Simrad EQ42, EQ50, EQ52 User Manual

02244.30

M A N U A L

M A N U A LM A N U A L

M A N U A L

SIMRAD EQ42/50/52

Echosounder

183-0300-202 English

EQ42/50/52 Echosounder Table of contents

1. Introduction and system
familiarization

1.1 Introduction and system
familiarization, 5

1.2 Safety summary, 6

2. Fundamentals & initial start-up

2.1 PAGE and WINdow system, 7

2.2 Key functions, 10

2.3 Menu bar, 11

2.4 Menu layout, 12

2.5 Initial start-up, 13

2.6 Turn power off, 14

3. Position menu

3.1 Position display, 15

4. Navigation menu

4.1 Highway display, 17

4.2 Navigation setup, 17

5. Operation of the EQ40/50/52

Echosounder menu

5.1 Echosounder display, 19

5.2 Bottom expansion, 21

5.3 VRM expansion, 22

5.4 A-scope, 23

5.5 Variable range marker, 24

5.6 Depth & temperature diagram, 24

5.7 Echosounder setup, 26

5.8 Presentation setup, 28

6. Miscellaneous menu

6.1 DSC alarm, 29

7. SPECIAL menu

7.1 Speed alarm, units &
language, 31

7.2 Interface setup NMEA, 33

7.3 Alarm output, 36

7.4 Decca lanes, 37

7.5 Loran C, 38

7.6 Display color, 39

7.7 Factory settings, 40

8. Principles of operation

8.1 Parts of an echosounder, 41

8.1.1 Display screen, 41

8.1.2 Processor, 41

8.1.3 Receiver/transmitter, 41

8.1.4 Transducer, 41

8.2 How the EQ42/50/52 works, 42

8.2.1 Transducer beamwidth, 43

8.2.2 Effects of the vessel’s
speed, 44

9. Installation and service

9. Installation notes, 45

9.1 Installation of EQ42, 47

9.2 Installation of EQ50, 49

9.3 Installation of EQ52, 51

9.4 Place of installation of
display unit, 53

9.5 Installation of DS42/50, 53

9.5.1 Operation of DS42/50, 54

9.6 Electrical connections, 55

9.6.1 Power supply connections, 56

9.6.2 Fuse, 56

9.6.3 Transducer connection, 56

9.6.4 NMEA0183 interface, 58

9.6.5 Optional connections, 58

9.6.6 Universal connection cable for
unspecified transducers, 58

EQ42/50/52 Echosounder Table of contents

9.7 Basic transducer and cable
information, 59

9.7.1 Transducers, 60

9.7.2 Determining the position
for the transducers, 63

9.8 Preventive maintenance, 65

9.9 Repair and service, 65

9.10 Troubleshooting, 66

9.11 Specifications, 67

Appendix A

Glossary of terms, 69

Index, 73

CE Declaration

International warranty, 77

List of Simrad distributors

EQ42/50/52 Introduction and safety summary Chapter 1

5

1.1 Introduction and system familiarization

Congratulations on your purchase of SIMRAD EQ42/50/52 MKII
Echosounder and Fishfinder. Great care has been taken to create this

innovative video sounder … both in design and performance.

The EQ42/50/52 MKII is a unique new slim-line product in the Simrad
Marine Line, and is available with a 10” ATFT (EQ42), 14” TFT
(EQ50), or 15” TFT (EQ52) large LCD display in color.

The echosounder system with selectable frequencies will provide an
impression of Bottom expansion, VRM expansion, A-scope and White
line.

DS42/50/52 Dual Station for the EQ42/50/52 is available in 10” ATFT
color, 14” or 15” TFT color.

How to use this manual? The manual is written for the products:
EQ42, EQ50 and EQ52, which all share the same type of software.
From hereon, these models are referred to as: EQXX.
It is a good idea if you make yourself familiar with the key functions,
menu structure and rotation of pages (screens) described in chapter 2
before you start out, and then proceed with section 2.5 Initial start-up.
For quick location of a certain term, please check the “Glossary of
terms” and the “Index” at the back of the manual.

