Humminbird CannonLink User manual

531568-1_B
CannonLink™
Downrigger Controller
CannonLink™
Downrigger Controller

Thank You!
Thank you for choosing Humminbird®, America's #1 name in fishfinders.
Humminbird® has built its reputation by designing and manufacturing top-
quality, thoroughly reliable marine equipment. Your Humminbird® accessory is
designed for trouble-free use in even the harshest marine environment. In the
unlikely event that your Humminbird® accessory does require repairs, we offer an
exclusive Service Policy - free of charge during the first year after purchase, and
available at a reasonable rate after the one-year period. For complete details, see
the warranty included in this manual. We encourage you to read this operations
manual carefully in order to get full benefit from all the features and applications
of your Humminbird® product.
Contact our Customer Resource Center at either 1-800-633-1468 or visit our
website at www.humminbird.com.
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. Handling
and/or opening this unit may result in exposure to lead, in the form of solder.
WARNING! This product contains lead, a chemical known to the state of California to cause
cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm.
NOTE: If you have a chartplotter, the Downrigger View will not show sonar or depth. Caution
should be exercised when the CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller is used in conjunction with
a chartplotter. It is the user's responsibility to be aware of the operational depth as the
chartplotter does not report back depth as a traditional fishfinder will.
NOTE: Fishfinder may require a software upgrade to be compatible with Cannonlink™
accessory. See www.humminbird.com for more information.
Humminbird®, Cannon™, CannonLink™, HumminbirdPCTM, X-Press™ Menu, SmartCast® and
WeatherSense® are trademarked by or registered trademarks of Humminbird®.
© 2006 Humminbird®, Eufaula AL, USA. All rights reserved.

How Downriggers Work 1
Positive Ion Control (PIC) .............................................................................................................. 2
Downrigging Tips .......................................................................................................................... 2
CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller Installation Overview 4
CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller Connection Kit 5
Connecting Your CannonLink™ to the Control Head and to the Downrigger(s) 5
Setting Up Your Boat's Electrical Condition for Positive Ion Control 11
Downrigger View 12
The Menu System 22
Start-Up Options Menu 24
Normal Operation 24
Simulator 25
System Status 26
Self Test 26
Accessory Test 27
GPS Diagnostic View 27
PC Connect (with PC Connect Cable only) 28
Setting Up Your Downriggers 29
Linking the Downriggers 31
Lowering (Activating) the Downriggers 34
Making Changes 35
Raising (Parking) the Downriggers 36
i
Table of Contents

ii
Table of Contents
Downrigger X-Press™ Menu (Downrigger View only) 38
Downrigger Setup........................................................................................................................ 39
Activate All .................................................................................................................................. 39
Park All.......................................................................................................................................... 40
Activate Single ............................................................................................................................ 40
Park Single.................................................................................................................................... 41
Upper Range (Chartplotters only).................................................................................................. 41
Lower Range (Chartplotters only).................................................................................................. 42
Troubleshooting 43
Fishing System Doesn’t Power Up.............................................................................................. 43
Fishing System Defaults to Simulator with a Transducer Attached ........................................ 43
Fuse Blows, Affecting Downriggers .......................................................................................... 44
Control Head Doesn't Recognize Downriggers
When a Downrigger is Attached................................................................................................ 44
Temp-n-Speed Sensor Troubleshooting Tips .............................................................................. 44
Display Problems.......................................................................................................................... 45
Finding the Cause of Noise ........................................................................................................ 46
Humminbird® Accessories 47
Maintenance 49
Humminbird® 1-Year Limited Warranty 49
Humminbird® Service Policy 50
Returning Your Unit For Service 51
In-Warranty Service .................................................................................................................... 51
Out-Of-Warranty Service ............................................................................................................ 52
Notes 53
Contact Humminbird® 54
NOTE: Entries in this Table of Contents which list (with PC Connect Cable only)
require the purchase of a separate accessory. You can visit our website at
www.humminbird.com to order these accessories online or contact our Customer
Resource Center at 1-800-633-1468.

