User manual LOWRANCE X-4

INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL X-4 LCG RECORDER N · LOWRANCE ELECTRONICS, INC. SKELLY TULSA, OKLA. 12OOO E. DR., 74128 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor Litho in U.S.A. 988-0105-21 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Installation Power Connections Noise Keyboard Basics Operation On Off 2nd Clear Auto Sensitivity Automatic SensitivityAdvanced Chart Speed Lower Limit Upper Limit Scale Auto Rangewith Zoom Bottom Track Digital 10th Range 2 2 3 4 5 7 7 7 7 a 8 8 10 io ii i Alarms Zone Alarm Note Key Clearing Zone Alarm Depth Alarm Discrimination Light Surface Clarity Control (SCC) Feet-Fathoms-Meters Transducersand Cone Angles Signal Interpretation Fish Signals Water Temperature and Thermoclines Bait Fish Surveyinga Lake How to Obtain Service How to Obtain aSchematic Specifications 2 13 14 15 15 17 17 18 20 20 20 22 23 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 30 31 31 32 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor 1 COMMAND SUMMARY 1. DIGITAL ON/OFF 2. DIGITAL NUMBERSSIZE 3. DIGITAL--TENTHS 4. AUTOMATIC FUNCTIONS ON/OFF 5.SCC 6. VIEW SCC WITHOUT CHANGING DIGITAL INTRODUCTION Welcome to the world of sportfishingsonar.YourLowrance X-4 is a high quality sonar designed for both professional and novice users.The X-4 automaticallyfinds and displays the bottom depth,fish, and structure by just turning it on. As you grow familiar with your X-4, you can try some of its remarkable features and 'fine tune" the unitto the surrounding conditions. You can program the X-4 to displaythe bottom depth in tenths of a foot sound alarmswhen the boat goes shallower or deeper than a preset depth, or when a fish enters an alarm zone.. . plus much more. To get started with your X-4, first read the installation section. This is where it all begins,and improper installationcan cause problemsdown the road.After you've read these instructions and installedyour X-4, read the rest of this manualin detail.The more you know when you get to the water,the moreyour X-4 will do for you.Take this manual, or at least the User's Card, when you head to the lake. - 2nd, 7 2nd, DIGITAL AUTO 0-10,SCC SCC CLEAR STOP/RESUME STOP/RESUME 7. CLEAR ENTRY 8. FREEZE CHART 9. RESTART CHART 10. DISCRIMINATION 11. AUTO RANGING WITH ZOOM BOTTOMTRACK 12. INCREASE SENSITM1Y 13. DECREASE gENSITIVI1Y 14. INCREASE CHARTSPEED 15. DECREASE CHARTSPEED 16. VIEW CHARTSPEED WITHOUTCHANGING 17. TURN LIGHTS ON or OFF 18. FEET-FATHOMS-METERS 19. ZONEALARM SET 0-5, DISC WINDOWSIZE, 2nd, 8 PRESS>KEY PRESS 85 db temperaturestabilized 200 ma (lights ofO 500 ma (lights on) 9-15vdc 82 x 32 2624 Total 300'-SOO' typical (with 20 degree transducer) DisplayScroll Speed 500'-700' typical (with 8 degree transducer) .5" per minute (minimum) 32" per minute (maximum) POWER CPBLL 1-Ia'J SPLICE FUSE BOWER BOAI BMTERN ·CROUMO OR SIDE OF DATTER -- Figure 1 3 32 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor As you go about your survey, your X-4 will tell youthe depth and kind of bottom. It will also reveal suspendedfish. Multiple signals on the dial usually indicate a good school of fish and it's worth it to stop and fish for them.You may not get any further. Keep a few Lowrance Fish-N-Floats in the boat, ready to toss overboard.When the X-4 indicates a school of fish, throw the buoy out. Thestring will unwind until the sinker hits bottom. Then, because of the marker'sflat shape, it won't unwind any further. With the school thus marked,you can make your turnand come backto fish in exactly the right spot This is essential when you'refar from shore on a big lake. Unlessyou mark the school of fish when you're over it, you may not be able to find it again. TRANSDUCER Installationinstructions for the transducer are supplied with the transducer in a separatepackage. Please read the instructions carefully before you start installingthe transducer. NOISE Electrical noise picked up by the power cable can be minimizedby routing it away from other possible sources of electrical interference.One of the largest noise generators is the engine's wiring harness that runs from the engine to the instrumentpanel. This harness usually