VEXILAR FL Series User manual

1
VEXILAR FL/FLX SERIES OWNERS MANUAL
FL-8®SE | FLX-12 | FL-18 | FLX-20 | FLX-28 | FLX-30BB
MNL017U RV2020
Contents
Vexilar History 2
How Sonar Works 3
Basic Concepts of Vexilar Use 4
The Vexilar Display 5
Interference Rejection Explained 6
Vexilar Ice Fishing 7
Seeing Your Lure 8
The Ice-Ducer 9
About Transducers 10
Dead Zone 11
Boat Use 12
Fishing Vegetation 13
Boat Installation 14
Power Connection 14
Transducer Installation 15
Transom Transducer Mounting 16
In-Hull Transducer Mounting 17
Electric Trolling Motor Mounting 18
Open Water Options 19
Features & Specications 20
FL-8®SE Operation 22
FLX-12 Operation 24
FL-18 Operation 26
FLX-20 Operation 30
FLX-28 Operation 36
FLX-30BB Operation 44
FLX-30BB Display Messages 49
FLX-28 and FLX-30BB Color Palettes 56
The Genz Pack System Case 58
The Pro Pack II Case 60
The Ultra Pack Case 62
SLA Battery Charging 64
Vexilar Lithium Charging 66
Battery Warranties 68
Vexilar Lithium Warranty 68
DD-100 Digital Depth Indicator 69
Flasher Accessories 70
Transducers Options 72
Transducer Switches and Extensions 73
Storage & Prevention Tips 74
General Trouble Shooting 74
Electrical Interference 75
Vexilar Support 76
Two-Year Extended Limited Warranty 78
Extended Limited Warranty 79
Warranty Information 80
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23
Pioneers in Marine Electronics
Established in 1960, Vexilar, Inc. has been a leading innovator
of marine electronics in the sport shing industry for over 60
years.
Some of our innovations include the rst:
• Straight-line paper graph for sportshing (model 155)
• CRT (television) display (model 660)
• Color display (model DE-12)
• Fish alarm (model 120-SOS)
• Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) (model 480)
• Self-leveling ice shing transducer design (Ice-Ducer)
• The rst split-screen zoom asher (model FL-18)
• Shoot-through-aluminum transducer design (AlumaDucer)
• 10’ Range Flasher (FL-22HD)
• Transducer with three cone angles in one housing.
• WiFi sonar driven by mobile app (SonarPhone)
• Aftermarket Digital Depth Display for FL ashers (DD-100)
• Flasher to use Brushless Data transfer tech (FLX-28)
• Broad Band asher sonar (FLX-30BB)
How Sonar Works
SONAR stands for SOund NAvigation and Ranging. Sound travels through fresh water at a speed of approximately 4920 feet per second.
A sonar device (depth nder/sh nder) measures the amount of time a burst of energy takes to travel to the bottom and return to the
transducer. This time variation is then displayed on the readout of your sonar. When the depth gets deeper, the time of travel for the
sound increases. The burst of energy, known as the transmit pulse, is generated by the sonar’s transmit circuitry. This burst is delivered
to the water via the transducer. The return signal, known as the echo, is received by the receiver circuit, also via the transducer. A central
processing unit makes the calculations to determine the depth and signal strength of the bottom and other targets.
The sonar signal sent from the transducer will reect, or bounce o of any object that has a dierent density than water. This makes it
possible to detect not only the lake bottom, but also vegetation and sh.
How Flashers Work
The sonar portion of a asher works in the same manner as any other graph or LCD sonar
device. The dierence is in how the return signal is displayed. Instead of adding the data to a
progressive representation of the bottom to construct a history, the data on the asher display
always represents the current point in time, also known as “real time”. The display consists of
a wheel with indicator lights mounted in one location. The wheel is spun at high speed and the
lights turn on and o rapidly to show the sonar readings.
The Vexilar Advantage
Vexilar’s sonar design oers an optimal balance between the power of the transmitted pulse and the sensitivity
of the receiver circuit. Excessive power has been shown to cause premature transducer failure, distortion of the
sonar signal, and possibly spook sh from the audible noise they hear. Vexilar provides a balanced performance
level for a wide range of shing scenarios.