1
How Downriggers Work
Downriggers allow you to catch fish you otherwise couldn’t even touch. By
viewing sonar, temperature at depth and clarity information on screen while
piloting the boat, you can monitor and position downriggers in real-time to the
optimal depth to vastly increase the catch. Your Humminbird® CannonLink™
Downrigger Controller makes operation of up to six Cannon™ Mag 20 DT or Mag
20 DT/HS downriggers and one optional-purchase Cannon™ Speed-N-Temp
Sensor incredibly easy.
• Automatically deploy or retrieve downriggers directly from any Fishing
System.
• Set the downrigger operation mode to Manual for complete control,
Bottom Track to maintain distance off the bottom or Cycle to
continuously move the downriggers between two depths.
• Monitor the downrigger depth and operation graphically on-screen
combined with the sonar graph.
• View temperature at depth, speed-through-water and water clarity on
the Fishing System screen when using the optional-purchase Cannon™
Speed-N-Temp Sensor.
• Simultaneously or individually control up to 6 Cannon™ Mag20 DT and
the Mag20 DT/HS downriggers.
NOTE: Your Humminbird® CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller only works with
Cannon™ Mag 20 DT or Mag 20 DT/HS downriggers or the optional-purchase Cannon™
Speed-N-Temp Sensor. Although this manual discusses all three products, only the
CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller is included with this manual.
Using the controls on your Fishing System, lower (activate) or raise (park)
downriggers, hold your downrigger a specific distance from the bottom, move
downriggers between two different depths, and adjust the Positive Ion Control to
change the electrical charge emanating from your boat. You can even see
temperature and water clarity (at depth and speed) at the downrigger ball
on your control head screen when using the optional-purchase Cannon™
Speed-N-Temp. You’ll never be shorthanded again, since you can make
adjustments from the helm, while your mate rigs the lines and brings in the fish!

Positive Ion Control (PIC)
Positive Ion Control (PIC) is a feature of the CannonLink™ Downrigger
Controller that allows you to use electricity to control this charge on your
downriggers, so that it remains constant at a specified set positive voltage. It is
important to prepare your boat's electrical condition before installing the
CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller and downriggers to make sure that the
Positive Ion Control feature will work most efficiently. The Positive Ion Control
system applies a variable .2 to 1.2 Volts to the trolling cable at all times.
NOTE: All metal parts, including the hull (if metal), motor shaft outdrives, and thru-hull
fittings, must be connected together using a bonding wire. The zinc anodes placed on
your hull, propeller and other parts of your boat protect functioning metal parts from the
natural corrosion that occurs when metals of different types that are physically or
electrically connected are immersed in seawater. If your boat and zincs are set up
correctly, the voltage on the stainless steel downrigger wire of your downrigger(s) should
be positive when submerged.
Downrigging Tips
Try the cycle mode on the CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller to create a
unique "action" in your lure. Many times this will trigger a strike.
When you have your downrigger set at the depth you want it, don't forget to set
your clutch correctly. It is designed to "slip" in case your weight hangs up in
rocks. This will avoid breaking the line and losing expensive lures or weights.
It's always a good idea to carry extra releases, weights, terminator kits and
replacement cable in the boat. That way if you break or lose something while
fishing, you can simply re-rig and not spend time out of the water.
Always keep your boat in gear when setting your downriggers. Allow the weight
to descend slowly to avoid tangles. To be sure your lure is working properly,
check its action at trolling speed.
If you notice that you're marking bottom-hugging fish, such as walleye or lake
trout, try using the Humminbird® CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller exclusive
bottom tracking feature.
2

Your Humminbird® CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller allows you to control up
to six Cannon™ Mag 20 DT or Mag 20 DT/HS downriggers easily, as well as one
optional-purchase Cannon™ Speed-N-Temp Sensor, using your Humminbird®
control head. The following functionality is supported by your Humminbird®
control head when it is connected to the CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller:
• Vary the strength and type of electrical charge of the boat using Positive
Ion Control (PIC);
• Setup each downrigger attached to your control head, and then change
the settings during use;
• View settings for all downriggers connected to your control head at
one time;
• Activate each downrigger separately, or all downriggers at once;
• Pull all downriggers up at the same time, or individually.
3

CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller Installation Overview
Before installing your CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller, you should set up
your boat for Positive Ion Control. You will then connect your CannonLink™
Downrigger Controller to your Humminbird® fishing system control head
and up to 6 CannonLink™ downriggers (plus one optional-purchase Cannon™
Speed-N-Temp). You may also connect the CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller
as part of a daisy chain of other Humminbird® accessories, by using the included
daisy chain cable.
NOTE: The CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller will only support up
to 6 CannonLink™ downriggers plus one optional-purchase Cannon™
Speed-N-Temp Sensor. Do NOT connect more than one optional-purchase
Cannon™ Speed-N-Temp Sensor, as more than one may result in
system instability.
NOTE: Only attach two downriggers to one battery. Humminbird® recommends
that the downriggers have their own separate battery, and NOT be powered off
the battery used to start the main gasoline engine of the boat. Confirm that all
batteries are fully charged prior to each use.
NOTE: Installation of the terminator plug and proper grounding are both
essential for proper operation. Confirm that each downrigger's NEG terminal is
connected to the NEG terminal(s) of the boat's main/engine battery(ies).
NOTE: In the event that the downriggers lose power during operation, you
must manually park the downriggers. You must also re-start the Humminbird(r)
control head before you can resume normal operation.
NOTE: Confirm that all power connectors are securely fastened to the batteries
and that all communications cables are securely fastened prior to each use.
4

CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller Connection Kit
The Humminbird® CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller Connection Kit includes
the following items:
• CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller
• One cable for multiple accessory attachment
• One control head connector cable
• One downrigger connector cable
• Terminator plug
• Hardware kit for stand-alone or stack mounting
• CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller Accessory Manual
NOTE: 10 foot extension cables are available as optional-purchase items. These can be
used to extend the total cable length up to 50 feet.
Connecting Your CannonLink™ to the
Control Head and to the Downrigger(s)
Perform the following procedure to connect your CannonLink™ Downrigger
Controller to your Humminbird® fishing system control head and up
to 6 CannonLink™ downriggers (plus one optional-purchase Cannon™
Speed-N-Temp). You may also connect the CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller
as part of a daisy chain of other Humminbird® accessories, by using the included
daisy chain cable.
Perform the following installation procedure for your CannonLink™ Downrigger
Controller Accessory:
1. Lay out the cables and the CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller to make
sure that the cables will reach both the control head and all the
downriggers that will be part of the daisy chain.
5

2. Interconnect the "To Control Head" connector either directly to the COM
port on the control head or to the "Daisy Chain" connector of an
accessory which is already attached to the control head. See the
Accessory System Interconnects diagram for more information.
NOTE: 10’ extension cables may be purchased from Humminbird® if your planned cable
route exceeds 20’ (6 m). Maximum cable length, including extension cables, should not
exceed 50’ (16 m). Visit our website at www.humminbird.com, or call our Customer
Resource Center at 1-800-633-1468 to purchase extension cables.
3. Interconnect the "To Daisy Chain" connector to any other accessories
which are in line after the Cannonlink™ accessory. See the Accessory
System Interconnects diagram for more information.
4. Interconnect the "To Downriggers" connector to the first downrigger in
the series. See the Accessory System Interconnects diagram for more
information.
CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller Ports
To Downriggers
To Daisy Chain
To Control Head
6

Accessory System Interconnects
5a. If the CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller will stand alone on the
mounting surface, use the four included M3x12 thread-forming screws
to connect the two plastic feet to the bottom of the CannonLink™
Downrigger Controller, two screws for each foot.
or...
WHITE
NMEA-COM
ACCY-COM
COM
ACCY-COM
ACCY-COM
WeatherSense
Smartcast WSL
AS-YC ("Y") Cable
GPS Receiver
TM
CannonLink
TM
Fishing System
Cannon Downrigger
TM
=
=
=
COM
Accessory
7
Terminator
Plug

