Page 1
•
•
OWNER’S GUIDE & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Thru - hull, Metal Stem,
Depth Transducer
Models: B45, B46, B240, B256,
B260, B261, SS505, SS560
IMPORTANT : Please read the instructions completely
before proceeding with the installation. These
instructions supersede any other instructions in your
instrument manual if they differ.
CAUTION : NEVER USE SOLVENTS
Cleaners, fuel, paint, sealants, and other products may
17-008-05 rev. 09 02/04
contain strong solvents, such as acetone, which attack
many plastics greatly reducing their strength.
Applications
Bronze housing recommended for fiberglass or wood hulls.
Caution : Never mount a bronze housing in a metal hull,
because electrolytic corrosion will occur.
Stainless steel housing compatible with all hull materials.
• Aluminum or steel hull —Use a stainless steel housing/stem
to prevent electrolytic corrosion.
Caution : Installation requires using a fairing kit to isolate the
stainless steel transducer from a metal hull.
•
Caution : Never install a metal housing on a vessel with a
positive ground system
Tools & Materials
Safety goggles
Dust mask
Electric drill
Drill bits:
Pilot hole 3mm
B45, B46, SS505 22mm
B240, B260, B261, SS560 33mm
B256 30mm
Sandpaper
Mild household detergent
File (installation in a metal hull)
Fairing ( mandatory for SS505 and SS560 )
Digital level
Band saw
Rasp
Marine sealant
Slip-joint pliers
Zip-ties
Water-based antifouling paint ( mandatory in salt water )
Installation in a cored fiberglass hull: (see page 4)
Drill bit for hull interior:
B45, B46, SS505 35mm
B240, B260, B261, SS560 42mm
B256 40mm, 41mm,
Cylinder, wax, tape, and casting epoxy
or
bubble level & protractor (installation w/ fairing)
or
hand saw (installation with a fairing)
or
power tool (installation with a fairing)
.
or
weak solvent (alcohol)
or
1/8"
or
or
or
or
or
7/8"
1-5/16"
1-3/16"
1-3/8"
1-5/8"
or
1-5/8"
Record the information found on the cable tag for future reference.
Part No._________________Date___________Frequency________kHz
standard
fairing
B45
High-Performance
fairing
Identify Your Model
The model name is printed on the cable tag.
About Fairings
Nearly all vessels have some deadrise angle at the mounting
location. If the transducer is mounted directly to the hull, the
sound beam will be tilted off the vertical at the same angle as the
deadrise. A fairing is strongly recommended if the deadrise angle
exceeds 10 ° .
•Orients the sound beam straight down by mounting the
transducer parallel to the water surface
• Minimizes aerated water flowing over the transducer’s face by
mounting it deeper in the water
Airmar Polymer Fairing
Made of a high-impact polymer with an integrated cutting guide,
an Airmar fairing is safer and easier to cut with a band saw and
shape with hand tools than custom fairings. It can be shaped to
accommodate a deadrise angle of up to about 25 ° . (For fairing
part numbers, see “Replacement Parts” on page 4.)
A backing block is mounted inside the hull to provide a level
surface for the hull nut to seat against (see Figure 2). It is
fabricated matching the interior deadrise angle of the boat. After
cutting an Airmar fairing, use the remaining section with the
cutting guide for the backing block.
Airmar High-Performance Fairing
A high-performance fairing has a long streamlined shape for excellent performance above 15 kn (18MPH) (see “Parts” on page 4).
Mounting Location
Acoustic Noise
Acoustic noise is always present and these sound waves can
interfere with the operation of the transducer. Background noise
from sources such as: waves, fish, and other vessels cannot be
controlled. However, carefully selecting the transducer mounting
location can minimize the effect of vessel generated noise from
the propeller(s) and shaft(s), other machinery, and other echosounders. The lower the noise level, the higher the echosounder
gain setting that can be used.
