Humminbird PiranhaMAX 165 User manual

532030-1_A
PiranhaMAX 165, 175, 176i, 195c, & 196ci
Installation and Operations Manual
PiranhaMAX 165, 175, 176i, 195c, & 196ci
Installation and Operations Manual

i
Thank You!
Thank you for choosing Humminbird®, the #1 name in ishfinders.
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. or complete details, see the separate warranty card included
with your accessory. 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 1-800-633-1468 or visit our
Web site at humminbird.com.
The following models are covered in this manual:
•PiranhaMAX 165 - Single Beam, 240 V x 160 H Monochrome Display
•PiranhaMAX 175 - Dual Beam, 240 V x 160 H Monochrome Display
•PiranhaMAX 176i - Dual Beam, 240 V x 160 H Monochrome Display
•PiranhaMAX 195c - Dual Beam, 320 V x 240 H Transmissive Color Display
•PiranhaMAX 196ci - Dual Beam, 320 V x 240 H Transmissive Color Display
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! Do not travel at high speed with the unit cover installed. Remove the unit
cover before traveling at speeds above 20 mph.
WARNING! This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and/or reproductive harm.

NOTE: Some features discussed in this manual require a separate purchase, and some
features are only available on international models. Every effort has been made to clearly
identify those features. Please read the manual carefully in order to understand the full
capabilities of your model.
NOTE: The illustrations in this manual may not look the same as your product, but your unit
will function in the same way.
NOTE: To purchase accessories for your control head, visit our web site at
humminbird.com or contact our Customer Resource Center at 1-800-633-1468.
NOTE: The procedures and features described in this manual are subject to change
without notice. This manual was written in English and may have been translated to
another language. Humminbird® is not responsible for incorrect translations or
discrepancies between documents.
ROHS STATEMENT: Product designed and intended as a fixed installation or part of a
system in a vessel may be considered beyond the scope of Directive 2002/95/EC of the
European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on the restriction of the use of
certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
Humminbird®, ish ID+™, Structure ID®, and WhiteLine™ are trademarked by or registered
trademarks of Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.
Baekmuk Batang, Baekmuk Dotum, Baekmuk Gulim, and Baekmuk Headline are registered
trademarks owned by Kim Jeong-Hwan.
© 2012 Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. All rights reserved.
ATTENTION INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS: Products sold in the U.S. are not
intended for use in the international market. Humminbird® international units provide
international features and are designed to meet country and regional regulations.
Languages, maps, time zones, units of measurement, and warranty are examples of
features that are customized for Humminbird® international units purchased through
our authorized international distributors.
To obtain a list of authorized international distributors, please visit our Web site at
humminbird.com or contact our Customer Resource Center at [phone].
ii

Table of Contents
iii
Installation Overview 1
Fixed Control Head Installation 2
DetermineWheretoMount.........................................2
Connect the Power Cable to the Boat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Assemble the Control Head Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Route the Control Head Cables Under the Deck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Attach the Control Head to the Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Attach the Cables to the Control Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Transom Transducer Installation Overview 8
Transom Transducer Installation 9
Locate the Transducer Mounting Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Prepare the Mounting Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Assemble and Mount the Transducer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
RoutetheCable..................................................16
Testand inishtheInstallation......................................18
PiranhaMAX Portable Case Assembly 20
AssembletheControlHeadBase....................................21
AssembletheBaseandHandle.....................................22
Attach the Control Head to the Base and Handle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
RoutetheCables.................................................24
AssemblethePortableCase........................................27
ChargeandInstalltheBattery......................................27
Assemble the Transducer Mounting Bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Stow the Portable Transducer and Battery Charger into the Portable Case. . . 29
Installing the Portable Case on the Boat 30
Connect the Transducer and Power Cables to the Portable Case. . . . . . . . . . . 30
Attach the Portable Case to the Boat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Mounting the Portable Transducer 32
Test the Transducer Prior to Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Mount the Portable Transducer on the Boat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Table of Contents
iv
Moving the Portable Fishfinder 34
Power ON and OFF 35
PiranhaMAX Sonar Technology 36
SingleBeamSonar...............................................37
DualBeamSonar.................................................37
What You See on the Display 38
How GPS Works 39
The PiranhaMAX Control Head 40
Key Functions 41
POWER/MENUKey...............................................41
UPandDOWNArrowKeys.........................................41
CHECK/ENTERKey................................................42
How to Use the Menu System 43
Set Up the Control Head 45
Contrast (PiranhaMAX 165, 175, and 176i models only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
ish ID+™ (Sonar View only)..........................................46
Bottom View (Sonar View only)........................................46
Reset ..........................................................48
Language ( nternational Models only)....................................48
Units - Distance (Units submenu) ......................................48
Units - Speed (Units submenu) ........................................48
Units - Temp ( nternational Models only, Units submenu) ......................48
Units - Depth ( nternational Models only, Units submenu) .....................48
Views 49
DisplayaView...................................................49
Status View 50
Sonar View 51