Preparing the CannonLink™ for Stand-Alone Mounting
5b. If you will be stacking the CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller with
another compatible Humminbird® accessory, use two of the included
M3x12 thread-forming screws to connect the two accessories, stacked
one on top of the other. Proceed to Step 7.
Install the Plastic Feet
Plastic Foot
M3x12
Screws
8

Preparing the CannonLink™ for Stack Mounting
6. Use the installed plastic feet to mark and then drill the two 1/8” holes
to a depth of 5/8" in the mounting surface, one for each foot, needed to
attach the CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller to the boat. Fill the
holes in the mounting surface with marine-grade silicone sealant, then
attach the CannonLink™ to the mounting surface using the two
included #8 x 5/8" wood screws.
NOTE: On fiberglass hulls, it is best to use progressively larger drill bits to reduce the
chance of chipping or flaking the outer coating.
NOTE: Apply marine-grade silicone caulk or sealant to both screw and drilled holes as
needed to protect your boat from water damage.
NOTE: If the mounting surface is thin or made of a light-weight material, you may need
to add reinforcing material below the mounting surface in order to support the
CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller.
7. Attach the terminator plug to the port on the last downrigger in the
daisy chain that would normally be used to connect that downrigger to
the next downrigger in the chain.
NOTE: The downriggers will not work without installing the terminator plug in the last
downrigger in the daisy chain.
M3x12
Screw
M3x12
Screw
9

NOTE: Downrigger daisy chain cables are not included with the CannonLink™
Downrigger Controller, but may be purchased from Cannon™. Visit the website
at www.cannondownriggers.com, or call our Customer Resource Center at
1-800-227-6433 to purchase daisy chain cables.
NOTE: Electric downriggers require a significant amount of power. It is recommended
that you connect a maximum of 2 downriggers per battery.
8. When the control head detects the CannonLink™ Downrigger
Controller, the Downrigger View will be added automatically to the
VIEW key function, and the Downrigger X-Press™ menu will also be
added automatically to the Menu system.
Terminator
Plug
Downrigger Daisy
Chain Cable
To Downrigger
To Additional
Accessories
To Control
Head
10

11
Setting Up Your Boat's Electrical Condition
for Positive Ion Control
Commercial fishermen know that fish, especially certain species, are attracted to
positive charges and repelled by negative charges. The practice of setting up and
maintaining a slight positive charge on fishing gear has been used by
commercial fishermen for many years.
Your boat has an electrical charge around the hull where it is submerged, due to
the interaction of weak electrical currents from various submerged pieces of
equipment. These weak electrical currents must be controlled to extend the life
of the boat's metal components and to provide a good fishing environment. If
your boat is properly bonded and zinced, the charge should be slightly positive
when measured from ground to the downrigger cable.
Positive Ion Control is a feature of the CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller that
allows you to use electricity to control this charge on your downriggers, so that
it remains constant at a specified set positive voltage. It is important to prepare
your boat's electrical condition before installing the CannonLink™ Downrigger
Controller and downriggers to make sure that the Positive Ion Control feature will
work most efficiently. The Positive Ion Control system applies a variable .2 to 1.2
Volts to the trolling cable at all times.
NOTE: All metal parts, including the hull (if metal), motor shaft outdrives, and through-
hull fittings, must be connected together using a bonding wire. If your boat and zincs are
set up correctly, the voltage on the stainless steel downrigger wire of your downrigger(s)
should be positive when submerged.

Downrigger View
The Downrigger View will be added to the View Rotation when a CannonLink™
Downrigger Controller is connected to the Fishing System:
The Downrigger View shows sonar information, plus information about any
downrigger(s) that may be connected to your Fishing System. It displays the
same Depth reading that all Humminbird® views display at the top left. It will also
display speed/temp information if you have an optional-purchase Cannon™
Speed/Temp accessory attached to one of the downrigger cables. The bottom
information box displays information about any downriggers you are controlling,
as well as what mode (Manual, Cycle, or Bottom Track) they are in.
Apply the following suggestions to help maintain a positive electrical charge:
• Use vinyl-coated lead weights, as uncoated lead, if not pure, can produce
negative charges.
• Use the trolling weight insulators supplied with your downrigger(s) to insulate
your weight from the positive charge on the cable. This also helps ensure that
the trolling weight will stop at water level when retrieved.
• Replace the cable on your downrigger(s) every two years, since etching of the
cable can weaken it physically and electrically.
• In salt water, replace the sacrificial zincs when they are half dissolved, to
make sure that the boat will run with a neutral or slightly positive charge.
Clean zincs on a regular basis with a non-abrasive brush.
• Make sure the boat is properly grounded to the water. This will help maintain
proper Positive Ion Control voltage on the cable, and will make sure that the
Short Stop feature will function properly.
NOTE: You must unplug the downrigger(s) before you can measure the natural
voltage on the stainless steel cable accurately.
12

