Uniden MC 800 User manual

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MC 800 LCD Fishfinder
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Table of Contents
Welcome! """""""""""""" 1
Unpacking
Controls and Functions 2
Controls and Functions - Cont'd 3
Controls and Functions - Cont'd . . . .. 4
MC800 Indicator Unit - Controls. . . . . . . . . . . .. 5
Features 6
MC800 Indicator Unit - Display. . . . . . . . . . . .. 7
Installation - Indicator Unit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8
Installation - Indicator Unit - 2 . . . . . . . . " . . . .. 9
Installation - Indicator Unit - 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 10
Installation-ConnectingPower 11
Installation-Transducer-General 12
Installation-Transom Mount 13
Installation - Transom Mount. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 14
Installation - Thru-Hull Mount. . . . . . . . . . . . .. 15
Installation - Wet Box Mount. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 16
Installation-Direct Mount 17
Installation-Cabling 18
Operation 19
Basic Operation
Turning the Power on
Setting the Auto mode
Setting the Depth range
Setting the Zoom range
Setting the Sweep Speed
Operation-Continued 20
Setting the Gain
Silencing the Audio Alarms
Setting the Shallow Alarm
To silence the Shallow Alarm
Operation-Continued 21
Setting the Deep Alarm
To silence the Deep Alarm
Setting the Fish Alarm
To silence the Fish Alarm
Using the Flash Mode
Using the Display Freeze
Using the Backlight
Operation-Continued 22
Using the Simulator Mode
Digital Display Mode
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Table of Contents
AnchorWatch 23
Contour Navigation 24
Interpreting Screen Pictures - 1 ,25
Interpreting Screen Pictures -2 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 26
Interpreting Screen Pictures -3 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 27
Interpreting Screen Pictures -4 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 28
Interpreting Screen Pictures -5. . . . . . . . . . . . .. 29
Interpreting Screen Pictures -6 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 30
Interpreting Screen Pictures -7 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 31
Interpreting Screen Pictures -8 . . . . . . . . . . . . ., 32
Specifications 33
Troubleshooting 34
Warranty 35
Warranty-Cont'd 36
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Welcome!
to the world of high tech marine electronics. Your Uniden MC800
represents the finest in LCD Fishfinding technology. It's Super Twist
Nematic Liquid Crystal Display gives you the clearest, easiestto see
display in LCD Fishfinders today. And, the display won't "wash out"
in bright sunlight like other fishfinders.
Unpacking
When unpacking your MC 800, the following items should be found
in the box. If an item is missing, pleasecontact yqur Uniden dealer
immediately. .MC 800 Indicator Unit
.200 KHz Transducer Kit, (Transom or optional
Thru-Hull Mount) with a water temperature senser
.Power Cable with inline fuse
.Gimbal Mounting Bracket
.Swivel Mount Kit (optional)
.Gimbal Mount Clamping Knobs x2
.Clamping Knob Rubber VVashersx2
.Instruction Manual
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Controls 0and Functions
... 1. Power On/Off and Simulation On/Off Key - This key is
used to turn the unit on or off, and to begin the simulation mode.
Press once to turn the power on, press again to turn the power off.
Pressand hold for more than 2 secondswhen turning the poweron
to enter the simulation mode.
~2. Backlight On/Off Key - This key is used to turn the
display backlighting on and off. Press once to turn on, and press
again to turn off.
~3. Alarm Clear, Alarm Buzzer and Zoom On/Off Key -
Use this key to shut off the audible alarm when it sounds for either
the shallow, deep, or fish alarms. To clear an alarm or zoom, first
press the associated key (either shallow, deep fish or zoom) and then
press the reset button.
-4. Up or increase Key - This key is used in conjunction
with the depth range, zoom range, shallow alarm, deep alarm, gain
level, and display sweep speed controls. Pressing this button will in-
crease or raise the appropriate item.
--- 5. Downor DecreaseKey- This key operates in a similar
fashion to the up or increase key, except that this one decreases or
lowers the appropriate item.
