Airmar TRIDUCER P66 Instruction Manual

17-247-03 rev. 03 04/10
max. no speed sensor:
191mm (7-1/2")
Transom-mount Depth Transducer
or TRIDUCER®Multisensor
with Integral Release Bracket
Model P66
U. S. Patents: 5,606,253; 5,719,824
Applications
• Not recommended for boats with large or twin-screw inboard
engine(s)
• Not recommended for stepped hulls
• Good operation up to 44kn (50MPH)
• Vertically orients sound beam on hull with deadrise angle up to 30°
• Adjusts to transom angles from 2°–22°
• Bracket protects sensor from frontal impact only
Tools & Materials
Safety goggles
Dust mask
Scissors
Masking tape
Electric drill
Drill bits:
Bracket holes 4mm, #23, or 9/64"
Transom hole (optional) 21mm or 13/16"
Cable clamp holes 3mm or 1/8"
Angle finder
Marine sealant
Screwdrivers
Straight edge
Pencil
Grommet(s) (some installations)
Cable ties
Water-based anti-fouling paint (mandatory in salt water)
75 mm (3")
minimum beyond
swing radius
Figure 1. Headroom required on a stepped transom
min.: 127mm (5")
Pretest Speed & Temperature Functions
Connect the multisensor to the instrument and spin the
paddlewheel. Check for a speed reading and the approximate air
temperature. If there is no reading(s) or it is inaccurate, return the
product to your place of purchase.
Mounting Location
CAUTION: Do not mount in an area of turbulence or bubbles.
Near water intake or discharge openings
Behind strakes, struts, fittings, or hull irregularities
CAUTION: Avoid mounting the sensor where the boat may be
supported during trailering, launching, hauling, or storage.
• For the best performance, the sensor must be in contact with
smooth water. To identify an area of clean water, observe the
water flow off the transom while the boat is underway.
• Allow headroom space above the bracket for it to release and
rotate the sensor upward (see Figure 1).
• Mount the sensor as close to the centerline (keel) of the boat as
possible to ensure the transducer’s face remains in the water
when the boat is turning.
•Single drive boat—Mount at least 75mm (3") beyond the
swing radius of the propeller (see Figure 2). The starboard side
where the propeller blades are moving downward is preferred.
•Twin drive boat—Mount the sensor between the drives.
Transducer
TRIDUCER ®
multisensor
Figure 2. Mounting location on single drive boat
max. with speed sensor:
213mm (8-1/2")
headroom
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONSOWNER’S GUIDE &
Record the information found on the cable tag for future reference.
Part No._________________Date___________Frequency________kHz
WARNING: Always wear safety goggles and a dust
mask when installing to avoid personal injury.
CAUTION: Never use solvents. Cleaners, fuel,
sealants, paint, and other products may contain strong
solvents, such as acetone, which attack many
plastics, greatly reducing their strength.
IMPORTANT:Read the instructions completely
before proceeding with the installation. These
instructions supersede any other instructions in your
instrument manual if they differ.
Copyright © 2003 Airmar Technology Corp. Copyright © 2003 Airmar Technology Corp.
NOTE: Starboard
side of hull where
propeller blades are
moving downward is
preferred.

38mm (1-1/2")
slope
of hull
Installation
WARNING: Always wear safety goggles and a dust mask.
CAUTION: Install the bracket before attaching the sensor.
Hole Drilling
1. Cut out the template (see Figure 3).
2. At the selected location on the starboard side of the hull, position the
template, so the arrow at the bottom is aligned with the bottom edge of
the transom (see Figure 4). Being sure the template is parallel to the
waterline, tape it in place.
3. Using a 4mm, #23, or 9/64" bit, drill three holes 22mm (7/8") deep at
the locations indicated. To prevent drilling too deeply, wrap masking
tape around the bit 22mm (7/8") from the point.
Fiberglass hull—Minimize surface cracking by running the drill in
reverse until the gelcoat is penetrated.