Flasher Wheel Stationary
Flasher Wheel Spinning
Lights turn on
and off rapidly
as the wheel is
spun
VEXILAR HISTORY
19 60
own the ice
The FL & FLX series three-color flashers continue to lead the way
in real-time high definition flasher performance. Quality products
backed by world leading customer service are the bedrock of
Vexilar, Inc.
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45
BASIC CONCEPTS OF VEXILAR USE
Vexilar FL/FLX series color ashers are great tools for open water and
ice shing. Once you learn to understand the basic concepts and meaning
of the color display, you can apply this knowledge to greatly increase your
shing success. All the FL/FLX Series ashers can be used for:
• Determining the current depth at any boat speed.
• Locating sh-holding underwater structure.
• Determining the bottom hardness and transition lines.
• Penetrating thick vegetation to see what’s below.
• Finding sh and the bait they feed on.
• Watching your bait and the sh around it.
Range Control
Depth Range determines the maximum depth of water in which the
asher can see the bottom. For example, the shallowest range available
on the FL-18 is 0 to 20 feet. This means that if the water depth is between
zero and 20 feet, the bottom will be displayed on the screen. If the water
depth gets deeper than 20 feet, you will need to select a deeper depth
range in order to see the bottom. It is usually best to select the shallowest
depth range possible to see the bottom. This allows the water column
below to be represented by the greatest amount of display screen area.
This oers the highest resolution, makes things bigger and easier to see.
THE VEXILAR DISPLAY
Each FL series asher display consists of multiple colors
(marks) which appear at various positions on the screen.
Understanding what the colors mean, and the position and
size of the colored marks, is the key to being able to interpret
the information correctly.
RED = Strong Strength Signals. Strong signals are
generally produced by signicant underwater objects, such as
the bottom, heavy vegetation, and large sh. However, smaller
objects, such as bait sh, can display as red if the object is
directly under the transducer.
ORANGE = Medium Strength Signals. Medium
signals are produced by smaller objects and softer bottom
types. Also, medium strength signals can be produced by
larger objects in the immediate area around, but not directly
under, the transducer.
GREEN = Weak Strength Signals. Weak signals
are produced by small objects, such as light vegetation, bait
sh, and even air bubbles or aquatic micro marine life. Larger
objects o to the sides of the transducer can also be displayed
as green.
The Zero mark always shows, even if
the transducer is unplugged. This mark
indicates the starting point. Marks just beyond
the Zero mark can
indicate algae, floating
vegetation, or even “ice
noise” caused by thick
ice conditions.
Bottom is generally
the most prominent
mark on the
display. Bottom
usually starts with
a wide band of red,
with orange and
green trailing.
READ DEPTH HERE: The current depth
is indicated by the leading edge of the
bottom mark. The depth is 12 feet here.
You read the
display in the
clock-wise
direction. The
further around
you go, the
deeper the water.
Fish, bait fish, and even
your lure, will show
anywhere between
the Zero mark and the
Bottom mark. Here,
a weak object shows
about a foot above a
much stronger object.
Marks beyond the
bottom mark can
indicate either hard
objects within a
soft bottom or large
objects well off to
the side.
Understanding the Display Marks
This is the basics of what you will see on the display.
FLX-28 and FLX-30BB models have additional color options. See page 56 for more information.
Gain Control
Gain controls the amount of amplication applied to the return
sonar signal. Think of gain as your volume control. You turn up the
gain to see more of what’s below. You turn down the gain to see less
of what you don’t want to see. The goal is to nd a gain level that
shows you as much real information as possible, without displaying
stray signals of clutter and interference. Keep the gain setting as low
as possible for best overall performance.
Gain can act as a variable cone angle. As you increase the gain level,
you can see things further away from the transducer. This can be
helpful in uncluttered conditions. If you don’t see anything on the
screen (other than bottom), turn up the gain temporarily and see if
anything shows up. If it does, it could be a sh some distance away
from your transducer. Unfortunately, this won’t work in cluttered
water, such as weedy conditions, because the objects in the center
of the cone will get amplied and overlap anything on the outside,
making these objects impossible to distinguish. This is the hallmark
of the Pro-View transducer.
Interference Rejection
This feature rejects sonar interference generated by other nearby
depth sounders. Interference Rejection, or IR, comes on automatically
when you turn the asher on, and you can further adjust it if needed.
See page 6 for details.