contains a wire for the tachometerwhich radiates HF (radio frequency)energy. For best results, keep the power and transducer cables away from the engine wiring.Also, bilge pumpwiring can sometimesradiate noise so try to keep the X-4's cables away from thosewires. VHF radio antenna cables radiate HF energy at higher power levels than even the engine'swiring harness. It is very importantto keep the X-4'spower and transducer cables as far away as possiblefrom a VHF radio antennacable. HOW TO OBTAIN SERVICE If you have a problemwith your sonar unit please give us a chance to help before sending it in for repair. Assistancecan often be extended by telephone or letter. Write or call one of our AuthorizedService Centers or the Lowrance CustomerService Departmentin Tulsa, OK. If you live out ofthe state of Oklahoma,call 1-800-331-3889,free. If 'you live in the state of Oklahoma,call collect918-437-6881. Please detail the problemyouare experiencing.Our Service Department may be able to save you the inconvenienceof returning your unit. If it's determinedyour unitmust be returned,we'll provide full shipping instructions. the If there is no noise--interference--On unitwhen the boat is sitting still with the engine running in neutral,but interference begins at slow boat speeds,worsening as the boatspeed increases, then a probable cause is acoustic noise, or cavitation.Thisnoise is not electrical, but rather mechanicallyinduced noise from the transducer.Usually, acoustic noise is created by air bubbles passing over the faceof the transducer Thefaster a boat travels,the more air bubbles increase and generate noise on the display.To eliminate this problem,read the transducer owner's manualfor proper mounting techniques. SCHEMATICDIAGRAM AND PARTS LIST Should you desire a schematic and parts list foryour Lowrance sonar, send $1.00to the address below and the informationwill be mailed to you promptly. Be sure to include the model and serial numberof your Lowrance sonar unit. Mail to: Lowrance Customer Service 12000 E. Skelly Drive Tulsa, Oklahoma 74128-2486 4 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor 31 KEYBOARDBASICS SENSITIVITY Thesekeys control the graph's sensitivity. (rhe digital's sensitivity is automaticallyadjusted.)The receiver sensitivityhas 32 speeds which allowsadjustrnentoverawide range of conditions.The left arrowkey decreasesthe sensitivity,the right arrowkeyincreases it 11 kI it'll1' SCC I I°' I 10TH acn:I· STOP RESUME FAST ] J _.]fC1IVjt!.]y' I DIGITAL I SHALLOWI DEE1 ALARM ALARM Most fish don't spawn Unless the water temperatureis within rather narrow limits. To find the differenttemperatures,a surfacetemperature meter, suchas the LDT-3000is a valuable aid to your boat.This unit providesan extremelyquick responseto identifyingthe desired surface water spawning temperaturesfor various species.Trout can'tsurvivein streams that get too warm; bass and otherfish eventuallydie out when stocked in lakes that remain too cold during the summer.While some fish have awider temperaturetolerance than others, each has a certain range within which ittriesto stay. Schooling fish suspendedover deep water lie at the level that providesthis temperaturein which, we assume, they are the most comfortable, ZONEALARM KEYS This --.._...., group ofkeys controls theX-4's zone alann. Itcan be used asa SET DEEP 'fishalarm' with upper and lowerlimits set sothat atarget (such asafish or school of fish) will set off thealarm ifthetarget enters the alarm zone. DISPLAY J [DISC BAIT FISH J emphasiZed. They are the principle food of all game fish in most waters. 1 2 5 BTM TRIC Some ofthese keys have more than oneftJnctionandcan be accessed by using the 2nd fijnclion key.When anumeric keyis pressed,thenumber will be displayed in awindow near thetop center ofthedisplay. 0-9 These keys allow the entry of numbers 0 through 9. 