Marcum technologies M1 User Manual
M1
3-Color Ice-Sonar
User Manual
www.MarCumtech.com
Versa Electronics www.MarCumtech.com
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the MarCum M1 True Color sonar unit. The M1 incorporates all the
sonar technology from the flagship VX series, but now features the new Max Brightness and
Clarity patented MBC lighting. Still featuring 1000 watts of peak-to-peak power, patented signal
interference rejection, auto zoom, and target separation down to 2.15 inches. Our goal is to set the
industry standard for performance while maintaining the highest level of reliability. Please read this
manual carefully before using your M1 system. Only by reading this manual can you realize the
maximum benefit from your purchase — enjoy your new M1 sonar system!
General Description
The M1 True Color sonar unit utilizes three different colors within its display to differentiate
between densities of objects: RED, ORANGE, and GREEN. The use of different colors in defining
return signals is meant to be informative in indicating the size of fish, type of bottom or location of
weeds. The interpretation of these signals improves with experience and use in the field.
The M1 offers multi-level Interference Rejection (IR) from nearby competing units. This is most
prevalent in ice-fishing applications where anglers utilizing sonar are often grouped together within
small areas.
Your MarCum is water and weather resistant and is designed to be used in the outdoors, but in
extreme weather conditions, care should be taken to shield the monitor from driving rain and boat
spray. At no time should the monitor be in direct contact with large amounts of water. Should your
M1 become wet, it is unlikely that any harm will come to it, but make sure to get the entire system
completely dried out as soon as possible.
BATTERY CHARGING
Your MarCum system comes with a 3-stage battery charger. This style of charger has proven to
be the most effective and easiest to use of all charging systems available. Because this is a
3-stage charger, there is no danger of overcharging your battery. When properly cared for, a
sealed lead acid battery will last for at least a couple of years. Batteries are made to be used, and
they need to be used to make the most of them. The most important thing you can do is to promptly recharge your battery after each use. Not charging your battery immediately after use is the
number one thing that leads to battery failure.
For safety reasons, it is recommended that you place your system on a flat, hard surface like
cement or tile when charging it, away from any flammable materials. Be sure to disconnect the
charger from the wall when not in use, and avoid leaving your battery hooked up to the charger for
extended periods of time.
When you get home from a trip, put your battery on charge right away and leave it there overnight,
or for around 8-12 hours. Likewise, on the night before an ice fishing trip, put it on the charger
again, just to make sure. Again, there is no danger of overcharging your battery. We often talk to
people who hesitate to charge their battery after each use for fear that the battery will develop a
“memory” and this will lead to a shortened run time—THIS IS FALSE!!! ALWAYS CHARGE YOUR
BATTERY AFTER EVERY USE!!! Be sure to use the charger that came with your system, or a
similar one that is between .5 amp and 1 amp. Using a larger charger, like you would use on a car,
truck, RV, or boat is likely to cause damage to the battery. There is really no danger of overcharging your battery with a low amp charger, and most chargers automatically go into “maintenance
mode” once a full charge has been achieved.
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Versa Electronics www.MarCumtech.com
TO CHARGE YOUR BATTERY:
Your battery has a wiring harness attached to it that has “piggyback” terminals on it, enabling you
to keep the power cord from the unit attached to the battery always, as well as having the wiring
harness with receptacle for your charger attached always. To charge, simply couple the end of the
charger with the end of the wiring harness. It is normal for a green light to appear on the charger
now if the charger is plugged into the battery only. It is also normal for the light on the charger to
be green if it is just plugged into the wall. When it is plugged into the wall and battery, you will see
a red LED light appear on the charger. If the light is red, the battery is being charged. When your
battery is fully charged, this red light should change to green. If it is time to go fishing and the light
has not turned green, go fish and try to allow a longer charging period next time.
Batteries are an expendable item, and must be replaced periodically. The batteries that we use are
the “Sealed Lead Acid” variety, they are 12 volts, and range from 7 to 9 amps. The more amps the
battery has, the longer it will run on a full charge. Your MarCum can be powered off any battery
that is 12 volts, even a large automotive or deep cycle battery.
If you are having difficulty with the charging process, please see the Troubleshooting section
on our website, www.marcumtech.com/support .
If you need to remove the battery, slide the power cord leads from the battery. Remove the strap
that is holding the battery in place and lift the battery out. To replace the battery, place a new
battery of similar specifications into the battery compartment and secure it with the Velcro strap
and re-connect the positive and negative terminals.
Ice System Set-Up
Your M1 comes virtually ready to fish. All you need to do is hook up the positive lead from the M1
power cord to the battery. Your M1 is delivered with a charged battery, so you can take it fishing
right away. Inside the M1 deluxe softcase is an electronics shuttle that has recessed compartments for the battery and the single beam transducer. Take the transducer out of the recessed
holder and rotate the adjustable ice arm out from inside the shuttle. The adjustable ice arm allows
for maximum flexibility in positioning the M1 around the ice hole.
SETTING THE TRANSDUCER FOR ICE FISHING:
When used in conjunction with the retractable pivoting transducer arm and rubber stopper, the
M1’s transducer will automatically level itself in your ice hole. To begin operation, take the
transducer out of the recessed holder, and rotate the adjustable ice arm out from inside the shuttle.
Extend the transducer arm, (the cable should already be threaded through it with stopper in place)
and deploy the transducer into the water. We recommend setting your stopper to have the
transducer down the least amount possible. The MarCum M1 puts out enough power that in most
cases it is not necessary to have your transducer down more than a few inches below the water
line to get a good reading. When the ice thickness is over two feet, it may be necessary to have
your transducer set somewhat farther down. Remember--the less transducer cable you have out,
the easier it is to pull it out of the water when bringing in a fish, or to move to a new location. Under
no circumstances should you ever have the ducer below the ice—this can lead to the ducer
becoming damaged. It is also important that you keep the cable near the center of the ice hole. We
frequently hear from anglers who allowed their cable to freeze into the side of the ice hole. If this
should happen to you, make sure the unit is turned off before attempting to chisel it out. If you
accidentally cut the ducer cable, do not try to use that ducer again.
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