INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL MODEL X-1550 GRAPH RECORDER · LOWRANCE ELECTRONICS, INC. DR. 12000 E. SKELLY LITHO IN U.S.A. 988-0083-08 TULSA, OKLA. 74128 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor High Speed (46 MPH.) SUPPRESSION: OFF SENSITIVITY: ON 1/2 POSITION (1 NOTE POOR RECORD CAUSED BY NOT USING SUPPRESSION WHEN AT HIGH SPEED. Figure 44 ...- --r Il-i SUPPRESSION: ON -- ADEQUATE SETTING SENSITIVITY: ON -- 1/2 POSITION High Speed (46 M.P.H.) Figure 45 · !'· a · r -- iii:-. a. ¾ aaYr, -. . '1 Figure 46 SUPPRESSOR: MINIMUM RANGE: 0 TO 80 FEET PULSE WIDTH: 100 MICRO-SECONDS SENSITIVITY: 3/4 LINES: OFF PAPER SPEED: MAXIMUM 21 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor 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 power. Output Power: your unit. 1600 watts typical peak-to-peak. If it is determined that your unit must be returned, full shipping in(200 watts RMS) structions will be provided. Weight: 8.5 lb. (3.9 Kg) SCHEMATIC DIAGRAMAND Dimension: PARTS LIST With Gimbal Mount: . Should you desire a Schematic - 12¼" Width Diagram and Parts list for your Height - 8%" Lowrance TRUELINE RECORD- 51/4" Depth ER, send $1.00 to PARTS LIST, ,. Lowrance Electronics, Inc., 12000 - 91/2" Width East Skelly Drive, Tulsa, OkIa- 71/2" Height homa 74128. Be sure and give us Deth - 51/4" V the Model Numberand Serial Number of your SONAR NOTICE INSTRUMENT. Periodically wash the Trans- Example: Set the initial transmitter pulse width tolOO micro-seconds. 1 0, 0, then SCALES and Press: LINES together SPECIFICATIONS -- X-1550 Depth Ranges: Feet, fathoms, meters. Operating Frequency: 50 kHz (50,000 cycles per second); accuracy is within 0.6 percent. Pulse Length: (duration of pulse): 200-l000gs (30-2000ps programable) Operating Voltage: Minimum: 10 volts DC Maximum: 15 volts DC Operating Current: 0.7 to 1.8 amps depending on printing density and output ducer Face with soap and water to remove any oil film that may collect. Oil and dirt on the face willreduce sensitivity or may even prevent sounding. GOT A PROBLEM? LET US HELP! INDEX Introduction How It Works 2 2 j Installation Basic Operation Suppressor Paper Speed ® GRAYLINE Range Lower Limit . 3 4 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 10 10 14 16 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 Upper Limit Lines Marker Scale End Of Paper How To Read Graphs . .... Paper Loading Stylus Replacement Dos and Donts Troubleshooting Advanced Operation Surface Clarity Control (5CC) ee, a oms, e ers Transmit and Print Alternate Transmitter Pulse Width Specifications Service Information . 16 16 16 7 17 17 21. 22 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor 20 1 I INTRODUCTION The Lowrance X-1550 is a highly sophisticated recording depth sounder. Thanks to a microcomputer, the X-1 550 can do more than any other depth sounder in its price range. Full control of the systemis at your finger tips to meet the changing demandsof varying bottom conditions, water depth and boat speed. You can selectthe unit's sensitivity setting, suppression level, depth range, paper speed, and the degree of "Gray Line".used to enhancethe 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 rolled 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-1 550 goes far beyond the ordinary. Clues to the composition of the bottom are given -- schools of bait fish are easily distinguished from solitary game fish -- there is a continuous display of information about bottom contours and submerged shipwrecks -- fish closer togetherthan six inches can be shown separately -- concentrations of algae, moss or 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 waterwith different temperatures 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. Figure 1 Fish: 17 ft. Depth: 35 Ft. TRULINE RECORDER BOTH SEND AND RECEIVES SIGNALS. RECEIVED SIGNALSARE INDICATED ON GRAPH PAPER. 2 example, with the LOWER LIMIT set to 260 feet, the initial transmitpulse width would be 260 ts. If the LOWER LIMIT is set to 390 feet, the initial transmit pulse would be 390 Its. 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 target separation. As pulse width increases, target separation or resolution is degraded. However, if the pulse width is decreased, resolution becomes much better. The X-1550 allows you to take advantage of this fact by making it possible to override the initial transmitter pulse width selling from what the micro-computer selects according to the Lower Limit. The initial transmitter pulse width can be set from 30 ps to 2000 jis by entering it on the keyboard as shown below. No other graph in the market today can give you this feature. After setting the initial transmitter pulse width, the suppressor control can still be used to cancel out noise by increasing the pulse width. initial For example, if a 50 ts transmitter pulse width is selected, and the Suppressor control is rotated to maximum, the transmitter pulse width would be 850 j's. Returning the Suppressor control to minimum will restore the unit to a 50 /.ts transmitter pulse width. The X-1550 will display the initial transmitter pulse width at the bottom of the paper when 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 j's transmitter pulse width will be displayed on the paper as 0100. A 50 Its 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 were turned off, this will turn them back on. To turn them back off again, press either the SCALES key or the LINES key independently. Do not press them 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 widthwill be fixed for all depth settings until changed or until control is returned to the microcomputer.) To return the unit to the control of the micro-computer, simply press 0 and then the LINES and SCALES keys at the same time. This will revert the unit backto normal operation. 