User manual LOWRANCE X-15 PAPER GRAPH

Paper Saving Feature WithoutAlternate Transmit and Print Minimum Paper Speed RANGE (feet) 10-120 130-510 520-830 Below 840 Inches Per Mm 1.0 INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL APPROXIMATE PAPER SPEED MODEL X-15 GRAPH RECORDER Hours Per Roll 10 0.5 0.2 0.2 20 50 50 -- Maximum Paper Speed Inches Hours Per Mm Per Roll 3.0 3.3 2.0 5.0 1.2 0.75 8.3 13.3 APPROXIMATE PAPER SPEED With Alternate Transmit and Print Minimum Paper Speed Inches Hours Per Mm Per Roll 0.6 17 25 0.4 0.2 50 0.2 50 Maximum Paper Speed Inches Hours Per Mm Per Roll 2.0 5.0 1.2 RANGE (feet) 10-120 130-510 520-830 Below 840 0.75 0.75 8.3 13.3 13.3 LITHO USA 988-0083-01 · LOWRANCE ELECTRONICS, INC. 12OOO E. SKELLY DR., TULSA, OKLA. 74128 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor I! E'l L 30 U RANGE:10-30 FEET SENSITIVITY: 3/4 SUPPRESSOR: MINIMUM PAPER SPEED: 3/4 GRAYLINE: MINIMUM Figure 50 ft 1 -i :4 5 U, RANGE: 10-30FEET SENSITIVITY: 3/4 SUPPRESSOR: MINIMUM JO PAPER SPEED: MAXIMUM GRAYLINE: MINIMUM Figure 51 A & I- A L RANGE: 10-30 FEET SENSITIVITY: MAXIMUM SUPPRESSOR: MINIMUM & NEAR BOTTOM UNDER SCHOOL OF SMALLERFISH NOTE LARGER FISH ON Figure 52 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor 25 INDEX Introduction How It Works Installation Transducer Selection Basic Operation Suppressor Paper Speed SUPPRESSOR: MINIMUM SENSITIVITY: 3/4 2 2 3 4 5 S RANGE:0-40 FEET .7 LINES:OFF PAPER SPEED:3/4 Figure 47 GRAYLINE® Range Lower Limit Upper Limit Lines Marker Scale End Of Paper How To Read Graphs Paper Loading Stylus Replacement Do's and Dont's 7 7 8 8 9 9 9 10 10 10 12 15 17 17 17 17 18 18 18 RANGE: 0-30 FEET SUPPRESSOR: MINIMUM SENSITIVITY: 3/4 LINES: ON PULSEWIDTH:100 MICRO-SECONDS PAPER SPEED: MAXIMUM Figure 48 Troubleshooting Advanced Operation Surtace Clarity Control (SCC) Feet, Fathoms, Meters Transmit and Print Alternate ' Transmitter Pulse Width Specifications Service Information 22 22 . RANGE:10-50 FEET SENSITIVITY: MAXIMUM SUPPRESSOR: MINIMUM PAPER SPEED: 3/4 LARGE SCHOOLOF FISH AT 12 TO 26 FEET Figure 49 24 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor The Lowrance X-15 is a highly sophisticated recording depth sounder. Thanks to a microcomputer, the X-15 can do more than any other depth sounder in its price range. Full control of the system is at your finger tips to meet the changing demands of varying bottom conditions, waterdepth and boat speed. You can select the unit's sensitivity setting, suppression level, depth range, paper speed, and the degree of gray line" used to enhance the recorded information. The patented Lowrance variable suppression system not only filters out false signals withoutdistorting the real ones, but is synchronized with the gray line function to provide clear signals under all conditions. The permanent record of what your sonar has "seen" is roiled and stored inside the case. Small boat sonar systems are routinely used to measure water depth, examine bottom contours, and locate fish. The capability of the X-15 goes far beyond the ordinary. Clues to the composition Figure 1 I INTRODUCTION of the bottom are given -- schools of bait fish are easily distinguished from solitarygame fish -- there is about bottom contours and submerged shipwrecks -- fish closer together than six inches can be shown separately-- concentrations of algae, mossor plankton can be identified -- at trolling speeds individual fish are commonly recorded with a characteristic "arched" signature which distinguishes them from their surroundings -- layers of water with differenttemperatures can be detected under good conditions, and vertical movement of fish, (up or down), can be shown. HOW IT WORKS When the unit is turned on, an electronically regulated motor drives a lightweight belt located at the right edge of the recording paper. The marking stylus is attached to this belt. When the stylus is at the top of the paper a small mark is made. This is called the zero mark, and represents the surface of the water. a continuous display of information t - - I, High Speed (46 M.F.H.) SUPPRESSION: OFF SENSITIVITY: ON 1/2 POSITION - 1 Figure 44 NOTE POOR RECORD CAUSED BY NOT USING SUPPRESSION WHEN AT HIGH SPEED. - -i a --,_.