NOTE: If you have a chartplotter, the Downrigger View will not show sonar or depth.
Caution should be exercised when the CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller is used in
conjunction with a chartplotter. It is the user's responsibility to be aware of the
operational depth as the chartplotter does not report back depth as a traditional fishfinder
will.
The icons on the right side of the screen represent the downriggers that you are
controlling, where each icon represents a specific downrigger. You should have
the same number of Downrigger Icons on the screen as you have downriggers.
You will highlight a specific downrigger icon in order to see information about it
displayed on the Downrigger View, and also to control that downrigger remotely.
NOTE: If the number of icons does not match the number of downriggers attached,
check that the terminator plug is installed in the daisy chain port on the last downrigger
in the daisy chain and that all of the cable connections in the daisy chain are firmly in
place. Also check the connections on the power cables.
A gray bar highlights one or more of the downrigger icons. You can move this
highlight by pressing the LEFT or RIGHT 4-Way Cursor keys. As you move the
highlight bar, the numbers will change in the downrigger information box,
indicating information about the downrigger you have currently highlighted.
You will access the Downrigger X-Press™ menu from the Downrigger View.
You will be able to set up and link the downriggers, lower (activate) the
downriggers, make changes to the downrigger settings, and raise (park) the
downriggers using the X-Press™ menu. See Downrigger X-Press™ Menu for
more information.
13

14
Downrigger View, Bottom Track Mode, with
NOTE: Use the LEFT and RIGHT 4-WAY Cursor Control keys to move the gray highlight bar between
CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller.
NOTE: The offset (constant distance maintained for the downrigger from the bottom) can be
updated on the screen and in the Downrigger Setup menu.
Depth
Speed and Temp Information Box
(only with optional-purchase
Cannon™ Speed-N-Temp)
Temp for Cannon™
Speed-N-Temp Sensor
Water Speed for Cannon™
Speed-N-Temp Sensor
Downrigger Information Box,
showing Bottom Track Mode
for Highlighted Downrigger 2
Offset: Distance of downrigger
from bottom. Position of
downrigger is changed to
maintain a constant offset as
the bottom terrain changes.
Depth Lines

15
Optional-Purchase Cannon™ Speed-N-Temp Sensor
downrigger icons so that you can see the status and control other downriggers connected to the
changed by using the UP or DOWN 4-WAY Cursor Control keys. The offset value will be
Non-highlighted Downrigger Icons
for Downriggers 4 and 5
Depth for Cannon™
Speed-N-Temp Sensor
Voltage for Cannon™
Speed-N-Temp Sensor Battery
Amount of Light in the Water
Surrounding the Cannon™
Speed-N-Temp Sensor
Highlighted Icon for Downrigger 2
Actual Depth Icon: Position of
downrigger.
Bottom Track Icon
Gray Highlight Bar

16
Downrigger View:
Depth
Speed and Temp Information Box
(only with optional-purchase
Cannon™ Speed-N-Temp)
Temp for Cannon™
Speed-N-Temp Sensor
Water Speed for Cannon™
Speed-N-Temp Sensor
Downrigger Information Box,
showing Manual Mode
for Highlighted Downriggers
4 and 5
Depth Lines
NOTE: Use the LEFT and RIGHT 4-WAY Cursor Control keys to move the gray highlight bar between
CannonLink™ Downrigger Controller.
NOTE: The depth of the downrigger can be changed by using the UP or DOWN 4-WAY Cursor