Table of Contents
Sonar Menu 52
View...........................................................53
DepthRange....................................................53
Sensitivity.......................................................53
Zoom ..........................................................54
ChartSpeed.....................................................54
ilter...........................................................55
Light...........................................................55
BeamSelect.....................................................55
Track View ( iranhaMAX 176i and 196ci only) 56
Track Menu ( iranhaMAX 176i and 196ci only) 57
View...........................................................58
Zoom ..........................................................58
COGVector......................................................58
ClearTrack......................................................58
Delete..........................................................58
DeleteAll.......................................................59
Light...........................................................59
Alarms 60
Maintenance 62
Troubleshooting 64
PiranhaMAX 165 Specifications 66
PiranhaMAX 175/176i/195c/196ci Specifications 67
Contact Humminbird® 69
NOTE: Entries in this Table of Contents which list ( nternational Only) are only available
on products sold outside of the U.S. by our authorized nternational Distributors. t is
important to note that products sold in the U.S. are not intended for resale in the
international market. To obtain a list of authorized nternational Distributors, please visit
our Web site at humminbird.com or contact our Customer Resource Center at
1-800-633-1468 to locate the distributor nearest you.
v

Installation Overview
Before you start installation, we encourage you to read these instructions
carefully in order to get the full benefit from your PiranhaMAX.
There are three basic installation tasks that you must perform for the
PiranhaMAX:
• Installing the Control Head
• Installing the Transducer
• Testing the complete installation and locking the transducer position.
NOTE: n 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
straightedge, a level, a 12" plumb line (weighted string or monofilament line), marker or
pencil, safety glasses and dust mask, and marine-grade silicone sealant.
NOTE: f you have purchased a PiranhaMAX Portable unit, proceed to
iranhaMAX ortable Case Assembly for installation instructions. f you are
planning a fixed installation, proceed to Fixed Control Head Installation.
1Insta ation Overview

Fixed Control Head Installation
1. Determine here to Mount
Begin the installation by determining where to mount the control head.
Consider the following to determine the best location:
• To check the location planned for the control
head, test run the cables for the power and
transducer. See Transom Transducer Installation
in order to plan the location of the transducer
and cable route.
• The mounting surface should be stable enough
to protect the control head from excessive wave
shock and vibration, and should provide visibility
while in operation.
• Your PiranhaMAX uses a tilt and swivel
mounting base. The mounting area should allow
sufficient room for the unit to pivot and swivel
freely, and for easy removal and installation
( igures 1 and 2).
2. Connect the Power Cable to the Boat
A 6' long power cable is included to supply power to the control head. You may
shorten or lengthen the cable using 18 gauge multi-stranded copper wire.
CAUTION! Some boats have 24 or 36 Volt electric systems, but the control head MUST
be connected to a 12 VDC power supply.
The control head power cable can be connected to the electrical system of the
boat at two places: a fuse panel usually located near the console, or directly to
the battery.
Figure 1
Figure 2
NOTE: Make sure that the power cable is not connected to the control head at the
beginning of this procedure.
2
Fixed Contro Head Insta ation