--,, I,.' - t''.'9ø'a't High Speed (46 MPH.) SUPPRESSION: -- ADEQUATE SElliNG ON SENSITIVITY: ON -- 1/2 POSITION Figure 45 s Fith 17 ft. Depth 35 ft. TRULINE RECORDER BOTH SENDAND RECEIVESSIGNALS. RECEIVED SIGNALSARE INDICATED ON GRAPH PAPER. SUPPRESSOR: MINIMUM RANGE: 50 TO 70 FEET PULSE WIDTH: 100 MICRO-SECONDS SENSITIVITY: 3/4 LINES: OFF PAPER SPEED: MAXIMUM Figure 46 23 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor 2 SPECIFICATIONS -- X-15 Depth Ranges: Feet, fathoms, meters. Operating Frequency: 192 kHz (192,000 cycles per second); accuracy is within 0.6 percent. Pulse Length: (duration of pulse): 200-1000/ks (30-2000/ks programable) Operating Voltage: Minimum: 10 volts DC Maximum: 15 volts DC Operating Current: 0.7 to 1.8 amps depending on printing densityand output power. will reduce sensitivity or may even preventsounding. GOT A PROBLEM?LET US HELP! If you have a problem with your sonar unit, please give us a chance to help before sending it in for repair. Assistance can often be extended by telephone or letter. Write or call one of our Authorized Service Centers or the Lowrance Electronics, Inc., Customer Service Department in Tulsa, OK. (Toll-free 1-800-331-3889). Please detail the problem you are experiencing. Our Service Department may be able to save you the inconvenience of returning your unit. If it is determined that your unit must be returned, full shipping instructions will be provided. SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM AND PARTS LIST Should you desire a Schematic Diagram and Parts list for your Lowrance TRUELINE RECORDER, send $1.00 to PARTS LIST, Lowrance Electronics, Inc., 12000 East Skelly Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74128. Be sure and give us the Model Numberand Serial Number of your SONAR INSTRUMENT. GRAPH PAPER Figure 2 functions. The stylus continues to move This section will be adequate for down the edge of the paper while most situations. However, once the sound pulse is traveling you have mastered the basic opthrough the water, and when an the stylus makes eration of the X-15 as described echo is detected, in Section III, you may wish to try another mark on the paper. The of the objectwhich reflected some of the features described in depth Section VI -- Advanced Operathe echo can be read in feet by tion. This chapterwill explainfour its location on the comparing other featuresthat will enable the to the depth scale printed paper serious operatorto get the on the paper. maximum use out of this equipment. A variable speed motor drives We urge you to read this manis the papergraph. (The paper ual thoroughlyand familiarize treated so that the stylus will burn it to leave a permanentblack yourself with the controls. Although this is a very advanced mark.) During one revolution of a very narrow mark unit, it is easy to use, thanks to the stylus belt, will be made by the flexible stylus, the power of the microcomputer and the front panel controls. but the paper will move a small amountbefore the next revolution. Should you require extra help, Each mark will blend into the one please phone our Customer Service Department toll free at so that a composite picbefore, 1-800-331-3889. (Oklahoma resiture" of the target will be made, dents call collect - 1-918-437one tiny mark at a time. features that Due to the many 6881). A service representative will be happy to help you. this unit has, we have split the section of this manual operation into two sections. The first section, II INSTALLATION - Section Ill, is entitled Basic OpMounting -- The depth sounder may be ineration" and covers everything that is absolutely necessary to use the stalled in any convenient area, provided the unit can be tilted for X-15 is a wide variety of situahow to use the the best viewing angle. Four holes tions. It will tell you in the bracket base allow wood basic controls -- Sensitivity, Supscrew or bolt mounting. A wood Grayline, pressor, Paper Speed, stiffenermay be required on the Range, plus a few special Output Power: 1600 watts typical peak-to-peak. (200 watts RMS) Weight: 8.5 lb. (3.9 Kg) Dimension: With Gimbal Mount: Width - 12¼" Height - 8%" Depth - 5¼" Instrument Only: Width - 91/2" Height - 7½" Depth - 5¼" NOTICE Periodically wash the Transducer Face with soap and water to remove any oil film that may collect Oil and dirt on the face 3 22 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor back of thin fiberglass panels to supportthe X-15. If the desired location is closer ply store. Splices should be soldered. If this can't be done, use with electrical tape. An in-line fuse holder with fuse is supplied with the X-15. Be certain to install this fuse holder as close to the power source as possible. This will protect both the sonar unit and the power cable in the event a short occurs. Crimp connectors are supplied to attach the fuse holderto the power cable. The red or white wire in the power cable is the positive conductor. The black wire is the crimp-type splices. Tape all splices of the micro-computer, simply To return the unit to the control than 18" to a magnetic compass, a trial run should be made with the unit in operation to be sure that the compassreadings are not affected. press 0 and then the LINES and SCALES keys at the same time. This will revertthe unit back to normal operation. Example: Set the initial transmitter pulse width tolOO micro-seconds. Press: 1,0, 0, then SCALES and LINES together Result: Figure 42 Example: Set the initial transmitter pulse width to5O gs. Press:5, 0, then SCALES and LINES together. Result: Figure 43 'ii. Figure 3 _________________ A' '·.