OWNERS GUIDE & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

In-Hull

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

Adjustable-Angle Transducer

Part No._________________Date___________Frequency________kHz

03/14/16

U.S. Patent No. 6,201,767. EP 1 118 074

17-217-01 rev. 12

Model P79
CHIRP Models: P75M, P95M

Follow the precautions below for optimal

product performance and to reduce the risk of
property damage, personal injury, and/or death.
WARNING: Always wear safety goggles, a dust mask,
and ear plugs when installing.
CAUTION: Fiberglass hullThe hull must be SOLID
fiberglass under the transducer. The transducer will
not transmit through coring material such as foam or
balsa wood.
CAUTION: CHIRP transducerDo not install in the
engine compartment or other hot place. The
transducer may fail if the temperature of the liquid in
the tank exceeds 60 C (140 F).
CAUTION: CHIRP transducerAlways operate the
transducer in liquid. Operating in air will allow the
transducer to overheat resulting in failure.
CAUTION: Never pull, carry, or hold the transducer by
the cable. This may sever internal connections.
CAUTION: Do not use an epoxy adhesive because it
is too brittle.
CAUTION: Never use solvents. Cleaner, fuel, sealant,
paint, and other products may contain solvents that can
damage plastic parts, especially the transducers face.
IMPORTANT: Please read the instructions completely
before proceeding with the installation. These
instructions supersede any other instructions in your
instrument manual if they differ.

Applications

P75M and P95M for aluminum or fiberglass hulls

P79 for fiberglass hulls only
Aluminum hull must be less than 3.8mm (5/32) thick
Recommended for high-speed powerboats and racing sailboats
Accommodates a deadrise angle of up to 22

Tools & Materials

Safety goggles
Dust mask
Ear plugs
Adhesive tape
Pole
Detergent (some installations)
Weak solvent (such as alcohol)

Disk sander (some installations)

Thin sealable plastic bag (some installations)
Cable ties (some installations)
Water-based lubricant (such as K-Y jelly) (some installations)
Angle finder or digital level
Carpenters square
Pencil
Silicone sealant (such as GE Silicone I or Silicone II)
Screwdriver
Petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline brand)
Propylene glycol (non-toxic antifreeze/coolant) 71ml (2.4 fl. oz.)
Level
Grommet(s) (some installations)
Installation in a cored fiberglass hull (see page 4):
Electric drill
Hole saw
100mm or 4"
Miniature disk sander (such as Dremel rotary sander)
Repair epoxy (such as Pettit Flexpoxy 7076) or resin
Paper cup (some installations)
Stirrer (some installations)

Mounting Location
About Fiberglass Hulls
The fiberglass hull below the transducer must be solid. Since the
hull absorbs acoustic energy, transmitting through the hull
reduces the transducers performance. Fiberglass hulls are often
reinforced in places for added strength or to reduce weight. These
cored areas contain balsa wood or structural foam which are poor
sound conductors. Do not locate the transducer over coring.

Placement
CAUTION: Do not mount the transducer in line with or near water
intake or discharge openings or behind strakes, fittings, or hull
irregularities that will disturb the water flow.
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 under the hull is smoothest with a
minimum of bubbles and turbulence (especially at high speeds).

blades are moving downward is preferred.

Outboard and I/OMount just forward of the engine(s).
InboardMount well ahead of the propeller(s) and shaft(s).
Stepped hullMount just ahead of the first step.
Fin keel sailboatMount to the side of the centerline and
forward of the fin keel 300600mm (12').
Full keel sailboatLocate amidships and away from the keel
at the point of minimum deadrise angle.

pressure waves

1/3
LWL
(Load Waterline Length)

150-300mm
(6-12")

displacement hull

Testing the Selected Mounting Location

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.

outboard and /IO

planing hulls

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.
3. Tape the transducer to a pole with the cable side up. Hold it
over the side of the boat with the active face fully submerged
and parallel to the water surface (see Figure 2).
4. Observe the echosounders performance and the depth reading.

inboard

stepped hull

fin keel sailboat

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
methods below:

full keel sailboat

Figure 1.

A.For a location near the stern and a minimal 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 allow bilge water to cover the surface where they
touch (see Figure 3-A).

Best location for the transducer

Copyright 2005 - 2016 Airmar Technology Corp.