Page 2
1/3 aft
LWL
(Load Waterline Length)
outboard and I/O
step-hull
displacement hull
planing hulls
fin keel sailboat
pressure waves
150- 300 mm
(6-12")
inboard
AIRMAR
®
• Fin keel sailboat —Mount to the side of the centerline and
forward of the fin keel 300–600mm (1–2').
• Full keel sailboat —Locate amidships and away from the keel
at the point of minimum deadrise angle.
—
Installation
No fairing or standard fairing only
WARNING : High-performance fairing must be installed
following the Installation Instruction Supplement that comes with
the fairing. The high-performance fairing requires an anti-rotation
bolt. Failure to install the anti-rotation bolt may result in the fairing
rotating while the boat is underway. The effect may be violent
movement and loss of steering. This could result in serious injury
or death to passengers and/or damage to the boat or other
property.
Metal hull —The SS505 and SS560 must be isolated from a metal
hull. For your safety you must follow the Installation Instruction
Supplement provided with the fairing.
Cored fiberglass hull —Follow separate instructions on page 4.
No fairing —If you are installing a transducer without a fairing,
disregard all references to a fairing.
full keel sailboat
Figure 1.
Best location for the transducer
Placement
Choose a location where:
• The water flowing across the hull is smoothest with a minimum
of bubbles and turbulence (especially at high speeds).
• The transducer will be continuously immersed in water.
• There is a minimum deadrise angle.
• The transducer beam is unobstructed by keel or propeller shaft(s).
• There is adequate headroom inside the vessel for the height of
the housing and tightening the nut.
Caution : Do not mount the transducer:
Near water intake or discharge openings
Behind strakes, fittings, or hull irregularities
Behind eroding paint (an indication of turbulence)
Boat Types
• Displacement hull powerboat —Locate 1/3 aft LWL and
150–300mm (6–12") off the centerline on the side of the hull
where the propeller is moving downward.
• Planing hull powerboat —Mount well aft, near the centerline,
and
the transducer is in contact with the water at high speeds.
Mount on the side of the hull where the propeller is moving
downward.
Outboard and I/O —Mount just forward and to the side of the
engine(s).
Inboard —Mount well ahead of the propeller(s) and shaft(s).
Step-hull —Mount just ahead of the first step.
Boat capable of speeds above 25kn (29MPH)—Review
transducer location and operating results of similar boats before
proceeding.
2
(see Figure 1)
well inboard of the first set of lifting strakes
to insure that
Hole Drilling
Warning : Always wear safety goggles and a dust mask.
1. Drill a 3mm or 1/8" pilot hole perpendicular to the waterline from
inside the hull (see Figure 2). If there is a rib, strut or other hull
irregularity near the selected mounting location, drill from the
outside.
2. Using the appropriate drill bit, cut a hole from outside the hull.
Be sure
to the water surface.
3. Sand and clean the area around the hole, inside and outside, to
ensure that the marine sealant will adhere properly to the hull. If
there is any petroleum residue inside the hull, remove it with
either a mild household detergent or a weak solvent (alcohol)
before sanding.
Metal hull —Remove all burrs with a file and sandpaper.
to hold the drill plumb, so the hole will be perpendicular
cable
stem
hull nut
backing block
fairing thickness
6–12mm (1/4–1/2")
standard fairing
Figure 2. Bedding and installing
(B45 with std. fairing shown)
Aft View
AIRMAR
hull
slope of hull
deadrise
angle
parallel to
waterline
marine
sealant
®
Page 3
AIRMAR
band saw
deadrise
angle
for installation
table
arrow end
on port side
cutting
guide
fence
Figure 3. Cutting the standard fairing
Cutting the Fairing
High-performance fairing —For your safety it is mandatory to
follow the Installation Instruction Supplement that comes with the
fairing.
1. Measure the deadrise angle of the hull at the selected location
using a digital level, or bubble level and protractor (see Figure 2)
2. Tilt the band saw table to the measured angle and secure the
cutting fence (see Figure 3).
3. Place the fairing on the table so the cutting guide rests against
the fence. The arrow will be pointing toward you for installation
on the port side and away from you for installation on the
starboard side of the boat (see Figures 3 and 4).
