Simrad PI Spread/Depth Instruction Manual

Instruction manual

Simrad PI Spread/Depth

Dual sensor for depth and spread measurements

T E C H N O L O G Y F O R S U S T A I N A B L E F I S H E R I E S

www.simrad.com

(CD012200O)

Simrad PI Spread/Depth

Instruction manual

This document gives you the necessary information for
mounting, charging and maintaining the PI Spread/Depth
sensor. It also explains howto set up the PI44 and PI54 ca

tch
monitoring systems to receive and display the information
provided by the sensor.

315549/A

19 November 2007

Document history

Document number: 315549 / ISBN-10: 82-8066-094-1 / I SBN-13: 978-82-8066-094 -7
Rev.A

19 November 2007 First release.

Copyright

©2007 Kongsberg Maritime AS

The information contained in this document remains the sole property of Kongsberg Maritime AS. No part
of this document m ay be copied or reproduced in any form or by any m eans, and the infor mation contained
within it is not to be communicated to a third party, without the prior written consent of Kongsberg
Maritime AS. The document, or any part of it, may not be translated to any other language without the
written approval from Kongsberg Maritime AS.

Disclaimer

Kongsberg Maritime AS endeavours to ensure that all information in this document is correct and fairly
stated, but does not accept liability for any errors or omissions.

Warning

The equipment to which this manual applies must only be used for the purpose for which it wa

s
designed. Improper use or m aintenance may cause damage to the equipment and/or injury to personnel.
The user must be familiar with the contents of the appropriate manuals before att empting to install,
operate or work on the eq uipm ent.
Kongsberg Maritime AS disclaims any responsibility for damage or injury caused by improper
installation, use or mainten ance of the equipment.

Support

If you require m aintenance on your Simrad equipment, contact your local dealer. You can also contact
Simrad using the following address:s

[e-mail]

u need other information about

this product, or any other Simrad products, visit w

ww.simrad.com. On our web site you will also find

a list of our dealers and distributors.

Kongsberg Maritime AS
Strandpromenaden 50
P. O. Bo x 1 1 1
N-3191 Horten, Norway

Simrad

Telephone:[phone]
Telefax:[phone]

[e-mail]

www.simrad.com

Instruction manual

Table of contents

INTRODUCTION ................................................................ 5

Purpose and applications..........................................................................................5

Main parts identification...........................................................................................6

Information on the sensor label................................................................................7

INSTALLATION ................................................................. 8

Sensor installation ....................................................................................................8

Adapter installation ..................................................................................................8

Installation principles ...............................................................................................9

CONFIGURATION ............................................................ 10

Basic configuration.................................................................................................10

Configuration of the PI32.......................................................................................10

Configuration of the PI44 and PI54........................................................................10

Adding a Remote/Depth sensor..............................................................................12

About sensor configuration ....................................................................................13

Default communication channels and updaterates.........................................14

Changing a communication channel............................................................. 14

Changing the updaterate............................................................................. 15

PI Configurator........................................................................................... 15

DISPLAY PRESENTATIONS.............................................. 1 6

Numerical presentation...........................................................................................16

Graphical presentation on PI44 and PI54...............................................................17

Depth marker line....................................................................................... 17

Spread markerline...................................................................................... 18

CHARGING AND MAINTENANCE...................................... 20

PI Spread/Depth maintenance ................................................................................20

PI Spread/Depth charging.......................................................................................21

How to use the Simrad PI Charger.........................................................................22

Daily operation........................................................................................... 22

Indicators...................................................................................................23

Automatic configuration.............................................................................. 24

How to use the Simrad PI MaxiCharger.................................................................25

Daily operation........................................................................................... 25

Indicators...................................................................................................26

315549/A 3

Simrad PI Spread/Depth

4

315549/A

Introduction

INTRODUCTION

Efficient fishery with trawl and purse seine assumes professional
and adequate instrumentation on the gear. Simrad has provided
professional instruments for fish finding for more than sixty years.
This user manual described installation, use and maintenance of
the PI Spread/Depth sensor when put to use w ith the PI catch
monitoring systems.