How to interpret special marked key symbols, etc. in the manual:

+/-

Either the + (plus) or – (minus) key may be applied.

0-9

Alpha-numeric keys for insertion of figures.

A-Z

Alpha-numeric keys for insertion of letters.

)

Emphasizes important points.

3,7

Indicates that you should press the keys

[3]

and

[7]

to obtain what is

written in italic next to the keys.

EQ42/50/52 Introduction and safety summary Chapter 1

6

1.2 Safety summar y

Precaution The operating unit should not be exposed to direct sunlight,
as “boiling” the display may cause too high temperatures internally and
subsequently damage parts of the unit beyond repair.

Quality service personnel The EQXX is sealed and does not contain
any user serviceable parts. Opening of the unit will void its warranty.
Touching electrical parts inside may cause bodily harm or death. If the
unit is not working properly, check sections 9.8 Preventive maintenance,

9.9 Repair and service, and 9.10 Troubleshooting. If your EQXX requires
servicing or repair, call your authorized SIMRAD dealer.

Power source, fuse and power cable Check that the DC power
supplied to the unit is within the range of 10 to 32 volts. Note that the
appropriate fuse must be employed (see the fuse rating in section 9.11
Specifications). Ensure that the power cord is firmly attached.

Grounding The EQXX is a sophisticated piece of electronic equip­ment. To reduce electrical interference and risk of electrical shock,
properly ground the unit to the ship’s ground using the ground screw on
the back of the unit.

Glossary of terms If you have never used an echosounder before or if
you are unsure of how a term is used in this manual, then turn to
Appendix A – Glossary of terms.

Default settings All user implemented data in the EQXX can be erased
by making a reset of the unit and thus return to factory default settings.

Principles of operation The scientific principles of operation of the
EQXX are explained in chapter 8. Principles of operation.

EQ42/50/52 Fundamentals & initial start-up Chapter 2

7

2.1 Fundamentals of the PAGE and WINdow system

The EQXX Echosounder has a multi-function screen data presentation
system. You can choose to have a full screen, or a screen divided into
e.g. an echo display and two data/echo displays, etc.
The display which is currently activated is indicated by a highlighted
frame around the active window. There are five screen combinations to
choose from:

12

WINdow 0

43

56

1. Full (1/1) screen. 2. Four ¼ displays. 3. Two ½ displays.

12

4

65

3

4. & 5. Combination displays of one ½ and two ¼ displays.

) WINdows 5 and 6 are dedicated for echo displays and related setup.

EQ42/50/52 Fundamentals & initial start-up Chapter 2

8

As many as 4 screen combinations or full
screens can be saved in four pages.

Press the

[PAGE] key to toggle between the

four pages, or hold the [

PAGE] key depressed

to start a rotation of the four pages.
Press [

PAGE]

again to return to manual

operation.

To mix and match the various echo and data displays you wish to have
in the PAGE and WINdows pesentation, you will first need to know
what is pre-set from the factory:

PAGE

Scroll through the four pre-set pages to see if you wish to exchange
any of the displays with a different one.

Example of how to edit a pre-set page:

window

2

window

5

window

3

We pretend that in this page, window 2 contains the
navigation display (highway), window 3 an echo
display in 50kHz, and window 5 an echo display in
200kHz.

You now wish to insert the “Echosounder setup” display in window 3
instead of the echo display in 50kHz. This is the procedure:

WIN

Press the

[WIN]

key until the frame around window 3 is highlighted

MENU

Call up the menu bar, and…

3,8

then call up the ECHO menu and select “Echosounder setup”

- you will now have the “Echosounder setup” display in window 3
instead of the echo display in 50kHz.

Example of how to edit a full screen to four ¼ displays:

We pretend that you are looking at a full screen which you wish to
divide into four ¼ displays. This is the procedure:

MENU

First call up the menu bar, and…

1

then call up the POS menu - see example next page.

