Eagle Electronics STRATA 128 User Manual

Strata 128Strata 128

Strata 128

Strata 128Strata 128

Strata 128 PlusStrata 128 Plus

Strata 128 Plus

Strata 128 PlusStrata 128 Plus

Strata 128 PorStrata 128 Por

Strata 128 Por

Strata 128 PorStrata 128 Por

INSTINST

INST

INSTINST

StrataVStrataV

StrataV

StrataVStrataV

ALLAALLA

ALLA

ALLAALLA

TION AND OPERATION AND OPERA

TION AND OPERA

TION AND OPERATION AND OPERA

INSTRINSTR

INSTR

INSTRINSTR

UCTIONSUCTIONS

UCTIONS

UCTIONSUCTIONS

iewiew

iew

iewiew

tabletable

table

tabletable

TIONTION

TION

TIONTION

TABLE OF CONTENTSTABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTSTABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................3

SPECIFICATIONS ...........................................................................................3

INSTALLATION -Transducer ........................................................................... 5

POWER CONNECTIONS ...............................................................................13

BRACKET INSTALLATION ............................................................................14

PORTABLE ASSEMBLY ................................................................................15

SPEED/TEMP SENSORS ..............................................................................16

KEYBOARD BASICS ......................................................................................20

DISPLAY .........................................................................................................2 0

OPERATION ................................................................................................... 2 1

MENUS ...........................................................................................................21

AUTOMATIC ................................................................................................... 2 1

RANGE ...........................................................................................................2 1

ZOOM .............................................................................................................2 2

SENSITIVITY ..................................................................................................24

GRAYLINE® ...................................................................................................24

FISH ID ...........................................................................................................25

FISH TRACK™ ...............................................................................................26

TARGET TRACK ............................................................................................26

CHART SPEED ..............................................................................................27

DISPLAY MODE .............................................................................................28

ALARMS .........................................................................................................3 2

BACK LIGHT...................................................................................................33

FEET/METER .................................................................................................33

DISPLAY CONTRAST ....................................................................................33

ASP (Advanced Signal Processing) ...............................................................34

SIMULATOR ...................................................................................................34

TROUBLESHOOTING .................................................................................... 35

WARRANTY ...................................................................................................38

All features and specifications in this manual are subject to change

without notice.

All screens in this manual are simulated.

Eagle Electronics PO Box 669 Catoosa, OK 74015

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing an Eagle sonar. Your sonar unit is a high quality sonar designed for both professional and novice fishermen. All of our sonars have an automatic feature that finds and displays the bottom, fish, structure, and more! All you have to do is press the on key. However, if you wish to fine tune the unit, all you have to do is press the menu key. The Strata series has powerful features available through easy-to-use menus.

To get started with your Eagle unit, first read the installation section. This is where it all begins. Improper installation can cause problems down the road. After you’ve read the instructions, install the unit, then read the rest of the manual. The more you know about your unit, the better it will perform for you. Take this manual for reference when you head for the water.

SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions ...................... 5.9" W x 5.35" H x 3.4" D

Input Voltage .................... 10 - 15 vDC

Current Drain ................... 350 ma (lights off)

........................... 500 ma (lights on)

Transmitter

Frequency.......... 192 kHz

Output Power..... 275 watts (peak-to-peak) (typical)

........................... 34.4 watts (RMS)

Display ........................... 128 pixels (H) x 65 pixels (W)

........................... Supertwist Liquid Crystal Display

5.9" 3.4"

5.35"

NOTICE!

The storage temperature for your unit is from -4 degrees to +167 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 degrees to +75 degrees Celcius). Extended storage in temperatures higher or lower than specified will damage the liquid crystal display in your unit. This type of damage is not covered by the warranty. For more information, contact the factory customer service department or your local service center.

Transducer Installation

The transducer included with your sonar is a transom mount transducer The “kick-up” mounting bracket helps prevent damage if the transducer strikes an object while the boat is moving. If the transducer does “kickup”, the bracket can easily be pushed back in place without tools.