Purpose and applications

The purpose of the PI Spread/Depth sensor is to achieve accurate
measurements of both the water depth and the distance between
the two trawl doors. The PI Spread/Depth thus contains both
a pressure sensor to measure the w ater depth, and a sensor to
measure the distance to the Remote sensor on the other trawl
door. The results from these measurements are transmitted by
acoustic signals to the PI catch monitoring system mounted on
the vessel.

Figure 1 The PI Spread/Depth sensor application

C

(CD012200L)

A

B

E

(A) The Spread/Depth sensor is mounted in a special adapter
on the port trawl door.

(B) The Remote sensor is mounted in a special adapter on the
starboard trawl door.

(C) The Spread/Depth sensor communicates with the PI system
on the vessel.

(E) Using the transverse communication link, the two sensors
measure the physical distance between the trawl doors.

315549/A 5

Simrad PI Spread/Depth

Note

Each Spread/Depth sensor can be configured to communicate
with one of two Remote sensors; Remote 1 or Remote 2. Label
the Spread/Depth sensor accordingly, and ensure that you only
use the sensors in the correct pairs.

The PI Spread/Depth has been developed to be used on both
bottom and pelagic trawls. The sensor is normally installed on
the port trawl door using an adapter.

Main parts identification

Figure 2 PI Spread/Depth sensor

(A) Negative charging and fastening
lug

(B) Positive c harging and fastening lug
(C) Communication link to the vessel
(D) Transverse communication link
(E) Spread/Depth set identification
(F) Water switch with sacrificial bolt
(G) Sensor identification label

B

A

C

E

D

F

G

(CD012200M)

6 315549/A

Introduction

Information on the sensor label

The sensor label provides the following information.

Figure 3 The PI Spread/Depth sensor label

B

D

(CD012200N)

A

C

E

F

(A) Channel identification. You must wri

te down the channel

currently used by the sensor to communi

cate with the PI system.

The red background colour on the l

abel is chosen to remind you

that the sensor is mounted on the

port trawl door.

(B) This information identifies

the sensor type. Three types are

available:

• PI-SD300: PI Spread/Depth for

maximum depth 300 m

• PI-SD600: PI Spread/Depth

for maximum depth 600 m

• PI-SD1000: PI Spread/Dept

h for maximum depth 1000 m
(C) Order number.
(D) Opening for the water to

access the pressure sensor.

(E) Water switch. This is

a sacrificial bolt. Check it from time to

time to make sure that it

has not worn out.

(F) The sensor’s serial

number.

315549/A 7

Simrad PI Spread/Depth

INSTALLATION

The PI Spread/Depth sensor is mounted on the port trawl door
using a special adapter. From this position, it will communicate
with a Remote or a Remote/Depth sensor on the starboard trawl
door.

Sensor installation

The PI Spread/Depth sensor and the Remote or Remote/Depth
sensors must be mounted in dedicated adapters on each trawl
door. These adapters must be installed beforehand. Detailed
information on how to install the adapters are provided with the
installation kit.

The PI Spread/Depth sensor is mounted on the p

ort door, w hile

the Remote or Remote/Depth sensor is mounted on the s

tarboard

door.

Note

It is essential that there is a clear line of sight between the two
transverse communication “eyes” (one on each sensor), and
between the top of the Spread/Depth sensor and the hydrophone
on the vessel.

The two rubber inserts provided at t he bottom of each sensor
adapter must not be replaced with any other t ypes or designs.
It is essential that these inserts provide a secure cradle for the
sensors, but they must also allow for free water circulation to
allow the sensor’s water switch to engage. Also, the design of
the inserts allows sand and m ud to flow out when the trawl doors
are pulled up from the water.

Adapter installation

The installation of the sensor adapter is described in the dedicated
instruction manual provided with the adapter. The document can
also be downloaded from w

ww.simrad.com.

8

315549/A

Installation

Installation principles

Observe the installation principles in the illustration.

Figure 4 Installation principles

(CD012200K)

A

B

C

E

F

D

(A) The PI Spread/Depth sensor is mounted in a special adapter
on the port door.