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67
INTERFERENCE REJECTION EXPLAINED
The purpose of interference rejection is to reduce cross-talk interference from other nearby depth sounders. This can be very helpful if you have
another sounder mounted on your boat running at the same frequency as your asher. It is also helpful when other anglers are running sounders
operating at the same frequency as your asher nearby.
Cross-talk interference occurs when the signals sent from one depth sounder are received by another. If the two sounder’s frequencies are the same,
each unit is unable to dierentiate between its own signals and others. What you see as interference is actually the reading of the other sounder
displayed on your screen. The signals can circle around the display or remain
stable. Beware of the stationary interference signals. They can lead you to
believe the depth is dierent than it is or that there’s a sh hanging below
you which really isn’t there.
Usually, when you see interference on one sounder, the other sounder will
show it too. Therefore, when you use your Interference Rejection to reduce
or eliminate the interference on your display, the other sounder will see
a similar reduction. This means you can use your Vexilar asher next to
another sounder which does not have the I.R. feature and both sounders
can run more clearly.
If two Vexilar units are operating together, you will get the best results
by leaving the IR setting at one level on one unit, while adjusting out the
interference displayed on both units using the second unit’s IR feature. Interference occurs when the cone angles of two different sounders
operating at the same frequency intersect. It can also occur if the
sonar signal from one sounder bounces off an underwater object and is
received by another sounder.
7.5’ 8.7’
Bottom at 11.7’
Distance from Center of Cone
Water Surface
8.1’
40
20
5
I5
25
35
I0
30
80
40
I0
30
50
70
20
60
60
30
I0
20
40
55
I5
45
I0
I5
5
I
2
3
4
6
7
8
9
I I
I2
I3
I4
I6
I7
I8
I9
VEXILAR ICE FISHING
The Vexilar FL & FLX series color ashers oer
distinct advantages over LCD depth sounders for the
sport of ice shing. This unique style of shing oers
a stable platform to sh from. Because everything is so
stable, the only movements below are that of sh.
Additionally, the conditions allow you to drop your bait
directly down into the center of the transducer’s cone
of sound. This allows you to be able to see your bait
and the sh on the display at the same time. You can
tease the sh and see his reaction in real time.
With practice, you will soon be able to judge for
yourself both sh species as well as the mood of the
sh, and whether your lure presentation is working or
not.
Please Use Caution
Before venturing onto the ice to go shing, be sure
you know if the conditions are safe. Check with the
local bait shops AND cautiously check the ice thickness
yourself. You should have at least 6” of clear ice to
safely support yourself and your ice shing equipment.
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89
THE ICE-DUCER
Vexilar ice shing systems include a special type of transducer patented in 1997 called the
Ice-Ducer®. This transducer style is designed specically for the ice shing application. The Ice-Ducer®
works o the “plumb-bob” theory. When suspended by the cable, the transducer cone is perfectly aligned
to point straight down.
Stopper - The stopper sets the depth of the transducer. It’s adjustable so you can set
the depth according to your preference or conditions. Generally, you want to set it so
the bottom of the transducer is even with the bottom of the ice.
Float - The oat suspends the transducer in the ice hole. You can also use the eye-bolt
included with the Vexilar ice shing systems to suspend the transducer. This can often
be the best choice for early ice conditions.
Cable - Ice-Ducer® cable is specically designed to stay exible in cold temperatures.
This exible cable will be more prone to be cut by your line or damaged if not stored
correctly. It’s a key part of the Ice-Ducer®system.
Transducer - The transducer is designed to allow a perfectly downward alignment
while suspended and be able to endure the severe conditions encountered in the ice
shing environment. Dierent cone angles are available to match your shing needs;
9° Pro-View, 12°,19°and Broad Band (FLX-30 Only). Transducer sizes will vary.
See page 72 for more information.
SEEING YOUR LURE
The key to ice shing success when using a Vexilar
ice shing system is the ability to see your shing
lure and its relationship to the bottom, structure,
and sh. Ice shing with a Vexilar allows you to
present your lure to the sh. You see the sh on
the display and you raise your lure so it is right
above the sh on the display. If the sh is hungry,
it will bite. If not, it will react in some way to your
presentation, such as with disinterest or fear. You
can see this reaction on the asher display and
adjust your tactics accordingly.
Setting the gain level correctly is important to be
able to understand what’s going on below you.