· 'Ii A Ii · BE SURE to insert the two rubber grommets on gimbal bracket. The larger side (larger diameter) of grommet goes on inside of gimbal bracket so that it is sandwiched between gimbal bracket and sonar instrument (see drawings). The grommets provide friction to hold the unit at the desired angle. Power Connections -- Twelve volt DC power for the depth soundershould be supplied by the boat's 12-volt electrical system. The power cable may be attached to an accessoryor power buss, but if you have problems with electrical interference, the cable should be attached directly to the battery. If a longer cable is required, use ordinary#18 lamp cord available at any hardware or electronicsup- ground conductor The graph is protected from accidental polarity reversals and no damage will occur if the wires are reversed. The unit will not operate, however, until the proper polarity is applied. I :\' A': '. ' I S 'I I, Transducer Selection Lowrance offers you the choice of transducers with either an 8 degree cone angle or 20 degree cone angle that will interchange with any of our 192 kHz sonar units. In other words, any Lowrance sonar instrument can be used with any Lowrance transducer of the same frequency without retuning of any kind, and no loss of performance. However, the use of any other manufacturer's transducer will result in a loss of performance. Now you can select the trans- Figure 42 H I b 8 Ground (Negative) B Qosci Iii U Figure 4 4 Figure 43 21 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor example, with the LOWER LIMIT set to 260 feet, the initial transmit pulse width would be 260 is. If the LOWER LIMIT is set to 390 feet, the initial transmit pulse would be 390 jts. Finally, from 600 feet and below, the initial pulse width remains at 600 micro-seconds. The transmitter pulse width can be increased from the initial point at any time by rotating the Suppressor control clockwise. The maximum amount of pulse width added to the initial transmitter pulse width is approximately 800 microseconds. In other words, if the LOWER LIMIT is set to 420 feet, and the Suppressor control is rotated to the maximum position, the transmitter pulse width would be 1220 micro-seconds. (420 initial + 800 = 1220.) Earlier, we talked about the relationship between pulse width and targetseparation. As pulse width increases, target separation or resolution is degraded. However, if the pulse width is decreased, resolution becomes much better. The X-15 allows you to take advantage of this fact by making it possible to override the initial transmitter pulse width setting from what the micro-computer selects according to the Lower Limit. After setting the initial transmitter pulse width, the suppressor control can still be used to cancel out noise by increasing the pulse width. The initi?l transmitter pulse to width can beset from 30 2000 ps by entering it on the keyboard as shown below. By setting the initial transmitter pulse width to 100 Its, a three-inch resolution can be obtained, 50 1as is equivalent to an inch and a half, and 30 j.ts initial transmitter pulse width is equal to one inch resolution! No other graph in the market today can give you this feature. ts For example, if a SOjLs initial transmitter pulse width is selected, and the Suppressor control is rotated to maximum, the transmitter Repulse width would be 850 the Suppressor control to turning minimum will restore the unit to a 50 jis transmitter pulse width. The X-15 will display the initial transmitter pulse width at the bottom of the paperwhen you override the micro-computer To distinguish the initial transmitter pulse width from the depth scale printed on the paper, a zero is printed in front of the pulse width so that the two will not be confused. For example, a 100 Its transmitter pulse width will be displayed on the paper as 0100. A 50 ts transmitter pulse width would be displayed as 0050, while a 50-foot depth will be displayed as 50. To set the initial transmitter pulse width, simply press the amount of pulse width desired on the keyboard, and then press both the LINES and SCALES keys at the same time. (Note: If the lines and/or the scales wereturned off, this will turn them backon. To turn them back off again, press either the SCALES key or the LINES key independently. Do not pressthem simultaneously.) This will override the microcomputer's selection and set the initial transmitter pulse width to the desired setting. (Note: When an initial transmitpulse width is set, this width will be fixed for all depth settingsuntil changed or until control is returned to the microcomputer.) s. ducer design and cone angle to best fit your specific needs. Generally, wide cone angle transducers (20 degrees) are ideally suited for operating in shallow wateror at medium depths. The 20 degree cone angle allows you to see more of the underwater world. In 15 feet of waterthe 20 degree transducer covers an area of the bottom that's about 6 feet across. The 8 degree transducer covers only about a 2 foot circle. Thus, you