(B) The Remote (or Remote/Depth) sensor is mounted in a special
adapter on the starboard door.

(C) Communication link between the PI Spread/Depth sensor
and the PI hydrophone.

(D) Communication link between the Remote/Depth sensor and
the PI hydrophone.

(E) Communication link between the two sensors.
(F) Angle of attack.

315549/A 9

Simrad PI Spread/Depth

CONFIGURATION

In order to allow the information from the PI Spread/Depth
sensor to be accepted and understood by the PI catch monitoring
system, the PI receiver must be set up correctly. This means that
you must tell the receiver that the sensor exists by entering the
sensor type, communication channels and update rate.

Note

The PI Spread/Depth sensor is a “dual” sensor. This means that
it will occupy two channels on your PI system!

Upon delivery, all PI Spread/Depth sensors are set up with
factory default channels and update rates. Refer to the table in
section About sensor configuration on page 13.

Note

The sensor and the PI system setup must correspond, otherwise
the communication will not work. To change the sensor setup
(channel selection and update rate), use the PI Configurator
utility. See PI Configurator on page 15.

Basic configuration

Observe the following basic configuration settings:

• When you put the PI Spread/Depth to use, you must set it up

with two unique sensor numbers. Select the same update rate
for both, and use channel numbers according to the sensor’s
configuration. Write down this configuration for future
reference. For default settings, refer to the table in section
About sensor configuration on page 13.

• On the receiver, the Interference filter must be switched

on.SetittoLevel9 if you have noise problems from other
hydroacoustic sources. Note that this filters will influence the
signal spectrum shown in the

Status display.

• We recommend that you set the Sensor filter to Light.

Configuration of the PI32

The PI Spread/Depth sensor can not be used on the Simrad PI32
system.

Configuration of the PI44 and PI54

This procedure explains how to set up the PI44 and PI54 catch
monitoring systems to access the information provided by the PI
Spread/Depth sensor. For more detailed information about the
settings and parameters, refer to the relevant Operator manuals.

10

315549/A

Configuration

Note

In order to set up the PI44 and PI54 systems, your PI operator
unit must be provided with software version 0.47 or later.

We recommend that you use the form at the beginning of the PI44
or PI54 Operator manual to write down the sensors you have and
their respective communication channels and update rates.

Note

In order to set up the PI system you must know what kind of
sensors you have, which communication channels they use, and
how often they communicate (the update rate). You need this
information b

efore you start the c onfiguration.

Do not carry out sensor configuration unless absolutely
necessary.

Figure 5 PI Spread/Depth configuration example

Sensor 1:

Demo mode:

Measure 1:

- Update:

DUAL

NONE

NONE

NONE

NONE

NONE

- Channel:

- Channel:

SPREAD

DEPTH 300M

FAST

OFF

02

Sensor 2:

Measure 2: 16

Sensor 3:
Sensor 4:

Sensor 5:

Sensor 6:

Sensor setup

Accept ENT

MENU Exit

GAIN- GAIN+

(CD012105B02)

This example shows how the PI44 (or PI54) is set up to receive
information from a PI Spread/Depth sensor. Note that two
channels are used. Standard communication channels and
update rates are used.

To access the

Sensor Setup menu:

To access the

Sensor Setup menu:

1 Press the

MENU button to open the main menu.

2 On the

Setup menu, select Sensor setup.

3 Press the

ENT button to allow for changes, and then the

same button one more time to accept the warning.

To set up the depth and distance (spread) readings from the PI
Spread/Depth sensor:

315549/A

11

Simrad PI Spread/Depth

1 To reset the unit, set all six sensors to default sensor type

None.

2 Choose the sensor you wish to use for the PI Spread/Depth

sensor; 1 to 6.

3 Define the sensor type (by default None)toDual.
4 Set

Update to the c orrect update rate.

5 Set

Measure 1 to the chosen sensor type Spread.

6 Set the communication

Channel to its correct value.

7 Set

Measure 2 to the chosen sensor type Depth 300M, Depth

600M or Depth 1000M depending on the depth rating on
your PI Spread/Depth sensor.

8 Set the communication

Channel to its correct value.