NOTE: Humminbird® is not responsible for over-voltage or over-current failures. The
control head must have adequate protection through the proper selection and installation
of a 1 amp fuse.
NOTE: n order to minimize the potential for interference with other marine electronics,
a separate power source (such as a second battery) may be necessary.
GROUNDGROUND
POSITIVEPOSITIVE
Figure 3
Figure 4
1a. 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 positive (+) 12 VDC power
( igure 3). Install a 1 amp fuse (not
included) for protection of the unit.
Humminbird® is not responsible for over-
voltage or over-current failures.
or...
1b. If you need to wire the control head
directly to a battery, obtain and install an
inline fuse holder and a 1 amp fuse (not
included) for the protection of the unit
( igure 4). Humminbird® is not responsible
for over-voltage or over-current failures.
3Fixed Contro Head Insta ation

3. Assemble the Control Head Base
Your control head base will have a tilt and swivel mount. See the instructions
below to assemble and mount the control head base.
To assemble a tilt and swivel mount:
1. Insert the mount arms into the
base. Then, hold the mount arms in
place as you turn the base upside
down.
2. Insert the swivel ring into the base,
with the countersink holes for the
arm screws facing out.
3. Secure the mount arms with the
four #6 screws provided ( igure 5).
Hand tighten only!
4. Set the assembled control head
base in place on the mounting
surface. Mark the four mounting
screw locations with a pencil or
punch.
5. Set the base aside, and drill the
four mounting screw holes using a
9/64" bit.
6. Proceed to Route the Control Head
Cables Under the Deck.
Tilt and Swivel Mount
Control Head Base Assembly
Mount Arms
Base
Arm Screws,
4 #6 x7/16"
Figure 5
Countersink
Side Out
Swivel
Ring
4
Fixed Contro Head Insta ation

4. Route the Control Head Cables Under the Deck
Use the following steps to route the control head cables under the deck.
NOTE: Under the deck cable routing is not always possible. f this is not an option, the
cables should be routed and secured above deck.
Tilt and Swivel Mount:
1a. Mark and drill a 3/4" hole as shown
in igure 6. Route the cables
through the hole. The cables will
exit through the center hole on the
control head base.
1b. If the cables cannot be routed
directly beneath the control head
base, mark and drill a 3/4" hole that
will allow you to run the cables
close to the control head base.
Figure 6
3
/
4
”
19mm
Tilt and Swivel Mount
Control Head Base
NOTE: See Transom Transducer Installation in order to plan the location of the
transducer and cable route.
5Fixed Contro Head Insta ation

5. Attach the Control Head to the Base
ollow these steps to attach the control head to the already-assembled base:
NOTE: The transducer cable and power cable should be routed prior to securing the
mounting bracket to the deck.
1. Apply marine-grade silicone sealant to the drilled holes for the
mounting bracket.
2. Place the mounting bracket on the mounting surface, aligning with the
drilled holes.
3. Insert the four #8 Phillips countersink wood screws into the mounting
holes. Hand tighten only!
4. Insert the thumbknob bolt through the pivot knuckle on the control
head ( igure 7).
Pivot Knuckle
Gimbal Knob
Thumbknob Bolt
Figure 7
Mounting Holes
6
Fixed Contro Head Insta ation

5. Align the pivot knuckle with the mount base arms and slide into place,
twisting slightly if necessary, until the unit is firmly seated.
6. Rotate the control head to the desired angle and hand tighten the
thumbknob bolt.
7. Thread the gimbal knob onto the pivot bolt and tighten.
6. Attach the Cables to the Control Head
ollow these steps to attach the power and transducer cables to the control
head:
1. Matching the cable plugs to the shape and
orientation of the sockets, insert the
transducer and power cables into the correct
sockets on the control head ( igure 8).
NOTE: The serial port is for authorized service personnel
use only. Do not connect a cable to this port. The serial
port does not require a port cover.
2. With the control head in place, tilt and/or
swivel the unit through its full range to make
sure there is enough cable slack for the unit to
move freely. Hand tighten the thumbknob bolt
when you achieve the desired position for the
control head.
You are now ready to install the transducer. Proceed
to Transom Transducer Installation Overview.
Figure 8
Power Serial Transducer
7Fixed Contro Head Insta ation

