Wesmar HD825 Series Specification sheet

OPERATION and INSTALLATION
MANUAL
WESTERN MARINE ELECTRONICS
14120 NE 200th Street, PO Box 7201
Woodinville, WA 98072-4001 USA
Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
[email protected] www.wesmar.com
August 2013
HD825 Series Sonar

2 WESMAR
Contents
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Theory of Operation ............................................................................................................................................................ 5
Scanning Sonars Versus Echo Sounders................................................................................................................... 5
OPERATION ................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
User Interface ......................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Power-On and Self-Test (POST) ................................................................................................................................... 8
Software Menus and Control ........................................................................................................................................ 10
Basic Operation (the main WESMAR 825 Screen) ........................................................................................... 10
Screen #1: Single screen . ..................................................................................................................................................11
Screen #2: Split screen ......................................................................................................................................................11
Screen #3: Linear Scan and Profiler............................................................................................................................12
Screen #4: Full-screen down sounder ......................................................................................................................12
Main HD825 Menu Bar ......................................................................................................................................................13
Sonar and Profiler Configuration (SONAR and PROFILE).............................................................................15
SCANNING SONAR TECHNIQUES......................................................................................................................................21
WHEELHOUSE EQUIPMENT ...............................................................................................................................................23
Console.....................................................................................................................................................................................23
Computer Control Unit.....................................................................................................................................................23
Power Supply Unit..............................................................................................................................................................23
Transmit/Hoist Box ...........................................................................................................................................................23
Monitor (Customer Supplied) .......................................................................................................................................23
SEACHEST INSTALLATION....................................................................................................................................................25
How much room is needed?..........................................................................................................................................25
Seachest Location ............................................................................................................................................................. 26
Seachest Specifications ...................................................................................................................................................27
ELECTRIC HOIST INSTALLATION .....................................................................................................................................27
Calculate Length of Soundome Tube....................................................................................................................27
Check soundome clearance inside seachest.........................................................................................................28
Fasten the soundome to the soundome tube ......................................................................................................28
Assemble Hoist.................................................................................................................................................................... 29
Attach Hoist to Seachest................................................................................................................................................ 29
WIRING ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 30
Check hoist travel distance ........................................................................................................................................... 30
Packing Gland...................................................................................................................................................................... 30
HYDRAULIC HOIST INSTALLATION...................................................................................................................................31
Install the soundome ..........................................................................................................................................................31
INSTALLATION.............................................................................................................................................................................32
Install hoist assembly on seachest ............................................................................................................................32
Install hydraulic power pack .........................................................................................................................................33
WIRING, DC HYDRAULIC HOIST ....................................................................................................................................... 34
DC hoist board wiring...................................................................................................................................................... 34
WIRING, AC HYDRAULIC HOIST ...................................................................................................................................... 36
AC hoist board wiring ...................................................................................................................................................... 36
OPERATION CHECK, HYDRAULIC HOIST, DC & AC ................................................................................................37
Lowering hoist first time..................................................................................................................................................37
Check hoist soundome travel....................................................................................................................................... 38
Packing Gland...................................................................................................................................................................... 38
HYDRAULIC HOIST TROUBLESHOOTING .................................................................................................................. 39
HYDRAULIC MAINTENANCE ...............................................................................................................................................41

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HD825 Sonar Controls
ON/OFF
REVERSE SCAN
For tracking sh CHANGE
SECTOR SIZE
CURSOR FOR
MARKING FISH
AND FOR MENU
SELECTION
CHANGE RANGES
TILT TRANSDUCER
SOUND HOIST
SCREEN SELECTION
There are four selection screens where adjustments are made. Each adjust-
ment can be viewed as the sonar runs to maximize target detection. The
four selection screens are: Local, Sonar, Proler ( ), and Color. Push
enter to get into screen. Use the cursor buttons to change selection.
BEARING LINE TO MOVE
DIRECTION OF SONAR SCAN