9 Press the

ENT button to save the changes and exit.

All sensors are provided with default communication channels
and update rates. Refer to the table in section About sensor
configuration on page 13.

As previously stated, the PI Spread/Depth sensor will occupy
two channels on your PI system. This means that although the

Sensor setup menu shows that six sensors are available, the last

sensor will not have any m

easurements left. This is because you
are offered six measurements, and you have already used two of
these by putting the PI Spread/Depth sensor to work.

Adding a Remote/Depth sensor

In order to achieve full control of the trawl, you may wish to add
a Remote/Depth sensor on the starboard trawl door. This sensor
will communicate with the Spread/Depth sensor to establish the
distance between the trawl doors, and it will provide you with the
accurate depth of the starboard trawl door. The Remote/Depth
sensor will only occupy one channel on your PI system.

12

315549/A

Configuration

Figure 6 Spread/Depth and Remote/Depth configuration
example

Sensor 1:

Demo mode:

Measure 1:

Measure 3:

- Update:

- Update:

DUAL

NONE

SINGLE

NONE

NONE

NONE

- Channel:

- Channel:

- Channel:

SPREAD

DEPTH 300M

DEPTH 300M

FAST

FAST

OFF

02

Sensor 2:

Measure 2: 16

17

Sensor 3:
Sensor 4:

Sensor 5:

Sensor 6:

Sensor setup

Accept ENT

MENU Exit

GAIN- GAIN+

(CD012105C02)

This example shows how the PI44 (or PI54) is set up to receive
information from a PI Spread/Depth sensor (using two channels)
and a PI Remote/Depth sensor (using a single channel). Standard
communication channels and update rates are used.

To access the

Sensor Setup menu:

1 Press the

MENU button to open the main menu.

2 On the

Setup menu, select Sensor setup.

3 Press the

ENT button to allow for changes, and then the

same button one more time to accept the warning.

To set up the depth readings from the PI Remote/Depth sensor:

1 Choose an available sensor; 1 to 6.
2 Define the sensor type (by default None)toSingle.
3 Set

Update to the c orrect update rate.

4 Set

Measure x1 to the chosen sensor type Depth 300M,

Depth 600M or Depth 1000M depending on the depth rating
on your PI Spread/Depth sensor.

5 Set the communication

Channel to its correct value.

6 Press the

ENT button to save the changes and exit.

All sensors are provided with default communication channels
and update rates. Refer to the table in section About sensor
configuration on page 13.

About sensor con figuration

All sensors are provided from Simrad with predefined
communication channels and update rates.

315549/A 13

Simrad PI Spread/Depth

Default communication channels and
update rates

See the table below for the initial values for the communication
channels and update rates for the various sensors.

Table 1 Default communication channels and update rates

Sensor Com.channel(s)

Update rate

PI Bottom Contact

6Normal

PI Catch

4Normal

PIDepth(300m)

16 Fast

PIDepth(600m)

12 Fast

PI Depth (1000 m)

10 Fast
PI Height 14 Fast
PI Re mote/Depth

Depth 300M: 11

Depth 600M: 15

Depth 1000M: 13

Fast

PI Spread

2Fast
PI Spread/Depth

Depth 300M: 16

Depth 600M: 12

Depth 1000M: 10

Spread: 2

Fast

PI Twin Spread

2 and 7 Fast
PI Temperature 8 Fast
PI SeineSounder

Depth 300M: 5

Depth 600M: 9

Depth 1000M: 1

Height: 14

Fast

Changing a communication channel

It may be required to change one or more communication
channels, and there may be many reasons for this.

• You have more than one of each sensor. For example, if you
have three temperature sensors, they MUST communicate
on three different channels.

• Other vessels near your use the same PI catch monitoring
system (or a similar), and they have one or more of their
sensors set up to the same communication channels as you
have. This will create interference, as you will "read" each
others sensors.