EQ42/50/52 Fundamentals & initial start-up Chapter 2

9

POSITION

WIN

_1_

POS

_1_ Position

What you do now will determine
which WINdow the display you are
about to select will appear in.

Press the

[WIN] key repeatedly to

scroll through the window system.

WIN

Press the

[WIN]

key once to select window 1

-which is the left top quarter of the screen.

1

Select the Position display

- you will now have the position display presented in window 1.
The rest of the windows in this page i.e. window 2, 3 and 4 will contain
the displays which were pre-set from the factory. They can all be
exchanged with new displays at your choice.

) However, the same display can not appear twice on the same page,
so in case you are trying to select the same display in a second
window, this is what will happen:

As per above example, you have selected the Position display in
window 1, but it may just happen that the Position display was pre-set
to window 2 – therefore window 2 will now show the legend: “ Select
display via MENU.”

You may select the same display to appear on different pages, but not
on the same page.

EQ42/50/52 Fundamentals & initial start-up Chapter 2

10

2.2 Key functions

A description of the key functions is available at the start-up display in
the Quick guide. Some of the key functions are general and can be
applied at any time, other key functions are related to a certain menu(s)
and can only be applied when in the appropriate menu.

WIN

Toggles between windows. The active window will have a highlighted
frame. Only activated windows are operable.

PAGE

Toggles between four pre-selected pages (screens). Hold two seconds
for automatic rotation of pages. Press again for normal operation.

MENU

Turns the menu bar on/off. Exits any data display without taking any
action.

ENT

Opens for/confirms insertion and editing of data. Gives access to setup
displays related to main displays.

Moves cursor in data displays. Activates and moves variable range
marker (VRM) up/down. Moves left and right in the menu bar.

CLR

Deletes data in enter or edit mode.

EVENT

Placing a vertical line at the current ping for indication of e.g. fish.
Sending out WPL via NMEA – see “Event marker”, Appendix A.

PWR



Press and hold the [PWR] keytoturnonthepower.Activatesmenufor
setting light, contrast or display colors i.e. Daylight display, Night dis­play or custom made display. Hold two seconds to turn the power off.

RNG+

RNG-

RANGE+

(plus) and

RANGE-

(minus) will adjust the scale/range of

depth. +/– will toggle between available values.

GAIN+

GAIN-

GAIN+

(plus) and

GAIN-

(minus) will adjust presentation of received
echo. Press + till noise appears in “water”,thenpress– till noise just
disappears again.

EQ42/50/52 Fundamentals & initial start-up Chapter 2

11

ECHO
A-SCP

Hotkey to Echo 1 i.e. jumps to window on the screen with Echo 1
display; if none: inserts Echo 1 in active window.

From active ECHO display: Toggles A-SCOPE on/off.

1-9

A-Z

The alpha-numeric keys inserts and selects data in data displays.

VRM

Toggles variable range marker on/off. Calls up depth indication in top
line of echo displays with active VRM line.

STND

Return to STANDARD echosounder display with indication of depth
and water temperature, etc.

B-LCK

BOTTOM LOCK

– combination screen: standard echosounder display

and expanded area around the bottom. Toggles bottom lock on/off.

ZOOM

Combination screen: standard echosounder display and expanded area
around the variable range marker. Toggles expanded area on/off.

2.3 Menu bar

MENU

Toggles the menu bar on/off

To fit in the complete menu bar across the screen, some of the menus
have been abbreviated. However, the last selected menu will be
highlighted, and if it’s an abbreviation of the menu, then the complete
menu title is written above the menu bar e.g.:

ECHOSOUNDER

WIN

_1_

POS

_2_

NAV

_3_

ECHO

_4_

MISC

_5_

SETUP

_1_ Echo 50kHz

_2_ Echo 200kHz, etc.

Having selected e.g.

3:ECHO

from the menu bar, its associated menus

will drop down. Key in the number next to the function you wish to

EQ42/50/52 Fundamentals & initial start-up Chapter 2

12

call forward, or use the cursor key to highlight the function and press

[ENT].