Use the lure’s appearance as your reference for
adjusting the Gain Control. Set it so your lure
appears as a green signal. Because the sh are
much larger than your bait, they will appear as
stronger signals. Be prepared to readjust the Gain
Control up and down often, as small position
changes and the condition of any bait attached
will eect the strength of your lure’s signal.
Typical Ice Fishing View
This illustrates a typical panfish
fishing view. As you lower your lure,
you see it going down on the display
while the curious fish rise to see what
it is. When the two signal lines meet,
it is time to be ready for a strike.
Bottom Fish
Several fish are holding near the
bottom. The thin green line right on the
bottom may be a fish just up off the
bottom, as the others are, but some
distance to the side.
Fish
A pair of fish are rising to your lure as it is
being dropped down. This is a good sign, as
competition can make fish more aggressive.
Lure
With the Gain Control set properly,
your lure will appear as a weak
signal. You want it to appear small
next to the fish, which are much
larger.
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10 11
ABOUT TRANSDUCERS
Cone of Sound
The cone of sound is the area the sound waves cover
as they are emitted from the transducer. Generally,
this area is thought of as three-dimensional cone,
such as an upside-down ice cream cone. In actuality,
the cone of sound is not so precisely dened. It is
an irregular shape with edges that taper rather than
end abruptly. Additionally, the cone of sound will
vary slightly from transducer to transducer.
Most objects are visible inside the theoretical cone,
but you can also see objects outside the theoretical
angle yet within the side and main lobes. These
objects must be large enough to suciently reect
the sonar signal. Some of these objects can be
things like the face of a sharp dropping bottom, a
large rock, or even a good size sh or tight group of
smaller sh.
Transducer
Side Lobe
Not all of the sound
waves come out of the
transducer’s bottom.
Some sound comes
out the sides and even
the top.
Main Lobe
The main lobe is
where most of the
sound waves go.
They extend out in
all directions, some
sides more than
others.
Theoretical Cone Angle
The theoretical cone angle
is what the transducer’s
specification defines.
This is the area where the
intensity of the sounds
waves drop to a specific
point (-6dB).
Cone angle vs
Diameter of Coverage
Depth 8° 9° 12° 19° 20°
10’ 1.4’ 1.6’ 2.2’ 3.4’ 3.5
20’ 2.8’ 3.2’ 4.3’ 6.7’ 6.9
30’ 4.2’ 4.7’ 6.3’ 10.0’ 10.6
40’ 5.6’ 6.3’ 8.4’ 13.4’ 14.1
50’ 7’ 7.9’ 10.6’ 16.7’ 17.6
60’ 8.4’ 9.4’ 12.6’ 20.8’ 21.2
70’ 9.4’ 11.0’ 14.7’ 23.4’ 24.7
80’ 11.2’ 12.6’ 16.8’ 26.8’ 28.2
90’ 12.6’ 14.2’ 20.0’ 30.1’ 31.7
100’ 14’ 15.7’ 21.0’ 33.5’ 35.3
120’ 16.8’ 18.9’ 25.2’ 40.2’ 42.3
150’ 21’ 23.6’ 31.5 50.2’ 52.9
DEAD ZONE
Beam angle has a large eect on the performance of your asher. There
is more to it than simply area of coverage. The correct beam angle to use
depends entirely on your application. If you are shing for suspended
sh then you would be pleased with the performance of the 19° cone.
However, if you were going after sh that are holding right on the bottom
along a steep drop-o, you would have better results with the 9°. This is
because of something called dead zone. Dead zone is an area within the
transducer’s cone of sound that is blind to you. The wider the beam angle
the greater the possible dead zone. The sonar will mark bottom as the
nearest distance it sees. If you are shing over a slope, it may see the high
side of the slope, at the edge of the cone, and mark that as bottom. The
sh that are holding on the bottom on the low side of the slope will be
invisible to you because they are actually within the bottom signal on your
depth nder. A narrower beam angle will reduce this eect.
Output Power
Your depth nder puts out a constant amount of power, or sound energy. It does not matter where you have the gain level set. Gain simply controls
how much you amplify the signal that is returned from below. Therefore, a narrow beam transducer will appear to be much more powerful than
a wide beam transducer. This is because you are putting that same amount of power into a smaller area. This can be an advantage if you are
shing in deep water or a detriment if you are shing in shallow water. A narrow beam transducer can be overpowering in shallow water. The
use of the LP (Low Power) Mode on your asher, or the optional S-Cable (page 70), will solve this problem.