4 SIZE 7 8 3 6 9 FT/PAlM LOWER The importanceof baitfish to successfulfishing can'tbe over- Baitfish are the plankton feedingforage fish, suchas minnows and shad. Bait fish can also be the young of game fish, such as crappies, bluegill,and bass. Most bait fish are concentratedwithin five feet of the surface where sunlight promotes the growth of the plankton on which they feed. One method of fishing is to usethe X-4 to findthe baitfish first. A school of bait fish will look like a "cloud" on theX-4's display.Usually, gamefish will be nearby, often directly beneath the school of bait fish. UPPER LIMIT U LIMIT CLEAR TheCLE14JR erasesthe lastenby. It can also erase other features,asyouwill see key" 4CLEARJJ 2N]I Auió LIGHT J ,4-óFfl[ON] OFF SURVEYING A LAKE 2nd 2nd allows some ot the keys to have more thanone tunction. Notice thatsome of thekeys have asmall word printed inwhitebelowthekey's primary ftmnction label. For example,theAUTO keyalso has the word LIGHT printed on it. "UGHr' is the AUTOkey's second function.The "2nd Function" keys are activatedby firstpressing the '2ndkey and thenthe appropriatekeywhich hasthe second tunotion printed inwhite. 'I theX-4 on and ott. Toturniton, simplypress the ON key.Toturn itoff, press and HOWthe OFF key.You must hold the OFFkey down forafew seconds in order fortheX-4 to turn off. You'll notice a beep every time akey is pressed.Thisis the X-4'sway of telling you that it has accepted acommand. ON These keys turn Themostsuccessfulanglerson anylake or reservoir are those who fish it day after day and year afteryear until they learn the hot spotsthat produce fish consistently. They discover through experiencewhere, and at whatdepth,they can expect to findthe kind of fish theywant atany season.And they realizethatthese productive areas change throughout the year dependingon water level, temperature,food, and otherfactors. With the aid of the X-4, anyonecan eliminateguesswork and concentrate.onthe areas where fish are likely to be-even if its the first time on the lake! The most efficentway to become aquaintedwith a bodyof water is to survey it with your X-4. Start out with a map of the lake, if possible, and indicate the promising spots in relationto landmarks on shore. 30 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor 5 WATER TEMPERATURE AND THERMOCLINES Water temperaturehas an important--ifnotcontrolling--influence upon the activities of all fish. Fish are cold blooded and their bodies are always the temperatureofthe surroundingwater. During the winter, colder water slows down their metabolism so that they need about a fourth as much food as theyconsume in the summer bottom. Layersof differenttemperaturesform, and the junction of a warm scc ThisIs theSurface clarityControl orscc. Thescc key eliminatessurface clutter (noise) caused by wave action, algae, schools ot baitfish, or othertactors creating noise near thesurface, CHART The chart speedis controlled bythe CHARTgroup ofkeys. TheX-4 has 32 chart speeds, ranging tromvery slow to FASTPressing theFASTkey speeds upthe chart speed.The slowkeyreduces it Thechart display can bestopped and started again using the STOP/RESUMEkey. DIGITAL SONAR KEYS The X-4 is actually two sonars in one. Thefirst and most obvious sonar fljnction, isthegraph which shows all return echoes including fish,bottom, therrnodines, etc. The second sonar is only onepurpose:toshow the bottom depth. The digital sonar won'tgivetalsesignals from fish,showthermoclines, orany other targetThe keys surrounded bythe barlabled SONAR"turnsthe "DIGITAL digital sonaroff or on, andsets the digital's alarm functions. DISC Discriminationis an adjustablenoise rejection system. The levels of adjustuientare 0 through 5. Thetemperatureof water in the lake is seldom constant from top to and cool layer of water is called a thermocline.The depth and thickness of the -thermoclinecanvary with the season or time of day. In deep lakes there may be two or more at different depths. Thermochnesare important to fishermenbecausetheyare areas where fish are active. Many times bait fish will be above the thermocline whilelarger game fish will suspend in or just below it. --H. adigital readout designed for ._--THERM0cuNE S/rn ulated Picture Figure 23 TheX-4 can detect this invisible layer in the water,but the sensitivity will probably have to be turned up to see it UPPER LOWER LIMIT LIMIT TheUpper and Lower Umit keys allow you to select different depth ranges bypressing the desired depth and then pressing the appro.pdateupper orlowerUmit key. TheUpper Limit key sets the depth torthetop ot the display, whilethe Lower Limitdetermines thedepth displayed at the bottom. AUTO TheAUTO key switches theX-4 in orout ot the automatic mode, When theX-4 is first turned on,itautomatically adjusts thesensitivity end range selection, andthe word "AUTO" will bedisplayed near the topof thescreen. Bypressing the AUTO key,you can take conbol ofthe X-4, making manual adjushnents as desired.When theX-4 is in theautomatic mode, theword "AUTO" willbe displayed near thetop of the display. 