If you want to switch to a different menu, use the cursor key to move to
the adjacent menu.
The menu bar will disappear from the screen at the selection of a
function, or by pressing the

[MENU] key. Besides, if not used, it

automatically turns off after 30 seconds.

2.4 Menu layout

_1_

POS

_2_

NAV

_1_ Position _1_Highway

_3_

ECHO

_4_

MISC

- 5 -

SETUP

_1_Echo50kHz _1_ DSC alarm _1_ Speed alarm, units & language
_2_ Echo 200kHz _2_ NMEA interface
_3_ Bottom expansion 50kHz _3_ Alarm output
_4_ Bottom expansion 200kHz _4_ Decca lanes
_5_ VRM expansion 50kHz _5_LoranC
_6_ VRM expansion 200kHz _6_ Display color
_7_ Depth & temperature diagram _7_ Factory settings
_8_ Echosounder setup

Most functions in the menus are general, and can be called forward at
any time, but a few are related to a certain menu(s) and can only be
called forward or activated in the appropriate menu. Inactive functions
in the menu will have a different color from the rest of the functions.

When selecting a sub-menu in the SETUP menu, the display will

EQ42/50/52 Fundamentals & initial start-up Chapter 2

13

always appear in a pop-up window. Which means that it will not take
the place of another display, and it will not mess up the pre-set displays
on the screen.
And once you have confirmed the changes, or just want to exit the
display, the display will disappear from the screen, as you have no
further use for it.

2.5 Initial start-up

PWR



To turn on the power, press and hold the [PWR] key till a picture
appears on the screen

PAGE

Press [PAGE] to scroll through a quick guide which informs of the use
of the keys and where you can enter owner’ssetup

ENT

Press [ENT] when ready to assume normal operation

PWR



Press [PWR] again to adjust the lighting in the screen and select day or
night display, etc., move around in display by means of the cursor key
and change settings with +/- keys, and…

ENT

Confirm with

[ENT]

Customizing the EQXX to suit individual needs can be done as you go
along i.e. choose a different color for the display background, text,
menu, etc. But to start out it will be wise to select the display language
you prefer to use:

Select language:

MENU

Call up the menu bar, and…

5,1

press

[5]

and

[1]

to call up the proper display

Go to the bottom line in the display

+/-

Select language

ENT

Confirm entry

EQ42/50/52 Fundamentals & initial start-up Chapter 2

14

2.6 Turn power off

PWR



Call up INFO window, and…

PWR



Press and hold until screen turns black

The EQXX is now turned off. All data and setups are saved and stored
in the internal memory and, of course, will be available next time the
unit is turned back on.

EQ42/50/52 Position menu Chapter 3

15

3. Position menu

_1_

POS

_1_ Position

- see section 3.1.

3.1 Position display

) To present a position will require that the echosounder is connected
to a navigator.

MENU

Call up the menu bar, and…

1, 1

load Position display

Water temp.

14°C

Log 1

0.2nm

Log 2

0.4nm

LAT 56°52.500N

LON 9°50.700E

Speed Course Depth

0.4kn 17° 5.0 m

Status

No valid POS

Local time

8:02:43

Local date
12-02-2001

Trip log 1
and 2.

Position in
three deci­mals in
minutes.

Water speed/
speed over
ground.

Course,
magnetic
or true.

Editing of position display

Reset log or change the start figure, adjust local time and date, change
position presentation i.e. latitude/longitude, decca lanes or Loran C,
change speed presentation i.e. SOG – speed over ground or STW –

EQ42/50/52 Position menu Chapter 3

16

water speed, and – course and bearing can be set to either magnetic or
true.