14

315549/A

Configuration

• If your sensors are set up to use communication channels too
close to each other (for example, you have chosen channels 4,
5 and 6), this will limit the vessel’s speed. The reason for this
is the Doppler effect. If the speed is too high, the Doppler will
cause the transmission frequencies to change so much that
they overlap, and this will create interference. The PI catch
monitoring system will provide a warning if this is about to
happen! You must then either change to other communication
channels further apart, or reduce the maximum shooting speed.

• If you operate at the maximum range of the sensors, you
may be able to increase this range slightly if you use
lower communication channels. This is because the lower
communication channels user lower transmission frequencies.

Changing the update rate

It may be required to change the update rate on a sensor, that is
how often it sends information back to the PI catch monitoring
system. A high update rate will give frequent information
updates, but the sensor will use more battery power. If you need
your batteries to last as long as possible, you must consider
lowering the update rate.

• A low update rate will provide you with fewer information
updates, but the battery will last very long.

• A high update rate will give you frequent information updates,
but the battery will run out faster.

All sensors are provided from Simrad with a default update rate
setting. In some cases you may find that this update rate does not
suit your operational needs. This is a decision you have to make
depending on the local fishing conditions.

PI Configurator

Simrad has developed a dedicated computer utility to change
the sensor configurations. By means o f an ordinary desktop
computer and a few special cables you can do this job yourself. If
you do not require frequent configurations, you can also contact
you local dealer for assistance. Contact the dealer for more
information.

315549/A 15

Simrad PI Spread/Depth

DISPLAY PRESENTATIONS

The information provided by the PI Spread/Depth sensor is
shown on the PI catch monitoring system’s colour display. Two
presentations are available:

• Numerical presentation

• Graphical presentation with or without echogram

Numerical presentation

The numerical presentation of the PI Spread/Depth data is
automatically shown in the relevant display modes. Since this is
a “dual” sensor two rectangles are used.

Figure 7 Numerical presentation, example

12

S1 [m]

69.5

q

AB

C

IK

L

J

EED

F

H

18

D2 [m]

25.6

q

G

1

1

(CD012200D)

(A) Sensor identification
(B)Unitofmeasurement
(C) Distance between the two

trawl doors
(D) Distance change per minute
(E) Arrows pointing “out”

means that the distance is
increasing, arrows pointing
“in” means that distance is
decreasing.

(F) Visual alarm

(G) Sensor transmission
indicator

(H) Interference warning
(I) Depth
(J) Depth change per minute
(K) Arrow down indicate that

the depth is increasing
(I) Dual sensor identification

On the PI display, you must use two channels to receive the
information from the PI Spread/Depth. The depth and distance
values are then shown in the numeric display. If the distance or

16

315549/A

Display presentations

depth is increasing or decreasing, this is shown with two arrows
and the variation in meters per minute. You can also see the
depth and distance changes as a function of time in a graphical
presentation.

When the readings are stable, the digits are shown in black
colour. If the contact is lost, the characters *** are shown in grey.
If the height is out of range, the displays shows ???.

Graphical presentation on PI44 and PI54

This section contains a procedure to explain how you can set up
the PI44 and PI54 to show you a graphical presentation of the PI
Spread/Depth data providing depth- and distance markers.

Figure 8 Graphical presentation on PI44/PI54

17.5 12.5

10

7.5

5

2.5

15

min

38kHz 1000W MEDIUM

T 22.5 C

o

S 7.2kn DK 1050 m

(CD012106B)

D1[m]

D2[m]

167

147

0.5

5

H6[m]

225

7

0

50

100

150

200

250

The purpose of the depth- and distance markers on the graphical
presentation is to keep an eye on how deep the trawl doors are
situated, and how far apart they are. The depth sensor in the PI
Spread/Depth sensor measures the distance from the sea surface
and down to the sensor, while the spread function communicates
with the Remote sensor on the starboard trawl door to measure
the distance.

Depth marker line

1 Identify the sensor you wish to use, and make sure that

the sensor is connected to the PI system with correct
communication channels and update rates.

315549/A 17

Simrad PI Spread/Depth

2 Ensure that you have a graphical presentation active on your

PI system.

3 Press the

ADJ button to open the Graphic setup menu.

4 Press the

GAIN+ button repeatedly to reach the Marker line

dialogue.

