Humminbird WIDE OPTIC User Manual
INSTALLATION PREPARATION
PARTS SUPPLIED
PARTS SUPPLIED
Before installing your new Humminbird fishfinder, please ensure the following parts are
included in the box:
• Fishfinder
• Transducer with 20’ (6m) of cable and mounting hardware kit
• Mounting system an d mounting hardware kit
• 6’ (2m) power cable
• Publications kit
It any of these items is missing, call our Customer Support Hotline.
ACCESSORIES
Humminbird offers a wide assortment of accessories that complement and expand the
capability of your new fishfinder. These accessories are designed with the same high
standards and are backed by the same one-year warranty. The Humminbird Accessory
catalog included with your unit contains descriptions of the many accessories available
and ordering information. All Humminbird accessories are available through your fullservice Humminbird dealer or factory direct through our number listed in the Customer
Support section.
INSTALLATION OVERVIEW
Your Humminbird fishfinder consists of two primary components to install: the control
head and the transducer.
The control head contains the sonar transmit and receive circuitry, as well as the user
controls and display. It should be installed in a location that provides access to the
controls and visibility while in use. The control head mounts on a quick disconnect
mounting system that swivels and tilts providing flexibility for viewing from almost
anywhere on the boat.
The transducer converts electrical energy from the transmitter into mechanical pulses or
sound waves. The transducer also receives the reflected sound waves and converts
them back into electrical signals for display on the control head. It should be installed in
contact with the surface of the water in an area that has smooth waterflow - usually on
the transom of the boat. There are several mounting options for the transducer. Review
the following section to determine the method that works for you and your boat.
INSTALLATION PREPARATION
INSTALLATION OVERVIEW
Determining How to Mount the Transducer
Your Humminbird fishfinder includes a standard
transducer. This transducer can be mounted on the
transom of the boat or bonded to the inside of a fiberglass
hull boat.
The transom installation, which is the most widely used,
places the transducer on the outside of the boat hull. This
technique produces the least signal loss, and provides a
way to adjust the transducer after installation. The
mounting hardware included is designed to protect both
the boat and the transducer should the boat strike debris in
the water or when trailering.
As an alternative to transom mounting, it is possible on many
fiberglass-hulled boats to glue the transducer on the inside of
the boat hull. Since fiberglass has similar sonar
characteristics as water, the sonar signal can pass through
the boat hull with minimal loss. The hull of the boat must be
single layer construction (not double-hulled) Also, any air
trapped in the lamination of the fiberglass would prevent the
sonar signal from passing through.
Inside the hull installations requir e no holes be drilled into the
boat and through experimentation, high -speed operation
comparable to transom mounting can be achieved. Two-part
slow cure epoxy (not included) is required to glue the transducer in place.
INSTALLATION PREPARATION
ALTERNATE MOUNTING METHODS
ALTERNATE TRANSDUCERS AND MOUNTING METHODS
Your Humminbird fishfinder comes with everything necessary for installation and
operation on most boats. However, there are several situations which may require a
different type of transducer. Inboard boats, wood or metal hulls, and sail boats create
unique transducer mounting needs Alternate transducers and mounting methods are
detailed below.
Portable Mounting
The standard transducer can be adapted for portable
installations with a portable mounting kit available from
Humminbird. This accessory adapts your transducer to a
suction cup mount for temporary installation on the boat hull
or other surface.
Trolling Motor Mounting
The standard transducer can also be adapted to mount on
most trollin g motors using a different accessory kit. This
accessory includes a bracket and hose clamp that allows
mounting the transducer to the body of most trolling motors.
Thru-Hull Mounting
Thru -hull transducers install through a hole drilled in the hull
of the boat. Larger boats or boats with inboard motors create
turbulence that make transom mounting ineffective. Also,
hulls that are very thick or are double layered, or made from
materials such as wood or metal, (which do not conduct
sonar signals) make inside the hull mounting inadvisable.
Thru -hull mounting may require the use of a fairing block to level the transducer with the
waterline. Also, since special tools and knowledge may be required to perform this type
of installation, it is best to refer to a qu alified marine technician.
INSTALLATION PREPARATION
TRANSDUCER EXCHANGE
TRANSDUCER EXCHANGE
Other transducers are available as replacements for the standard transducer. You may
exchange your new and unassembled transducer for another type by returning it to the
address listed in Customer Support. Some transducers may have additional cost. Refer
to the Accessory catalog or call Customer Support for information.
