Lowrance EP-80R TH Quick guide

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Pub. 988-0154-442
EP-80R TH
Electronic Thru-Hull Temp Sensor
Installation and Configuration Instructions
This document shows how to install an EP-80R TH thru-hull temp sen-
sor and how to connect it to a NMEA 2000®network. It also provides
instructions on how to configure your temp sensor with Lowrance digi-
tal gauges (LMF-200 & LMF-400) and display units.
NMEA 2000 is the communication bus standard developed by the Na-
tional Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) for use in boats.
Lowrance has introduced a line of products that can communicate over
a NMEA 2000 network (LowranceNet).
All Lowrance NMEA 2000 capable devices are either NMEA 2000 certi-
fied or certification is pending.
CAUTION:
Installing LowranceNET NMEA 2000 devices is significantly
different from installing earlier Lowrance components without
NMEA 2000 features. You should read all of the installation in-
structions before proceeding. Decide where you want to install
all components before drilling any holes in your vessel.
Some sonar or GPS units may require a software upgrade to display
NMEA 2000 data correctly. For free software upgrades or additional
information on the LowranceNet NMEA 2000®network system, visit
our web site, www.lowrance.com.
The EP-80R TH temperature sensor.
Red NMEA 2000
connector Thru-hull
temp sensor
module
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Some sonar or GPS units may require a software upgrade to display
NMEA 2000 data correctly. For free software upgrades or additional
information on the LowranceNet NMEA 2000®network system, visit
our web site, www.lowrance.com.
The EP-80R TH consists of the temp sensor module, a red cable connec-
tor and the smart module, which converts analog temperature data to
NMEA 2000 data format. The cable length measures 18 inches (46 cm)
from the connector to the smart module and 10 feet (3 meters) from the
smart module to the temp module. The EP-80R TH temp sensor is de-
signed to operate in a temperature range of 4°to 176°F (-20°to 80°C).
Like other LowranceNet Electronic Probe (EP) sensors, your thru-hull
temp is designed for use with a NMEA 2000 Network. Your sensor,
however, is also compatible with LowranceNet blue connector net-
works. It can be added to a blue connector network by using a red fe-
male to blue female adapter cable. Your sensor MUST be connected to
a NMEA 2000 network or it WILL NOT function.
The NMEA 2000 red female to blue female adapter cable allows users
to add red connector devices to a blue connector network.
Caution:
The maximum hull thickness for the EP-80R TH is 1-1/4" (31
mm).
Tools and Supplies
Your EP sensor packs with a T connector needed to attach it to a
NMEA 2000 LowranceNet network. If you are connecting to an existing
LowranceNET network, those are all the electronic components you
need. If this is the first sensor you are connecting, you will need to pur-
chase a LowranceNET Node Kit.
For complete instructions on setting up a new NMEA 2000 network or
expanding an existing one, see the NMEA 2000 document packed with
your EP-80R TH temp, "Setup and Installation of NMEA 2000 Net-
works, General Information," part number 988-0154-173. If that docu-
ment is missing, it can be downloaded free from the Lowrance web site.
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LowranceNET Node Kit for a NMEA 2000 network. Includes a 2-foot
extension cable, T connector and two 120-ohm terminators.
Recommended Tools and supplies
Recommended tools for this job include: drill, 1/8" (3 mm) drill bit for pilot
hole, 1-1/16 (27 mm) hole saw with a blade type appropriate for the com-
position of your transom.
Required supplies for this job include: high quality, marine grade above-
or below-waterline sealant/adhesive compound. We recommend 3M Poly-
urethane Marine Adhesive Sealant 5200 or an equivalent brand. The sen-
sor is packed with a lock nut used for mounting.
Installation
1. The EP-80R TH thru-hull temperature sensor can be mounted in any
location on the hull, with the most common application being on the
transom. Wherever you install it, make sure the temp module will be in
contact with the water at all times and that it does not interfere with
the boat's trailer.
To install the EP-80R TH, use a hole saw to cut a 1-1/16" (27 mm) hole in
the transom. The hole should be below the waterline.
2. After you've determined the proper location on the transom for the
EP-80R TH, drill a 1/8" (3 mm) pilot hole from inside the transom.
