Simrad PI HEIGHT - QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE REV A User manual

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QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
PI Height sensor
Purpose
The
PI Height
sensor monitors the
current height of the trawl, as well
as the rate of any height changes. All
measurements are related to the bottom.
(A) = The PI Height sensor is normally mounted on the headrope, and by means of the
built-in echo sounder it will measure the distance to the bottom.
(B) = Echo sounder transmission field
Daily operation
Once installed and put to use, the Height
sensor will automatically be switched
on once the waterswitch is activated.
After an initial startup, the sensor starts
the echo sounder, and the depth results
are transmitted to the vessel. When the
sensors are not in use, check that the
sensor lamp (D) do not flash from time
to time, as this indicates that the sensor is
on and is discharging its batteries. In this
case, wash the sensor in fresh water to
remove salt and dirt.
If you operate with
Fast
update rate, the
Fast update rate, the Fast
sensors must be charged approximately
every 35 hours. Used with
Normal
or
Slow
update rates, the operational
life is approximately 60 or 250 hours
respectively. The optimal sensor charging
temperature is from +10 to +25° C. The
sensor can only be charged with the
PI
Charger
.
Note: Charging sensors at sub-zero
temperatures can create explosive
gasses. Simrad assumes no liability for
the improper charging of sensors or the
use of chargers not specified in Simrad’s
sensor charging documentation.
Main parts
(A) = Negative charging and fastening lug
(A) = Negative charging and fastening lug
(B) = Positive charging and fastening lug
(B) = Positive charging and fastening lug
(C) = Communication link
(D) = Location of sensor lamp
(E) = Water switch sensor
(with sacrificial bolt)
(F) = Echo sounder
transducer - must
be directed towards
the seabed!
Sensor confi guration
On delivery, all Height sensors are
configured in
Channel 14
and with
Fast
update rate.
Note: The sensor and the PI system
setup must correspond, otherwise the
communication will not work.
To change the sensor setup (channel
selection), use the
PI Configurator
utility.
PI Configurator utility.PI Configurator
The sensor update rate controls how
often the sensor reads and reports the
height. Three settings are available. Note
that a faster update rate will decrease the
battery life.
Fast
(~5,5 sec): Recommended for new
trawl or changes in rigging to monitor
any instabilities or unexpected changes.
This mode provides the shortest battery
life before charging.
Normal
(~14 sec): Recommended for
well known trawl behavior with stable
857-165110 / Rev.B / December 2005
A
B
(CD11205A)
situations. Use this setting during normal
conditions.
Slow
(~34 sec): Recommended to
monitoring a stable situation over time.
The system will be more sensitive to bad
communication conditions due to the slow
data update. This mode provides longest
operational battery life before charging.
System confi guration
Sensor configuration:
The sensor
must be configured with a unique
sensor number. Select update rate
and channel number according to the
sensor’s configuration. Write down this
configuration for future reference.
Status & Receiver:
The Interference
filter must be switched on. Set it to
Level
9
if you have noise problems from other
hydroacoustic sources. Note that with
the filter on, it will influence the signal
spectrum shown in the
Status display
.
Catch/Bottom sensor filter:
Switch this
filter off. Set it to
Light
or
Light or Light
Heavy
only if
you experience excessive noise. Position
Off
will provide raw data and fastest
Off will provide raw data and fastest Off
possible response.

MAXIMIZING YOUR PERFORMANCE AT SEA
www.simrad.com
Numerical presentation
On the PI display, the distance to the
bottom is displayed in the numeric
display. If the height is increasing or
decreasing, this is shown with two
arrows and the variation in meters per
second. When the readings are stable,
the digits are shown in black colour.
When the values are predicted, the digits
are grey, and if the contact is lost, the
characters
***
are shown in grey. If
bottom contact is lost, or the depth is out
of range, the displays shows
???
.
(A) = Sensor set up as sensor no.1.
(B) = Height measured in meters.
(C) = Current distance from the sensor to the
bottom.
(D) = The distance is decreasing by 3 meters per
minute.
Mounting
Location
: Place the sensor where you wish to
monitor the height. This is normally aft of the
headrope at the center of the net.
Ensure that you mount the sensor with the
reverse side (D) and the echo sounder transducer
(E) pointing towards the bottom! The SIMRAD
print on the sensor (C) must point up towards the
water surface!
Mounting
: Secure the two forward fastening
lugs (A) using two snap hooks and rope. Then,
secure the two aft fastening lugs (B) using snap
hooks and strong rubber bands. This mounting
places the sensor in a cradle supported on all four
sides.
In order to secure the sensor in place, we
recommend that you assemble a bag of fine-
meshed net, and ties this to the trawl close to the
middle of the headrope. Then, mount the sensor
inside this bag. The sensor must be properly
secured to prevent it from moving sideways or
rotate during use. Make sure that you have best
possible free view between the sensor and the
bottom, and between the sensor and the vessel.
(A) = Rope and snap hooks
(B) = Rubber bands and snap hooks
(C) = SIMRAD imprint on the sensor must point
up!
(D) = Reverse side of sensor
(E) = Echo sounder transducer must point
towards the bottom!
1
H1 [m]
3.1
A B CED

F
G
H
(CD11101R)
BB
A A
(CD11205B)
30
cm
C
D
E
(E) = Arrows pointing “out” means that
the height is increasing. Arrows pointing
“in” means that the height is decreasing.
(F) = Graphic alarm
(G) = Indicator, lit for every sensor
interrogation.
(H) = Interference symbol.
Sacrifi cial water switch
sensor
If the water switch on your sensor is a
sacrificial brass screw, this screw must
be checked every month. Whenever
required due to wear and tear, the screw
must be replaced. Refer to the operational
procedures in the operator manual.