5 Observe the list of sensors that appear. Only those sensors

that can provide a marker line are listed.

6 Set

Auto to On.

• This allows the PI unit to use the Trawl Calculator to
estimate the correct time delay. (This is not applicable
for purse seiners.)

• If you wish to calculate the delay yourself, set

Auto to

Off. You must then enter the calculated value into the

Delay column.

7 Enter requested value for

Width.

• Use this parameter to control the thickness (in pixels)
of the marker line(s).

8 For every marker line, set

Show to On.

9 If you wish to see the marker lines in the expanded views

(bottom expansion, zoom and phased range), set

Sensor

marker in expansion

to On.

10 If you wish the PI system to draw a thin white line over and

under the marker lines, sett

Marker white zone to On.

11 If you wish to see the height marker only in expanded views,

set

Height marker in main echogram to Off..

12 Select requested

Height reference.

• The height sensor measures the distance from the
headrope to the bottom. If you use the echo sounder in the
PI system, set

Height reference to Bottom, and the height

marker will follow the bottom contour. With correct time
delay you will then see the trawl in “true motion”.

• Ifyoucan not use the PI echo sounder, set

Height reference

to Surface. The height is now shown using 0 m depth as
reference. The distance from the 0 meter line and down
to the marker line is then the current height of the gear.

13 Press the

ENT button to save the chosen parameters and

return to the graphical presentation.

Spread marker line

1 Identify the sensor you wish to use, and make sure that

the sensor is connected to the PI system with correct
communication channels and update rates.

18

315549/A

Display presentations

2 Ensure that you have a graphical presentation active on your

PI system.

3 Press the

ADJ button to open the Graphic setup menu.

4 Press the

GAIN+ button repeatedly to reach the Marker line

dialogue.

5 Observe the list of sensors that appear. Only those sensors

that can provide a marker line are listed.

6 Locate the Spread sensor, and set

Show to On.

7 Enter the preferred settings for

Marker line thickness and

Marker line delay.

8 Press the

ENT button to save the chosen parameters and

return to the graphical presentation.

The Spread marker line is presented on the graphic display
with a continuous line. The colour of the line is the same as
the background colour in the numeric presentation. To read the
distance between the trawl doors, consult the depth range on the
right side of the display, or the read-out in the numeric display. If
the trawl door distance is reduced or increased, this will be easily
detected as the marker line moves up or down. Note that you do
not monitor the depth of the trawl doors even though you use the
depth scale, the scale is used as a range scale.

315549/A 19

Simrad PI Spread/Depth

CHARGING AND MAINTENANCE

This chapter explains how you shall recharge the battery in the PI
Spread/Depth sensor, and how you shall best maintain the sensor.

PI Spread/Depth maintenance

Once installed and put to use, the sensor will automatically be
switched on once the water switch is activated. After an initial
start-up, the sensor starts transmission of the current depth and
distance.

When the sensor is not in use, check that the sensor lamp i s not
flashing, as this indicates that the sensor is active and discharging
its batteries. In this case, wash the sensor in fresh water.

All sensors are equipped with a water switch, and two different
types are used. If your sensor is equipped with a sacrificial brass
screw, observe the following procedure for replacement.

1 Turn the sensor upside down, and locate the brass screw.

2 Inspect the screw for wear and tear.
3 If replacement is required, locate a new scre

w.

Before a new screw is inserted,

Aqua Shield (o

rasimilar

underwater lubricant) must be applied. Due

to the size of

the tube, we recommend that the grease is a

pplied from

a syringe.

4 Apply

Aqua Shield to the screw threa

ds.

5 Insert the screw, mount firmly, but n

ot too hard. Use

maximum torque 1.5 NM
A pack with ten screws and a tube of

A

qua Shield

can be

ordered from Simrad as a spare par

ts kit.

Aqua Shield is manufactured b

y D.A.Stuart, Warrenville,

Illinois, USA.
Visit w

ww.d-a-stuart.com.

No other maintenance of the s

ensor is required.

Note

You must never attempt to open the sensor. There are no user
serviceable parts inside, and you may easily cause a leak.