would use a 20 degree transducer when looking for fish or structure, to easily find drop-offs or reefs, and to see fish that are around you . . . not just below you. However, the 20 degree transducer won't penetrate to greaterdepths as well as the 8 degree transducer, nor will it show a sharp drop-offas well. In a deep-water environment (100 ft. or deeper) or where you're looking at sharp drop-offs, the narrow cone angle can sometimes be more desirable because it can more accurately detectthe location of the drop-off withoutdisplaying the fish. In deep water, with the sound energy being concentrated in a · smaller area, the 8 degree transducer can reach to greaterdepths. Both the 8 degree and the 20 degree Lowrance transducers give accurate bottom readings, even though the bottom signal is much wider on the 20 degree model because you are seeing more of the bottom. Remember, the shallow · edge of the signal shows you the true depth. The rest of the signal tells you whether you are over rocks, mud, or drop-offs. The narrow bottom signal of the 8 degree transducer merely reveals less information about the bottom's contours. This feature is particularly useful when using the X-15 offshore. 1. TPD-1 192-20 Wide cone angle (20 degree) for shoot-thru-hull or trolling motor mount. 2. TPD-1192-8 Narrow cone angle (8 degree)for shootthru-hull. 3. TI-lS-1192-20 Wide cone angle (20 degree)for high speed transom mount or shoot-thruhull. 4. TTH-21 92-20 Wide cone angle (20 degree)for thru hull mount or transom mount. 5. TTH-2192-8 Narrow cone angle (8 degree) for thru hull mount or transom mount. Ill BASIC OPERATION On-off and Sensitivity Control -- Rotate the On/Off knob clockwise to turn the unit on. The Sensitivity knob works much like the volume control on a radio, that is, weaker signals will be detected with 5 20: PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor higher settings of the knob. When cruising, or at other times when caused by the returning signal reflectingoff the surface of the water, making a second trip to the bottom and back. When detailed information about brush piles, individual fish or the thermocline is desired, the Sensitivity knob should be set at about ¾ point. Refer to the illustration below to see what effect the Sensitivity setting has on the recorded information. Recording individual fish with an "arched" signature can usually be accomplished at trolling speed with the Sensitivity knob at the ¾ point, or higher Refer to the section "ArchedSignatures," on page 10 for more information about this important function of your recorder. Suppression Control The Suppression Control is used to reduce interference from Figure 6 just simple bottom-contour infor- mation is desired,the Sensitivity setting can be low. In deep water or over soft, muddy bottoms, (which produce weak echoes), the setting will have to be higher. When high Sensitivity settings are used, a second bottom echo will appear This is normal and is noise. Noise, in electronic terms, is any undesired signal. It can be caused by an electrical source, (such as the engine's ignition system), or by air bubbles in disturbed waterwhich is called cavitation noise. In both cases, the noise could produce unwanted marks on the paper (See Figure 44 & 45.) Fortunately, noise pulses are relatively short in time com0 Igure 7 6 LLI SENSITIVITY: TOO LOW ,- &q Figure 8 SENSITIVITY: PROPER SETTING used on all the Lowrance's varieven a "blob" on the paper able suppression flashers and With a 400 transmit pulse graphs. Basically, it works on the width, those same two fish will principle that most noise pulses have to be at least 12 inches apart are of relatively short duration. If before they will show up as two the receivercircuitcan be adseparate arches on the graph. This is why it is important to leave justed so that it will accept only the Suppressor control turned long pulses, then the short pulses will be cancelled out, and only the down to minimum when looking desired information (fish, bottom, for fish. structure, etc.) will be displayed. However, it is helpful sometimes Of course, the transmitter's pulse to have longerpulse widths when width would have to be increased noise is not a concern. When at the same time so that the return using a sonar in deeper water, it is echoes would be accepted by the easier for the unit to detect a receiver longer pulse coming back from the This is exactly what the Lowbottom or from the fish. This s rance suppression systemdoes. called "Probability of Echo DetecThe transmitter's pulse width is in- tion." The probability of the unit creased by the front panel supbeing able to detect an echo repression control, and the receiver turning from deep wateris di"tracks" the amount of increased minished because the further the pulse width, cancelling out any sound pulse has to travel, the narrow noise pulses, and displayweaker it becomes. By broadening the pulse width, in essence, a ing only the