Standard horizon R199, M260 Owner Manual

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONSOWNER’S GUIDE &

In-Hull, Removable, Depth Transducer

Models: M260, R199

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!

17-300-01 rev.07 11/04

Cleaners, fuel, paint, sealants, and other products may
contain strong solvents, such as acetone, which attack
many plastics greatly reducing their strength.

Applications

• Fiberglass hulls only

• Recommended for high-speed boats

• Accommodates a deadrise angle up to 30°

Tools & Materials

Wrenches

M260 3/16" Allen wrench
M260, R199 9/16" socket

Rope

or

Detergent
Safety goggles (some installations)
Dust mask (some installations)
Disk sander (some installations)
Thin sealable plastic bag (optional)
Twist-tie
Water-based lubricant (such as K-Y
Carpenter’s level
Pencil
Saw
Scissors
Fiberglass resin

or

Mineral oil (available at pharmacies)

or

Funnel
Zip ties

weak solvent (such as alcohol)

silicone sealant (such as GE Silicone I or Silicone II )

Propylene glycol (non-toxic antifreeze/coolant)

Assembling the Transducer

1. Remove the paper backing from the adhesive side of the gasket.
With the adhesive side facing the plate, align the holes and
edges of the gasket with the under side of the plate (see
Figure 1). Press the gasket firmly into place.

2. Thread the cable through the cable hole in the gasket and plate.

or

wrench

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jelly) (optional)

Record the information found on the cable tag for future reference.

Part No._________________Date___________Frequency________kHz

M260

M260 —Use the three Allen screws and three lock washers

supplied. Lightly tighten with a 3/16" Allen wrench.

R199 —Use four of the hex-head bolts and lock washers

supplied. Lightly tighten with a 9/16" socket or wrench.

4. Thread the cable under the handle as seen in the drawing above.

Mounting Location

About Fiberglass Hulls

Caution : The fiberglass hull below the transducer must be solid.

Since the hull absorbs acoustic energy, transmitting through the hull
reduces the transducer’s performance. Fiberglass hulls are often
cored in places for added strength or to reduce weight. These cored
areas contain balsa wood or structural foam which are poor sound
conductors.

AIRMAR

Do not locate the transducer over coring.

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fill/ vent
plug (2)

Allen screw (3)

lock washer (3)

mounting hole (3)

cable hole

gasket
(adhesive
side up)

cable

transducer

plate

Caution : Do not over-tighten the bolts.

3. Rest the plate on the transducer with the gasket side down and
align the mounting holes. Fasten the plate to the transducer.

Figure 1. Assembling the transducer—

M260 shown

AIRMAR

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(Load Waterline Length)

LWL

1/3 aft

displacement hull

•

B.

C.

Test the Selected Mounting Location

pressure waves

150- 300mm
(6-12")

Establishing a Performance Baseline

The results of this test are used as a basis of comparison to
determine the best in-hull location for the transducer.

1. Take the boat to the maximum depth in which you will be
operating the echosounder. If deep water is not available, find a
location with at least 30m (100').

2. Connect the transducer to the echosounder.

Caution : Never pull, carry, or hold the transducer by the cable

as this may sever internal connections.

outboard and I/O

step-hull

Figure 2.

planing hulls

Best location for the transducer

inboard

Placement

Choose a location:

• Where the fiberglass is solid (no air bubbles are trapped in the
fiberglass resin) and where no coring, flotation material, or
dead air space is sandwiched between the inside skin and outer
skin of the hull.

• Where the hull below the transducer will be in contact with the
water at all times.

• Where the water flowing across the hull is smoothest with a
minimum of bubbles and turbulence (especially at high speeds).

•Away from interference caused by power and radiation sources
such as: the propeller(s) and shaft(s), other machinery, other
echosounders, and other cables. The lower the noise level, the
higher the echosounder gain setting that can be used.

• Where the transducer beam will
propeller shaft(s).

• Where the deadrise angle does

• Where there is space inside the vessel for the size of the tank
and removing the transducer.

not

be blocked by the keel or

not

exceed 30°.

3. Tie a rope securely around the handles of the transducer (see
Figure 3). Lower it over the side of the boat until the active face
is submerged in the water.

4.

Be sure

to keep the active face of the transducer parallel to the
surface of the water and fully submerged.Observe the
echosounder’s performance and the depth reading.

Testing the Location

While the boat is at the same site (depth of water), test the
transducer inside the hull at the mounting location. Use one of the
test methods below:

A.This method is recommended if the transducer will be located

near the stern and the boat has a minimum deadrise angle.
Clean away any build-up of dirt and /or grease using detergent
or a weak solvent such as alcohol. Place the transducer against
the hull and flood the area with bilge water to cover the surface
where they touch (see Figure 4-A).

Warning : Always wear safety goggles and a dust mask.

This method can be used at any location. If the hull surface is not
smooth, grind it with a disc sander. Place the transducer inside a
thin plastic bag. Partially fill the bag with water and close it tightly
with a twist-tie. Wet the surface of the hull and press the active
face of the transducer against it through the bag (see Figure 4-B).

Warning : Always wear safety goggles and a dust mask.

This method can be used at any location. If the hull surface is not
smooth, grind it with a disc sander. Coat the active face of the
transducer with a water-based lubricant (such as K-Y
With a twisting motion, press the face firmly against the hull
(see Figure 4-C). After testing, wipe away all traces of the
lubricant from the transducer’s face.

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jelly).

Caution : Do not mount the transducer:

Near water intake or discharge openings,
Behind strakes, fittings, or hull irregularities.

Boat Types

(see Figure 2)

Displacement hull powerboat —Locate 1/3 aft LWL and

150–300 mm (6–12") off the centerline on the side of the hull
where the propeller blades are moving downward.

• Planing hull powerboat —Mount well aft, on or near the
centerline, and

well inboard of the first set of lifting strakes

insure that the transducer is in contact with the water at high
speeds. Mount on the side of the hull where the propeller
blades are moving downward.

Outboard and I/O —Mount just forward of the engine(s).
Inboard —Mount well ahead of the propeller(s) and shaft(s).
Step-hull —Mount just ahead of the first step.

2

to

active face

Figure 3. Establishing a performance baseline—

AIRMAR

M260 shown

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