20 315549/A

Charging and maintenance

PI Spread/Depth charging

The PI Spread/Depth sensor must be charged between operation.
The battery lifetime depends on the update rate you have chosen.

Note

To charge the PI Spread/Depth sensor, use the Simrad PI Charger
or the Simrad PI MaxiCharger.

Table 2 Battery lifetime for the PI Spread/Depth sensor

Update rate

Approximate lifetime between
charging

Fast 40 hours
Normal 80 hours
Slow

110 hours

Optimal sensor charging temperature is from +10 to +25° C.

Note

Charging sensors at sub zero temperatures can create explosive
gasses. Simrad assumes no liability for improper charging of
sensors, or the use of chargers not specified in our sensor or
charger documentation.

315549/A

21

Simrad PI Spread/Depth

How to use the Simrad PI Charger

The Simrad PI Charger is an intelligent battery charger for
fast and secure charging of the PI sensors. The charger will
automatically set up the correct charging current depending on
the sensor type and the battery temperature. A “fuel meter”
shows the status of the battery during the charge.

Figure 9 The PI Charger set up to charge a PI sensor

Even though the PI Charger is designed for fast charging of the
PI sensors, it can also charge the PS sensors, but only at normal
charge rate.

Daily operation

Observe the following pr

ocedure for daily operation.

1 Attach the charging clam

ps to the sensor as follows:

• Red clamp: Positive (+)f

astening lug

• Black clamp: Negative (–

) fastening lug

• On every sensor the pola

rity of the fastening lugs are

engraved on the sensor

body using + and – characters.

2 Ensure that mounting m

aterials do not short circuit the

charging lugs.

22

315549/A

Charging and maintenance

• This may be ropes, wires, chains or other items that
obstruct or short circuit the electrical connections.

3 When the charger is connected to the sensor, check the

charger lamps.

• Once connected, the charger will identify whether the
sensor connected can be fast charged or not. This is
shown by the yellow lamps. If the top lamp flashes
rapidly, the sensor i s fast charged.

• If your sensor can be fast charged, the charger will
also check the internal temperature of the sensor. The
temperature is shown on the “thermometer” on the
charger’s front panel. If you charge a sensor that can not
be fast charged, this “thermometer” does not work.

4 Observe the charge times and temperature limitations!

• Fast charge: The PI Charger will first recharge the
sensor battery for approximately one hour to reach 70%
battery capacity, then approximately three hours to reach
100% capacity. Once fully charged, a constant trickle
charge will compensate for self discharging.

Note

Fast charging only applies to PI sensors!

• Normal charge: The PI Charger will first recharge the
sensor battery for 16 hours for full battery capacity. This
mode applies for charging PI sensors outside specified
temperature range, and for all PS sensors.

• Charging must only take place within the specified
temperature range. For best results, keep the ambient
temperature between +10 and +25°C.

Note

Do not charge sensors in temperatures above + 50°C or
below 0°C!

Indicators

(A) 12 to 32 Vdc connected
(B) “Fuel meter”, the number of LEDs illuminated shows the

current charging status. A complete charging cycle is indicated
with all “full” battery. Charging is indicated as follows:

•Fastflashing: Fast charging in progress

•Slowflashing: Normal charging in progress

• On/off every four seconds: Trickle charging in progress

315549/A 23

Simrad PI Spread/Depth

A

B

C

(C) Battery temperature indicators during fast charging of PI
sensors:

• Green: Battery temperature between +5 and +40°C. Fast
charge is enabled.

• Green and Blue: Battery temperature between 0 and +5°C.
Fast charge is disabled, normal charge is used.

• Green and Red: Battery temperature between +40 and +50°C.
Fast charge disabled, normal charge is used.

• Blue: Battery temperature is below 0°C. No charging takes
place.

• Red: Battery temperature is above +50°C. No charging takes
place.

WARNING
Charging a sensor at sub zero temperature might

develop explosive gases representing a potential
danger. Simrad assumes no liability for improper
charging, or the use of other chargers than those
approved by us.