return echoes from fish or the bottom, etc. (Note: Relarger signal is transmitted and it ceiversensitivity is not diminished is easier for the receiverto detect it. at all by this process.) For this reason, the microThe only disadvantage to this computer in the X-15 automatisystem is resolution, or the ability cally increases the initial pulse to separate targets, is diminished width of the unit as deeper lower when the pulse width is increased. limits are set by the operator. A 200 ps (micro-second) transmit- (Note: Initial pulse width is the ter pulse width used on the X-15 pulse width of the unit when the when poweris first turned on, will Suppressor control is turned to allow the unit to display two fish or minimum.) targets that are only 6 inches INITIAL apart. In otherwords, if two fish TRANSMIT that are six inches apart are disLOWER PULSE played on the graph paper, they LIMIT WIDTH will show up as two separate (Feet) (Micro-seconds) arches when the transmitter is 10 110 operating with a 200 cs pulse 20 130 width. Now, if we increase the 30 160 transmitter pulse width to 400 gs, 40-200 200 (by rotating the Suppressor control From 210 feet to 600 feet, clockwise) those same two fish arches will blend togetherand the initial pulse width increases at show up as one fish br possibly the same rate as the depth. For ts PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor 19 mediately be seen. Use only the amount of SCC required to reduce the clutter, as fish signals can be eliminated also. To turn the 5CC function OFF, press 0, MARK/SCC. The 5CC value (1, 2, or 3) can be changed or turned OFF at any time. Feet, Fathoms, Meters The X-15 will display the depth in feet, fathoms, or meters. Although the unit will revert back to the feet mode whenever power is turned off, it is simple to change to any mode you wish by pressing 1 and 3 for feet -- 4 and 6 for fathoms, and 7 and 9 for meters. These keys must be pressed simultaneously for this feature to work. When the unit is in the Feet mode, only one L' will be displayed at the bottom of the chart paper every few inches. In the Fathom mode two L's will be displayed. Three L's will be printed on the Meter mode. Example: Display Meters Press: 7 and 9 simultaneously Result: Figure 41 U C-- -- U -- a 12 -- lb Ib-- 20-- By looking at the numberof U 's, one can determine the depth display mode that the unit is in, i.e., Feet - U Fathoms U LL or Meters - I.! U U. Transmit and Print Alternate When using the X-15 in deep 18 water, it may be desirable to slow the paper speed down considerably. However, when doing so, you may get "over print" or very dark, heavy printing over an area that is difficult to read. Much detail can be lost due to this. A feature that the X-15 makes available is the Transmit and Print Alternate which, when activated, causes the stylus to print every other revolution instead of every revolution. This accomplishes three things: 1. Since the stylus only prints every other revolution, the recorded information is not squeezed together into a very small area. This allows better recordsat slower paper speeds. Also, the scale numbers are spread out more, so they are more legible. 2. Prevents the possibility of "wrap around". This is the undesirable occurrence of the second or third bottom echo printed on the paper at the top or middle of the page. Many times this can interfere with fish or other targets that you wish to see. 3. Reduces the reverberation effect. This happens mainly on lower frequency units, although it does sometimes show up on high frequency graphs. To use the Transmit and Print Alternate function, press the UPPER and LOWER keys simultaneously. If you wish to turn the function off, simply press the UPPER and LOWER keys again. pared to real sonar signals. Advancingthe Suppression knob will cause the system to reject these unwanted, short pulses without reducing the sensitivity in any way. This patented design is exclusive with Lowrance. However, with high suppression settings, the graph record becomes coarse and the ability to separate fish from the bottom or from other fish will be decreased. (See Figure 10.) Therefore, the lower the suppression setting, the better. Advance the knob setting only as far as RD chart paper when operating in deep water The chart below gives the points where the maximum speed of the paper is slowed. PAPER SPEED 1 Fastest paper speed 2 Medium fast 130'-510' paper speed 52O83O 3 Medium slow paper speed 4 Slowest paper Below 840' speed The chart paper may be slowed RANGE 10'-120' I® I lirf P,," . I) 2 : Figure 9 PROPER SETrING necessary to remove the erratic, unwanted noise marks. Most of the time at low or trolling speeds, no suppression will be needed. Paper Speed Control This knob adjuststhe speed of the chart paper. For good detailed graphs, in shallow to medium depths, turn the paper speed control up to at least ¾ when trolling. For best details, turn it up to maximum. This will show proper