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5 WESMAR
INTRODUCTION
Theory of Operation
Searchlightscanning sonarhave manyapplications
in commercial shing, passenger ship navigation,
subsea construction, diving and salvage and
underwater security.
Sonar equipment transmits sound underwater to
locate objects such as sh schools, debris and
dangerous reefs. In the soundome (the part of the
sonar equipment that extends through the bottom
of the vessel), a transducer sends a sound wave
pulse through the water. When that pulse strikes
and object, it bounces back and returns to the
transducer, which “hears” the returning energy.
When the transducer “hears” a returning sound
wave, it converts that energy into an electrical
current, which is ultimately represented on a
VGA monitor based on its return angle and signal
strength. Sonar returns are presented with a
color palette that assigns various colors to signal
strength. For example, red to strong returns and
blue to weak.
A red target on the screen means that the return
echo was very strong and that the sound wave
reected from a rm object. Dark blue or black
indicates clear water – no return.
Obviously, rocks return a stronger signal to the
transducer than a mud bottom or sh. Fish will
return a signal to the sonar, but unless there are
many sh together, the echo will be weak. With
experience, a sonar operator is able to distinguish
different types of targets (bottom typing, bait
schools, etc.) based on their representation on the
screen.
Scanning Sonars Versus Echo
Sounders
Traditional depth sounders have xed transducers
that cannot be moved. They face straight down to
Searchlight Sonar compared to Traditional Echo
Sounder Operation
Non movable beam
Movable sonr beam

6 WESMAR
the bottom, transmitting sound waves in a wide,
cone-shaped pattern. Like an electronic “lead
line”, the sound waves can only determine depth
directly below the boat.
To locate underwater objects (sh, wrecks, rocks
etc) with a depth sounder, you must cruise back
and forth through the water until you pass over
an object. In challenging locations, this is not an
option for a passenger vessel.
Similarly, for commercial shing vessels,
operators want to locate sh or sh-bearing
bottom structures quickly to minimize time at
sea, thereby maximizing safety and improving
protability.
WESMAR’s approach is to utilize scanning
searchlight sonar technology. The WESMAR
825 precision searchlight sonars are designed for
high-performance, reliability and ease of use.
Unlike a traditional echo sounder, scanning sonar
does much more than indicate depth directly below
the ship. It provides information on distance, depth
and bearing of objects all around your vessel.
The transducer acts much like an underwater
searchlight, turning up to a full 360 degree circle
in a conical beam. The transducer can be tilted up
and down also, from +4 degrees above horizontal,
to 90 degrees to prole directly below.
It is the narrow, moveable beam that enables the
WESMAR scanning sonar to be used successfully
in shallow water.
NOTE: THE USE OF SONAR FOR
NAVIGATION SHOULD ONLY BE
RELIED UPON BY AN EXPERIENCED
OPERATOR IN CONJUNCTION WITH
OTHER NAVIGATIONAL AIDS.

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OPERATION
The best way to become procient with your
Sonar is to use it often. The more you work with
it, the more valuable it will be as a navigation or
sh-nding aid. Don’t be afraid to experiment
with the controls..
The WESMAR 825-series Sonars are being used
today for the following applications, with more to
come in the future:
1. Location of large compact schools of midwater
sh, such as herring, sardine, mackerel and tuna,
in deep water.
2. Location of large compact schools, such as
pollock, in shallow water with a smooth, soft
seabed.
3. Location of scattered schools of mid-water sh
such as herring, mackerel and large individual
sh like salmon, albacore tuna and blue marlin in
deep water.
4. Detection of rocks, reefs or other bottom
structure for bottom trawlers, red snapper
shermen, research vessels and salvage
operators.
5. Detection of collision and grounding hazards,
including shelves, reefs, icebergs by yachts,
expedition vessels and cruise ships.
User Interface
The 825-series Sonar is congured and operated
via a software user interface, which can be
navigated using the bulkhead-mounted Panel
Control.
The control devices plug into the Sonar’s
wheelhouse PC control box and require panel cut-
outs close to the Sonar screen.

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Power-On and Self-Test (POST)
Turn the Sonar ON. No lights on the control panel
will light. The Sonar will enter its POST mode
with the following display on your screen:
a. Software (console) Release. This is the software
revision in the computer control unit.
b. Hardware (console): This is the serial number
of the microprocessor in the computer control
unit.
c. Soundome (remote) Ensure that this is the
correct frequency and size of the soundome that
has been installed on the hoist.
d. SETTINGS: The word SETTINGS will display
in green. This test checks computer memory and
all the sonar settings from the last time the Sonar
was in operation.
e. PROGRAM: When the Sonar program
is running without complications the word
“PROGRAM” will display in green.
f. LINK: When the computer control unit in the
wheelhouse communicates with the transmitter/
receiver unit (near the hoist assembly) via the
Interconnect Cable, then the word “LINK” will
turn green.
g. SCAN: Every time the sonar is turned on the
soundome must locate zero degrees. When zero
degrees is located, the word “SCAN” will turn
green.