29 6 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor C}PFRATICThJ When the X-4 is firstturned on, it automaticallyfindsand displays. the bottom depth, sets the sensitivitylevel, and much more. If desired,the X-4 can be left in this automatic mode and used for finding fish and the water and bottom conditions they prefer. However,virtually everyfunction of the X-4 can be manuallyadjustedso that "fine tuning" ofthe unitto The surrounding conditions can be made.At first, you should take this manual out on thewateras a referenceguide. As you become more familarwith your X-4, the handy User's Guide we've enclosed should be adequate reference material. Remember, there must be some movement betweenthe boat and the fish to develop the arch. Usuallythis meanstrolling atvery slow speeds with the main engine in gearat a minimumthrottle setting. The depth of the water will affect the size and shape of thefish arch due to the cone angle diameter. For example, if the cone passesover a fish in shallow water, the signal displayed on the X-4 may not arch at all, due to the narrow cone diameterand the resolution limitationsof the display.Even the 20 degree transducer has only a 3 foot diameteratthis depth. ON EON] Comparedto a paper graph, an X-4 cannot show as fine of detail becausethe pixels (dots on the screen) are much larger than a paper graph's markings.Therefore,the X-4 cannot show fish arches as well as a graph, and it requiresa bit more work initiallyto read and interpretthe screen than a paper graph. Very small fish probablywill not arch at all, while medium sized fish will show a partial arch, or a shape similarto an arch if they're in deep water. Large fish will arch, but the sensitivityneeds to be turned up in deeper waterto see the arch. Becauseof water conditions,such as heavy surface clutter, therniociines,etc., the sensitivitysometimescannot be turned high enough to getfish arches. One of the best ways to get fish arches is to expand or "zoom" a segmentofthe water,for example40 to 60 feet Thesmaller the segment the better the screen resolution will be. Then, turn up the sensitivityas high as possible without getting too much noise on the screen. In mediumto deep water, this method should workto display fish arches. TheON key is located in the lowerright cornerof the keyboard. It is placed in this location so that it can be easily found--even at night. To turnthe X-4 on, press the ON key. An audible beep will be heard signifying the X-4 knows that a key has been pressed. The chart lights will begin flashing,then stop after six seconds.The chart will begin scrolling across the displayand the number "0" will flash. This numberis the digital bottom depthdisplayAfter the unit has found the bottom, the depth will be displayed. OFF erased. [ OFF] To turn the X-4 off, press and HOLD the OFF key until the display is ______ U ______ LU jrt 2nd TheX-4hasmany different functions,but only a limited amountof space for keys. Therefore,some of the keys have more than one function. Each key's primary function is printed in one color, while it's second function is printed in white. The"2nd" key must be pushedto access the second function printed in white on the appropriate key. For example, the AUTOkey is also labeled "LIGHT". Ifyou press the AUTO key by itself,the X-4 will be taken out of the automatic mode. However,if you press the 2nd key, then the AUTOkey, theX-4's lights will be turned on. The2nd key lust reassignedthe meaning of the AUTO key from AUTO to UGHT. Simulated Pictures I' a In II Figure 22 7 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor 28 FISH SIGNALS Thesignals displayed on the X-4 by fish can be identified by various shaped