BEGINNING INSTALLATION
Now that you have determined the transducer mounting method you can begin
installation of your new Humminbird fishfinder. The installation guide included on the
next few pages provides detailed step by step instructions for installation of the control
head and transducer. For transom mount transducer installations you will need the
mounting template included with your manual.
In addition to the parts included you need the following for installation and operation:
• A powered hand drill and various drill bits
• Philips and flat -head screwdrivers
• A ruler or measuring tape
• Pen or pencil
• 12 volt power source (your boat’s battery)
• A 1-amp fuse
• A fuse holder (if you are wiring directly to the boat’s battery)
• Silicone sealant (for sealing drilled holes)
• 2-part, slow -cure epoxy (for inside the hull transducer installations)
INSTALLATION
TRANSOM INSTALLATION
Do not begin this transducer installation until you read the Installation
Preparation in the Operation Guide. This chapter contains information critical to
the correct installation of your transducer.
Due to the wide variety of boat hulls, only general instructions are presented in
the installation guide. Each boat hull represents a unique set of requirements that
should be evaluated prior to installation.
TRANSOM INSTALLATION
Step One - Determine Where to Mount the Transducer
Begin the transducer installation by determining where on the
transom to install the transducer. Consider the following to find
the best location:
• It is very important to locate the transducer in an area which is
relatively free of turbulent water, As a boat moves through the
water, turbulence is generated by the weight of the boat, and
the thrust of the propeller(s). This turbulent water is normally
confined to areas immediately aft of ribs, strakes or rows of
rivets on the bottom of the boat, and in the immediate area of
the propeller(s) (Figure 1). On outboard or inboard/outboard
boats it is best to stay at least 15” (40cm) to the side of the
propeller(s).
• If possible, viewing the transom of the boat while the boat is
moving will provide the best means of locating turbulence free
water. If maximum high -speed operation is a high priority, this
is the recommended method. If this is not possible, select a
location on the transom where the hull forward of this location
is smooth, flat, and free of protrusions or ribs.
• The transducer when mounted should point straight down.
The design of the transducer will accommodate a wide range
of deadrises and remain ported straight down (Figure 2).
• On boats with stepped hulls, it may be possible to mount the transducer on the step.
Never mount the transducer on the transom behind a step, as this area of the
transom will not be in contact with the water at high speed (Figure 3).
INSTALLATION
TRANSOM INSTALLATION
• If the propeller(s) is (are) forward of the transom, it may be impossible to find an
area clear from turbulence, and a different mounting technique or transducer type
should be considered.
Step Two - Drill the Mounting Holes
1. Remove the mounting template from the front of the Operations Manual.
2. Hold the template on the transom of the boat in the location where the transducer
will be installed (Figure 4). Align the template vertically, ensuring the lower edge of
the transom meets with the bottom corner of the template.
3. Using a pencil or punch, mark the two mounting holes
shown on the template onto the transom. Do not mark or
drill any other holes at this time.
4. Using a 5/32” (4mm) bit drill the two holes to a depth of
approximately 1" (3cm). On fiberglass hulls, it is best to
start with a smaller bit and use progressively larger drill bits
to reduce the chance of chipping or flaking the outer
coating.
Step Three - Assemble the Transducer
1. Attach the Pivot to the transducer body as shown in Figure
5, using the #8 – 3/8” (9mm) long allen headed pivot screw,
the headed pin, the two flat washers, and the two toothed
lock washers.
Note: The toothed lock washers must be positioned
between the transducer and the pivot ears. The flat
washers must be positioned to the outside at the pivot
ears.
2. Using the AIlen wrench es provided, loosely tighten the pivot
screw (Figure 6). Do not completely tighten the assembly at
this time, so the pivot angle can be adjusted later.
3. Insert the pivot/transducer assembly into the mounting
bracket as shown in Figure 7. Do not snap the assembly
closed.
INSTALLATION
TRANSOM INSTALLATION
Step Four - Mount the Transducer to the Transom
1. Apply silicone sealant to the mounting holes drilled into the transom.
2. Align the transducer assembly with the drilled holes in the transom (Figure 8).
3. Use either a flat head screwdriver, a 5/16" (8mm) hex driver, or a 5/16" (8mm)
socket to mount the assembly. Using the two #10 – 1”
(25mm) long slotted hex head screws, mount the transducer
assembly to the transom as shown. Do not fully tighten the
mounting screws in order to vertically adjust the transducer.