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HD825 SONAR CONTROLS
ON/OFF
REVERSE SCAN
For tracking sh CHANGE
SECTOR SIZE
CURSOR FOR
MARKING FISH
AND FOR MENU
SELECTION
CHANGE RANGES
TILT TRANSDUCER
SOUND HOIST
BEARING LINE TO MOVE
DIRECTION OF SONAR SCAN
There are four selection screens where adjustments are made.
Each adjustment can be viewed as the sonar runs. To maximize
target detection. The four selection screens are: LOCAL, SO-
NAR, PROFILER (↓↓↓), and COLOR. Use ENTER to get into
the screen. Use the CURSOR buttons to change selections.

10 WESMAR
Software Menus and Control
The Sonar’s user interface is navigated by the
Control Panel. The Main Menu (titled “HD 825”)
of the 825-series displays the current Sonar targets
and a vertical Menu bar to the right that includes
the primary “controls” for the system: Range, Tilt,
Center (Bearing), Reverse, Thickness, Sector,
Speed, Zoom, Screen, Set Up, and Gains (Near/
Far).
To adjust the sonar for the application push the
enter button on the control panel. A menu item
will light in green. Use the up/down cursor buttons
to scroll from one item to another. Use the right/
left cursor buttons to make selection.
Pushing the ENTER button a second time will
remove the green highlight from menu. When the
green highlight is removed from menu the cursor
buttons will then control the cursor square on
the sonar screen. Moving the cursor square over
a target will give horizontal range to and depth
of the target. Range and depth to target will be
displayed below the threshold color bar in the
menu bar.
The Sonar is congured by clicking on the main
menu item “SET UP”. Conguration settings are
grouped by: Sonar, Prole, Color and Local.
Basic Operation (the main
WESMAR 825 Screen)
SCREEN
There are 4 screen selections that can be accessed
by clicking on the “SCREEN” menu item:
Screen 1: Full-screen: 360 degree Sonar view
Screen 2: Split-screen: Sonar with simultaneous
bottom proling (very popular for trawling
applications)
Main Menu Bar
Screen 3: Split-screen Sonar Linear: In linear
sonar presentation the sweep starts at the left and
moves to the right. Range is measured vertically,
bearing along the horizontal.
Screen 4: Full-screen down sounder. This
stabilized sounder mode can also be used when
the soundome is retracted.

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Screen #1: Full-screen sonar
Screen #2: Split screen sonar and proler
HD825 Sonar operating as horizontal
scanning sonar
HD825 Sonar operating as a horizontal
scanning sonar and bottom proler
Screen #1: Single screen -
Sonar scanning forward with
adjustable tilt.
The HD825 series sonar enables multiple views around and
beneath the vessel.
Screen #2: Split screen -
Sonar scanning forward
with adjustable tilt and
simultaneous bottom profiling.

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Screen #3: Prole - Linear Sonar
Screen #4: Full-screen down
sounder is available even
when the soundome is fully
retracted.
Screen #4: Full-Screen Stabilized Down Sounder
In Video -Sounder mode with transducer
stabilized. Can be operated when
soundome is fully retracted.
Screen #3: Linear Scan and
Profiler, commercial fishing
view.
In Prole - Linear Sonar mode the top half of
the screen is a linear display similar to a down
sounder as opposed to the traditional half
circle or arc of a scanning sonar. In this mode
captains can spot sh and other targets close
to the bottom in a display similar to a down
sounder. The sonar presentation starts at the
left and moves to the right. Range is measured
vertically, bearing along the horizontal. When
scanning for targets the bottom will mark
horizontally across the screen and not a half
circle.

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Main HD825 Menu Bar
RANGE
Sets the distance that is covered on the display
screen. There are 2 selections, one for Sonar and
another for Prole. Range can be set in units of
feet, fathoms or meters.
TILT
This congures the scanning angle of the transducer
below horizontal (0 degrees). Minus 90 degrees
tilt is straight down. Positive tilt is above the
horizontal. For Navigation applications, it will
be typical to set TILT to 0 degrees, and perhaps
lower several degrees to eliminate interference
from wave action.
Scanning Bearing and Sector is fully adjustable
CENTER (or Bearing)
This marks the center of the scanning sector.
Center can be moved in nine-degree steps around
the screen. It is normally set to zero degrees when
scanning forward.
SECTOR
This sets the number of degrees scanned. There
are 2 sector selections, one for Sonar and the other
for Prole.
ZOOM
Zoom is used as a magnier. Move the cursor
over the target and pull the remote handheld
trigger or push the button on the panel control.
The enlarged target will display in the lower right
of the screen. Pull the trigger or push the button
again to disable the function.
SPEED
This setting controls the scanning speed of the
transducer, based on the desired range and the
speed of sound in salt water. Use the slowest
speed 1 for the highest resolution of small targets.
Each “speed” is equal to 1.8 degrees of transducer
rotation. For example, Speed 4 rotates 7.2 degrees
(1.8 x 4) per “ping”.
Scanning Bearing and Sector are
fully adjustable.

