz

Remove
and discard
the packing
hardware.

Figure 1. Packing hardware

Copyright © 2007 Airmar Technology Cor p.

IMPORTANT: Please read the instructions completely

fairing

transducer

before proceeding with the installation. These instructions
supersede any other instructions in your instrument manual
if they differ.

Applications

• Recommended for all hull materials

• Not recommended for hulls less than 9m (30') long

• Not recommended for stepped hulls. Mount an in-hull transducer

• Accommodates a deadrise angle up to 22

°

Unpacking & Pretest

Remove and discard the packing hardware (rod and 2 nuts) (see
Figure 1). Connect the temperature function to the instrument and
check for the approximate air temperature. If there is no reading
or it is inaccurate, check the connections and test again. If there is
still a problem, return the product to your place of purchase.

Tools & Materials

Safety goggles
Dust mask
Angle finder
Band saw (blade must be very sharp)
Rasp or power tool
Electric drill
Drill bits:

pilot hole 3mm or 1/8"
fiberglass, wood, or steel hull 14mm or 9/16"
aluminum hull 15mm or 9/16"

Permanent marker
Mild household detergent or weak solvent (such as alcohol)
Sandpaper
File (installation in a metal hull)
Marine sealant (suitable for below waterline)
Wrenches
Torque wrench
Grommet(s) (some installations)
Cable ties
Water-based anti-fouling paint (mandatory in salt water)

pressure waves

1/3

LWL

(Load Waterline Length)

Figure 2. Transducer location on displacement hull

NOTE: Mount within the
aft 1/3 of the hull, as far
back as possible.

outboard and I/O

Figure 3. Transducer location on planing hull

Copyright © 2005 Airmar Technology Cor p.

Copyright © 2005, 2009 Airmar Techn ology Corp.

200- 600mm
(8 – 24")

inboard

slope of hull

deadrise
angle

parallel to
waterline

Mounting Location

Guidelines

CAUTION: Do not mount in line with or near water intake or
discharge openings or behind strakes, fittings, or hull irregularities
that will disturb the water flow.

CAUTION: Do not mount the sensor where the boat may be
supported during trailering, launching, hauling, or storage to avoid
damaging the transducer’s face.

• The water flowing under the hull must be smooth with a
minimum of bubbles and turbulence (especially at high speeds).

• The transducer must be continuously immersed in water.

• The transducer beam must be unobstructed by the keel or
propeller shaft(s).

• Choose a location 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.

• Choose a location with a minimal deadrise angle, not to
exceed 22

• Choose an accessible spot inside the vessel with adequate space
for the height of the stuffing tube and tightening the nuts.

°.

Hull Types

• Displacement hull powerboat—Locate about 1/3 of the way
along the LWL and 200– 600mm (8– 24") off the centerline (see
Figure 2). The starboard side of the hull where the propeller
blades are moving downward is preferred.

• Planing hull powerboat— (see Figure 3)

• Mount within the aft 1/3 of the hull, as far back as possible.

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

• Mount on or as close to the centerline as possible, and well

inboard of the first set of lifting strakes to ensure that the
transducer is in contact with the water at high speeds.

• Mounting on the starboard side of the hull where the

propeller blades are moving downward is preferred.

Stuffing Tube

After determining the best mounting location for the transducer,
install the stuffing tube. Follow the installation instructions
packaged with the stuffing tube.

Fairing: Cutting, Bedding & Installing

Cutting the Fairing

CAUTION: Shape the fairing to the hull as precisely as possible. If
there are gaps between the fairing and the hull near the ends, cut
a new fairing. Over tightening the rods to minimize gaps may
crack the transducer and/or crush the fairing.

1. Measure the deadrise angle of the hull at the stuffing tube using
an angle finder or digital level (see Figure 2).

2. Tilt the band saw table to the measured angle and secure the
cutting fence (see Figure 4). Do not exceed 22°.

3. Place the fairing on the table so the cutting guide rests against
the fence (see Figures 4 and 5). Note the fairing is symmetrical.

4. Adjust the fence so the fairing will be cut in about two equal parts.
The section that will become the fairing must be a minimum of
20mm (3/4") at its thinnest dimension (see Figure 6).

5. Recheck steps 1 through 4; then cut the fairing.

6. Check the fit by placing the fairing against the hull. Be sure the
fairing is parallel to the centerline of the boat (keel), and the
stuffing tube is about 2/3 of the way back in the cavity (see
Figure 5). Hold the fairing on the ends and try to rock it back
and forth. Shape the fairing to the hull as precisely as possible
with a rasp or power tool until it no longer rocks.

2

cutting

guide

fence

Figure 4. Cutting the fairing

Copyright © 2005 Airmar Technolog y Corp.

band saw

table

deadrise

angle

bottom view aft view

Bow

location
of stuffing
tube

Figure 5. Fairing

Copyright © 2007 - 2011 Airmar Techno logy Corp. Copyright © 2005 Airmar Technology Corp.

cutting
guide

cavity for
stuffing
tube

>

NOTE

: After the fairing is cut,
the section with the cutting guide
becomes the backing block.

cutting

guide

20mm

(3/4")

min.

22

Figure 6. Fairing

max

°