Humminbird Wide Eye Fish Finder User Manual

Humminbird Wide Eye Fish Finder

INSTALLATION PREPARATION

PARTS SUPPLIED

Before installing your new Humminbird fishfinder, please ensure the following parts are included in the box:

• Fishfinder
• Transducer with 20’ (6m) of cable and mounting hardware kit
• Mounting system and mounting hardware kit
• 6’ (2m) power cable
• Publications kit

It any of these items is missing, call our Customer Support Hotline.

ACCESSORIES

Humminbird offers a wide assortment of accessories that complement and expand the capability of your new fishfinder. These accessories are designed with the same high standards and are backed by the same one-year warranty. The Humminbird Accessory catalog included with your unit contains descriptions of the many accessories available and ordering information. All Humminbird accessories are available through your full-service Humminbird dealer or factory direct through our number listed in the Customer Support section.

INSTALLATION OVERVIEW

Your Humminbird fishfinder consists of two primary components to install: the control head and the transducer. The control head contains the sonar transmit and receive circuitry, as well as the user controls and display. It should be installed in a location that provides access to the controls and visibility while in use. The control head mounts on a quick disconnect mounting system that swivels and tilts providing flexibility for viewing from almost anywhere on the boat. The transducer converts electrical energy from the transmitter into mechanical pulses or sound waves. The transducer also receives the reflected sound waves and converts them back into electrical signals for display on the control head. It should be installed in contact with the surface of the water in an area that has smooth waterflow- usually on the transom of the boat. There are several mounting options for the transducer. Review the following section to determine the method that works for you and your boat.

BEGINNING INSTALLATION

Now that you have determined the transducer mounting method you can begin installation of your new Humminbird fishfinder. The installation guide included on the next few pages provides detailed step by step instructions for installation of
the control head and transducer. For transom mount transducer installations you will need the mounting template included with your manual. In addition to the parts included you need the following for installation and operation:

• A powered hand drill and various drill bits
• Philips and flat-head screwdrivers
• A ruler or measuring tape
• Pen or pencil
• 12-volt power source (your boat’s battery)
• A 1-amp fuse
• A fuse holder (if you are wiring directly to the boat’s battery)
• Silicone sealant (for sealing drilled holes)
• 2-part, slow-cure epoxy (for inside the hull transducer installations)

TRANSOM INSTALLATION

Step One – Determine Where to Mount the Transducer

Begin the transducer installation by determining where on the transom to install the transducer. Consider the following to find the best location:

• It is very important to locate the transducer in an area which is relatively free of turbulent water, As a boat moves through the water, turbulence is generated by the weight of the boat, and the thrust of the propeller(s). 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) (Figure 1). On outboard or inboard/outboard boats it is best to stay at least 15” (40cm) to the side of the propeller(s).
• If possible, viewing the transom of the boat while the boat is moving will provide the best means of locating turbulence free water. If maximum high-speed operation is a high priority, this is the recommended method. 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.
• The transducer when mounted should point straight down. The design of the transducer will accommodate a wide range of deadrises and remain ported straight down (Figure 2).
• On boats with stepped hulls, it may be possible to mount the transducer on the step. Never mount the transducer on the transom behind a step, as this area of the transom will not be in contact with the water at high speed (Figure 3).

Step Two – Drill the Mounting Holes

1. Remove the mounting template from the front of the Operations Manual.
2. Hold the template on the transom of the boat in the location where the transducer will be installed (Figure 4). Align the template vertically, ensuring the lower edge of the transom meets with the bottom corner of the template.
3. Using a pencil or punch, mark the two mounting holes shown on the template onto the transom. Do not mark or
   drill any other holes at this time.
4. Using a 5/32” (4mm) bit drill the two holes to a depth of approximately 1″ (3cm). On fiberglass hulls, it is best to start with a smaller bit and use progressively larger drill bits to reduce the chance of chipping or flaking the outer coating.