Plastic Shim
•Standard transom (13° transom angle)—The bracket is designed for
a standard 13° transom angle. The shim is NOT needed for this
installation. Go to "Mounting the Bracket."
•Stepped transom and jet boats (3° transom angle) —Use the shim
with the taper down.
•Small aluminum and fiberglass boats (20° transom angle)—Use the
shim with the taper up.
•If you are unsure about using the shim, do one of the following:
• Measure the transom angle of your boat using an angle finder. Then
follow the instructions above for your transom angle.
• Experiment with the shim. Follow the instructions: “Mounting the
Bracket”, “Attaching the Senor to the Bracket”, and “Checking the
Angle and Projection.”
Mounting the Bracket
1. Apply marine sealant to the threads of the three, #10 x 1-3/4", self-tapping
screws to prevent water seepage into the transom (see Figure 5). Screw
the bracket (and shim if needed) to the hull. Do not tighten the screws.
2. Using the vertical adjustment space on the bracket slots, slide the bracket
up or down until the distance between the bottom left corner and the bottom
of the transom equals 38mm (1-1/2"). Tighten the screws.
Figure 4. Template position
align template arrow with
bottom edge of transom
Align template vertically
slope of hull
waterline
Align arrow with bottom of transom
Figure 3. Template
for starboard side of boat
Drill at locations labeled “B”
for transom angles 16° through 22°
(most small aluminum boats)
Drill at locations labeled “A”
for transom angles 2° through 15°
(most boats)
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
Figure 5. Distance between
corner of bracket and
bottom of transom
2
Figure 8. Bracket
retaining cover
Figure 6. Speed sensor or blank Figure 7. Cover
closed
opened
mounting ears
screws
cover
speed
sensor
transducer
housing
(some installations)
bracket
screw
actual size
actual size
(self-tapping
#6 x 5/8")
self-tapping
screw
(some installations)
insert screw-
driver here to
remove cover
cover
tab in slot
flush with
housing
cover
housing
Copyright © 2003 Airmar Technology Corp. Copyright © 2003 Airmar Technology Corp. Copyright © 2003 Airmar Technology Corp. Copyright © 2003 Airmar Technology
Copyright © 2003 Airmar Technology Corp.
parallel to waterline
parallel to waterline

Stepped Transom Only
If there is insufficient headroom under the step for the sensor to fully
release, remove the cover before proceeding
(see Figure 1, maximum headroom). This is necessary to access the
bracket screws at a later time.
1. Remove the two screws that hold the speed sensor onto the transducer
housing (see Figure 6).
2. The paddlewheel assembly is a loose slip fit. Carefully, slide the speed
sensor upward while keeping the paddlewheel assembly inside (see
Figure 13).
3. Insert a blade screwdriver between the cover and the transducer
housing (see Figure 7). Pry each side apart, in turn.
4. Lift the cover up and off.
Attaching the Sensor to the Bracket
CAUTION: The retaining cover must be closed and latched to
prevent the sensor from coming off the bracket when the boat is
underway.
1. If the retaining cover is closed, open it by depressing the latch
and rotating the cover downward (see Figure 8).
2. Insert the sensor’s pivot posts into the slots in the top of the
bracket (see Figure 9). Push down until the posts click into place.
3. Rotate the sensor downward until it snaps onto the bracket.
4. Close the retaining cover by rotating it upward until it latches.
Checking the Sensor Angle & Projection
CAUTION: Do not position the leading edge of the sensor lower
than the trailing edge because aeration will occur.
CAUTION: Do not position the sensor deeper into the water than
necessary to avoid increasing drag, spray, and water noise and
reducing boat speed.
CAUTION: For boats capable of speeds above 20kn (28MPH)—
The trailing edge of the sensor must be deeper in the water than
the leading edge. This will ensure that the paddlewheel is in
contact with the water at high speeds.
1. Using a straight edge, sight the underside of the sensor relative
to the underside of the hull (see Figure 10). The stern of the
sensor should be 1–3mm (1/16–1/8") below the bow of the
sensor or parallel to the bottom of the hull.