3. The EP-80R TH requires a 1-1/16" (27 mm) hole. Using a hole saw,
drill from the outside of the transom to prevent the gel coat from crack-
ing on fiberglass boats. Use eye and face protection when drilling the
hole.
Suggested
location
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Afterwards, clean the area around the hole with detergent or alcohol.
This will establish a good surface for the adhesive.
5. Using a high quality, marine-grade above- or below-waterline seal-
ant/adhesive compound, apply a 1/8" (3 mm) bead of sealant around the
lip of the EP-80R TH housing.
6. Make sure the nut has been removed from the sensor module, then
from the outside of the transom, pass the EP-80R TH cable through the
hole and push the housing with sealant into it. Use a twisting motion
to squeeze out excess sealant. Remove excess sealant from the outside
of the transom before it dries.
Slide the nut over the red connector (left); Place the nut on the sensor
module, add sealant on the inside of the hull and tighten the nut
(right).
7. On the inside of the hull, slide the nut over the back end of the sen-
sor module and add a 1/8" bead of sealant around the edge of the hole
on the inside of the transom. Hand-tighten the nut; be careful not to
over-tighten. Do not use a wrench to tighten the nut! Remove ex-
cess sealant from the inside of the hull before it dries.
8. Route the EP-80R TH cable to the T on the network backbone where
you intend to attach it, and plug it in.
NOTE:
Allow marine grade sealant/adhesive compound to dry for 12 hours
before taking your boat out on the water.
9. Check for leaks! After the boat is placed in the water, check for
leaks immediately. Check the boat for leaks again several times during
the next 24 hours. If you notice any leakage at all, the EP-80R TH
should be re-installed with a new coat of adhesive.
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Cross section of transom showing EP-80R TH installed.
Connecting to a NMEA 2000 Network
A NMEA 2000 network is a communications link between two or more
devices that transfer NMEA 2000 information. LowranceNET is the
NMEA 2000 networking system developed by Lowrance Electronics. A
NMEA 2000 network functions like the phone wiring in a house. If, for
example, you pick up a phone in the living room you will be able to
hear the conversation someone is having on a phone in the bedroom.
In similar fashion, a NMEA 2000 network allows multiple display units
to receive data from a GPS antenna or multiple sonar units to receive
messages sent by a temperature sensor. A NMEA 2000 network gives
you the flexibility to view information like engine diagnostics and fuel
level data on digital gauges or display units located anywhere on your
boat.
There are two types of LowranceNet red connectors: the single T con-
nector (left) and the double T connector (right).
sealant
nut
Inner hull
outer hull
sealant
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Network Backbone and Network Nodes
A network bus backbone consists of network cabling, terminators and T
connectors. Network nodes are made by fitting T-shaped connectors into
the backbone (using the sockets on the sides) and attaching any network
device to the bottom of the T.
Staying with the previous phone wiring example, T connectors on the
backbone are the equivalent of phone jacks spread throughout a house.
To pick up a phone and be able to hear a conversation from another
phone in the house, both phones have to be connected to the main phone
line. In similar fashion, only sensors and display units plugged into the
NMEA network can share information. The network backbone is like the
phone wiring that runs throughout a home.
It connects the network nodes, allowing them to communicate across the
network. Connections found in the middle of the bus could have T connec-
tors or backbone network cable plugged into one or both sides.
Connections at the end of a network will have the backbone cable plugged
into one side and a terminator plugged into the other, as shown in the fol-
lowing figure.
NMEA 2000 network node located at the end of a NMEA 2000 backbone.
NOTE:
If you have a double T Connector on your network that is not at-
tached to a device, you must cap the unused connector with a
NMEA 2000 cap. This will protect the pin connectors from corro-
sion. The NMEA 2000 cap looks like a terminator, but has "Cap"
stamped into the connector housing.
Backbone cable
(to rest of bus)
Cable from
sensor or
display unit
Terminator at
the end of the
backbone (bus)
Double T
connector
Cap for unused
connector
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All T connectors on your network probably will be connected to a device.
