Lowrance electronic EP-15 User Manual

Pub. 988-0154-371

black lead.

EP-15 Fluid Level

Electronic Sensor

Installation Instructions

This instruction sheet tells how to install your EP-15 Fluid Level
sensor and connect it to a NMEA 2000
network components. You must refer to your digital gauge, sonar or
GPS unit's manual for sensor operation instructions.

Caution:

Installing LowranceNET NMEA 2000 devices is significantly
different from installing earlier Lowrance components without

NMEA 2000 features. You should read all of the installation
instructions before proceeding. You should decide where to
install all components before drilling any holes in your vessel.

Some sonar or GPS units may require a software upgrade to display
NMEA 2000 data correctly and a manual addendum describing how to
operate the sensor. You can download these free and get additional
information on the NMEA 2000

our web site, www.lowrance.com.

All Lowrance NMEA 2000 capable devices are either NMEA 2000
certified or certification is pending. See our web site for the latest
product status information.

Smart
module





network using LowranceNET

compatible LowranceNET system at

Blue female NMEA
2000 connector

Sending unit
connections:
red lead and

The EP-15 Fluid Level sensor.

1

The EP-15 consists of a smart module with a blue female locking cable
connector on one end and two bare wires on the other. The cable length
from the connector to the smart module is 18 inches (46 cm) and from
the smart module to the bare wires is 10 feet (3 meters).

The smart module converts fluid level information received from the
sending unit (fluid level arm or potentiometer) to the NMEA 2000 data
format. This allows any digital gauge, sonar or GPS unit connected to
the NMEA 2000 network to display the fluid level.

The EP-15 sensor is most commonly used in fuel tanks, but it is
designed to monitor fluid levels in almost any situation, including live
wells, oil reservoirs, fresh water, gray water or black water tanks.

The EP-15 Fluid Level sensor, like the other Lowrance Electronic Probe
(EP) sensors, is designed only for use with a NMEA 2000 Network. It
must be connected to a NMEA 2000 network or it will not function.

Tools and Supplies

Your EP sensor packs with a T connector needed to attach it to a
LowranceNET NMEA 2000 network. If you are connecting to an
existing LowranceNET network, those are all the electronic
components you need. If this is the first sensor you are connecting, you
will also need a one-time purchase of a LowranceNET Node Kit.

LowranceNET Node Kit for a NMEA 2000 network. Includes a 2 foot (61

cm) extension cable, T connector, 120-ohm male terminator and 120-

ohm female terminator.

For complete instructions on setting up a new NMEA 2000 network or
expanding an existing one refer to the "Setup and Installation of NEMA
2000 Networks, General Information" document (part number 988­0154-172) included with your EP-15 sensor. If that document is missing
it can be downloaded free from the Lowrance web site.

2

Sending unit mounting plate configurations vary. When connecting the
EP-15, you will need whatever tools and supplies that will work with your
sending unit's specific design. Recommended tools include: pliers. If you
need to route the smart module or cable connector through a bulkhead,
you will need a drill and a 7/8" (22 mm) drill bit.

Supplies are not included, unless otherwise indicated. The EP-15's two
lead wires are pre-stripped. We recommend using marine-grade crimp-on
connectors that will fit your sending unit's electrical connections.

Installation

This instruction sheet assumes the mounting bracket is connected to
the fluid level arm (or potentiometer) and is already installed in the
tank. The EP-15 wires — red (positive) and black (negative) — will
connect to the sending unit's mounting bracket, on top of the tank.

Tip:

The EP-15 is designed to be the only device receiving signals from
the sending unit. If the EP-15 is replacing a previous gauge, make
sure you remove all the old gauge wires before you begin. If this is a
replacement, note which connection is positive before disconnecting
the old wires.

Caution:

Do NOT connect the sensor's blue locking collar connector to the
network until you have finished connecting the red and black
leads to the sending unit. This reduces the risk of a stray spark
when working around fuel tanks.

Your first step is to attach marine-grade crimp-on connectors to both
the red lead (+) and the black (–) lead.

Attach appropriate connectors to wire leads.

3

Next, attach the positive red lead to the sending unit's positive connector,
usually located in the center of the mounting plate. Connect the negative
black lead to the sending unit's negative connector. To be sure which
connection is which, refer to the mounting instructions that came with the
sending unit.

Negative

connector

Connect wire leads to fluid level sending unit. This is a typical sending

unit mounting bracket. The center threaded post is + and the blade is – .

Positive

connector

Finally, connect the blue locking collar connector to the NMEA 2000 network.
Route the sensor's cable connector to the T on the network backbone where
you intend to attach it, and plug it in. The sensor is ready to use.

Connecting to a NMEA 2000 Network

A network bus is an installed and operational network cable (backbone)
running the length of your boat, already connected to a power supply and
properly terminated. Such a bus provides network connection nodes at
various locations around your boat.

This is similar to the telephone wiring in a house. If you pick up a phone in
your living room, you can hear someone talking into the phone in the
bedroom.

Network Nodes

A network bus is built of network nodes spread along a backbone. Network
nodes are made by fitting T-shaped connectors into the backbone (using the
sockets on the sides), and attaching a display unit or sensor at the bottom of
the T.

Using our telephone example, the T connectors are similar to telephone
jacks. The backbone is like the phone wiring running through a house.

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Phones in a house must be connected to each other to communicate, and
in the same way only sensors and display units plugged into the NMEA
network can share information.

Connections found in the middle of the bus will have one or more of these
T-shaped connectors with the backbone cables plugged into both sides.
Connections at the end of a network will have the backbone plugged into
one side, and a terminator plugged into the other, as shown in the
following figure.

Cable from
sensor or
display unit

LEI or Lowrance
device needs an
open T.