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 not be blocked by the keel or
propeller shaft(s).
Where the deadrise angle does not exceed 22.
Where there is space inside the vessel for the height of the unit,
tightening the locking ring, and installing the transducer.
CHIRP transducerMount in a cool well-ventilated area away
from the engine to avoid overheating. The transducer may fail if
the temperature of the liquid in the tank exceeds 60 C (140 F).

B.For a moderate deadrise angleIf 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 cable tie. Wet the surface of the hull and press the active
face of the transducer against it through the bag (see Figure 3-B).
C.For any locationIf the hull surface is not smooth, grind it with a
disc sander. Coat the active face of the transducer with a waterbased lubricant (such as K-Y jelly). With a twisting motion, press
the face firmly against the hull (see Figure 3-C). After testing,
wipe all traces of the lubricant from the transducers face.

Boat Types (see Figure 1)

Displacement hull powerboatLocate 1/3 of the way back
along the LWL and 150300mm (612") off the centerline. The
starboard side of the hull where the propeller blades are moving
downward is preferred.
Planing hull powerboatMount well aft, on or near the
centerline, and well inboard of the first set of lifting strakes to
ensure that the transducer is in contact with the water at high
speeds. The starboard side of the hull where the propeller

Observe the echosounders performance, and compare it to the

baseline. Look for a stable depth reading that is similar to the
baseline. Compare the thickness and intensity of the bottom trace.
If the performance is close to the baseline, this is a good mounting
location. Remember, some energy is lost transmitting through the
hull. If the test reading differs markedly from the baseline, you will
need to find another location to install the transducer.

active face

Figure 2. Establishing a performance baseline

Figure 3. Testing the transducer at the selected location

Copyright 2005 Airmar Technology Corp.

Copyright 2005 Airmar Technology Corp.

keel direction
arrow

keel
base

flange

hull
keel
guideline
perpendicular
to keel
keel
direction
arrow

deadrise
angle

parallel to
waterline

guideline

Figure 5. Aligning the flange of the base

Figure 4. Deadrise angle and guideline

(412 deadrise angle shown)

Copyright 2005 Airmar Technology Corp.

Copyright 2005 Airmar Technology Corp.

NOTE: Fiberglass hullIf there is no reading or it is erratic, the

transducer may be positioned over coring which is absorbing the
acoustic energy. Choose another location. If no other location is
available, check with the boat manufacturer to be certain coring is
present before proceeding with the instructions for Installation in
a Cored Fiberglass Hull on page 4.

Installation
Cored fiberglass hullFollow separate instructions on page 4.
CAUTION: The base must be liquid-tight. To ensure a tight bond,
the hull surface under and around the base must be smooth, free
of paint or any other finish, clean, and dry.
CAUTION: The top of the transducer must be level when the
installation is complete.
1. Measure the deadrise angle of the hull at the selected location
using an angle finder or digital level (see Figure 4). Measure
carefully, since the installed transducer must be within 5 of vertical.

2. The hull surface to be bonded must be smooth and free of paint

or any other finish. If the surface is rough, use a disk sander to
smooth an area 100mm (4") in diameter.
3. To ensure a tight bond, clean and dry both the selected area
and the underside of the base. Remove any dust, grease, or oil
with detergent or a weak solvent such as alcohol.
4. Using a carpenters square, draw a line on the hull
perpendicular to the keel through the center of the mounting
location. This will be used as a guideline to orient the base.
5. The numbers on the flange of the base represent deadrise
angles. Identify the number that most closely corresponds to
the deadrise angle of your hull. Find its match on the opposite
side of the flange. Keeping the keel direction arrows on the side
of the base nearest the keel, align the two raised marks
indicating your deadrise angle with the guideline drawn on the
hull (see Figure 5).
6. When you are satisfied that the location of the transducer is
optimal and the orientation of the base corresponds to the
deadrise angle of your boat, apply a generous bead of silicone
sealant to the underside of the flange of the base. (Follow the
sealant manufacturers instructions for its use.) Press the flange
firmly in place to form a liquid-tight seal. Allow the sealant to cure.
7. Slide the transducer into the locking ring (see Figure 6). Turn
the transducer until the rib that most closely corresponds to the

transducer

front view

side view

transducer
locking
ring

locking
ring
10
deadrise
angle

boss (2)
O-ring

detail

ribs

angle indicator

NOTE: Lubricate the O-ring with

petroleum jelly before sliding
it onto the transducer assembly.