Step Three – Assemble the Transducer

1. Attach the Pivot to the transducer body as shown in Figure 5, using the #8 – 3/8” (9mm) long allen headed pivot screw,
   the headed pin, the two flat washers, and the two toothed lock washers.
2. Using the AIlen wrenches provided, loosely tighten the pivot screw (Figure 6). Do not completely tighten the assembly at this time, so the pivot angle can be adjusted later.
3. Insert the pivot/transducer assembly into the mounting bracket as shown in Figure 7. Do not snap the assembly closed.

Step Four – Mount the Transducer to the Transom

1. Apply silicone sealant to the mounting holes drilled into the transom.
2. Align the transducer assembly with the drilled holes in the transom (Figure 8).
3. Use either a flat head screwdriver, a 5/16″ (8mm) hex driver, or a 5/16″ (8mm) socket to mount the assembly. Using the two #10 – 1” (25mm) long slotted hex head screws, mount the transducer assembly to the transom as shown. Do not fully tighten the mounting screws in order to vertically adjust the transducer. Snap the pivot down into place.

Step Five – Adjust the Running Position of the Transducer

The bracket allows height and tilt adjustment, the pivot screws allow angular adjustment. Initially, adjust the transducer as
described in the following paragraphs. Further adjustment may be necessary to refine the instillation after high speed testing.

1. First adjust the pivot angle of the transducer body so its length is parallel with the length of hull of the boat. Then pivot the transducer down so the rear is about 1/4 inch (6mm) lower than the front (Figure 9).
2. Fully tighten the two pivot screws using the Allen wrenches. It may be necessary to retighten the pivot screws after the
   initial use as the plastics may still be seating to the lock washers.
3. Adjust the height of the assembly so the face of the transducer is 3/16″ (4.5mm) beneath the lower edge of the transom (Figure 10). Mark the position of the mounting bracket on the transom with a pencil.
4. Force the pivot to the up position to gain access to the mounting screws. Assure the transducer location has not changed, then fully tighten the two mounting screws (Figure 11). Snap the pivot back down.

Step Six – Route the Cable

There are several ways to route the transducer cable to the to the area where the control head will be installed. The most common procedure routes the cable through the transom into the boat. Inside the boat there is often a channel or conduit used for other wiring that the cable can be routed along. Do not cut or shorten the transducer cable and try not to damage the cable insulation. Route the cable as far as practical from the VHF radio antenna cables or tachometer cable 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′ (15 m). Call Humminbird Customer Support for more information. Follow these steps to route the cable through the transom:

1. Drill a 5/8” (16mm) hole above the water line. Route the cable through the hole.
2. Fill the hole with silicone sealant.
3. Place the escutcheon plate over the hole and attach with the two #8 x 5/8” (16mm) screws.
4. Secure the cable by attaching the cable camp to the transom using a #8 x 5/8” (16mm) screw.

INSIDE THE HULL INSTALLATION

Inside the hull installation requires the mount system and control head be installed and operational. See Installing the Control Head for instruction on installing the unit. Inside the hull mounting generally produces good results in single thickness fiberglass-hulled boats. Humminbird cannot guarantee depth performance when transmitting and receiving through the hull of the boat since some signal loss occurs. The amount of loss depends on hull construction and thickness, and the installation. This installation requires slow-cure two-part epoxy. Do not use silicone or any other soft adhesive to install the transducer, as this material reduces the sensitivity of the unit. Five minute epoxy has a tendency to cure before all the air bubbles can be purged.

Step One – Determine the Mounting Location

Begin the transducer installation by determining where inside the hull to install the transducer. Consider the following to find the best location:

• Observe the outside of the boat hull to find the areas that are mostly free from turbulent water. Avoid ribs, strakes, and other protrusions as these create turbulence (Figure 14).
• As a general rule, the faster the boat can travel the further aft and closer to the centerline of the hull the transducer has to be located to remain in contact with the water at high speeds.

Step Two – Test the Mounting Location

There is no opportunity for adjustment after the transducer glued in place. Therefore, it is best to perform a trial installation on inside the hull transducers first, and run the boat at high speeds to determine the best mounting area.