fish arches at low speeds and Transmit Pulse Width The noise suppression system in the X-15 is a patented pulse width discrimination suppression circuit, and is the same as the one keeps high speed information from being compressed. The paper speed should be turned down when using the unit in deep water This will prevent gap from appearing in the record. In fact, the microcomputer will automatically slow the maximum speed of the Figure 10 SUPPRESSION: TOO HIGH even further by adjusting the paper speed control. Remember, if gaps appear in the record, turn the paper speed down until a solid record is achieved. The paper speed may also be slowed when not lookingfor fish or to simply conserve paper. GRAYLINE® On/Off Knob The GRAYLINE® function can be used to outline the bottom contour which might otherwise be hidden beneath trees and brush; it can also give clues-to the composition of the bottom. A hard bottom returns a very strong signal causing a wide gray line. A soft, muddy or weedy bottom returns a weaker signal which is emphasized with a narrow gray line. Do not advance the control too far or it will gray 7 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor - -12 H A I I 131 t K - - r__-_s...j I. GRAYLINE: "OFF" Figure 12 GRAYLINE: "ON" Figure 11 line on the target completely, Press: 8 0 LOWER LIMIT showing no black, which makes The depth will then be displayed: the target difficult to see. Figure 14 RANGE --n a The Lowrance X-15 straight line graph has the most advanced - I, bJ range selection capability of any depth sounderin its price range. We urge you to read this section --'-lb lb _________________ 92 ______ --HE MB carefullyto get the most out of your X-15. Lower Limit When you first turn on the X-15, the range will be 0-60 feet. Figure 13 -______ -_____ --- U --bH bM '0 Any depth in a multiple of ten SD---- 2'I Sb --___________ ---- Sb 'ID 'Ia hfl (i.e. 10, 20, 30, 150, 320, etc.) may be used as a lower limit at the bottom of the chart paper Example: Display 0-190 feet. Press: 1 9 0 LOWER LIMIT Result: Figure 15 -- U _________________ mounted on the transom should be washed periodically with mild soapy waterto remove any accumulated road grime or oily film. This is essential to have good contact between the transducerp and the water. Periodically, the rubber rolleron the paper drive should be cleaned with a cloth dampened with alcohol, to improve the friction on the drive shaft. (See page 16, Figure 29). DO SECTION Do carry a spare fuse, stylus belt, and roll of paper. Do use the tape from a new roll or paperto attach it to the take-up spool' Do use the empty cardboard core from the last roll of paper on the take-uppost. Do carry a pencil to make notes on the paper. Do keep the recorded graphs for future reference. Do clean the stylus belt and wheels with alcohol after every five rolls of paper. DON'T SECTION DON'T OPEN THCASE WHEN THE UNIT IS ON. Don't pull the platen assembly down when the stylus is at the front. Don't store any objects inside the case or behind the viewing at battery; tighten power cord connector. Symptom On/Off switch is "ON", have zero mark, but no echoes or bottom signals. WhatTo Do Be sure the transducer is plugged into the unit and the transducer is in contact with the water. Symptom The unit is ON, but paper does not move. What To Do Tape Paperto cardboard spool on take-uppost. Symptom Recorder marks are faint or dim. What To Do Clean viewing door; replace the stylus; check battery connections. Sympton What To Do Bend the stylus slightly to reduce pressure on paper VI ADVANCED OPERATION Recorded marks are very heavy; paper is torn by stylus. .-- --3 ______________________ -- descend below 60 feet. To change to a deeper range, simply press the desired depth on the Keyboard, and then press LOWER LIMIT. Example: Display 0-80 feet. As you travel, the bottom may lb -- ib-- 11H door Don't forget to tape the paperto the take-up core. Don't rotate the stylus belt up. Don't use oily cloths, strong solvents or abrasive cleansers. TROUBLESHOOTING --''H --152 152 -- _________ - -- Symptom On/Off switch is "ON", but the stylus and paper don't move. What To Do Check fuse; check connections fish, or temperature inversions. The surface clutter can be reduced or elimihated by using the MARK/SOC key on the control panel. To use the 5CC, control, press 1 for minimum effect, 2 for an intermediate control, or 3 for maximum elimination of surface clutter, and then press MARK/SCC. A reduction of the surface clutter will im17 Surface Clarity Control (SCC) The surface markings at the top of the chart paper can, at times, extend many feet below the surface. This often interferes with the area that one is trying to graph. Surface clutter is caused by algae and plankton, air bubbles created by wave action or boat wakes, bait PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor 8 STYLUS BELT REPLACEMENT CAUTION -- High voltage is present in the electronic section when the unitis turned on. 1. TURNTHE UNIT OFF. 2. Release both catches on the top of the case. Pull out and down on the top of the case front to expose the stylus belt. 3. The stylus belt rides over two wheels located at the right edge of the platen assembly. Refer to Figure 2 on page 3. Movethe front of the belt DOWN to position the stylus at the centerof the platen. 