ENT

Open for change

Move cursor to the value you want to change

CLR

Press

[CLR]

to reset log

+/-

Toggle between available values, change time and date

ENT

Confirm entry

EQ42/50/52 Navigation menu Chapter 4

17

4. Na vigation menu

_2_

NAV

_1_ Highway

4.1 Highway display

MENU

Call up the menu bar, and…

2, 1

load highway display

To present any information in the EQXX highway display will require
that a navigator is connected via the NMEA input port.
) The connected navigator must be in a navigation mode, which could
be Cursor, Waypoint, Route or Track navigation. See next page.

4.2 Navigation setup

ENT

The navigation setup display is accessed by pressing [ENT] from the
navigation display:

Navigation setup:

XTE distance: 00.50nm

Alarm distance can be changed in this display, but alarm can only be
initiated from the connected navigator. Maximum setting in nautical
miles is 9.99 nm.

ENT

Return to the highway display

EQ42/50/52 Navigation menu Chapter 4

18

Highway display

o

p p

n

NAVIGATION IS ON

S8.2
V7.4

C359

°°°°

B314

°°°°

X0.011
D17.3

0.04nm

0.02nm

0.02nm

0.04nm

0.02nm

0.02nm

Nautical
miles indi­cation on
horizontal
lines indi­cates how
many
nautical
miles there
are from
ship’s posi­tiontothe
horizontal
line.

C: Course over ground
X: Cross track error
S: Speed over ground
B: Bearing to approaching WP
D: Distance to waypoint
V: Speed towards WP (velocity)

Bottom line indicates name of waypoint or route.

n

Ship’s position and heading in relation to intended track.

n

o

Ideal course line between two waypoints starting from ship’s
position when NAV is activated on connected navigator.

p

XTE alarm lines – an alarm will sound if the ship touches the
lines.

Operation of the EQ42/50/52 Chapter 5

19

5. ECHOSOUNDER MENU

_3_

ECHO

_1_ Echo 50kHz

- see section 5.1.

_2_ Echo 200kHz

- see section 5.1.

_3_ Bottom expansion 50kHz

- see section 5.2.

_4_ Bottom expansion 200kHz

- see section 5.2.

_5_ VRM expansion 50kHz

- see section 5.3.

_6_ VRM expansion 200kHz

- see section 5.3.

_7_ Depth & temperature diagram

- see section 5.4.

_8_ Echosounder setup

- see section 5.5.

5.1 Echosounder display

Low and high frequency echosounder display can be set up separately
and be shown simultaneously in the same screen, but in separate
WINdows. The low frequency display will show deep water bottom
contours, and the high frequency display will show the mid-water
section with trawl targets or bait fish in a higher resolution.

As an example:

MENU

Press

[MENU],

to call up the menu bar, and…

3,2

press

[3]

and

[2]

to call up the Echo display for 200kHz

- see display example on next page.

The top line in the display informs of: Actual temperature T in Celcius
or Fahrenheit (in half degrees), current speed S in knots or kilometers/

hour or miles/hour – current settings can be changed in Setup for units

(MENU, 5,1).

Actual depth DK i.e. Depth below Keel/Surface/Trans-

ducer – settings can be changed in echosounder setup

(MENU, 3,8).

FREQUENCY

indicates the selected frequency.

PULSE

(not in ¼ size displays) indicates the transmission pulse length.

POWER

(not in ¼ size displays) indicates the transmission power.

(A =

AUTO)

Operation of the EQ42/50/52 Chapter 5

20

This is the basic presentation mode (standard display) for observing
fish schools and seabed. Some surface noise may appear just below the
transmission line.

) Refer to Appendix A for further description of the various functions.

ENT

Direct access to Setup display related to active echo display – 38kHz,
50kHz or 200 kHz – (see section 5.8)

Use the cursor to go to the function you wish to change the value for

+/-

Toggle between available values, and…

ENT

Confirm with

[ENT]

ECHO
A-SCP

Hotkey to Echo 1 (from

[MENU],[3],[1])

i.e. jumps to window on the

screen with Echo 1 display; if none: inserts Echo 1 in active window.

Transmission
line

VRM

Depth scale
is adjustable
with the +/­keys or the
Quick-range
keys 1-9.
Press key 0
to return to
Auto range.