markings in certain patterns, as opposed to random marks created by noise, or the solid, continuous markings made by the bottom. Individualfish can, at times, be distinguishedby a characteristic arch that separatesthem from their stationarysurroundings.The reason for this is shown below.The distance to a fish when it moves intothe sonar's cone of sound is shown as "A" Figure 21. When the fish has moved into the center ofthe cone, the distance to it will be shorter,"B", and as it moves out of the cone, the distance will increaseagain as shown in "C". If a partial arch occurs most ofthe time on your unit(the mark curves up, but not back down, or vice-versa)it could be the transducer is not pointed straight down. If the transducer is mountedon the transom, adjust it until the fish show the distinctivearch. Thismay take some trial and error until the correct mountingis achieved. CLEAR [A] If you make a mistake,and press a key other than whatyou wanted, wait six seconds and the X-4 will automaticallyerase the entry. For example, ifyouwishto turn on the lights,the proper keys to press are 2nd, AUTO. However, if the 0 key was accidentally pressed instead ofthe 2nd key, you canpress the CLEAR key which erases the 0 and allows you to start over. TheCLEAR key also erases or sets to zero otherfunctions of the X-4 including 5CC, Discrimination,and Upper Limit.As the otherfunctions are described in this manual, the CLEAR key's operation will explained in detail. AUTO F AUTO 1 t LIGHJ I'll" When the X-4 isfirstturned on, the automatic mode is on. To switch it into the manualmode, press the AUTOkey which is located above the ON key. ThewordAUTO at the top ofthe display will be erased, auto sensitivityand auto rangingwill both be cancelled and youwill have complete manual control of the X-4. TheX-4 can be returned to the automatic mode atanytime by simply pressingthe AUTO key again. SENSITIVITY A.rI.c Figure 21 [*" I1F1IlL'il1' scc [i"..' I When firstturned on, the X-4 is in the AUTO SEARCH mode.This meansthe sensitivityand range are automaticallyadjusted by the microcomputer to find and lock onto the bottom.The sensitivitycan be left in the automatic mode or it can be manuallyadjusted to suit conditions. Thesensitivity level is displayed by a horizontal bar atthe top of the display. When the sensitivity is at minimum,the bar is very short As sensitivityis increased,the bar will travel to the right, increasing in length correspondingly.When the sensitivityis set to maximum,the bar will extend across the top of the display. Simulated Picture SENSITIVITY BAR -.r rINUIIH b'IiChi AUTO. AUTO ANNUNCIATOR n u 8 .. Figure 2 27 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor To manuallyadjust the sensitivity, press the AUTO key once, and auto sensitivitywill be turned off. ThewordAUTO at the top of the display will disappear,sigAifying that the X-4 is in the manualmode.To increasethe sensitivity, press and hold the right arrow key until the sensitivityis at the desired level.The left arrow decreases sensitivityin the same manner. Notice how the sensitivitybar moves as you change settings. When you press the right arrow key, the bar moves to the right indicatingan increasein sensitivity. Pressingthe left arrow key moves the bar to the left, indicating the sensitivityhas decreased accordingly.You'll also see the change on the display. Figure 3 demonstratesa graph with too little sensitivity, while on the right the sensitivityis adjusted properly;a fish is now visible, the surface clutter is more pronounced, and the bottom signal haswidened. The 20 degree transducer is almost always the best to use in fresh water, whilethe 8 degreetransducer is used mostly in salt water In a deep water environment (300feet--freshwater, 100 feet--saltwater)the narrow cone angle is more desireablebecause it can penetrateto much deeper depths since the sound energy is concentrated in a smaller area. Both 8 degree and 20 degreetransducers give accurate bottom readings,even though the bottom signal is much wideron the 20 degree model becauseyouare seeing more ofthe bottom. Remember, the shallow edge ofthe signal shows you the truedepth.The rest of the signal tells you whether you are