Read this manual carefully before attempting the installation. Determine which of the mounting positions is right for your boat. Use extreme care if mounting the transducer inside the hull, since once it is epoxied into position, the transducer usually cannot be removed. Remember, the transducer location is the most critical part of a sonar installation.

Location - General

1. The transducer must be placed in a location that has a smooth flow of water at all times. If the transducer is to be mounted inside the hull, then the chosen location must be in the water at all times. If the transducer is not placed in a smooth flow of water, interference will show on the sonar’s display in the form of random lines or dots whenever the boat is moving.

2. The transducer should be installed with it’s face pointing straight down, if possible.

3. If the transducer is mounted on the transom, make certain it doesn’t interfere with the trailer or hauling of the boat. Also, don’t mount it closer than approximately one foot from the engine’s lower unit. This will prevent cavitation interference with the propeller. Typically, the transducer should be mounted as deep in the water as possible. This increases the chance that it will be in the water in high speed and reduces the possiblity of air bubble interference.

4. If possible, route the transducer cable away from other wiring on the boat. Electrical noise from engine wiring, bilge pumps, and areators can be displayed on the sonar’s screen. Use caution when routing the transducer cable around these wires.

Shoot-thru-hull v.s. Transom Mounting

(Strata 128 and Strata 128 Plus Only)

Typically, shoot-thru-hull installations give excellent high speed operation and good to excellent depth capability. There is no possibility of damage from floating objects. It can't be knocked off when docking or loading on the trailer.

However, the shoot-thru-hull installation does have its drawbacks. One, some loss of sensitivity does occur, even on the best hulls. This varies from hull to hull, even from different installations on the same hull. This is caused by differences in hull layup and construction. Two, the angle of the transducer cannot be adjusted for the best fish arches. This can be a problem on some hulls that sit with the bow high when at rest or at slow trolling speeds. Follow the procedure listed in the shoot-thru-hull installation section in this manual to determine if you can satisfactorily shoot through the hull.

T ransducer Assemb l y and Mounting - All Units

The best way to install this transducer is to loosely assemble all of the parts first, place the transducer’s bracket against the tr ansom and see if you can move the tr ansducer so that it’s parallel with the ground.

1. Press the two small plastic ratchets into the sides of the metal brac ket as shown below. Notice there are letters molded into each ratchet. Place each ratchet into the bracket with the letter “A” aligned with the dot stamped into the metal bracket. This position sets the transducer’ s coarse angle adjustment for a fourteen (14) degree transom. Most outboard and stern-drive transoms have a fourteen degree angle.

DOT

2. Slide the transducer between the two ratchets. Temporally slide the bolt though the transducer assembly and hold it against the transom. Looking at the transducer from the side, check to see if it will adjust so that its face is parallel to the ground. If it does, then the “A” position is correct for your hull. If the transducer’ s face isn’t parallel with the ground, remove the transducer and r atchets from the bracket. Place the ratchets into the holes in the bracket with the letter “B” aligned with the dot stamped in the bracket. Reassemble the transducer and brac ket and place them against the transom. Again, chec k to see if y ou can mo ve the transducer so it’s parallel with the ground. If you can, then go to step 3. If it doesn’t, repeat step 2, b ut use a different letter until you can place the transducer on the transom correctly.

RATCHETS

3. Once you determine the correct position for the ratchets, assemble the transducer as shown at left. Don't tighten the loc k nut at this time.

METAL

NUT

WASHER

RUBBER

WASHERS

METAL

WASHER

BOLT

CAUTION!CAUTION!

CAUTION!