Transom Transducer Installation Overview
ollowing are instructions for transom mount installation. The transom mount
installation provides the least loss of signal since the transducer is mounted
outside the 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.
NOTE: When drilling holes in 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.
NOTE: f you cannot find a transom mount location that will work for your boat hull, 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 call our
Customer Resource Center at 1-800-633-1468 .
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. t is important to read the instructions
completely and understand the mounting guidelines before beginning installation.
8
Transom Transducer Insta ation Overview

Transom Transducer Installation
1. 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
that 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) ( igure 11).
• 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 ( igure 9).
• 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
Hull
Strakes
Transom
Rivets
Areas of Possible Turbulen e
Stepped Hull
Step Rib
Figure 9
Figure 10
9Transom Transducer Insta ation

transducer out of the water at higher speeds. The transducer must
remain in the water for the control head to maintain the sonar signal
( igure 10).
• 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, such as an Inside the Hull
Transducer.
• If you plan to trailer your boat, do not mount the transducer too close
to trailer bunks or rollers to avoid moving or damaging the transducer
during loading and unloading of the boat.
• If high speed operation is critical, you may want to consider using an
In-Hull transducer instead of this Transom Mount transducer.
NOTE: The hydrodynamic shape of your transducer allows it to point straight down
without deadrise adjustment (Figure 12).
2. Prepare the Mounting Location
After determining the mounting location for the transducer, follow the steps
below to position and mount the transducer bracket.
NOTE: f you cannot find a transom mount location that will work for your
high-speed application, please visit the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section
of our Web site at humminbird.com or call our Customer Resource Center at
1-800-633-1468.
Figure 12
Deadrise Angle
Level
Find a turbulen e-free lo ation at least 15” from the propeller(s)
and not in line with trailer bunks or rollers. (Figure 11).
15”
10
Transom Transducer Insta ation

1. Make sure that the boat is level on the trailer, both
from port to starboard and from bow to stern, by
placing your level on the deck of the boat, first in
one direction, then in the other.
2. Hold the mounting bracket against the transom of
the boat in the location you have selected ( igure
13). Align the bracket horizontally, using the level.
Make sure that the lower screw hole protrusion
does not protrude past the bottom of the hull, and
there is at least 1/4" clearance between the
bottom of the bracket and the bottom of the
transom for fiberglass boats, and 1/8" clearance
for aluminum boats ( igure 14).
NOTE: f you have a flat-bottomed aluminum boat, some
additional adjustment may be needed to accommodate the
rivets on the bottom of the boat (i.e. the gap may need to be
a little smaller than 1/8"). This will help you to avoid excessive
turbulence at high speeds.
NOTE: f your propeller moves clockwise as the boat moves
forward (as you're facing the stern of the boat from behind),
mount the transducer on the starboard side, and align the
bottom right corner of the mounting bracket with the bottom
of the boat. f your propeller moves counterclockwise as the
boat moves forward (as you're facing the stern of the boat
from behind), mount the transducer on the port side, and align
the bottom left corner of the mounting bracket with the
bottom of the boat.
3. Continue to hold the bracket on the transom of the
boat, and use a pencil or marker to mark where to
drill the two mounting holes. Mark the drill holes
near the top of each slot, making sure that your
mark is centered in the slot ( igure 15).
NOTE: The third hole should not be drilled until the angle
and height of the transducer is finalized, which you will
not do until a later procedure.
Boat Hull Types Require
Different Mounting Positions
1/8” for aluminum
1/4” for fiberglass
Figure 14
Level
Level
Figure 13
Positioning the Mounting Bra ket
Using the Mounting Bra ket to
Mark the Initial Drill Holes
3rd hole
Mark nitial
Drill Holes Figure 15
11 Transom Transducer Insta ation

