Lowrance electronic 100 User Manual
www.lowrance.com
Pub. 988-0161-001
Radar & RIM 100
Radar Interface Module
Installation Instructions
Copyright © 2006 Lowrance Electronics, Inc.
All rights reserved.
No part of this manual may be copied, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed for any purpose, without prior written consent of
Lowrance Electronics. Any unauthorized commercial distribution
of this manual is strictly prohibited.
Lowrance
NMEA 2000
is a registered trademark of Lowrance Electronics, Inc.
is a registered trademark of the National Marine Elec-
tronics Association.
Lowrance Electronics may find it necessary to change or end our policies, regulations and special offers at any time. We reserve the right to
do so without notice. All features and specifications subject to change
without notice.
For free owner's manuals and the most current information on
this product, its operation and accessories,
visit our web site:
www.lowrance.com
Lowrance Electronics Inc.
12000 E. Skelly Dr.
Tulsa, OK USA 74128-2486
Printed in USA.
Table of Contents
Warnings and Cautions ............................................................. i
Section 1: Introduction............................................................. 1
What is radar? ............................................................................... 1
Antenna...................................................................................... 1
Side lobe ..................................................................................... 2
Characteristics of Radar Wave..................................................... 2
Targets difficult to display on screen ....................................... 2
Radar Shadow Zones................................................................. 2
False echoes ............................................................................... 3
A. Ghost echoes...................................................................... 3
B. Multiple echoes ................................................................. 3
C. False echoes caused by side lobe...................................... 3
D. Distant false echoes caused by duct phenomenon.......... 3
Radar interference..................................................................... 4
Installation Considerations .......................................................... 4
Location...................................................................................... 4
Obtaining sufficient dip angle .................................................. 5
Mounting Base........................................................................... 5
Section 2: Radar Installation .................................................. 8
Preparations .................................................................................. 8
Installation Procedure .................................................................. 8
Section 3: RIM 100sp Installation ........................................ 10
Cable Connections and Wiring Diagrams.................................. 12
Lowrance Radar Specifications .................................................. 16
FCC Compliance.......................................................................... 17
Warnings and Cautions
Caution:
Use this radar at your own risk. This radar was designed for
use as a navigation aid. It should not be used for purposes that
require precise measurements of direction, distance, topography
or location. Always compare the navigation information received
from your radar with data from other navigation aids and
sources. When a conflict arises between the navigation data from
your radar and data from other navigation aids, make sure you
resolve the conflict before proceeding with navigation. A CARE-
FUL NAVIGATOR NEVER RELIES ON ONLY ONE
METHOD TO OBTAIN NAVIGATION INFORMATION.
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Caution:
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea mandate that when radar is on a vessel, the radar must be used at
all times, regardless of weather conditions or visibility. Numerous court decisions have not only ruled the radar must be used,
but that the radar operator must be knowledgeable in all operational aspects of radar performance or otherwise face a greater
risk of liability if an accident occurs.
Caution:
If you purchased an open array radar antenna, make sure it is
installed in an area free of hardware obstructions and free of potential obstructions like sails, lines or other vessel components
that could intermittently intrude or be caught up in the array
antenna's rotation path.
WARNING: High Voltage Hazard
Dangerously high voltages are present within the radar
scanner unit. The unit contains no user-serviceable
parts. The cover should be removed only by a qualified
radar service technician. Technicians must exercise extreme care when working inside the unit. ALWAYS remove power before removing the cover. Some capacitors
may take several minutes to discharge, even after
switching off the radar. Before touching the magnetron
or any high voltage components, ground them with a
clip lead. There are no internal connections or adjustments necessary for installation.
WARNING: Microwave Radiation Hazard
The microwave energy radiated by a radar antenna is
harmful to humans, especially to the eyes. NEVER look
directly into an open waveguide or into the path of radiation from an enclosed antenna. Radar and other radio frequency radiation can upset cardiac pacemakers.
If someone with a cardiac pacemaker suspects abnormal
operation, immediately turn off the radar equipment
and move the person away from the antenna. Turn off
the radar whenever it is necessary to work on the antenna unit or other equipment in the beam of the radar.
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Section 1: Introduction
Thank you for purchasing this Lowrance Radar with the RIM 100 radar
interface module. Your radar consists of three main components: the
radar scanner unit, a display unit (sold separately) and the RIM 100
radar interface module which connects the scanner unit and the display
unit.
We know you’re anxious to begin the installation, but first, let us tell
you how this manual is organized.
The first section describes how your radar works. We'll also discuss issues to consider when selecting an installation location as well as important safety requirements.
The second section will tell you how to install the radar scanner unit.
The third section covers installing the RIM 100 radar interface module.
Radar operation is covered in another manual that corresponds to your
display unit.
The radar scanner unit includes the radar antenna, transmitter, receiver and necessary electronics. The mounting hardware kit and interconnecting cable also are included with the radar scanner.
What is radar?
The word "radar" is an acronym for "RAdio Detecting And Ranging." In
simple terms, this is how it works:
A radio transmitter sends out a quick microwave pulse. A receiver listens for that signal's echo when it is bounced back from something in
its path. When it returns, it is processed by a computer to determine
relative distance, position and bearing of the object that reflected the
signal. This information is displayed on the display unit's screen. Other
boats or ships, navigational markers, landmasses and the like are referred to as targets.
By knowing how long it takes for a signal to return, the distance to a
target can be determined. As the radar antenna scans through a 360
degree rotation, it can show where the target is relative to your position. By repeated scans, you can see which direction another vessel is
moving.
