Lowrance HDS User Manual

988-0176-06_A

HDS unit installation instructions

Read the following instructions carefully before attempting any installation.

Transducer installation recommended tools and supplies (not included)

If you plan to route the transducer cable through the transom, you will need either a 1" drill bit or a 5/8" drill bit depending on the size of the transducer cable connector. Each transom mount requires a high quality, marine grade above- or belowwaterline sealant/adhesive compound. The following installations also call for these recommended tools and supplies.

One-piece bracket transom installation:

Tools: two adjustable wrenches or socket wrench, drill, #29 (0.136") drill bit, screwdriver. Supplies: none.

Two-piece bracket transom installation:

Tools: two adjustable wrenches or socket wrench, drill, #20 (0.161") drill bit, screwdriver. Supplies: four, 1" long, #12 stainless steel wood screws.

TMB-S bracket trolling motor installation:

Tools: two adjustable wrenches or socket wrench, screwdriver. Supplies: plastic cable ties.

Skimmer Transducer shoot-through hull installation:

Supplies: alcohol wipes, 60 and 160 grit sandpaper, and marine grade above- or below-waterline epoxy adhesive.

Pod Transducer shoot-through hull installation:

Supplies: alcohol wipes, 60 and 160 grit sandpaper, and marine grade above- or below-waterline epoxy adhesive.

Skimmer Transducer installation instructions

Transducer location and installation is one of the most critical steps in sonar installation.

1. Select a transducer location

To function properly the Skimmer transducer must be in the water at all times and in a

location that has a smooth ow of water when the boat is moving.

Good location

Poor location

Aluminum boats with strakes or ribs on the hull can create large amounts of

turbulence at higher speeds. A good transducer location on these types of

boats is between the ribs closest to the engine.

Good location

Poor location

If the transducer is not placed in a smooth ow of water, interference caused by

bubbles and turbulence may show on-screen in the form of random lines or dots. The unit also could lose bottom signal when the boat is on plane.

Do not mount the transducer

closer than approximately one

foot from the engine’s lower

unit. This will prevent cavitation

interference from the prop.

When mounting the transducer, make sure it does not interfere with the haul-

ing of the boat.

2. Aligning Ratchets on Transducer bracket

Aligning ratchets on one-piece bracket:

The one-piece bracket assembly includes two black plastic ratchets. The ratchets are used to align the transducer with the boat hull. Each ratchet has the letters A-E molded into it.

Ratchet

Bracket

2. Slide the transducer in the bracket and temporarily slide

the bolt through the transducer

bracket, as shown in the image

at right.

1. Insert the ratchets in the bracket with the letter "A" aligned with the dot stamped on the outside

of the transducer bracket, as shown in the fol-

lowing series of diagrams.

Align dot and

letter "A".

Transom

3. Hold the transducer assembly against the transom. Look at the

transducer from the side. Try to

adjust the transducer so its face

is parallel to the ground. If it does,

then the "A" position is correct.

If the transducer will not adjust with its face parallel to the ground, remove the transducer and ratchets from the bracket. Reinsert the ratchets into the bracket, this time with the letter "B" aligned with the dot stamped in the bracket. Reassemble the transducer and bracket and place it against the transom. Again, check to see if the transducer will adjust so its face is parallel with the ground. Repeat this process until the transducers face will adjust so that it is parallel with the ground.

Aligning ratchets on two-piece bracket:

The two-piece bracket includes four black plastic ratchets. The ratchets are used to align the transducer with the boat hull. Each ratchet has the letters A-F molded into it.

1. Place two of the ratchets in each side of the bracket

with the letter "A" aligned with the alignment mark molded

into each bracket.

2. Now place the other two ratchets on

Alignment

mark

Bracket

3. Slide the transducer in the bracket

and temporarily slide the bolt through

the transducer bracket.

the transducer with the letter "A" aligned

in the 12 o'clock position on the trans-

ducer stem.

4. Hold the transducer assembly against the transom. Look at the

transducer from the side. Try to

adjust the transducer so its face

is parallel to the ground. If it does,

then the "A" position is correct.

Ratchet

Transom

3. Assembling the Transducer bracket

After determining the correct position for the ratchets, loosely assemble the transducer and bracket assembly as shown in one of the two diagrams below.

One-piece bracket assembly:

Metal washer

Lock nut

Rubber washers

Metal washer

Ratchets

Bolt

Do not tighten the transducer bracket assembly until you have aligned the

transducer and bracket on the transom.