Remember to NOT use LP Mode or the S-Cable in depths beyond 20 feet. You will nd that you need to turn your Gain Control up much higher
than normal. This will give a noisy display and make interference from other units much more likely.
The FLX-30 uses a special broad band transducer that oers a wide
spectrum of cone angles that vary with each frequency. The multi-frequency
system has dierent characteristics than the single-frequency transducer
described here. Broad Band transducers do not have side lobes.
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12 13
BOAT USE
Navigation
The Vexilar ashers are great tools for navigation while boating. The instantaneous readings oer the
ability to identify depth changes quickly. Here are some tips to help you navigate safely.
CAUTION:
• Be sure you know which range you have selected. If you think you have the asher set to a deeper
range than what it actually is, you may run aground unexpectedly.
• Be aware that although the depth displayed may be deep enough to navigate in presently, shallow
water may be dead ahead. Allow yourself plenty of time to slow down if shallow water is encountered.
• If no bottom is displayed, assume the depth is dangerously shallow. It may be deeper than the
selected range, but never assume so.
• Use common sense. Do not trust the asher as the ultimate source of information. Use good
judgment as well.
Bottom Content
The Vexilar ashers are also great tools for determining bottom content changes. The colors allow you
to easily see when the bottom changes from one type to another.
Hard or Soft Bottom
• Hard bottoms will generally appear as a narrow band with color content of mostly red and orange.
• Soft bottoms will appear as a wide band with more orange and green than red.
Hard Bottom
Soft Bottom
FISHING VEGETATION
The Vexilar ashers are exceptional when it comes
to reading inside vegetation. With proper transducer
choice, the colors will allow you to dierentiate
vegetation from the bottom. Experience will even
allow you to identify sh inside heavy vegetation.
Tips for Reading in Vegetation
• Narrow transducer cone angles will perform
better than wide cone angles.
• Keep the gain setting very low. Too much gain
will make readings dicult.
• Move a boat slowly so you can identify openings
that may hold sh.
Vegetation has grown up
to this point. In deeper
water (beyond several
feet) this is known as the
canopy. It’s where the
tops of the vegetation
spread out
Possible Fish
Although this red target
could indicate a clump of
vegetation, it could also
indicate a fish just under
the canopy
Bottom
Bottom will always be the
largest group of red and
orange signals.
Orange within the green generally
indicates thicker sections of the
vegetation. Although it warrants
watching, as it could also indicate a
fish on the outer edge of your cone.
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14 15
BOAT INSTALLATION
Mounting the Flasher Unit
Take a few minutes to plan your installation. The unit should be
mounted in a location where it will be readily visible yet out of
the way of trac. The mounting surface should be fairly at. Be
sure to allow clearance for the cables at the rear of the unit while
it tilts and swivels. The unit is weather-proof, not waterproof, so
try not to mount it in a location where it will be exposed to the
extreme forces of wave impact during severe conditions.
To Install the Flasher Unit
1. Obtain four appropriate fasteners for your mounting location.
2. Remove the asher unit from the gimbal bracket by removing
the two gimbal knobs on each side of the unit.
3. Position the bracket in your intended mounting location.
4. Mark the four holes and drill each using the appropriate drill
size.
5. Attach the gimbal bracket
using your four fasteners.
Tighten securely.
6. Replace the asher unit into
the gimbal bracket and tighten
the gimbal knobs.
Power Connection
Your asher unit requires a 12 volt power source to operate. A
connection can be made directly to a battery or a connection can be
tapped into a boat’s electrical system.
• If possible, power your asher using the main starting battery,
not a battery that powers an electric trolling motor.
• When routing the cable, be sure to stay away from, or provide
cable protection around, areas with sharp metal edges.
• If the supplied power cord is too short, extend it using 18 gauge
wire.
• IMPORTANT: Be sure to have circuit protection, such as a 1
amp fuse or circuit breaker, placed in the positive line near the
power source to protect the wiring.
To connect the asher to power:
1. Be sure the power cord is not connected to the asher.
2. Route the power cable from the asher location to the power
source.
3. Connect the white or red wire to the positive power source
terminal and the black wire to the negative terminal.