CLAMP THE TRANSDUCER CABLE TOCLAMP THE TRANSDUCER CABLE TO

CLAMP THE TRANSDUCER CABLE TO

CLAMP THE TRANSDUCER CABLE TOCLAMP THE TRANSDUCER CABLE TO

TRANSOM NEAR THE TRANSDUCER. THISTRANSOM NEAR THE TRANSDUCER. THIS

TRANSOM NEAR THE TRANSDUCER. THIS

TRANSOM NEAR THE TRANSDUCER. THISTRANSOM NEAR THE TRANSDUCER. THIS

WILL HELP PREVENT THE TRANSDUCERWILL HELP PREVENT THE TRANSDUCER

WILL HELP PREVENT THE TRANSDUCER

WILL HELP PREVENT THE TRANSDUCERWILL HELP PREVENT THE TRANSDUCER

FROM ENTERING THE BOAT IF IT ISFROM ENTERING THE BOAT IF IT IS

FROM ENTERING THE BOAT IF IT IS

FROM ENTERING THE BOAT IF IT ISFROM ENTERING THE BOAT IF IT IS

KNOCKED OFF AT HIGH SPEED.KNOCKED OFF AT HIGH SPEED.

KNOCKED OFF AT HIGH SPEED.

KNOCKED OFF AT HIGH SPEED.KNOCKED OFF AT HIGH SPEED.

POOR ANGLEPOOR ANGLE

POOR ANGLE

POOR ANGLEPOOR ANGLE

CAUTION!CAUTION!

POOR LOCATIONPOOR LOCATION

POOR LOCATION

POOR LOCATIONPOOR LOCATION

GOOD LOCATIONGOOD LOCATION

GOOD LOCATION

GOOD LOCATIONGOOD LOCATION

GOOD LOCATION

GOOD LOCATIONGOOD LOCATION

4. Hold the transducer and bracket assembly against the transom. The transducer should be roughly parallel to the ground. The bottom of the transducer bracket should be in line with the bottom of the hull.

let the bracket extend below the hull!

Mark the center of the slots for

Don't

the mounting holes. Drill two 5/32" holes in the marked locations for the #10 screws supplied with the transducer .

TRANSOM

SIDE VIEW

5. Remove the transducer from the bracket and re-assemble it with the cable passing through the bracket over the bolt as shown above. Attach the transducer to the transom. Slide the transducer up or down until it’s aligned properly on the transom as shown abov e. Tighten the bracket’ s mounting screws. Adjust the transducer so that it’ s parallel to the ground and tighten the lock nut until it touches the flat washer , then add 1/4 turn.

Don’t over tighten the lock n ut!

If you do, the tr ansducer

won’t “kic k-up” if it strikes an object in the water .

6. Route the transducer cable to the sonar unit. Make certain to leave some slack inthe cable at the transducer as shown abo ve . If possib le, route the transducer cable aw ay from other wiring on the boat. Electrical noise from the engine’s wiring, bilge pumps, VHF radio wires and cables, and aerators can be pic ked up by the sonar . Use caution when routing the transducer cable around these wires.

IMPORTANT!

Clamp the transducer cable to the transom close to the transducer. This can prevent the transducer from entering the boat if it is knocked off at high speed.

7. Make a test run to determine the results. If the bottom is lost at high speed, or if noise appears on the display, try sliding the transducer bracket down. This puts the transducer deeper into the water, hopefully below the turbulence causing the noise. Don't allow the transducer bracket to go belo w the bottom of the hull!

TROLLING MOTOR BRACKET INSTALLATION (StrataView Only)

1. Attach the TMB-S bracket to the transducer as shown below using the hardware supplied with the transducer. (Note: The internal tooth washer is supplied with the TMB-S.)

INTERNAL TOOTH WASHER

BOLT

NUT

FLAT WASHER

TMB-S BRACKET

2. Slide the adjustable strap supplied with the TMB-S through the slot in the transducer bracket and wrap it around the trolling motor. Position the transducer to aim straight down when the motor is in the water. Tighten the strap securely. Route the transducer cable alongside the trolling motor shaft. Use plastic ties (not included) to attach the transducer cable to the trolling motor shaft. Make certain there is enough slack in the cable for the motor to turn freely. Route the cable to the sonar unit and the transducer is ready for use.