T connector

Backbone cable
(to rest of bus)

NMEA 2000 network node located at the end of a NMEA 2000 bus.

Terminator at
the very end
of the bus

Adding a Network Node

You can add a node anywhere along the network backbone where a
connection already exists. This connection could be at the end of the
network (between a T connector and a terminator), between two T
connectors, between a T connector and a backbone extension cable, or
between two extension cables. Wherever you want to add the new node,
simply separate the sockets of the old connection and attach your new T
connector between them.

Lowrance or LEI device con-

nects to new T connector.

Existing network
node

Add T-shaped connector
to add device to bus.

Attach
terminator at
end of bus.

Add a new device to a NMEA 2000 bus by attaching a T connector

between two T connectors, between a T connector and the end

terminator, or between two backbone extension cables.

5

If you want to add a node at the end of the line (as shown in the previous
figure), remove the terminator from the very last connector, securely
attach the new T connector, and then attach the terminator on the new
connector. Either method will allow you to add a device.

The "soft" T connector, shown above with a "hard" T connector, is another

option for connecting devices in a NMEA 2000 network. The soft T works

the same as a hard T. The soft T is used to install a network node in areas

were a hard T will not fit.

Additional Network Information

Further instructions on creating or expanding a network are illustrated
in the NMEA 2000 network setup booklet, part number 988-0154-172,
which came packed with this instruction sheet.

6

LOWRANCE ELECTRONICS

FULL ONE-YEAR WARRANTY

"We," "our," or "us" refers to LOWRANCE ELECTRONICS, INC., the manufacturer of
this product. "You" or "your" refers to the first person who purchases this product as a
consumer item for personal, family or household use.

We warrant this product against defects or malfunctions in materials and workmanship,
and against failure to conform to this product's written specifications, all for one (1) year
from the date of original purchase by you. WE MAKE NO OTHER EXPRESS
WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER CONCERNING
THIS PRODUCT. Your remedies under this warranty will be available so long as you can
show in a reasonable manner that any defect or malfunction in materials or
workmanship, or any non-conformity with the product's written specifications, occurred
within one year from the date of your original purchase, which must be substantiated by
a dated sales receipt or sales slip. Any such defect, malfunction, or non-conformity which
occurs within one year from your original purchase date will either be repaired without
charge or be replaced with a new product identical or reasonably equivalent to this
product, at our option, within a reasonable time after our receipt of the product. If such
defect, malfunction, or non-conformity remains after a reasonable number of attempts to
repair by us, you may elect to obtain without charge a replacement of the product or a
refund for the product. THIS REPAIR, OR REPLACEMENT OR REFUND (AS JUST
DESCRIBED) IS THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AVAILABLE TO YOU AGAINST US FOR
ANY DEFECT, MALFUNCTION, OR NON-CONFORMITY CONCERNING THE
PRODUCT OR FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE RESULTING FROM ANY OTHER
CAUSE WHATSOEVER. WE WILL NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BE LIABLE
TO ANYONE FOR ANY SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR OTHER
INDIRECT DAMAGE OF ANY KIND.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential
damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you.

This warranty does NOT apply in the following circumstances: (1) when the product has
been serviced or repaired by anyone other than us; (2) when the product has been
connected, installed, combined, altered, adjusted, or handled in a manner other than
according to the instructions furnished with the product; (3) when any serial number has
been effaced, altered, or removed; or (4) when any defect, problem, loss, or damage has
resulted from any accident, misuse, negligence, or carelessness, or from any failure to
provide reasonable and necessary maintenance in accordance with the instructions of the
owner's manual for the product.

We reserve the right to make changes or improvements in our products from time to time
without incurring the obligation to install such improvements or changes on equipment
or items previously manufactured.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which
may vary from state to state.

REMINDER: You must retain the sales slip or sales receipt proving the date of your
original purchase in case warranty service is ever required.

LOWRANCE ELECTRONICS

12000 E. SKELLY DRIVE, TULSA, OK 74128

[phone]

7

How to Obtain Service…

…in the USA:

Contact the Factory Customer Service Department. Call toll-free:

For Lowrance: 800-324-1356. For Eagle: 800-324-1354

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Standard Time, M-F

Lowrance Electronics and Eagle Electronics may find it necessary to change or end
their shipping policies, regulations and special offers at any time. They reserve the
right to do so without notice.

…in Canada:

Contact the Factory Customer Service Department. Call toll-free:

800-661-3983

905-629-1614 (not toll-free)

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, M-F

…outside Canada and the USA:

Contact the dealer in the country where you purchased your unit. To locate a
dealer near you, see the instructions in paragraph number 1 below.

Accessory Ordering Information

LEI Extras, Inc. is the accessory source for sonar and GPS products
manufactured by Lowrance Electronics and Eagle Electronics. To order
Lowrance or Eagle accessories, please contact:

1) Your local marine dealer or consumer electronics store. To locate a Lowrance

dealer, visit the web site, www.lowrance.com, and look for the Dealer Locator.
To locate an Eagle dealer, visit the web site, www.eaglesonar.com, and look for

the Dealer Locator. Or, consult your telephone directory for listings.

2) U.S. customers: LEI Extras Inc., PO Box 129, Catoosa, OK 74015-0129

Call toll free in the U.S., 800-324-0045, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central

Standard Time, M-F, or visit our web site www.lei-extras.com.

3) Canadian customers: Lowrance/Eagle Canada, 919 Matheson Blvd. E.
Mississauga, Ontario L4W2R7 or fax [phone].

Call toll free in Canada, 800-661-3983, or dial 905 629-1614 (not toll free), 8
a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, M-F.

For Lowrance and Eagle Products

Pub. 988-0154-371 © Copyright 2005

All Rights Reserved

Printed in USA 100305 Lowrance Electronics, Inc.

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