4. Connect the power plug to the asher’s power jack.
Flasher Unit
Rubber
Washer
Gimbal Knob
Gimbal Bracket
TRANSDUCER INSTALLATION
Types and Mounting Methods
There are several dierent transducer types used for the various
mounting options available to you. Choose the style which best
meets the needs for your mounting application.
Transducer Types
• High-Speed Transom: This style is designed to be mounted
externally on the transom of your boat. It has a special wedged
shape to allow clear water ow when running at high boat
speed.
• Puck Style: Puck transducers are meant for attachment to an
electric trolling motor. They have a special curved shape and
attachment slots just for this purpose. Pucks are also commonly
used for in-hull mounting within berglass boats.
Mounting Methods
• Transom Mounted: the method by which the transducer is mounted
externally on the back of the boat. The transducer is attached at the
bottom of the transom with a small portion of it extending below the
hull line. (see page 17)
• In-Hull Mounting: the method by which the transducer is glued to the
inside of the hull of the boat. The sonar signal shoots through the hull
and into the water. (see page 15)
• Trolling Motor Mounting: the method by which the transducer is
attached to the lower unit of the electric trolling motor. (see page 18)
• Portable Mounting: the solution when easy transducer removal from
the boat is desired. Generally, a suction cup bracket is used to attach
either a high-speed or puck style transducer to the rear of the boat. (see
page 19)
NOTE: If you nd that you have purchased the wrong transducer for
your intended mounting application, you can exchange it with Vexilar.
You will only need to pay the retail cost dierence, plus shipping, of the
transducer style needed. Transducers must be in new condition.
Please call for more information: 952-884-5291
High-Speed Transom Puck Style
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16 17
TRANSOM TRANSDUCER MOUNTING
Before you begin the process of installing the transducer, check your hull to
nd a spot where you’ll get a smooth water ow along the bottom of the boat.
You want to avoid ribs, rivets, and gouges or scratches in the hull. To get a true
vertical depth reading, the transducer should be mounted parallel to the water
line. However, a 10° tilt to either side is acceptable. If the hull is reasonably at
with a dead rise of 10° or less, mount the transducer along the hull bottom. If
dead rise is greater than 10°, mount the transducer with level alignment.
To Install the High-Speed Transducer
1. Assemble the stainless steel brackets to the transducer using the hardware
furnished. Do not tighten until nal adjustments are made.
2. Place assembly on transom at selected location with the front of the
transducer extending 1/2” to 5/8” below the bottom of the boat and with
the front part against the transom. The least amount that the transducer
extends below the bottom is desired. If too low, spray and turbulence will
occur resulting in lost bottom readings.
3. With transducer in place, mark the four slot locations of the mounting
brackets. Drill in center of slot outline using a 9/64” (3.5 mm) drill.
4. Fasten the transducer to the transom using the #10 x 3⁄4” screws, nuts and
washer plates.
5. Before nal tightening of the 4 screws holding the brackets to the
transducer, tip the rear edge down approximately 1/8” as shown.
6. Tighten all screws.
CAUTION: Do not use any thread locking compound on the
screws. Most products such as Loctite® contain chemicals
that attack and weaken plastics.
IMPORTANT: There should be no gap between the brackets
and the transducer. A wide space between these parts will
cause stress on the transducer mounting ears and result in
breakage with time.
When running the cable to the
sounder, avoid other wiring on
the boat, particularly ignition and
alternator cables. They can be
a source of noise on the sounder
display.
< 10°
> 10°
More than 10°
Less than 10°
Dead Rise
Angles
1/4” to 5/8”
Tip Down
1/8”
DOWN
IN-HULL TRANSDUCER MOUNTING
Surface preparation and location are the keys to having a good sonar transducer installation that will last for years, so please take a few extra
minutes to test the location and prepare the surface area. Also, the hull temperature should be at least 60° F while performing the installation.
Select an area in your boat. Ideally, for high speed operation, you will need to place the transducer near the center of the transom area of the boat,
which is often near the drain plug. You must attach the transducer to a solid hull area; this means you cannot have double hull aluminum or a foam
layer in the berglass between the transducer and the water.
