HUMMINBIRD Side Imaging Transducer Installation Guide

HUMMINBIRD Side Imaging Transducer

It is important to read the instructions in this transducer guide completely to understand the mounting guidelines before starting the installation.
NOTE: Due to the wide variety of hulls, only general instructions are presented in this installation guide. Each boat hull represents a unique set of requirements that should be evaluated prior to installation. For detailed information about installing transducers on different hull types, download the Transducer Installation Resource Guide from our Web site at humminbird.com.
NOTE: Your transducer may not look exactly like the transducer shown in the illustrations, but it will mount in exactly the same way.

Installation Preparation

• Install the control head before you start the transducer installation. See the control head installation guide.
• Review your boat manufacturer’s owner’s manual for recommended transducer installation locations and cable routing methods. You will also need your transom angle.
• Read and understand your boat’s warranty before starting this installation.
• Visit our Web site at humminbird.com for additional information and resources for transducer installations. Also, visit youtube.com/humminbirdtv for informational videos.
• Confirm your boat is level for the installation.
• Installation Options: If you cannot find a transom mount location that will work for your highspeed application, a different mounting technique or transducer type should be considered.
• Visit our Web site at humminbird.com to download instructions.
• Supplies: In addition to the hardware supplied with your transducer, you will need a powered hand drill and various drill bits, various hand tools, including a ruler or measuring tape, level, pen or pencil, safety glasses and dust mask, and marine-grade silicone sealant.
• Technical Support: If you find that any items are missing from your installation kit, contact Humminbird Technical Support through our Help Center at https://humminbird-help.johnsonoutdoors.com/hc/en-us or visit our Web site at humminbird.com.

Transom Mounted Transducer

Areas of Possible Turbulence

Installation

There are a number of ways to install a transducer on your boat. The transom mount installation provides the least loss of signal since the transducer is mounted outside the boat hull. This installation also allows adjustment of both running angle and depth after the transducer is mounted, which enables you to tune the installation for best results. Also, the mounting hardware is designed to pivot the transducer body out of the way should the boat strike debris in the water, or when trailering.

Locate the Transducer Mounting Position

Turbulence: You must first determine the best location on the transom to install the transducer. It is very important to locate the transducer in an area which is relatively free of turbulent water. Consider the following to find the best location with the least amount of turbulence:

•  As the boat moves through the water, turbulence is generated by the weight of the boat and the thrust of the propeller(s) – either clockwise or counter-clockwise. This turbulent water is normally confined to areas immediately aft of ribs, strakes or rows of rivets on the bottom of the boat, and in the immediate area of the propeller(s). Clockwise propellers create more turbulence on the port side. On outboard or inboard/outboard boats, it is best to locate the transducer at least 15″ to the side of the propeller(s).
• ∆ The best way to locate turbulence-free water is to view the transom while the boat is moving. This method is recommended if maximum high-speed operation is a high priority. If this is not possible, select a location on the transom where the hull forward of this location is smooth, flat and free of protrusions or ribs.
• ∆ On boats with stepped hulls, it may be possible to mount the transducer on the step. Do not mount the transducer on the transom behind a step to avoid popping the transducer out of the water at higher speeds. The transducer must remain in the water for the control head to maintain the sonar signal.
• ∆ If the transom is behind the propeller(s), it may be impossible to find an area clear from turbulence, and a different mounting technique or transducer type should be considered. See the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section of our Web site at humminbird.com or contact Humminbird Technical Support through our Help Center at https://humminbird-help.johnsonoutdoors.com/hc/en-us.
• ∆ If you plan to trailer your boat, do not mount the transducer too close to trailer bunks or rollers ∆ If you plan to trailer your boat, do not mount the transducer too close to trailer bunks or rollers

Stepped Hull Transducer Mount Position Unobstructed View: The jack plate gives the transducer safe distance from the motor and turbulence. The Side Imaging has a clear view side-to-side. Unobstructed View: The jack plate gives the transducer safe distance from the motor and turbulence. The Side Imaging has a clear view side-to-side.

Side Imaging: The Side Imaging transducer has some special requirements because of its side viewing capabilities:

• ∆ The Side Imaging transducer must NOT have anything obstructing the ‘view’ of the side looking beams; for example, nothing can be in the line of sight of these beams (not a hull, motor, or other transducer, etc.)
• ∆ In order for the side beams to be displayed accurately, the transducer must be mounted parallel with the waterline. This positioning allows the beam elements to point straight down without deadrise adjustment (see the illustration Deadrise).

Mounting the Bracket

In this procedure you will mount the bracket, using the mounting template provided as a guide. This template allows you to mark where the mounting holes should be drilled.