4. Make sure that the drill bit is perpendicular to the actual surface of the
transom, NOT parallel to the ground, before you drill. Using a 5/32” bit,
drill the two holes only to a depth of approximately 1”.
NOTE: On fiberglass hulls, it is best to use progressively larger drill bits to reduce the
chance of chipping or flaking the outer coating.
3. Assemble and Mount the Transducer
In this procedure, you will assemble the transducer using the hardware
provided, then mount it and make adjustments to its position without locking
it in place.
NOTE: You will initially assemble the transducer and the mounting bracket by matching
the two ratchets to a numbered position on the transducer knuckle. Further adjustments
may be necessary.
1a. If you already know your transom angle, refer to the chart below for
the initial position to use to set the ratchets ( igure 16). If your transom
is angled at 14 degrees (a common transom angle for many boats) use
position 1 for the ratchets. In either case, go to step 2.
or...
1b. If you do not know your transom angle, measure it using a plumb line
(weighted nylon string or monofilament line) exactly 12 inches long.
Hold the top of the plumb line against the top of the transom with your
finger, and wait until the line hangs straight down ( igure 17). Using a
ruler, measure the distance from the bottom of the plumb line to the
back of the transom, then use the chart ( igure 16).
NOTE: t is important to take your measurement in the location shown in Figure 17,
from exactly 12 inches down from the top of the transom.
Figure 16
-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Transom Angle (°)
Bead Alignment
Number 142531425
25 26 27
3
28 29 30
1
Measured Distance (x)
1.1cm
1/2“
0.0 cm
0“
2.5 cm
1“
4.3 cm
1 5/8“
5.9 cm
2 3/8“
7.6 cm
3“
9.3cm
3 5/8“
11.1cm
4 3/8“
12.9cm
5“
14.9cm
5 7/8“
16.9cm
6 5/8“
12
Transom Transducer Insta ation

13
2. Place the two ratchets, one on either side of
the transducer knuckle, so that the beads on
each ratchet line up with the desired position
number on the knuckle ( igure 18a). If you are
setting the ratchets at position 1, the beads
on each ratchet will line up with the rib on the
transducer knuckle to form one continuous
line on the assembly ( igure 18b).
NOTE: The ratchets are keyed. Make sure that the square
teeth on each ratchet face the square teeth on the
transducer knuckle, and the triangular teeth face
outward.
Hold the ratchets on the transducer knuckle with one hand and fit the
mounting bracket over them until it snaps into place with the other hand. Refer
to the illustration ( igure 18d).
Measuring the Transom Angle
Measured Distance (X) Figure 17
Plumb
Line
Transom
Angle in
degrees
(°)
Weight
Transdu er Knu kle Positions
Knuckle
Figure 18a
Rat hets Pla ed in Position 1
Rib at
position 1
Figure 18b
Rat hets Pla ed in Position 2
Figure 18c
Bead
Ratchet
Rib
Fitting the Mounting Bra ket Over the Rat het
Figure 18d
Beads
Ratchet
Transom Transducer Insta ation

3. Put the pivot bolt through the assembly to
hold it in position and loosely install the nut,
but do NOT tighten the nut at this time ( igure
19).
CAUTION! Do not use a high speed driver on this
combination of fasteners. Hand tighten only.
4. Align the mounting bracket transducer
assembly with the drilled holes in the
transom. With a 5/16" socket driver, mount
the assembly to the transom using the two
#10 - 1" long screws provided ( igure 20).
Hand tighten only!
NOTE: Make sure that the mounting screws are snug, but
do not fully tighten the mounting screws at this time to
allow the transducer assembly to slide for adjustment
purposes.
5. Adjust the initial angle of the transducer from back to front by rotating
the transducer until the side seam on the transducer is almost parallel
with the bottom of the boat, one click at a time in either direction
( igure 21 and 22).
Adjusting the Initial Transdu er Angle
Leading edge One click too low
Trailing edge
Correctly aligned
(transducer side
seam aligned
with boat bottom)
One click too high
Figure 21 Figure 22
Figure 19
Inserting the Pivot Bolt
Figure 20
Mounting the Assembly
to the Transom
14
Transom Transducer Insta ation