IimimII 6. Depth Range Selection - This key is used with the A
and A keys to set the range to display. To set the range, first press
this key, t-hen use the A or V key until the desired range is indicated
on the display.
IE!mII 7. Automatic Operation - Pressing the Auto key tells your
MC800 to automatically select the optimum range, gain, and sweep
speeds for clearest viewing.The word 11AUTO" is displayed at the
bottom of the screen when in this operating mode.
II!mDII 8. Gainlevel Control - This control is used to set the gain
of the receive section for maximum clarity. It is usually set to the
highest point possible before interference is shown on the screen. To
use this function, first press the Gain key, and then use the A and V
keys to set the gain to the desired level. The gain is shown on the
Gain bar graph at the top of the LCDscreen. The gain isadjustable in
8 steps.
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Controls and Functions-Cont'd
~9. Display Sweep Speed Key with Freeze mode - The
Sweep button is used to control the speed at which the display
moves across the screen to compensate for boat speed. You can also
freeze the display for closer examination of interesting underwater
features. To set the display sweep speed, first press the Sweep key
(which will freeze the display), and then use the 1\ and V keys to
adjust the sweep to the desired speed. The sweep speed is displayed
on the Sweep Bar Graph at the bottom of the display. There are
eight possible settings for the Sweep speed.
~10. Shallow Alarm Set - This control is used with the 1\
and V keys to set the depth above which the audible alarm will
sound; i. e. if the shallow alarm depth isset to 20 feet, and you take
your boat into water 19 feet deep, the alarm will sound. To set the
shallow alarm, first press the Aim S key, then use the 1\ and V keys
to set the alarm to the desired depth. The depth that the alarm is set
to is displayed on the bar graph at the right side of the display. When
the alarm is set, a black bar will extend down from the top of the
display.
EmI!J 11. Deep Alarm Set - This control is used with the 1\ and
V keys to set the depth below which the audible alarm will sound;
i. e. if the deep alarm is set to 20 feet, and you take your boat into
water 21 feet deep, the alarm will sound. To set the deep alarm, first
press the Aim D key, and then use the Up and Down keys to set the
alarm to the desired depth. The depth that the alarm isset to isdis-
played on the bar graph at the right side of the display. When the
alarm is set, a black bar will extend up from the bottom of the dis-
play.
E::I 12. FishAlarm- This control is used to turn the audible
Fish Alarm on or off. Press once to turn on, and press again to turn
off. When the Fish Alarm is turned on, the audible alarm will sound
anytime an echo above the bottom isdetected.
~13. Flash Key - This control is used to turn the echo flash
mode on or off. Press once to turn on, and press again to turn off.
When the flash mode is on, all echoes above the bottom will flash on
and off, to call attention to them.
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Controls'and Functions-Cont's
~14. Zoom - This control is used with the A, V, and Reset
keys to set the Zoom range. To initiate this mode, press the Zoom
key once, and the vertical zoom cursor will appear on the right side
of the screen. Set the desired Zoom range by moving the cursor with
the A and v, then press the Zoom key again. The Zoom range scales
appear with a digital numeric display, Zoom mode starts, and an
expanded (zoomed) chart appears over the whole of the screen. The
Zoom range is normally set to 15 feet, but can be changed in 1 foot
increments. You can also change the Zoom setting while in the Zoom
mode by pressing the Zoom key, and then either the A or V keys to
change the Zoom position.
~15. Digital Display Mode - This control is used to turn the
Digital Display Mode on or off. When you first turn the unit on, the
display will show the normal chart display mode. Press the DDM
button once to giveyou a large Digital Depth and Water Temperature
display. Press the DDM or AUTO buttons to return to normal chart
display mode. While in DDM,all functions except AUTO and LIGHT
are disabled.
16. Key Press Timing - In case you did not press a sub-
key within 5 seconds after you pressed a function key, the keying is
cancelled with a short beep tone. -
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MC 800 Indicator Unit-Controls
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Features
The Uniden MC800 has a large number of features that make it easy
to use. These are:
. Automatic Operation
. Shallowand Deepalarmswith on-screengraphs
.Audible Fish Alarm
.Variable Sweep Speeds
.Adjustable Gain
.Digital Depth Display
.Digital Range Display
.Display Freeze
.Display Backlighting
.Simulator Mode
.Zoom Function
.Flash Mode
.Surface Water Temperature Display
Refer to the section on operation for details on how to use these
featu res.