1. Cut out the transducer mounting template from this sheet. Match the mounting bracket screw slots to the template screw slots.
2. Hold the template on the transom of the boat in the location you have selected. Align the template vertically, matching the lower edge of the transom with the bottom corner of the template.
3. Continue to hold the template on the transom of the boat, and use a pencil or punch to mark where to drill the three mounting holes shown on the template.
4. Using a 5/32″ bit, drill the three holes only to a depth of approximately 1″.
5. Use a marine-grade silicone sealant to fill the drilled holes, especially if the holes penetrated the transom wall.
6. Align the metal mounting bracket with the mounting holes. The center slot of your mounting bracket should be above the two outer slots. This bracket and all other hardware supplied is top quality stainless steel for maximum strength and corrosion protection. Insert the three 1″ flat head wood screws into the drilled holes, but do not completely tighten.

Attaching the Bracket Inserting the Square Nuts Attaching the Pivot Attaching the Transducer to the Bracket

 Assembling the Transducer

In this procedure you will attach the pivot to the transducer using the hardware provided.

1. Attach the pivot to the transducer body as shown in the illustration using the square nuts, toothed washers, and two 1/4–20 x 5/8″ machine screws. The square nuts will be prevented from rotating by the pocket in the back of the pivot. The toothed washers must fit on the inside of the transducer ears, between the pivot and the ears.

NOTE: An Allen wrench is provided which fits all of the 1/4–20 screws, but do not fully tighten the screws at this time.

Attaching the Transducer to the Bracket

1. Slide the assembled transducer into the metal bracket from the bottom, aligning the large hole at the top of the bracket with the hole in the pivot.
2. Insert the headed pin through the pivot holes in the bracket and pivot. The headed pin can be inserted from either side of the bracket.
3. Place the nylon washer over the opposite end of the headed pin. Place the stainless washer over the 1/4–20 x 5/8″ screw threads, then insert into the opposite end of the headed pin and finger tighten only. The screw has a thread locking compound on the threads to prevent loosening, and should NOT be fully tightened until all adjustments are made.

Running Position Adjustment

The running position of the transducer is now completely adjustable. Subsequent adjustment may be necessary to tweak the installation after high speed testing. The mounting bracket allows height and tilt adjustment; the pivot screws allow angle adjustment.

NOTE: Side Imaging is best performed at boat speeds from 2 to 6 mph. If the boat is stationary, the same information is displayed over and over. If the boat is moving too quickly, there will be gaps between the strips of information. The best boat speed to use will depend on the side range selected. Slower speeds are good for longer ranges, while faster speeds can be used at shorter ranges.

1. Adjust the angle of the transducer body first, so it is parallel with the hull of the boat, and fully tighten the two pivot screws using the supplied Allen wrench. Access to the pivot screws is provided by the lower holes in the side of the mounting bracket.
2. Next, adjust the height of the assembly so the face of the transducer is 1/8″ to 1/4″ beneath the bottom of the transom, and fully tighten the three mounting screws. In order to gain access to the mounting screws, the transducer assembly must be pivoted up into the bracket as shown.
3. If access to the top mounting hole is not possible due to the selected height of the transducer, fully tighten the two lower screws. Remove the headed pivot pin and the transducer assembly, tighten the top screw, and then reassemble.
4. Confirm that the pivot angle has not changed and that all mounting screws are fully tightened.

Routing the Cable

The transducer cable has a low profile connector which must be routed to the point where the control head is mounted. There are several ways to route the transducer cable to the area where the control head is installed. The most common procedure routes the cable through the transom into the boat.

1. Unplug the other end of the transducer cable from the control head. Make sure that the cable is long enough to accommodate the planned route by running the cable over the transom.

CAUTION! Do not cut or shorten the transducer cable, and try not to damage the cable insulation. Route the cable as far as possible from any VHF radio antenna cables or tachometer cables to reduce the possibility of interference. If the cable is too short, extension cables are available to extend the transducer cable up to a total of 50′. For assistance, contact Humminbird Technical Support.
CAUTION! Do NOT mount the cables where the connectors could be submerged in water or flooded. If cables are installed in a splash-prone area, it may be helpful to apply dielectric grease to the inside of the connectors to prevent corrosion. Dielectric grease can be purchased separately from a general hardware or automotive store.
NOTE: The transducer can pivot up to 90 degrees in the bracket. Allow enough slack in the cable for this movement. It is best to route the cable to the side of the transducer so the transducer will not damage the cable during movement.

Routing the Cable

2. If you are routing the cable over the transom of the boat, secure the cable by attaching the cable clamp to the transom, drilling 9/64″ diameter holes for #8 x 5/8″ wood screw(s), go directly to procedure 7, Connecting the Cable.

If you will be routing the cable through a hole in the transom, drill a 5/8″ diameter hole above the waterline. Route the cable through this hole, then fill the hole with marine-grade silicone sealant and proceed to the next step immediately.

3. Place the escutcheon plate over the cable hole and use it as a guide to mark the two escutcheon plate mounting holes. Remove the plate, drill two 9/64″ diameter x 5/8″ deep holes, and then fill both holes with marine-grade silicone sealant. Place the escutcheon plate over the cable hole and attach with two #8 x 5/8″ wood screws. Hand tighten only!
4. Route and secure the cable by attaching the cable clamp to the transom. Drill one 9/64″ diameter x 5/8″ deep hole, then fill the hole with marine-grade silicone sealant, then attach the cable clamp using a #8 x 5/8″ screw. Hand tighten only!