Caution : The ARROW always points forward toward the bow.
(A symmetrical fairing can be oriented either way.) Be sure to
orient the fairing on the band saw so the angle cut matches the
intended side of the hull and not the mirror image.
4. Adjust the cutting fence. The fairing
must
be between
6–12mm (1/4–1/2") at its thinnest dimension (see Figure 2).
Warning : Always wear safety goggles and a dust mask.
5. Recheck steps 1 through 4; then cut the fairing.
6. Shape the fairing to the hull as precisely as possible with a rasp
or power tool.
7. Use the remaining section of the fairing for the backing block.
Bedding
Caution : Never pull, carry, or hold the transducer by the cable as
this may sever internal connections.
1. Remove the hull nut (see Figure 2 or 5).
2. Thread the transducer cable through the fairing (if used).
3. Apply a 2mm (1/16") thick layer of marine sealant around the
sides of the housing that will contact the fairing (or hull if no
fairing is used). Apply a 2 mm (1/16") thick layer of marine
sealant to the stem of the housing. The sealant
6mm (1/4") higher than the combined thickness of the fairing,
hull, backing block, and hull nut. This will ensure there is marine
sealant in the threads to seal the hull and hold the hull nut
securely in place.
must
extend
®
4. If a fairing is used, seat the transducer firmly in/against the
3
fairing with a pushing twisting motion.
5. Apply a 2mm (1/16") thick layer of marine sealant to the surface
of the fairing that will contact the hull.
6. Apply a 2mm (1/16") thick layer of marine sealant to the surface
of the backing block that will contact the hull
Installing
1. From outside the hull, thread the cable through the mounting hole.
2. With the fairing in place (if used) and the arrow pointing forward
toward the bow, push the stem of the transducer through the
mounting hole (see Figure 4). (A symmetrical fairing can be
oriented either way.)
to the centerline of the boat
3. From inside the hull, slide the backing block (if used) and hull
nut onto the cable. Seat the backing block against the hull.
Screw the hull nut in place and tighten it with slip-joint pliers
(see Figure 2 or 5).
Wood hull —Allow for the wood to swell.
4. Remove any excess marine sealant on the outside of the hull
and fairing to ensure smooth water flow over the transducer.
Caution : If the transducer came with a connector, do not
remove it to ease cable routing. If the cable must be cut and
spliced, use Airmar’s splash-proof Junction Box 33-035 and
follow the instructions provided. Cutting the cable or removing
the connector, except when using Airmar’s junction box, will
void the warranty.
5. Route the cable to the instrument
cable jacket when passing it through the bulkhead(s) and other
parts of the boat. To reduce electrical interference, separate the
transducer cable from other electrical wiring and the engine.
Coil any excess cable and secure it in place with zip-ties to
prevent damage.
6. Refer to the instrument owner’s manual to connect the
transducer to the instrument.
stem
hull nut
backing
block
hull
fairing
marine
sealant
Figure 5. Bedding and installing
Take care to align the assembly parallel
. Squeeze out any excess sealant.
being carefu
(B240 with std. fairing shown)
l not to tear the
AIRMAR
BOW ➤
®
B45 B260, B261B240B46
std. fairing std. fairing
(symmetrical)
B256
std. fairing std. fairing
std. fairing
Figure 4. Transducer and fairing orientation
(blunt end toward bow)
SS505
std. fairing
AIRMAR
BOW ➤
®
Page 4
Checking for Leaks
Warning : Never install a thru-hull transducer and leave the boat in
the water unchecked for several days.
When the boat is placed in the water, immediately check around
the thru-hull transducer for leaks. Note that very small leaks may
not be readily observed. It is best not to leave the boat in the
water for more than 3 hours before checking it again. If there is a
small leak, there may be considerable bilge water accumulation
after 24 hours. If a leak is observed, repeat “Bedding” and
“Installing” on page 3 immediately .
Installation in a Cored Fiberglass Hull
The core (wood or foam)
core
must
be protected from water seepage, and the hull
reinforced to prevent it from crushing under the hull nut allowing
the housing to become loose.