2. Check that the bottom left corner of the sensor projections 3mm
(1/8") below the bottom of the hull (see Figure 11).
3. If the sensor needs adjustment, release it upward (see “Releasing
the Sensor” below). Adjust the bracket. Tighten the screws.
Releasing the Sensor
Do one of the following (see Figure 12):
•Using the palm of your hand, give a sharp upward blow to the
underside of the transducer housing. Do not hit the speed sensor.
• Insert a blade screwdriver between the transducer housing and
the bottom of the bracket (either side). Push up on the
screwdriver while lifting up on the sensor.
Attaching the Cover & Blank or Speed Sensor (some installations)
1. Spread the sides of the cover horizontally (see Figure 7).
2. Slide the cover up and over the mounting ears.
3. Push the cover down until it sits flush on the transducer.
4. Squeeze the sides of the cover until the tabs snap into the slots.
5. Insert the side rails of the speed sensor or blank into the
channels on the back of the transducer housing (see Figure 6).
Slide it downward. Fasten the speed sensor or blank in place
with the two, #6 x 5/8", self-tapping screws.
11°transom angle
12°–18°transom angle
Figure 10. Sensor angle adjustment
19°–22°transom angle2°–10°transom angle
slight
angle
reversed
angle
too steep
nearly parallel
shim with shim with
YES
YES
YES YES
NONO
angle
taper down taper up
NO SHIM
NO SHIM
Figure 11. Vertical adjustment
50mm
cable
cable
Hull projection
3mm (1/8")
3
Figure 12. Releasing
the sensor
Figure 9. Attaching the sensor to the bracket
close &
retaining
pivot
post (2)
slot (2)
cover
clamps
(2")
and cable routing
cover
latch
insert
screwdriver
(either side)
AB
at bevel
actual size
cable screw
give sharp
blow with
palm of hand
Copyright © 2003 Airmar Technology Corp.
Copyright © 2003 , 2010 Airmar Technology Corp.
Copyright © 2003 Airmar Technology Corp. Copyright © 2003 Airmar Technology Corp.
nearly parallel nearly parallel

Testing on the Water
1. Become familiar with your echosounder’s performance at a
speed of 4kn (5MPH).
2. Gradually increase the boat speed and observe the gradual
decline in performance due to turbulent water flowing over the
transducer’s active surface.
3. If the decline in performance is sudden (not gradual), identify
the boat speed at which the onset occurred. Return the boat to
this speed, then gradually increase speed while making
moderate turns in both directions.
4. If the performance improves while turning to the side on which
the sensor is installed, the transducer’s position probably needs
adjustment. It is probably in aerated water.
To improve performance, try the following one at a time in the
order given.
a. Increase the sensor’s angle in the water. Review “Plastic
Shims” and see Figure 10.
b. Move the sensor deeper into the water in increments of 3mm
(1/8") (see Figure 11).
c. Move the sensor closer to the centerline of the boat.
Fill unused screw holes with marine sealant.
High-speed operation [above 35kn (40MPH)] may require less
projection in the water to improve performance and reduce the
chance that water pressure will cause the bracket to release.
5. Calibration—To match the speed shown on the display to the
actual speed of the boat, you may need to calibrate the
instrument. Refer to your instrument owner’s manual.
Cable Routing
CAUTION: Do not remove the connector to ease cable routing. If the cable
must be cut and spliced, use Airmar’s splash-proof Junction Box No. 33-035
and follow the instructions provided. Removing the waterproof connector or
cutting the cable, except when using a water-tight junction box, will void the
sensor warranty.
Route the sensor cable over the transom, through a drain hole, or through
a new hole drilled in the transom above the waterline.
1. If a hole must be drilled through the transom, choose a location well
above the waterline (see Figure 11). Check for obstructions such as
trim tabs, pumps, or wiring inside the hull. Mark the location with a pencil.
Drill a hole using the appropriate size bit to accommodate the connector.