Automatic configuration

The charger communicates with the sensor at regular intervals.
The fast charge cycle is controlled by data exchanged between
the PI sensor and the charger, and a series of safety mechanisms
controls the termination of the fast charging current.

The PS sensors do not communicate with the charger. A constant
charge current of 58 mA is then set up by the charger regardless
of the battery temperature.

24

315549/A

Charging and maintenance

HowtousetheSimradPIMaxiCharger

The Simrad PI MaxiCharger is a plain battery charger to be used
with large PI sensors.

Figure 10 Simrad PI MaxiCharger

Caution
The Simrad PI MaxiCharger must only be used to charge

the l

arge PI sensors: PI Spread, PI Spread/Depth, PI
Remote/Depth, PI Height and PI SeineSounder. You
must NOT use this charger to recharge the “small” PI
sensors and the PS sensors, as the high charging current
may cause damage to the batteries in these sen sors.

The Simrad PI MaxiCharger is provided with a small booklet
from the manufacturer (Mascot). Read this booklet before you
put the charger to work!

Daily operation

Observe the following procedure for daily operation.
1 Connect the charger to 230 Vac, and check that the charger

lamp is lit in yellow.

2 Ensure that mounting materials do not short circuit the

charging lugs.

• This may be ropes, wires, chains or other items that
obstruct or short circuit the electrical connections.

3 Attach the charging clamps to the sensor as follows:

• Red clamp: Positive (+) fastening lug

• Black clamp: Negative (–) fastening lug

• On every sensor the polarity of the fastening lugs are
engraved on the sensor body using + and – characters.

315549/A 25

Simrad PI Spread/Depth

4 When the charger is connected to the sensor, check the

charger lamps.

• After a few seconds, the lamp on the charger will change
from yellow to orange/red. This means that fast charging
is in progress.

• When the battery in the sensor has reached 90% capacity
the lamp will change from orange/red to green with
short yellow flashes. This means that top charging is in
progress.

• When the battery is f ully charged, the lamp turns green.
Trickle charging is now active. You can safely allow
trickle charging for long periods of time.

Indicators

The Simrad PI MaxiCharger is only equipped with a single
indicator lamp, this lamp will however change colour to show the
status of the charging process.

• Yellow: The charger is connected to 230 Vac, it has not been
connected to the sensor, and it is ready for use.

• Orange/Red: The charger is connected to a sensor, and fast
charging is in progress.

• Green with short yellow flashes: Top charging is in progress.

• Green: Trickle charging is in progress.

26

315549/A

Index

A

Applications, 5

C

Charging, 20–21
Communication

channel

default values, 14
why chan ge?, 14

Configuration, 10

PI32, 10
PI44, 10
PI54, 10
Remote/Depth, 12
sensor, 13

D

Default

communication

channels, 14

update rate, 14

Depth

marker line, 17

Display presentation

graphical

PI44/PI54, 17

numerical, 16

Display presentations, 16

G

Graphical

display presentation

PI44/PI54, 17

H

How to

set up a depth marker

line, 17

set up a spread marker

line, 18

I

Identification

main parts, 6
Installation, 8
Introduction, 5

M

Main parts

identification, 6

Maintenance, 20
Marker line

depth, 17
spread, 18

N

Numerical

presentation, 16

P

Parts

identification, 6

PI Charger

use, 22

PI MaxiCharger

use, 25

PI32

configuration, 10

PI44

configuration, 10

PI54

configuration, 10
Presentations, 1 6
Procedure

configuration

PI32, 10
PI44, 10
PI54, 10
Remote/Depth, 12

set up a depth marker

line, 17

set up a spread marker

line, 18

Purpose, 5

R

Remote/Depth

configuration, 12

S

Sensor

configuration, 13
Spread

marker line, 18

U

Update rate

default values, 14

why chang e?, 15

315549/A 27

ISBN-10: 82-8066-094-1

ISBN-13: 978-82-8066-094-7

©

2007 Kongsberg Maritime AS

Kongsberg Maritime AS
Strandpromenaden 50
P. O. Bo x 1 1 1
N-3191 Horten, Norway

Simrad

Telephone:[phone]
Telefax:[phone]

[e-mail]

www.simrad.com