over rocks, mud, etc. Transducerson salt water boats need to be painted with athin coat of anti-foulant paint to prevent organismsfrom growing. If unchecked, barnacles and other marine growth will cause a decrease in the transducer's sensitivity. Do not usea metal based anti-foulant paint as it will decrease thetransducer's senstivity. There are special anti-foulant paints specifically designed for transducers.They're readily available at most marine dealers. Figure 3 -- SENSITIVITY Figure 4 SEtIS,Ti:TY AUTO. 0------ -- - SIGNAL INTERPRETATION Becauseyour X-4 is both extremelysensitiveand powerful, it can give you an accurate picture ofthe kind of bottom over which your boat is passing. A bottom of firm sand, gravel,shell, or hard clay returnsa fairly wide signal. Ifthe automaticsensitivityis tumed off, and the signal narrows down, then it meansthatyou have moved over a mud bottom because mud absorbs the sound wave and retums a weak signal. Turn up the sensitivity. Ifyou havethe automatic senstivityturned on, watch the sensitivitybar. As the boat passes over the mud bottom,the X-4 will automaticallyincreasethe sensitivity to maintaina good bottom signal. Thesensitivitybar will help you in determiningifthe bottom is softor hard. If it increaseswhile in the same depth of water, then the boat has moved over a softbottom. If it decreases,then it is over a hard bottom. Of course, as the water depth increasesor decreases,the sensitivity will also change. Big rocks or stumpson a smooth bottom send back signalsabove the bottom level signal. The height of the signal depends on the target's height. If youwatch as youapproach a postor a tree stump, it will be clearly visible as a short line extending above the bottom signal. TOO LITrLE SENSITIVITY SENSITIVITY AWUSTED PROPERLY Simulated Picture Simulated Picture 26 PDF compression, OCR, web-optimization with CVISION's PdfCompressor 9 TRANSDUCERS AND CONE ANGLES The sound waves from the transducerspread out intothe water in a cone shaped beam, much like the beam from a flashlight The angle betweenthe outside edges ofthe cone is called the cone angle. Lowrance offers a choice of transducerswith either an 8 or 20 degree cone angle that will interchangewith any of the 192 kHz sonar products. In other words, any Lowrance sonar instrumentcan be used with any Lowrance transducer of the same frequencywith no loss of performance. transducer will result in a However, the use of any other manufacturers' loss of performance. Generally,wide cone angle transducers(20 degrees) are ideally suited for operating in shallow to mediumwater depths. The 20 degree cone angle allows youto seemore of the underwaterworld. In 15 feet of water the 20 degree cone covers an area about six feet across. The 8 degree transducer covers only about a two foot circle. When the horizontal bar reaches the far right hand side of the screen, the sensitivity level is at maximum. If high sensitivitysettings are used, a second bottom echomay appear.Thisis normal and is caused by the returningsignal reflecting off the surface of the water, making a second trip to the bottom and backagain.This is called "second echo". To turn Auto Sensitivityback on, press the AUTO key. Remember, both automatic sensitivitycontrol and auto ranging functions are turned off and on at any time by pressingthe AUTOkey. The two controls cannot be turned off or on separatelyby pressing the AUTO key. AUTO SENSITIVITYADVANCEDOPERATION When the X-4 is in the automatic mode,the sensitivity of the receiver will be adjustedto ten steps above the minimum required to pick up the bottom signal.(There are 32 steps of sensitivityavailable.) Thesensitivitylevel can be changed whilethe X-4 is in the automatic mode.Thismay be desirable if the level of sensitivitychosen by the X-4 is not enough to show fish or other small detail. Oncethe sensitivityhas been changed,the X-4 will increasethe sensitivity enough to pick up the bottom signal, then add in the level you programmed.If desired, any amount of sensitivityup to the maximummay be added. To adjust the sensitivitywhile the X-4 is in the automatic mode, simply press either the right arrow key> to increase the sensitivityor the left arrow key