SHOOT-THRU-HULL

(Strata 128 and Strata 128 Plus Only)

The transducer installation inside a fiberglass hull must be in an area that does not have air bubbles in the resin or separated fiberglass layers. The sonar signal must pass through solid fiberglass. A successful transducer installation can be made on hulls with flotation materials (such as plywood, balsa wood, or foam) between layers of fiberglass if the material is removed from the chosen area. For example, some manufacturers use a layer of fiberglass, then a core of balsa wood, finishing with an outer layer of fiberglass. Removing the inner layer of fiberglass and the balsa wood core exposes the outer layer of fiberglass. The transducer can then be epoxied directly to the outer layer of fiberglass. After the epoxy cures, the hull is watertight and structurally sound. Remember, the sonar signal must pass through solid fiberglass. Any air bubbles in the fiberglass or the epoxy will reduce or eliminate the sonar signals.

To choose the proper location for thru-hull mounting, anchor the boat in 60 feet of water. Add a little water to the sump of the boat. Plug the

FILL WITH EPOXY

INNER HULL

EPOXY TO HULL FIRST

OUTER HULL

transducer into the sonar unit, turn it on, then hold the transducer over the side of the boat. Adjust the sensitivity and range controls until a second bottom echo is seen on the display. (you will need to turn both automatic and ASP off.) Don’t touch the controls once they’ve been set. Next, take the transducer out of the water and place it in the water in the sump of the boat. Observe the sonar signal to see if there is a noticeable decrease in sensitivity. The second bottom signal may disappear and the bottom signal may decrease in intensity. Move the transducer around to find the best location. If the sensitivity control has to be increased greatly to compensate, then the transducer should be mounted on the outside of the hull. If not, then mark the location that shot through the hull the best and follow the instructions on the next pages for a shoot-thru-hull mounting.

TRANSDUCER LOCATION

(HIGH SPEED)

TRANSDUCER LOCATION

(TROLLING SPEED)

Shoot-thru-hull Installation

(Strata 128 and Strata 128 Plus Only)

1. Make certain the area is clean, dry, and free of oil or grease, then

sand both the inside surface of the hull and the face of the transducer with 100 grit sandpaper. The surface of the hull must be flat so the entire transducer face is in contact with the hull prior to bonding.

SPREAD EPOXY HERE

SAND THIS SURFACE

2. Follow the instructions on the epoxy package and mix it thoroughly.

Do not mix it too fast, as it will cause bubbles to form in the epoxy. (NOTE! Use only the epoxies specified on the inside front cover of this manual! Failure to use one of these epoxies may result in poor sonar performance!) Apply a small amount on the face of the transducer as shown above, then spread a small amount onto the sanded area on the

hull. Place the transducer into the epoxy, twisting and turning it to force any air bubbles out from under the transducer face. The face of the transducer should be parallel with the hull, with a minimum amount of epoxy between the hull and transducer. After the epoxy dries, route the cable to the sonar unit.

Fish Arches

If you do not get good fish arches on your display, it could be the transducer is not parallel with the ground when the boat is at rest in the water, or at slow trolling speeds. If the arch slopes up, but not back down, then the front of the transducer is too high and needs to be lowered. If only the back half the the arch is printed, then the nose of the transducer is angled too far down and needs to be raised.

TRANSDUCER AIMED TOO FARTRANSDUCER AIMED TOO FAR

TRANSDUCER AIMED TOO FAR

TRANSDUCER AIMED TOO FARTRANSDUCER AIMED TOO FAR

BACKBACK

BACK

BACKBACK

PROPER TRANSDUCER ANGLEPROPER TRANSDUCER ANGLE

PROPER TRANSDUCER ANGLE

PROPER TRANSDUCER ANGLEPROPER TRANSDUCER ANGLE

TRANSDUCER AIMED TOOTRANSDUCER AIMED TOO

TRANSDUCER AIMED TOO

TRANSDUCER AIMED TOOTRANSDUCER AIMED TOO

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