To Install the In-Hull Transducer
1. Prepare the surface area. It is critical you nd a smooth, at spot to place your transducer. Small ridges, bumps or even paint under the
transducer will aect the quality of the sonar signal. Your surface preparation kit comes with a Scotch-Bright®pad to smooth any rough areas
down to the base material for a secure installation. Use the pad to rough-up the face of your transducer a little too. This will also aid in the
long-term quality of your installation.
2. Clean the area. Use the supplied cleaning patch of Isopropyl Alcohol to remove dust and dirt from
the target mounting area. Be sure to also wipe clean the face of your transducer. Let dry for a few
minutes.
3. Position the transducer. Place the transducer exactly where you want to install it. Apply the four
supplied positioning pads around the transducer. The positioning pads are needed to prevent your
transducer from drifting o the target area while the A.C.E. adhesive sets up.
4. Mix and apply the epoxy. Follow the mixing directions on the packet of A.C.E. Adhesive and apply
the entire packet contents directly to the face of the transducer.
5. Install the transducer. Place the transducer into position. Press rmly and twist slightly back-and-
forth to work-out any air bubbles that might have been trapped in the epoxy.
6. Installation complete. Allow the A.C.E. to dry.
Puck
Boat Hull
A.C.E.
Adhesive
DOWN
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18 19
ELECTRIC TROLLING MOTOR MOUNTING
There are two main styles of trolling motors: manual steer and electric steer. The proper mounting method depends
on the style of trolling motor.
Mounting to Electric Steer Motors
1. Position the transducer on the bottom side of the motor housing close to the center of the steering rotation.
2. Attach the transducer to the motor using the supplied cable tie.
3. Secure the cable to the lower-most part of the vertical motor shaft.
4. Run the cable through the carry handle on the motor’s steering drive motor. (If your motor does not have this, you’ll
need to come up with an “eye” to keep the cable in place as you stow and deploy the motor)
5. Secure the cable near the motor’s head at the top of the vertical shaft.
6. Route the cable down through the “coil cord” and out to your asher’s mounting location.
7. Stow and deploy the motor to insure the cable can move freely with the motor and that it cannot get pinched in any of
the motor workings.
Mounting to Manual Steer Motors
1. Position the transducer on the bottom side of the motor housing close to the center of the steering rotation.
2. Attach the transducer to the motor using the supplied cable tie.
3. Secure the cable to the lower-most part of the vertical motor shaft.
4. Route the cable up the shaft, securing it every 3 or 4 inches using cable ties or electrical tape. Be sure to leave a loop near
the section where the two vertical shafts meet to allow for motor rotation.
5. Route along the motor’s mounting bracket and out to your asher’s mounting location.
6. Stow and deploy the motor to insure the cable can move freely with the motor and that it cannot get pinched
in any of the motor working.
Transducer
Secure
Cable
Route
Through
Handle
Route
Through
Cord
Transducer
Leave
Loop
Secure
Cable
OPEN WATER OPTIONS
Universal Open Water Transducer Mounting Kit - TK-100
Year-round shing use of any Vexilar Flasher sonar system is made a lot easier and less expensive with the
Universal Open Water Transducer Mounting Kit from Vexilar. Includes a 20-degree transducer with 30 feet
of cable and the mounting brackets needed to attach it to the side of a boat with a suction cup mount, an
electric trolling motor mounting bracket or an external high-speed mounting bracket.
IMPORTANT: Suction cups can come loose. Each bracket includes a safety
rope. Be sure to take the time to tie the rope to the bracket and then to the boat
leaving as little amount of slack as you can. If the cup(s) come lose, this will
keep your transducer and cable out of the propeller.
BK0044
High Speed Suction Cup Bracket
Fits all High-Speed Transom style transducers
and allows for readings at speeds above the
planing speed of the boat. Dual suction cups
oer a secure hold.
BK0027
Fits all 2” Puck style transducers. (9°, 12°, and
dual 9°/19°). Oers a secure hold and the ability
to point the transducer in a specic direction.
BK0023
Fits the 1” (19°) Puck Transducer. This bracket
makes it the smallest portable transducer option
available.
Permanent Mount Kits
Application specic TK Kits are also available.
Choose from puck style for in-hull or electric
trolling motor mounting, or the high-speed
style for mounting to the transom of your
boat. Both transducer styles come in a variety
of beam angle options.
These kits contain everything needed for
installation. See page 72 for a list of kits
available.
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