1. At the identified mounting location, lay the transducer body face down with the pointed end towards the bow.
2. Fill the hull with enough water to submerge the transducer body. Use a sand filled bag or other heavy object to hold the transducer in position.
3. Power up the Control Head.
4. Run the boat at various speeds and water depths while observing the screen on the Control Head. If the unit functions well at low speeds but begins to skip or miss the bottom at higher speeds, the transducer needs to be moved. If depth performance is required, test the fishfinder in water at the desired depth. Test different locations in the hull until the optimum performance is achieved.

Step Three – Permanently Mount the Transducer

1. Once the mounting location is determined, mark the position of the transducer.
2. Remove the water from inside the hull and thoroughly dry the mounting surface. If the surface is excessively rough, it may be necessary to sand the area to provide a smooth mounting surface. Ensure the mounting area is clear and dry.
3. Mix an ample quantity of two-part slow-cure epoxy slowly and thoroughly. Avoid trapping air bubbles.
4. Coat the face of the transducer and the inside of the hull (Figure 16).
5. Press the transducer into place with a slight twisting motion to purge any trapped air from underneath, keeping the pointed end of the transducer body pointed forward (Figure 17).
6. Weight the transducer so it does not move while the epoxy is curing.

CONTROL HEAD INSTALLATION

Step One – Determine Where to Mount

Begin the installation by determining where to mount the control head. Consider the following to determine best location:

• The cables for power, transducer and temp/speed accessories (if applicable) should be installed first and must reach the mounting location. Extension cables are available.
• There are two ways to route the cables to the unit: through a hole in the mounting surface underneath the mounting bracket or from a hole outside the mounting bracket. Routing the cables down under the mount provides maximum weather protection; however this is not always feasible if the area under the fishfinder is inaccessible. In this case, route the cables through a hole at another location and cover with the supplied hole cover.
• The mounting surface should be adequately supported to protect the fishfinder from excessive wave shock and vibration, and provide visibility while in operation.
• The mounting area should allow sufficient room for the unit to pivot and swivel freely, and for easy removal and installation (Figures 18-19).

Step Two – Connect the Power Cable to the Boat

A 6’ (2m) long power cable is included to supply power to the fishfinder. You may shorten or lengthen the cable using 18 gauge multi-stranded copper wire. The Power can be connected to the boat’s electrical system at two places: a fuse panel, usually located near the console, or directly to the battery. If a fuse terminal is available, use crimp-on type electrical connectors (not included) that match the terminal on the fuse panel. Attach the black wire to ground, and the red wire to 12 VDC power (Figure 20). Be sure to use a one-amp fuse in the connection. If you must wire the control head directly to a battery, be sure to install an inline fuse holder.

USING THE WIDE EYE
The Wide Eye is simple to use. Simply press the POWER button, and the unit will automatically locate the bottom, adjust the depth range and sensitivity to an appropriate level, and draw a picture of the terrain beneath your boat. If POWER is the only button you press, you will benefit from the advanced automatic bottom tracking capability of the unit. However, if you choose to experiment with the many features and controls the Wide Eye offers, you can customize the presentation of information to suit your particular needs. The Wide Eye offers a wide variety of settings and types of display, to satisfy any sonar need.

SIMULATOR OPERATION
The Wide Eye contains a simulator which allows you to use the unit as if you were on the water. This simulator is invaluable for learning how to operate the many features of the Wide Eye unit. With the unit turned off, press and hold POWER until you hear a continuous chirp. This initiates the simulator operation, and the unit will simulate all functions as if it were actually on the water. To exit the simulator, press POWER to turn the unit off. Pressing POWER again will power-up the
unit for normal operation. When in simulator operation, the Wide Eye unit will respond to control inputs as if it were in actual operation, so feel free to experiment with the many features and functions to customize the Wide Eye unit for your particular application. The Wide Eye remembers user settings even if power is disconnected, so you can select the settings you prefer while using the simulator, and they will be retained until you decide to change them.

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Humminbird Wide Eye Fish Finder-FAQs