19 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor 3 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor used on all the Lowrance's varior possibly even a "blob" on the able suppression flashers and paper. graphs. Basically, it works on the With a 400 tts transmitpulse principle that most noise pulses width, those same two fish will are of relatively short duration. It have to be at least 12 inches apart the receiver circuit can be adbefore they will show up as two justed so that it will accept only separate arches on the graph. long pulses, then the short pulses This is why it is important to leave will be cancelled out, and only the the Suppressor control turned desired information (fish, bottom, down to minimum when looking structure, etc.) will be displayed. for fish. Of course, the transmitter's pulse However, it is helpful sometimes width would have to be increased to have longer pulse widths when at the same time so that the return noise is not a concern. When echoes would be accepted by the using a sonar in deeper water, it is receiver. easier for the unit to detect a This is exactly what the Lowlonger pulse coming back from the rance suppression system does. bottom or from the fish. This is The transmitter's pulse width is in- called "Probability of Echo Deteccreased by the front panel suption." The probability of the unit pression control, and the receiver being able to detect an echo re'tracks" the amount of increased turning from deep water is dipulse width, cancelling out any minished because the further the narrow noise pulses, and displaysound pulse has to travel, the ing only the return echoes from weaker it becomes. By broadening fish or the bottom, etc. (Note: Rethe pulse width, in essence, a ceiver sensitivity is not diminished larger signal is transmitted and it at all by this process.) is easier for the receiver to detect it. The only disadvantage to this For this reason, the microcomsystem is resolution, or the ability puter in the X-1550 automatically to separate targets, is diminished increases the initial pulse width of when the pulse width is inthe unit as deeper lower limIts are creased. A 200 ps (micro-secset by the operator. (Note: Initial ond) transmitter pulse width used pulse width is the pulsewidth of on the X-1550 when power is first the unit when the Suppressor turned on, will allow the unitto control is turned to minimum.) display two fish or targets that are INITIAL only 6 inches apart. In other TRANSMIT words, if two fish that are six LOWER PULSE inches apart are displayed on the LIMIT WIDTH graph paper, they will show up as (Feet) (Micro-seconds) two separate arches when the 10 110 transmitter is operating with a 200 20 130 width. Now, if we inps pulse 160 30 crease the transmitter pulse width 40-200 200 to 400 Ps, (by rotating the SupFrom 210 feet to 600 feet, pressor control clockwise) those the initial pulse width increases at same two fish arches will blend the same rate as the depth. For together and show up as one fish 18 GRAPH PAPER PAPER QJ--PULLEV TRAVEL Figure 2 The stylus continues to move This section will be adequate down the edge of the paperwhile for most situations. However, the sound pulse is traveling once you have mastered the basic operation of the X-1550 as dethrough the water, and when an echo is detected, the stylus makes scribed in Section III, you may another mark on the paper. The wish to try some of the features of the object which reflected described in Section VI -- Addepth the echo can be read in feet by vanced Operation. This chapter will explain four other features comparing its location on the that will enable the serious paper to the depth scale printed on the paper. operatorto get the maximum use A variable speed motor drives out of this equipment. the paper graph. (The paper is We urge you to read this mantreated so that the stylus will burn it to leave apermanent black ual thoroughly and familiarize yourself with the controls. Almark.) During one revolution of the stylus belt, a very narrow mark though this is a very advanced will be made by the flexible stylus, unit, it is easy to use, thanks to but the paper will move a small the power of the microcomputer and the front panel controls. amount before the next revolution. Each mark will blend into the one Should you require extra help, so that a composite "picbefore, please phone our Customer Serture" of the target will be made, vice Department toll free at one tiny mark at a time. 1-800-331-3889. (Oklahoma residents call collect - 1-918-437Due to the many featuresthat this unit has, we have split the 6881). A service representative will ------- 0 operation section of this manual into two sections. The first section, Sect ...