14 WESMAR
Speed may be congured independently for
Sonar and Prole. Adjust the speed for best target
presentation. The speed can also be increased by
selecting a smaller sector size.
SET UP
This menu item selects specic Sonar, Prole,
Color and Local menus where detailed system
adjustments can be congured.
THICKNESS (Only in Screen #1 or #2)
This command directs the sonar to scan a vertical
slice through the current bearing, providing
additional information on the vertical distribution
of a mark, whether a school of sh or an underwater
structure.
Wait for the horizontal scan to reach the desired
mark. Push the button on the bulkhead console
after highlighting the Thickness menu item. The
transducer will start to scan in the vertical, up and
down. The targets will display in the lower right
quadrant of the screen. The vertical scan can be
moved to port or starboard by manipulating the
joystick control, and is terminated by pushing the
control button twice.
GAINS (NEAR and FAR)
Near Gain controls the complete gain curve and
has its greatest affect on targets displayed in the
rst half of the sonar range. Far Gain controls
the height of the gain curve and has its greatest
affect on targets displayed in the last half of the
sonar range.
When both Near and Far Gains are adjusted
correctly, targets at long range will not change in
density as the vessel approaches.
Also, target density will remain constant from one
range to another. Gain settings can be adjusted
for all conditions the operator will encounter,
ensuring accurate target presentation.
Gain settings can be adjusted independently for
both Sonar and Prole modes.

15 WESMAR
Sonar and Profiler Configuration
(SONAR and PROFILE)
PULSE
At the beginning of each Transmit/Receive cycle
the transmitter turns on and off in a brief period
of time called the Pulse Length, and is measured
in milliseconds (1/1000th of a second). Pulse
Length is equal to 1.5m/ms. The Pulse Width can
be manually adjusted depending on the acoustic
environment and target characteristics. For
example, a shorter pulse will give better target
denition and reduce volume reverberation when
looking for dispersed or small targets in the water
column.
A long pulse may be used when seeking out large
targets at long ranges. Pulse length can be selected
from BOOST (longest) to 3% (shortest). NOTE:
A Zero pulse length will turn the transmitter
OFF, which is useful for eliminating sources of
interference.
The WESMAR sonar displays targets on a VGA
monitor with a resolution of 640 (horizontal) x
480 (vertical) pixels. The vessel location is in the
center of the screen giving a monitor resolution
of 240 pixels, which denes the sonar’s range
resolution. For example, at a 100m range, the
monitor resolution of 240 pixels represents 42cm
per pixel.
To see sh closer to the bottom and to mark
shallow depressions you can shorten your pulse
length to increase range resolution, but be aware
of the limitations of monitor resolution.

16 WESMAR
ENHANCE
This is a lter that enables a stronger display of
weaker targets. Normally set to 1.
LIMITER
This is useful to reduce external interference, such
as acoustic interference from other sonar/sounder
equipment onboard, and electrical interference
from power supplies and cabling. Under normal
conditions, Limiter is set to OFF.
Selecting Limiter #1 creates a requirement that
a sonar target must be present in two adjacent
transmits at the same range. Selecting Limiter #2
requires that three consecutive target samples are
received and the lowest sample will be displayed.
Both #1 and #2 can be selected to further reduce
noise.
CAUTION: Activating Limiter will remove
smaller targets. The Limiter setting can be adjusted
independently for both Sonar and Prole.
FILTER
This setting will eliminate weak targets and light
noise from the screen. You can think of this setting
as adjusting contrast. Filter is initially set to OFF
and congured for specic applications:
Filter OFF & 1: Dispersed sh and sh close
to the bottom:
The OFF and 1 setting displays targets as they
are actually received. For small targets, prawns,
dispersed sh and small single sh, these setting
are important. Low target lters are used to mark
sh close to the bottom in the prole mode.
Filter 2 & 3: Small schools of sh, sh close to
the bottom:
As we increase Filter, target averaging is increased.
Pilings will mark more solidly in red. Small
schools of sh will ll in. Reefs, rocks and hard
bottom are displayed more vividly.