2. Route the cable over or through the transom.
3. On the outside of the hull, secure the cable against the transom using
the cable clamps. Position one cable clamp 50mm (2") above the
bracket and mark the mounting hole with a pencil.
4. Position the second cable clamp halfway between the first clamp and
the cable hole. Mark this mounting hole.
5. If a hole has been drilled in the transom, open the appropriate slot in the
cable cover. Position the cover over the cable where it enters the hull.
Mark the two mounting holes.
6. At each of the marked locations, use a 3mm or 1/8" bit to drill a hole
10mm (3/8") deep. To prevent drilling too deeply, wrap masking tape
around the bit 10mm (3/8") from the point.
7. Apply marine sealant to the threads of the #6 x 1/2" self-tapping screws
to prevent water from seeping into the transom. If you have drilled a
hole through the transom, apply marine sealant to the space around the
cable where it passes through the transom.
8. Position the two cable clamps and fasten them in place. If used, push
the cable cover over the cable and screw it in place.
9. Route the cable to the instrument being careful not to tear the cable jacket
when passing it through the bulkhead(s) and other parts of the boat. Use
grommets where appropriate. To reduce electrical interference, separate
the sensor cable from other electrical wiring and the engine(s). Coil any
excess cable and secure it in place with cable ties to prevent damage.
10.Refer to your echosounder owner’s manual to connect the sensor to
the instrument.
Figure 13. Servicing the speed sensor
side view
shaft
short side
of blade
insert shaft
4
BOW
through
hole B in
B
retaining
bar (2)
speed
sensor
housing
Checking for Leaks
WARNING: Do not leave the boat in the water unchecked for
several days. When the boat is placed in the water, immediately
check for leaks around the screws and any holes drilled in the
hull. Note that very small leaks may not be readily observed.
Anti-fouling Paint
Aquatic growth can accumulate rapidly on the sensor’s surface reducing
performance within weeks. Surfaces exposed to salt water that do not
interlock, must be coated with anti-fouling paint. Use water-based anti-
fouling paint only. Never use ketone based paint, since ketones can attack
many types of plastic possibly causing damage to the transducer. Apply
paint every 6 months or at the beginning of each boating season.
Maintenance,Repair & Parts
Clean the transducer’s surface with a Scotch-Brite® scour pad and mild
household detergent taking care to avoid making scratches. If the fouling
is severe, lightly wet sand with fine grade wet/dry paper.
Servicing the Speed Sensor
If the paddlewheel becomes fouled or inoperable, remove it for cleaning.
Remove the two screws from the speed sensor (see Figure 13). Slide it
upward to remove it from the transducer housing. Grasp the two retaining
bars and pull to access the shaft.
After cleaning, slide the paddlewheel onto the shaft. Orient the short side
of the paddlewheel blade as shown on the side view. It must be oriented
correctly to measure the boat’s speed. Fit the shaft into the holes marked
“B” in the retaining bars. Note: There is a left retaining bar marked with an
L and a right retaining bar marked with an R. Slide the assembly into the
speed sensor housing. Note: The interior of the housing is marked with a
corresponding L and R. Re-attach the speed sensor.
Sensor Replacement & Parts
The information needed to order a replacement sensor 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.
Replace broken or worn parts immediately. The water-lubricated
paddlewheel bearings have a life of up to 5 years on low-speed boats
[less than 10kn (11MPH)] and 2 years on high-speed vessels. Some
depth/temperature units can be upgraded by adding a speed sensor.
Part Part Number
Paddlewheel Kit 33-473-01
Bracket and Wedge Kit 33-479-01
Speed Sensor Kit 33-346-03
Obtain parts from your instrument manufacturer or marine dealer.
Gemeco Tel: [phone]
(USA) Fax: [phone]
email: [email protected]
Airmar EMEA Tel: [phone]
(Europe, Middle East, Africa) Fax: [phone]
email: [email protected]
Copyright © 2000, 2010 Airmar Technology Corp. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2003 Airmar Technology Corp.