4. Grasp the belt at the stylus holder with the thumb and forefingerand move it gently to the left while pushing the belt off the wheels with the other forefinger. (See Figure 5. Position the new belt on the wheels by reversing the procedure used to remove the old one. BE SURE the fingers of the new stylus are pointed 6. Close the front of the case. Latch both catcheson the top of the unit. MAINTENANCE NOTE: The stylus may be damaged if it is in front of the platen when the platen assembly is pulled down. Always move the stylus to the back side of the platen when changing the paper rolls. Remember to move the belt downto remove stylus. Black carbon dust is created during the recording process. Use a soft, oil-free rag to clean the viewing door and metal platen behind the paper. Low pressure compressed air may be used to blow dust out of the case and awayfrom moving parts the air UP 40.) Note that the paper speed slows down automatically at this range setting. Figure 17 '1D Clear - To clear an entry before hitting the LOWER key, press 0 four times. The desired numbers maythen be re-entered. UPPER LIMIT -'N ________________________ 'IS -- I Figure 40 is dry and free of oil. After every five rolls of paper, the stylus belt and the wheels it rides on should be wiped clean with a soft rag moistened with alcohol to remove carbon dust. Strong solvents or abrasive cleaners should not be used. All mechanical connections should be checked periodically to be sure they haven't worked loose. DO NOT apply anytype of lubricant to the motors or geartrains. HIGH VOLTAGE is present in the transmitter section when the unit is ON. No attempt should be made by any unauthorized person to modify or repairthe electronic section. Corrosion may occur at the power plug, in the fuse holder or power cord splices, or at the battery connections. All electrical connections should be checked periodically and cleaned as necessary. The face of the transducer, if Many times when you are fishing, it is desirable to "blow up" or expand a section of the water beneath you. This is made possible by the X-15 to show segments of the underwater world on the graph paper. By using the UPPER LIMIT key, any depth in multiples of 10 may be displayed at the TOP of the chart paper. Example: Display 20-60 feet. 2 0 UPPER Press: Result: Figure 16 20 __________________ 60 -- U Sb U --ED - LIMIT 20 29 - ' 00 - If you wish to display your depth settings at any time, simply press LOWER LIMIT or UPPER LIMIT Your range will immediately be printed on the paper. This will not change the depth setting. LINES When the X-15 is first turned on, depth lines will be printed on the paper. If you desire to turn the Lines off, press the LINES key. To the Lines back on, press the Lines key again. Press: Lines Result: Figure 18 - _____________________ SE- a 2 S2 g L'--bD2H EM if Notice: No surface signal will be displayed. Example: Display 40 to 60 feet. Press: 4 0 UPPER LIMIT Result: Figure 17 These ranges can be used in various combinations to show segments from the surface to the bottom. See representative sampies of segments on page23. 26 36 I! Marker A marker is included in the X-15 so that events may be 60 9 16 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor marked when desired. To use the marker, simply press the MARK key and a vertical line will be displayed across the entire page. Hold the MARK key down and the unit will print the vertical line for as long as the key is held down. Example: Press: MARK Result: Figure 19 El End-of-Paper Marker The graph paper used in the X-15 has a red line printed at the bottom of the paper to signify when there is only 2 to 3 feet before the end of the paper. - 2 24 12 End of 2L4 PaperMark!5__ Figure 21 IV HOW TO READ GRAPHS bO U STYLUS REPLACEMENT CAUTION -- High voltage is present in the electronicsection when the unit is turned on. 1. TURN THE UNIT OFF. 2. Release both catcheson the top of the case. Pull out and down on the top of the case front to expose the stylus belt. (See Figure 36.) 3. The stylus belt rides over two wheels located at the right edge of the platen assembly. Move the front of the belt DOWN to position the stylus at the center of the platen. 4. Hold the stylus belt stationary with one finger, and remove the old stylus by starting at its left edge and moving it out from under the tabs on the 5. Before installing the new stylus, be sure it is bent propstylus holder. erly by comparing it to Figure 37. 