If you want to add another node to a working network, add another T
connector. T connectors may be purchased from LEI (ordering informa-
tion appears on the back page of this booklet). If you are adding a
Lowrance or LEI NMEA 2000 sensor, it will come with a T connector.
Adding a Network Node
You can add a node to any existing connection, anywhere along the net-
work backbone. This connection could be between a T connector and a
terminator, between two T connectors, between a T connector and a
backbone extension cable or between two extension cables. Wherever you
want to add the new node, separate the sockets of the existing connection
and install the T connector between them.
If you want to add a node at the end of the backbone (network bus) re-
move the terminator from the last connector, like the figure above. In-
stall the new T connector and attach the terminator to the side of the
connector.
In this example, a new device is added to the NMEA 2000 bus by install-
ing a T connector between a T connector and a terminator at the end of
the backbone (network bus).
Additional Network Information
For more information on creating or expanding a network refer to the
NMEA 2000 network setup booklet, part number 988-0154-173, which
came packed with this document.
Existing network
node
Attach
terminator at
end of bus
Use T-connector or double T connector to add
device to bus (maintaining linear architecture)
Backbone cable
to rest of bus
Devices connect to
double T connector
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Notes
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LMF-200: EP-80R TH
Temp Configuration
This section will show you how to use the LMF-200 Multi-function
gauge to configure your EP-80R TH Temperature Sensor.
NOTE:
You will notice the LMF-200 does not have an Exit key. Menus will
time out after a preset amount of time (3, 5, 10 or 15 seconds). The
default setting is 5 seconds. Refer to your LMF-200 instruction
manual for more information on the Timeout feature.
LMF-200 Multi-function Digital Gauge
Boat Setup
If this is the first time you have turned on your LMF-200, you will have
to complete Boat Setup before you will be able to configure your temp
sensor. If you have already completed Boat Setup skip ahead to the se-
gment covering EP-80R TH Configuration.
To execute Boat Setup:
1. With Boat Setup highlighted on the screen, press MENU. The Boat
Setup menu will appear, allowing you to select an engine-tank configu-
ration to match the number of engines and fuel tanks on your vessel.
Boat Setup options include: 1 En/1 Tk, 1 En/2 Tk, 2 En/1 Tk, 2 En/2 Tk,
3 En/1 Tk and 3 En/3 Tk.
2. Use the UP and DOWN keys to select the correct configuration and
press MENU.
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3. If you selected a configuration with more than one tank you will have
to select the tank you want to set up and press MENU, which will open
the Tank Size window. (If you choose a single-tank configuration, you
will not have to choose the tank. You will be directed straight to the
Tank Size window covered in Step 4.)
4. Use the UP and DOWN keys to input the number of gallons the tank
will hold and press MENU. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each additional
tank. After all tanks have been set up, you will be directed to the main
display.
Boat Setup Reset
If you want to access the Setup screen (Boat Setup) after an engine-
tank configuration has been chosen you will have to reset the configu-
ration to default settings.
To reset engine tank configuration:
1. Press MENU, highlight SYSTEM SETUP and press MENU.
2. Choose ENG/TANK and press MENU twice. The following message will
appear: Hit menu to reset Eng/Tnk.
3. Press MENU. The Setup screen will appear with Boat Setup high-
lighted.
EP-80R TH Configuration
The EP-80R TH temperature sensor has three configuration options:
Inside, Outside and Water. An unconfigured temperature sensor will
appear on the Bus Devices list as UnCfg Temp.
To configure a temp sensor:
1. Press MENU, use the UP and DOWN keys to select SYSTEM SETUP and
press MENU.
2. Highlight B. DEVICES and press MENU. After a few moments the Bus
Devices list will appear.
3. Highlight UNCFG TEMP and press MENU. The following message will
appear: Hit Menu to Cfg Temp Sns.
4. Press MENU to be taken to the Selecting Temp menu, which will have
three options: Inside, Outside and Water.
5. Highlight the desired temp option and press MENU. The temp sensor
has now has been configured. You will be directed to the Bus Devices
list.
NOTE:
If your temp sensor is not updated on the Bus Devices list, refresh
the list by letting it time out and then access it again.
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