Antenna
How radar will perform is largely determined by its antenna or scanner. Increasing the size of the antenna improves long-range performance and target discrimination — the ability to distinguish two sepa-
1
rate targets at a distance. The critical factors are the antenna's beam
width and side lobe level. Typically, a radar antenna will radiate a
tightly focused beam from the front of the array. The longer the antenna array is, the narrower the beam width. Additionally, it will also
emit smaller amounts of energy to each side. A lower side lobe level
lessens the effect of a false echo.
Side lobe
The beam radiating the strongest radio signal from the antenna is
called the "main lobe". Those beams radiated in other directions are
referred to as "side lobes". The side lobe level indicates the difference in
level (signal strength) between the largest side lobe and the main lobe.
Characteristics of Radar Wave
Radio waves travel out from the antenna, bending slightly along the
earth's surface. The amount they bend depends on atmospheric conditions. The sight distance of a radar generally is about 6% longer than
the optical sight distance and is calculated using this equation:
Where h is the height of the scanner, the distance to the radar horizon
in nautical miles (Nm)
= 1.22 h(feet) or 2.21 h(meters)
Targets difficult to display on screen
The intensity of the reflected radio signal from a target depends on the
distance, height, size of the target, the target's material and shape
along with the radar’s transmitter power output and antenna size.
Targets made of fiberglass, wood, or other low-reflectance materials or
those that have a small incident angle are difficult to display on a
screen. Sandy beaches and sandy or muddy shallows can be difficult to
pick up. A coastline can actually be closer to your boat than it appears
on the screen, because there's not much to reflect a signal back to you.
Radar Shadow Zones
Radar waves propagate in a straight line. A high outcropping of land or
a large ship will create a shadow zone behind it and prevent you from
seeing targets on the other side. Radar is a line-of-sight view of targets
and obstructions.
More importantly, if a mast or some part of the boat's superstructure is
in the path of the antenna's sweep, this will also create a shadow zone.
No targets will be recognized behind it and it could create a dangerous
situation.
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False echoes
Sometimes radar will display targets on screen that do not exist in the
real world. You should be aware of how and why this happens.
A. Ghost echoes
Sometimes one large object very near your boat will appear as two different targets onscreen. One is the actual radar echo. The other is a
ghost echo generated by a re-reflection of the original signal. It comes
back to your own boat, bounces back to the target, and then is picked
up by the antenna on the second bounce.
The actual echo appears at the correct distance and bearing on the
screen. The ghost echo appears somewhere behind your boat. This type
of false echo is also generated by re-reflection of radar waves from
bridges, quay walls or buildings along the shore.
B. Multiple echoes
If there is a large vertical reflecting surface near your boat, as in the
case when you pass alongside a large ship, radar signals are repeatedly
bounced back and forth between your boat and the other object. Two to
four images may appear on the screen at equal intervals in the same
bearing.
This is called a multiple echo. The image appearing closest to you is the
real echo. Multiple echoes will disappear as you move away from the
reflecting object or its bearing changes.
C. False echoes caused by side lobe
An antenna's side lobe emissions are low power, and will not register
distant targets. However, if there is a strong reflecting target near your
boat, it sometimes may appear as a circular-arc false echo on the
screen.
D. Distant false echoes caused by duct phenomenon
The duct phenomenon sometimes occurs when meteorological conditions create a temperature inversion between layers of air. When this
happens, radar waves propagate erratically and can reach a location
considerably farther away from your boat than the radar's maximum
distance range.
What appears onscreen is a false echo that looks to be nearer than the
actual target. Since the true echo from the distant target is outside the
measurement capabilities of the radar, its apparent distance will
change when you change ranges, and you can conclude that it's a false
echo.
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Radar interference
If another boat's radar is operating on the same frequency as yours, it
can create interference on your display.
The interference usually appears as spiral or radial patterns. This radar has an interference rejection control to eliminate interference. Turn
it on to reduce or eliminate the interference.
Installation Considerations
Prior to actual installation of the radar scanner unit, several factors
must be considered to assure maximum performance.
Location
The scanner must be located so that passengers and crew are not exposed to the direct radar beam.
WARNING:
To comply with FCC RF exposure requirements, the radar antenna for this scanner must be installed a minimum distance of 1 foot (0.3 m) or more ABOVE all persons.
This is a bad installation! The radar beam will be obstructed by the
helm. This can create blind spots or shadow zones on the radar dis-
play. More importantly, it will expose persons at the helm to harmful
levels of microwave radiation.
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The scanner unit should be mounted on the center line of your vessel in
a location that has an unobstructed view forward and is as clear as possible the rest of the way around the unit.
A location as high as practical to improve maximum range is desirable,
keeping in mind that minimum range objects may be overlooked if
mounted too high.
Position the unit forward of large structures and exhaust stacks. Large
structures or stacks cause blind spots. Contamination from engine exhaust on the scanner housing also reduces radar performance.
Antennas for GPS, radio communication or other equipment should not
be in the radar beam. Use non-metallic extension poles to move the active area of antennas above the radar beam.
In selecting a location, consider the suitability of the mounting surface.
It must be flat and approximately level with the vessel’s water line. The
surface must support the weight of the scanner and have access to the
underside for installation of the four mounting bolts. (Weights are
listed in the specifications table in the back of this manual.)
Obtaining sufficient dip angle
Raise the scanner position so that there is a sufficient dip angle available between the line of sight from the scanner to the obstacle and the
horizontal line. By raising the dip angle above 5°, it is possible to prevent mid- and long-distance shadow zones. The radar cannot detect objects below the line of sight.
Mounting Base
Use a mounting base such as the one shown below, or you can install
the scanner directly to a roof or other flat surface. Make sure you keep
the water drain tube clear. It's located at the bottom of the scanner
unit.
Note: If the mounting bracket or surface has a curvature of more than
2 mm, use spacers with the mounting bolts to prevent stress on the
scanner housing.
Mounting base for radar scanner unit.
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