Connecting the Cable

1. Insert the transducer cable into the appropriate terminal slot. The cable connectors are labeled, and there are corresponding labels on the cable holder on the rear of the fishfinder. The slots are keyed to prevent reversed installation, so be careful not to force the connector into the holder.

Test and Finish the Installation

Once you have installed both the control head and the transom transducer, and have routed all the cables, you must perform a final test before locking the transducer in place. Testing should be performed with the boat in water deeper than 2 feet.

CAUTION! The transducer must be fully submerged in water during operation because the sonar signal cannot pass through air. Air pinging can damage the transducer.

1. Press the POWER key to turn on the control head.
   If the transducer is detected, the control head will start Normal mode.

2. Select a Sonar View to display on-screen.
   HELIX®: Press and hold the VIEW key. Select Sonar > Sonar View.
   APEX™/SOLIX®: Press the HOME key. Select a Sonar View.
   Other: See your control head operations manual.

3. If the bottom is visible on-screen with a digital readout for Depth, the unit is working properly. Gradually increase the boat speed to test high-speed performance. If the unit functions well at low speeds, but begins to skip or miss the bottom at higher speeds, the transducer requires adjustment.

4. If you have the correct angle set on the transducer, yet lose a bottom reading at high speed, adjust the transducer to a lower depth in the water. If you reach the top of the screw slots and continue to lack high speed performance, increase the angle of the transducer by lowering the back of the transducer in increments of 1/8″.

NOTE: It is often necessary to make several incremental transducer adjustments before optimum high speed performance is achieved. Due to the wide variety of boat hulls, however, it is not always possible to obtain high speed depth readings.
NOTE: The deeper the transducer is in the water, the more likely that a rooster tail of spray will be generated at high speeds, so make sure that the transducer is as high as it can be and still be submerged in the water.

5. Once you have reached a consistently good sonar signal at the desired speeds, fully tighten your assembly to lock it into place.

Maintenance

If your transducer remains in the water for long periods of time, slush, algae and other marine growth can reduce the effectiveness of the transducer. Periodically clean the face of the transducer with a mild, marine-safe and plastic-safe soap or solution.

If your transducer remains out of the water for a long period of time, it may take some time to wet the transducer after it is returned to the water. Small air bubbles can cling to the surface of the transducer and interfere with proper operation. These bubbles will dissipate with time, or you may wipe the face of the transducer with your fingers after the transducer is in the water.

Contact Humminbird

Contact Humminbird Technical Support through our Help Center at https ://humminbird-help.johnsonoutdoors.com/hc/en-us or by writing to the address below:

WARNING! This device should not be used as a navigational aid to prevent collision, grounding, boat damage, or personal injury. When the boat is moving, water depth may change too quickly to allow time for you to react. Always operate the boat at very slow speeds if you suspect shallow water or submerged objects.
WARNING! Disassembly and repair of this electronic unit should only be performed by authorized service personnel. Any modification of the serial number or attempt to repair the original equipment or accessories by unauthorized individuals will void the warranty.
WARNING! The transducer must be fully submerged in water during operation because the sonar signal cannot pass through air. Air pinging can damage the transducer.
NOTE: Download Humminbird installation guides and operations manuals from our Web site at humminbird.com.
NOTE: Product specifications and features are subject to change without notice.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE STATEMENT: It is the intention of Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. to be a responsible corporate citizen, operating in compliance with known and applicable environmental regulations, and a good neighbor in the communities where we make or sell our products.

WEEE DIRECTIVE: EU Directive 2002/96/EC “Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE)” impacts most distributors, sellers, and manufacturers of consumer electronics in the European Union. The WEEE Directive requires the producer of consumer electronics to take responsibility for the management of waste from their products to achieve environmentally responsible disposal during the product life cycle.
WEEE compliance may not be required in your location for electrical & electronic equipment (EEE), nor may it be required for EEE designed and intended as fixed or temporary installation in transportation vehicles such as automobiles, aircraft, and boats. In some European Union member states, these vehicles are considered outside of the scope of the Directive, and EEE for those applications can be considered excluded from the WEEE Directive requirement.

This symbol (WEEE wheelie bin) on product indicates the product must not be disposed of with other household refuse. It must be disposed of and collected for recycling and recovery of waste EEE. Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. will mark all EEE products

in accordance with the WEEE Directive. It is our goal to comply in the collection, treatment, recovery, and environmentally sound disposal of those products; however, these requirements do vary within European Union member states. For more information about where you should dispose of your waste equipment for recycling and recovery and/or your European Union member state requirements, please contact your dealer or distributor from which your product was purchased.

Mounting Template

If you are reproducing or printing this template from an electronic file, adjust the enlargement or reproduction value in the page setup window to 100%. Measure the reference square with a ruler and adjust your reproduction setting (%) to produce a print so that the square measures 1″ x 1″ or 25.4 mm x 25.4 mm.

References

• humminbird.com
• johnsonoutdoors.com/hc/en-us

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