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MC 800 Indicator Unit-Display
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D1, Surface Water Temperature
D2, Gain Bar Graph
D3, Shallow Alarm Bar Graph
D4. Zoom Cursor
D5, Deep Alarm Bar Graph
D6, Fish Alarm Indicator
D7, Sweep Speed Bar Graph
08, Zoom On or Auto On Indicator
D9, Current Depth Readout
D10. Degital Scale
D11.Surface Line
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Installation-Indicator Unit 0 0 0
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The Indicator Unit may be mounted with the gimbal mounting brack-
et (included)or with the swivelbasemount (optional).Selecta con-
venient location suitable for easy viewing in a sheltered area out of
direct sunlight if possible.
Warning
Do not mount the unit within 18 inches of a compass, as the unit
generates high frequency pulses which may affect it's accuracy. Also,
do not install any wiring for the unit within 18 inches of your com-
pass.
Warning
Uniden does not represent this unit to be waterproof. To reduce the
risk of fire or electrical shock, do not mount this unit where it may
be exposed to rain or spray.
To mount the unit with the gimbal mounting bracket
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Installation-Indicator Unit-2
MOUNT AT LEAST
19" OR 50cm FROM COMPASS
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To mount the unit with the gimbal base mount
Ceiling Mount
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Installation-Indicator Unit-3
Side Wall Mount
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InstaIlation- ConnectingPower
The MC 800 will work with any ship's 12 volt nominal DC voltage.
(see specifications for more details) Connect the power cable fur-
nished to a DC source capable of supplying at least 1.0 amperes of
current. The power leads should normally be routed to the ship's DC
power distribution panel (on larger boats) or directly to the battery
main circuit breaker (on smaller boats).
Be sure to observe the proper polarity when connecting the power.
The red lead wire of the power cable should be connected to the
positive terminal, and the black lead should be connected to the
negative terminal.
Warning
The indicator unit is protected by an inline 1.0 ampere fuse. To
reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, replace this fuse only with
one of the proper specification.
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Installation-Transducer-General,
Transducer
The MC800 is designed to work with either a transom mount type
200 KHZ transducer, or a thru-hull mount 200 KHztransducer.
The transducer element is that portion of the system that converts
the electrical pulse from the sounder into a sound wave which is
transmitted downward to the bottom and returned as an echo. This
echo is picked up by the transducer, converted back into an electrical
signal, and sent to the sounder, which then measures the time the
echo took to return and converts this information for display on the
unit.
The transducer is the heart of the system. It is a delicate instrument
and should be handled accordingly. The thru-hull transducer element
is housed in a lexan casting with an epoxy surface. The epoxy surface
is the "window" through which the ultrasonic pulses travel, and
therefore should be as smooth as possible.
Note
Use extreme caution when handling, installing and using the trans-
ducer to prevent damage to the transducer [ace.
Also, when handling the transducer, avoid lifting by, or pulling on
the transducer cables. This can cause damage to the cable causing
failure at an inopportune time.
Since the mounting location of the transducer will vary with the type
of vessel and it's particular type of hull construction, the following
mounting rules generally apply.
Mount the transducer
.Where it will be continually immersed in water when the vessel
under way.
. Where turbulent water will not passover the transducer face.
. As far from the engine and propeller aspractical.
.Where it will be protected from striking submerged objects.
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Hull Type Mounting Method
Thru-Hull Wet Box Transom Direct Bonding
Double Hull .J .J
Foam Cored .J .J
BalsaCored .J .J
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Installation- Transom Mount
Installation of the transom mounted type of transducer is illustrated
below. Ideally, the transducer should be mounted so that the face of
the transducer is perpendicular with the sea bottom. On boats with
one propeller, the transducer should be mounted at least 15 inches
(400mm) either side of the centerline to minimize the effects of
turbulence. Depending on the direction of rotation of your propeller,
the transducer should be mounted either of the left or to the right of
the propeller. (see drawing below). When installed, the tilt angle of
the transducer should be lessthan 10° for maximum efficiency.