6. Refer to Figure 38to be sure the new stylus is positioned correctly under the tabs on the holder. Be sure it moves freely in the two slots. If not, bend the stylus away from the edge it is rubbing on until it 7. After installing, if the stylus won't print all theway down the paper, (See Figure 39) bend the right leg down so that more pressure is exerted against the stainless steel plate. If it still does not print all the way, bend the left leg down more (but not so far that it digs into the paper). 8. Close the front of the case. Latch both catcheson the top of the case. does move freely. Scale The numbers that indicate the depth or scale may be deleted if desired. Pressing the SCALE key once will stop the printing of the scale numbers. The scale may be displayed again by pressing the SCALE key. Remember, the scale may be displayed at any time by pressing either the LOWER LIMIT or the UPPER LIMIT key. Example: Press: SCALE Result: Figure 20 A remarkable advantage of the X-15 is that it can record individual fish with a characteristic arched mark that separates them from their stationary surroundings. The reason for this is shown below. The distance to a fish when it moves into the sonar's cone of sound is shown as "A' in Figure 22. When the fish has moved to the center of the cone, the distance to it will be shorter, (line "B"), and as it moves out of the cone, the distancewill increase again as shown in line "C". Figure 22 "Arched Signatures" Figure 37 - U PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor 15 0-- 10 -- 20 -- 30 -- 40 -- 50 -- 60 Figure 23 tion of a warm and cool layer of water is called a thermocline. The depth and thickness of the thermoclinecan vary with the season or time of day. In deep lakes there may be two or more, at different depths. Thermoclines are important to the fishermanbecause they are areas which fish are active. Many times bait fish will be above the thermoclinewhile larger game fish suspend just below it. (See (G), Figure 23.) Your Lowrance Model X-15 Figure 31 Figure 34 If a partial arch occurs most of the time on your unit (the mark curves up but does not curve back down), it is because the transducer is not aimed straight down. will occur most often when the Sensitivity knob is set at the ¾ point or higher. (See (C), Figure 23). Remember, too, that there must be some movement between the fish and boat to develop the arched mark. Sharp, well-defined signatures Thermoclines The temperature of water in the Figure 32 Figure 35 to bottom. Layers of different temperatures form, and the junc- lake is seldom constant from top can detect this invisiblelayer in the water, but the Sensitivity knob will probably have to be set at the ¾ point, or higher. I p Figure 33 Figure 36 Figure 24 11 14 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor CAUTION -- High voltage is present in the electronic section when the unit is turned on. 1. TURN THE UNIT OFF. 2. Release both catches on the top of the case. Pull out and down on the top of the case front to expose the platen assembly: (See Figure 25.) 3. Move the stylus belt DOWN, (on the right side of the viewmarkingstylus on the back side of the platen. NEVER movethe belt up -- the stylus may be damaged. (see Figure SPECIAL NOTE: The stylus may be damaged if the platen assemblyis pulled downunless the stylus has been moved to the back side of the platen. 4. Pull outand down on the tab at thetop, center of the platen assembly to expose the paper spools. (See Figure 27.) To remove the full take-up roll, push in and rotate the left paper retainer knob until it snaps out. (See Figure 28.) The roll can now be easily removed from the paper spool end caps. (See Figure 29.) 6. Remove the empty supply core from the right side in the same manner Align the two notches in the core wEth the tabs on the lowertake-up spool. (See Fig. 30) Push the paper retainer knob in and rotate it until it locks into place. 7. Put a fresh roll of paper in position on the centering posts of the paperspool end 26) ing area), to position the V PAPER LOADING : tom of the roll. (See Figure 31.) 8. Draw the end of the paper across the face of the platen, around the friction roller, over the take-upcore, and tape it squarely to the take-up core. (See Figure 32.) (Hint: small strips of tape may be stored inside housing.) 9. Hold the take-upspool, and turn the supply spool clockwise to put a small amount of tension on the paper It should be snug against the platen. (See Figure 33.) 10. Push the platen assembly back to its operating position. Be sure it engagesthe catch inside the top of the case. (See Figure 34.) 11. Close the front of the case. Latch both catches on the top of the case. (See Figure 35.) 12. Turn the unit on. Move the Chart Speed knob fully clockwise. Watch the paper long enough to be sure it is movind smoothlyand evenly across the platen. If the paper flutters or beginsto run "uphill", repeat Step 8. caps on the supply side (right) of the platen assembly. The paper must spool oft the bot- Figure 27 12 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor 13