FREQUENCY: 50kHz
PULSE: A- SHORT
POWER: A- 1000W

T *.*°C S 0.0kn DK 5.0 m

Operation of the EQ42/50/52 Chapter 5

21

5.2 Bottom expansion

The advanced bottom lock and expansion feature ensures a reliable
depth readout and provides a compressed standard display in the upper
1/2 of the display. The bottom area can be magnified for better
separation of echoes. The actual size of the expansion window can be
adjusted in the Setup display for 38kHz/50kHz/200kHz.

As an example, from active echo display, 50kHz:

MENU

Press

[MENU],

to call up the menu bar, and…

3,3

press

[3]

and

[3]

to activate bottom expansion of the 50kHz sounder

or…

B-LCK

gain direct access to the bottom expansion feature by pressing

[B-LCK]

+/-

The depth range at the right of the screen can be adjusted by means of
the + and – keys

ENT

Open Setup display (see section 5.8), if any changes are required

ENT

and confirm changes with

[ENT]

B-LCK

Turn bottom expansion off again

FREQUENCY: 50kHz
PULSE: A- SHORT
POWER: A- 1000W

T *.*°C S 0.0kn DK 5.0 m

Operation of the EQ42/50/52 Chapter 5

22

5.3 VRM expansion

This feature will provide an expanded view of the area near the
Variable Range Marker which will give a better separation of echoes.
The actual size of the expansion window can be adjusted in the Setup
display for 38kHz/50kHz/200kHz. As an example, from active echo
display, 50kHz:

MENU

Press [MENU], to call up the menu bar, and…

3,5

press

[3]

and

[5]

to activate VRM expansion of the 50kHz sounder

or…

ZOOM

gain direct access to the VRM expansion feature by pressing

[ZOOM]

The zoom level can be selected in seven steps ranging from 3 to 50
meters, or converting to feet or fathoms (refer to Setup for units,
section 7.1). The VRM horizontal line can be moved up/down by
means of the cursor.

+/-

Adjust range with the + and - keys

ENT

Open Setup display (see section 5.8), if any changes are required

ENT

and confirm changes with

[ENT]

ZOOM

Turn VRM expansion off again

T *.*°C S 0.0kn DK 5.0 m

FREQUENCY: 50kHz
PULSE: A- SHORT
POWER: A- 1000W

Operation of the EQ42/50/52 Chapter 5

23

5.4 A-scope

The amplitude scope which appears in the right side of the echo
display, can be turned on and off.
The readout indicates the precise amplitude or strength of the last
received ping (sounding), which often can be used for determining
individual species of fish or hardness of the bottom.

From active echo display:

A-SCP

Gain direct access to the A-scope function

The vertical marker in this display is activated by the

[EVENT]

key,

see Appendix A for further details.

+/-

Adjust range with the + and - keys

ENT

Open Setup display (see section 5.8), if any changes are required

ENT

and confirm changes with

[ENT]

A-SCP

Turn A-scope OFF again

T *.*°C S 0.0kn DK 5.0 m

FREQUENCY: 50kHz
PULSE: A- SHORT
POWER: A- 1000W

Operation of the EQ42/50/52 Chapter 5

24

5.5 Variable range marker

From active echo display:

VRM

Gain direct access to the Variable Range Marker function

Move the variable range marker up/down with cursor key

+/-

Adjust the range by means of the +/- keys

VRM

With variable range marker active, press [VRM] to bring up the VRM
location in the top line of the display, press the

[VRM]

key again to turn

off the VRM marker

5.6 Depth & temperature diagram

MENU

Press

[MENU],

to call up the menu bar, and…

3,7

press

[3]

and

[7]

to activate Depth & temperature diagram

Present water temperature.

8.3°C 12:05 27.2m

[°C] 7:00 7:05 [m]
30 - - 0

- 25
20 -

- 50

10 -

- 75

0 - - 100

Present depth.

Depth over
time or
distance.

Temperature
over time or
distance.