Once you have determined the best possible mounting location, pro-
ceed as follows:
.Check to make sure that the transducer and bracket are correct-
ly assembled (see below)
.If necessary, adjust the bracket angle to conform to the angle
(rake) of the transom.
. Verify that the face of the transducer iswithin 10° of horizon-
tal.
. Mark and install the transducer/bracket assembly to the tran-
som with screws.
Warning
Use caution when installing the screws for the mounting bracket so
as not to breach the integrity of the hull. It may be necessary to in-
stall backing plates, etc. to be able to mount the transducer.
TRANSDUCER
Transducer Mounting - CCWPropeller Rotation
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Installation.-Transom Mount
TRANSDUCER
Transducer Mounting - CW Propeller Rotation
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5°- 10°
ANGLE
Mounting Bracket and Transducer
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Mounting the Bracket and Transducer to the Hull
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Installation-Thru-Hull Mount
Drill a hole in the bottom of the boat large enough to accomodate
the stem of the transducer. Use fairing blocks to "sandwich" the
transducer and to waterproof the area of installation. By shaping the
fairing block located beneath the hull, you can reduce the amount of
drag on your boa't. This is the best mounting for obtaining maximum
performance from your system, however, there are also disadvantages
to this type of mount, such as:
.Damagecan be caused to the transducer and/or hull when load-
ing or unloading your boat from atrailer.
.Damageor sinking can occur if the transducer strikes a submerg-
ed object while boating.
. Barnacles and other marine life will attach to and grow on the
transducer impairing performance.
.This type of mount will causenoticeable drag on high perform-
ance hulls.
NUT
-CANVAS WASHER
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FAIRING BLOCK
"BOAT HULL
FAIRING BLOCK
TRANSDUCER
Thru Hull Mount
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Installation-Wet Box Mount ..
The second best type of mounting (where practical) isthe "Wet Box"
method. With this type of mount, it is an absolute requirement that
the hull is solid, and not a double hull or cored hull design. Use a
piece of PVC pipe or similar material to create a small chamber.
Epoxy the pipe in place against the hull, being sure that the epoxy is
applied all around the pipe so that it will hold liquid. Make a lid to
fit the top of the chamber and mount the transducer to the lid. Fill
the chamber with mineral oil which won't evaporate or causecorro-
sion as water would. In operation, the signal is transmitted through
the mineral oil and through the hull. (The viscosity of the mineral oil
will not affect the accuracy of the display.) The primary advantages
of this type of mount is that there is no hole through the hull to
compromise it's integrity, and the transducer is protected from the
growth of marine life.
If using this type of mount on a tri-hull or cathedral hull, make sure
that you don't mount the transducer over an air slot.
On planing hulls, make sure that the transducer is mounted over an
areathat is always submerged.
A transom mount transducer may also be used.
If you usethis type of mounting with your MC 800, you will haveto
add an external temperature sensorto obtain water temperatures.
WATER OR
MINERAL 01L
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TRANSDUCER
EPOXY COMPOUN D
SOLI D FI BERGLASS, STEEL OR ALUMINUM HULL
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Wet Box Mount
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Installation-Direct Mount
In this mounting method, the transducer is mounted directly to the
hull. At the location you have selected for mounting, apply epoxy
or air-free silicone rubber cement to the hull and to the face of the
transducer. Roll the transducer into place, making sure that there are
no air bubbles. Allow to set for at least 12 hours. The signal is trans-
mitted directly through the hull. Please note that this type of mount
cannot be used on double hull, foam cored, balsa cored, or similar
type hulls.
A transom mount transducer may also be used.
If you use this type of mounting with your MC800, you will have to
add an external temperature sensor to obtain water temperatures.
TRANSDUCER
EPOXY COMPOUND EPOXY COMPOUND
NO AIR BUBBLES SOLI D FIBERGLASS
OR METAL HULL
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