Two-piece bracket assembly:

Ratchets

Bolt

Small at washer

Thick rubber washer

Do not tighten the transducer bracket assembly until you have aligned the

transducer and bracket on the transom.

Large at

washer

Lock nut

4. Aligning and Attaching the Transducer on the Transom

Adjust the transducer so that its "face" is parallel with the ground and its center line is even with the bottom of the boat hull.

Transducer bracket

mounted too low.

Transom

Bottom of hull.

When mounting the transducer to the transom, there are two extremes you

should avoid, rst, do not let the edge of the mounting bracket extend below

the bottom of the hull, left image, above. Second, do not let the bottom of the

transducer rise above the bottom of the hull, right image, above.

The center line of the transducer should be level with the bottom of the boat hull and its "face" parallel

with the ground.

Transducer bracket

mounted too high.

Transom

Bottom of hull.

Transom

Transducer face

Do not over tighten

the transducer bracket

lock nut. If you do, the

transducer may not

"kick-up" if it strikes an

object in the water.

Bottom of hull.

For single frequency

transducers, with a

one-piece bracket,

assemble it with the

cable passing over

the bolt and through

the bracket, as shown

here.

1. Hold the transducer and bracket assembly against the transom. When the transducer and bracket are properly aligned mark its posi-

tion on the hull.

2. Drill the mounting holes for the transducer bracket. For the onepiece bracket use a #29 bit (for the #10 screws). For the two-piece bracket use a #20 bit (for the #12

screws).

Use the provided screws to secure the transducer assembly to the transom.

Be sure to use a below-waterline

marine grade sealant on all of the

transducer bracket screw holes.

When mounting a Skimmer transducer to a boat with a veehull, make sure the transducer center line is aligned to the

bottom of the boat hull, as shown here.

Water line

Clamp the transducer cable to

the transom near the transducer.

This will help keep the cable

secure.

If you drill a hole in the transom for the transducer cable, make sure it is located above the waterline. Seal the hole with an above- or below-waterline marine grade sealant.

If you drill a hole in the transom for the transducer cable, make sure it is located above the waterline. Seal the hole with an above or below waterline marine grade sealant. Route the transducer cable to the sonar unit. Make sure to leave some slack in the cable near the transducer.

Use caution when routing the transducer cable near other wiring and cables. If you need to drill a hole in the transom to pass the connector through, the hole size will depend on the connector on the end of the transducer’s cable.

5. Make a test run to determine the results

At times you may need to adjust the transducer higher or lower. The slots in the mounting brackets allow you to loosen the screws and slide the transducer up or down.

Improper transducer angles

Partial sonar

sh arches

Transducer face parallel

with the bottom.

Full sonar sh arch

If the sonar screen is displaying partial sh arches, as shown in the previous top

two images, the transducer could be at an improper angle. Check the transducer and make sure its face is parallel with the bottom, as shown in the bottom example. If you frequently lose bottom signal lock the transducer may be coming out of the water as the boat crosses waves or wakes.

Move the transducer a little lower in the water to see if that improves sonar perfor-

mance. When shing around underwater structure the transducer may be kicked up

from object strikes. If the transducer is being kicked up too often, try moving it a little higher for more protection.

TMB-S trolling motor bracket installation

The TMB-S bracket is designed for one-piece bracket transducers only.

The TMB-S trolling motor bracket (Part No. 51-45) is an optional accessory and is available through LEI Extras at www.lei-extras.com. The TMB-S bracket is used

to attach a one-piece bracket transducer to a trolling motor. If you regularly sh in

water with a lot of underwater structure, such as rocks, stumps and trees, you may consider using a Pod transducer for trolling motor installation. Pod transducers cannot be "kicked up" by underwater structure.

Internal tooth washer

Plastic bracket

Bolt

Lock nut

Flat washer

Using the components supplied with the TMB-S bracket (adjustable strap, internal tooth washer and plastic bracket) attach it to the transducer as shown

in the diagram above.

Adjustable strap

Route the transducer cable along the trolling motor shaft. Use plastic ties

(not included) to secure

the cable to the shaft.

Slide the adjustable strap through the plastic bracket as shown above, left, then slip the strap around the trolling motor as shown in the image, at right. Position the transducer so its "face" is pointing straight down when the trolling motor is in the water. Tighten the adjustable strap securely to the trolling motor. Make sure there is enough slack in the transducer cable for the trolling

motor to turn freely.

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