17 WESMAR
Filter 3 & 4: Large schools of sh:
Large schools of sh are marked without having
to increase gains, which could cause additional
noise. This is a good setting to use when
determining the size of schools. It is also good
for navigation.
Filter 5 & 6: Bottom typing only:
This lter takes the signal return and paints targets
in watercolor display for bottom-typing. For this
lter, we recommend conguring Threshold Type
1 and 16 colors.
TVG (or Time-Variable Gain)
The TVG (Time-Variable Gain) setting adjusts
the receiver gain based on Sonar range, to offset
the propagation loss of sound as it passes through
the water.
Propagation Loss of sound is the sum of Spreading
and Attenuation Losses. Spreading Loss refers
to the physical spreading of sound energy as it
travels outward from the source and back from
the target. Attenuation Losses are primarily due to
absorption and the scattering of sound as it passes
through the water.
Automatically adjusts receiver gain based on
Sonar range. As sound travels through water,
it loses strength due to propagation losses
(attenuation). This makes distant objects seem
weaker. As targets approach they appear stronger
and stronger. To offset propagation losses the
sonar gradually increases sensitivity or gain
relative to range.
With the correct TVG setting, targets at long
range will have the same color as they approach.
TVG numbers change with frequency and water
temperature. Warmer waters support more
plankton and plant life that absorb sound energy.
TVG can be congured separately for Sonar and
Prole.
A Zero TVG will not adjust gain based on sonar
range. Zero TVG is used when checking boat
noise levels.

18 WESMAR
TVG Adjustments:
160kHz set TVG to 400, span 200 to 600
110kHz set TVG to 600, span 400 to 800
60kHz set TVG to 800, span 600 to 1000
POWER
This setting adjusts the output power of the
transmitter. Use 100% power for long range. Low
power is useful in shallow water and conditions
where there is a lot of plankton or algae suspended
in the water column.
Color Conguration (COLOR Screens)
THRESH (or Threshold)
Selections range from 1 to 6. Strong targets mark
in red, yellow or orange. Weaker targets mark in
green and blue. Thresholds 1-3 have 25 colors.
Thresholds 3-6 have 8 colors. For strong targets
and schooling sh, select 3 or 6. For ground sh
and bottom-typing select 1 or 4. Delete colors
as necessary to remove clutter. All colors can be
deleted with the exception of the clipped color.
Sonar and Prole have their own threshold
adjustment. NOTE: If the selected background is
black and the selected clip color is black, then no
targets will display on the screen!
DELETED
This will remove colors from the screen from
weak to strong. One way to remove clutter from
the screen is to delete colors. Colors can be deleted
independently for Sonar and Prole.
CLIP
Sets the color for the hardest targets. Choosing
a color other than red can help distinguish the
bottom from targets that are very near the bottom.
Adjust the gains so the strongest target marks
in the Clip color. Clip color can be selected
independently for Sonar and Prole.

19 WESMAR
BACK
Sets the background color of the screen: black,
blue or white. For blue or white background to
appear, delete at least one color.
PALETTE
Will lower the brightness of target colors
without eliminating them, starting from blue to
yellow. Sonar and Prole have their own palette
adjustment.
CURSOR
Sets the color of the cursor and marks on the
screen.
TEXT
Sets the brightness of the white numbers and
letters. Will not affect the sonar target colors.
Local Settings Conguration (LOCAL
Screen)
SCREENS
There are 4 screen selections that can be
accessed by clicking on the “SCREEN” menu
item.
MARKS
Turn the range rings and range lines ON or OFF.
The range rings represent 25%, 50% and 75%
of the congured range. The colors and relative
brightness are congured through the CURSOR
setting in the COLORS menu.
SCOPE
Fish loop or “A” scan are other names for Scope.
In screen #4 (Down Sounder), the “A” scan will
display on the right of the display. “A” Scan can
be turned On or Off.
SHAPE
Shape can be set to either Circle or Square. For a
Circle setting, the sonar will mark targets that lay
within the diameter (Sonar Range) of the circle.
For a Square, the Sonar will mark targets into the
corners of the square. The corner of the square is

20 WESMAR
1.4 times the range of the circle’s diameter, and
utilizes the available display screen area more
effectively.
PANEL BOX
This setting congures the display on the lower
right-hand quadrant of the Sonar display. There
are three options:
• Status: Displays color thresholds for sonar and
prole and the horizontal/depth ranges for the on-
screen cursor.
• Nav: When connected to a GPS, the Panel Box
will plot the vessel on the grid.
• Test: For troubleshooting – displays a number
from 0 to 3000 that relates to transducer tilt.
SYNC
Use this when synchronizing two sonars.
AUDIO
This activates the audio mode. Sound is
proportional to the echo strength of the target
displayed on the screen.
OFF: No audio
Audio 1: You hear Transmit and Receive audio.
Audio 2: You only hear the Return audio.
CALIBRATE
Go into CALIBRATE for further settings and
tuning.
Calibrate Settings Conguration
(CALIBRATE Screen)
UNITS
Select meters, fathoms or feet as the unit for
range.
ENGLISH
Select the language for the display. English is the
default.