Snap the pivot down into place.
Step Five - Adjust the Running Position of the Transducer
The bracket allows height and tilt adjustment, the pivot screws
allow angular adjustment. Initially, adjust the transducer as
described in the following paragraphs. Further adjustment may
be necessary to refine the instillation after high speed testing.
1. First adjust the pivot angle of the transducer body so its
length is parallel with the length of hull of the boat. Then
pivot the transducer down so the rear is about 1/4 inch
(6mm) lower than the front (Figure 9).
2. Fully tighten the two pivot screws using the Allen wrenches.
It may be necessary to retighten the pivot screws after the
initial use as the plastics may still be seating to the lock
washers.
3. Adjust the height of the assembly so the face of the
transducer is 3/16" (4.5mm) beneath the lower edge of the
transom (Figure 10). Mark the position of the mounting
bracket on the transom with a pencil.
4. Force the pivot to the up position to gain access to the
mounting screws. Assure the transducer location has not
changed, then fully tighten the two mounting screws (Figure
11). Snap the pivot back down.
Confirm the pivot angle has not changed.
Note: A third screw location is provided for the
mounting bracket. Drill this hole and install the screw after final testing and
adjustments have been completed.
INSTALLATION
TRANSOM INSTALLATION
Step Six - Route the Cable
There are several ways to route the transducer cable to the to the area where the
control head will be installed. The most common procedure routes the cable through the
transom into the boat.
Inside the boat there is often a channel or conduit used for other
wiring that the cable can be routed along. Do not cut or shorten
the transducer cable and try not to damage the cable insulation.
Route the cable as far as practical from the VHF radio antenna
cables or tachometer cable to reduce the possibility of
interference.
If the cable is too short, extension cables are available to extend
the transducer cable up to a total of 50' (15 m). Call Humminbird
Customer Support for more information.
Follow these steps to route the cable through the transom:
1. Drill a 5/8” (16mm) hole above the water line. Route the
cable through the hole.
2. Fill the hole with silicone sealant.
3. Place the escutcheon plate over the hole and attach with the two #8 x 5/8” (16mm)
screws.
4. Secure the cable by attaching the cable camp to the transom using a #8 x 5/8”
(16mm) screw.
Note: The transducer will pivot up to 90 degrees in the bracket. Allow enough
slack in the cable for this movement. It is best to route the cable to the side of the
transducer so the cable will not be damaged by the transducer during movement.
INSTALLATION
INSIDE THE HULL INSTALLATION
INSIDE THE HULL INSTALLATION
Inside the hull installation requires the mount system and control
head be installed and operational. See Installing the Control Head
for instruction on installing the unit.
Inside the hull mountin g generally produces good results in single
thickness fiberglass-hulled boats. Humminbird cannot guarantee
depth performance when transmitting and receiving through the
hull of the boat since some signal loss occurs. The amount of loss
depends on hull construction and thickness, and the installation.
This installation requires slow -cure two-part epoxy. Do not use
silicone or any other soft adhesive to install the transducer, as this
material reduces the sensitivity of the unit. Five minute epoxy has
a tendency to cure before all the air bubbles can be purged.
Step One - Determine the Mounting Location
Begin the transducer installation by determining where inside the
hull to install the transducer. Consider the following to find the
best location:
• Observe the outside of the boat hull to find the areas that are
mostly free from turbulent water. Avoid ribs, strakes, and other
protrusions as these create turbulence (Figure 14).
• As a general rule, the faster the boat can travel the further aft
and closer to the centerline of the hull the transducer has to be
located to remain in contact with the water at high speeds.
Step Two - Test the Mounting Location
There is no opportunity for adjustment after the transducer glued
in place. Therefore, it is best to perform a trial installation on inside the hull transducers
first, and run the boat at high speeds to determine the best mounting area.
1. At the identified mounting location, lay the transducer body face down with the
pointed end towards the bow.
2. Fill the hull with enough water to submerge the transducer body. Use a sand filled
bag or other heavy object to hold the transducer in position.
The transducer cannot transmit through air. The water purges any air from between
the transducer and the hull and fills any voids in the coarse fiberglass surface.
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