Figure 6. Joining the transducer to the locking ring

Figure 7. Installing the O-ring and identifying the bosses

Copyright 2005 - 2010 Airmar Technology Corp.

Copyright 2005 - 2010 Airmar Technology Corp.

NOTE: top of
transducer
is level

100mm (4")
transducer
fill with
repair epoxy
or resin

transducer
assembly

inner skin

angle
indicator
base

core
keel

outer skin

hull thickness

Figure 8. Completed installation is level

Figure 9. Installation in a cored fiberglass hull

Copyright 2005 Airmar Technology Corp.

Copyright 2005 Airmar Technology Corp.

deadrise angle of your hull is aligned with the angle indicator on

the locking ring. To secure the transducer to the locking ring,
insert the two screws. Do not over-tighten the screws.
8. Lubricate the O-ring with petroleum jelly (Vaseline). This will
help to seal the assembly and prevent the fill-liquid from leaking.
Slide the O-ring onto the transducer assembly (see Figure 7).
9. After the sealant on the base has cured, pour 71ml (2.4 fl. oz.)
of propylene glycol into the base. Do not over fill. Be sure to
follow the manufacturers directions for use.
10.With the angle indicator on the keel side, lock the transducer
assembly into the base (see Figure 8). (The bosses on the
locking ring fit into the notches in the base.) Press down and
rotate clockwise until it is seated. When the transducer is
installed correctly, the top will be level. If the deadrise angle is
shallow, the transducer may appear to be level even if it is not.
Use a level to check the installation.

Cable Routing & Connection

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 Airmars splash-proof Junction Box No. 33-035 and
follow the instructions supplied. Removing the water-proof
connector or cutting the cable, except when using a water-tight
junction box, will void the transducer warranty.
1. Route the cable to the echosounder being careful not to tear the
cable jacket when passing it through the bulkhead and other
parts of the boat. Use grommets to prevent chafing. To reduce
electrical interference, separate the transducer cable from other
electrical wiring and sources of electrical noise. Coil any excess
cable and secure it in place with cable ties to prevent damage.
NOTE: Some transducers are equipped with a short cable,
about 1m (3'), and an extension cable. Be sure to locate the
mated 3-pin connectors well above the bilge waterline. To
facilitate this, use one of the two cable clamps supplied on
either side of the connection.
2. Refer to the instrument owners manual to connect the
transducer to the instrument.

Installation in a Cored Fiberglass Hull

Installation in a cored hull is difficult. The objective is to bond the
base to the inside surface of the hulls outer skin while
preventing any moisture from penetrating the core.
CAUTION: There is no way to determine if the outer skin is solid
(no trapped air bubbles in the fiberglass) at the selected location
before cutting the inner skin.
1. Using a 100mm or 4" hole saw, cut through the inner skin and
the core at the selected location (see Figure 9). The core
material can be very soft. Apply only light pressure to the hole
saw after cutting through the inner skin to avoid accidentally
cutting the outer hull.
2. Remove the plug of core material, so the inner core of the hull is
fully exposed. Sand the inside surface of the outer skin using a
miniature disk sander. Slightly undercut the surrounding coring
if possible.
3. Clean and dry both the inside surface of the outer skin and the
transducer with a weak solvent, such as alcohol, to remove any
dust, grease, or oil.
4. Place the base in the cavity. Fill the gap between the base and
the hull with repair epoxy or resin following the manufacturers
directions for its use.
5. After the repair epoxy or resin has cured, proceed with
Installation, on page 3.

Replacement Transducer & Parts

The information needed to order a replacement transducer is printed
on the cable tag. Do not remove this tag. When ordering, specify the
part number, date, and frequency in kHz. For convenient reference,
record this information on the top of page one.
Lost, broken, or worn parts should be replaced immediately.
Base & O-ring Kit

33-268-01

Obtain parts from your instrument manufacturer or marine dealer.

Gemeco
(USA)

Tel:
Fax:
email:
Airmar EMEA
Tel:
(Europe, Middle East, Africa) Fax:
email:

803-693-0777
803-693-0477
[email protected]
+33.(0)2.23.52.06.48
+33.(0)2.23.52.06.49
[email protected]

35 Meadowbrook Drive, Milford, New Hampshire 03055-4613, USA

www.airmar.com
4

Copyright 2005 - 2016 Airmar Technology Corp. All rights reserved.