Warning : Always wear safety goggles and a dust mask.
1. Drill a 3mm or 1/8" pilot hole perpendicular to the waterline from
inside the hull (see Figure 6). If there is a rib, strut, or other hull
irregularity near the selected mounting location, drill from the
outside. (If the hole is drilled in the wrong location, drill a second
hole in a better location. Apply masking tape to the outside of the
hull over the incorrect hole and fill it with epoxy.)
2. Using the appropriate size drill bit, cut a hole from outside the
hull through the
so the hole will be perpendicular to the water surface.
3. The optimal interior hole diameter is affected by the hull’s
thickness and deadrise angle. It must be large enough in
diameter to allow the core to be completely sealed.
Using the appropriate size drill bit for the hull interior, cut through
the
inner
skin and most of the core from inside the hull keeping
the drill perpendicular to the hull. The core material can be very
soft. Apply only light pressure to the drill bit after cutting through
the
inner
skin to avoid accidentally cutting the
4. Remove the plug of core material so the
and the inner core of the hull is fully exposed. Sand and clean
the inner skin, core, and the outer skin around the hole.
pour in
casting
epoxy
hull
solid or hollow
Figure 6. Preparing a cored fiberglass hull
must
be cut and sealed carefully. The
outer
skin only.
dimension equal to
the thickness of the
hull’s outer skin to
ensure adequate
clearance
cylinder
Be sure
must
be
to hold the drill plumb,
outer
skin.
inside
of the outer skin
AIRMAR
inner skin
core
outer skin
Caution : Completely seal the hull to prevent water seepage
into the core.
5. Coat a hollow or solid cylinder of the correct diameter with wax
and tape it in place. Fill the gap between the cylinder and hull
with casting epoxy. After the epoxy has set, remove the cylinder.
6. Sand and clean the area around the hole, inside and outside, to
ensure that the sealant will adhere properly to the hull. If there is
any petroleum residue inside the hull, remove it with either mild
household detergent or a weak solvent (alcohol) before sanding.
7. Proceed with “Bedding” and “Installing” on page 3.
Antifouling Paint
Surfaces exposed to salt water
be coated with antifouling paint (see
Figure 7). Use water-based
antifouling paint only.
ketone-based paint since ketones
can attack many plastics possibly
damaging the transducer. Reapply
antifouling paint every 6 months or at
the beginning of each boating
season.
Never
use
must
antifouling paint
Figure 7. SS505 shown
Maintenance & Replacement
Cleaning
Aquatic growth can accumulate rapidly on the transducer’s
surface reducing its performance within weeks. Clean the surface
with a soft cloth and mild household detergent. If the fouling is
severe, use a stiff brush or putty knife to remove the growth taking
care to avoid making scratches. Wet sanding is permissible with
fine grade wet/ dry paper.
Replacement Parts
Lost, broken, and worn parts should be replaced immediately and
can be obtained through your marine dealer or instrument
manufacturer.
Model
B45 02-031-3 33-351-01 (standard)
B46 02-031-3 33-020 (standard)
®
B240 02-036-2 33-146 (standard)
B256 02-222-03 33-226-01 (standard)
B260 02-036-2 33-030 (standard)
B261 02-036-2 33-030 (standard)
SS505 02-111-01 33-355-01 (high-performance)
SS560 03-169 33-466-01 (high-performance)
Transducer Replacement
The information needed to order a replacement transducer is
printed on the cable tag.
specify the part number, date, and frequency in kHz.
Hull Nut Fairing Type
33-352-02 (high-performance)
33-359-01 (high-performance)
33-357-01 (high-performance)
02-036-2 33-391-01 (high-performance)
02-036-2 04-423-02 (high-performance)
Do not
remove this tag. When ordering,
AIRMAR
®
®
AIRMAR
TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
4
35 Meadowbrook Drive, Milford, New Hampshire 03055-4613, USA
■
Copyright 2002. All rights reserved.
www.airmar.com
Loading...