PIRANHA I & 2 INSTALL GUIDE
Two components need to be installed on the boat: the transducer • The mounting area must be in contact with the water
and the control head. The control head displays sonar informa- when the boat is on plane.
tion, the transducer sends and receives sonar signals into the • If the boat is trailered, make sure that the transducer is
water. Proper installation of each insures best performance of the not inline with trailer bunks or roller assembles that
Piranha and provides the greatest enjoyment and functionality. could damage the transducer during loading
operations.
Due to the wide variety of boats only general instructions
are presented in this installation guide. Each boat has
unique characteristics that need to be evaluated.
Turbulence
You will need: Hand drill and various bits, Phillips #2 & 3
drivers, pencil, silicone sealant (for drilled holes), 2-part,
slow cure epoxy for inside hull transducer mounting, 12v
DC power supply, 1 ampere fuse.
Figure 2, Location of turbulence
INSTALLING THE TRANSDUCER
STEP 2: FOR TRANSOM MOUNTING: DRILL THE
STEP 1: DETERMINE TRANSDUCER LOCATION MOUNTING HOLES
Consider the following to find the best location on the transom: 1. Remove the mounting template from the last page of
Choose an area free of turbulent water. Operation Section (Page O-15). This template provides
a means of locating the two mounting holes which
• Turbulence is generated as the boat moves through the must be drilled.
water and is confined to area aft of ribs, strakes and
rivet lines on the bottom of hull. Choose a location on 2. Hold the template on the transom of the boat in the
the transom where the hull forward of this location is location where the transducer will be installed. Align
smooth, flat and free of protrusions or ribs. the template vertically with the inside arrow of the
template on the deadrise where the bottom of the hull
• Turbulence is also created by the prop - try to keep at meets the transom wall. (Figure 3 ).
least 380mm (15") from the prop(s).
3. Using a pencil or punch, mark the location of the two
• The best method to locate areas free of turbulence is mounting holes on the transom.
to watch the transom while the boat is moving. For best
high-speed performance this is recommended. Have 4. Using a 4mm (⁵⁄₃₂") bit, drill the two holes to a depth of
an assistant pilot the boat and use caution! approximately 25mm (1"). On fiberglass hulls, it is best
to start with a smaller bit and use progressively larger
• Stepped hulls require the transducer be mounted on drill bits to reduce the chance of chipping or flaking the
the step if possible. Never mount the transducer on the outer coating.
transom behind the step.
• If propellers are forward of the transom, clear water
may be impossible to find. A different transducer or Level
mounting method should be considered, (see optional
inside hull instructions below). TOP
Use 5/32" drill bit
Drill Drill
TOP
Use 5/32" drill bit
Drill Drill
DO NOT LET DEADRISE
INTERSECT THIS LINE
PLACE EITHER CORNER
ON DEADRISE ANGLE
PLACE EITHER ARROW
ON DEADRISE ANGLE
15" 15"
Figure 3
Figure 1. Mounting locations include transom and inside hull.
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STEP 3: ASSEMBLE & MOUNT THE TRANSDUCER STEP 5: ROUTE THE CABLE
The cable must be routed to where the control head will
1. Attach the Transducer Body to the Bracket using the be mounted. Consider the following:
hardware shown below.
• The easiest method to get the cable into the boat
2. Tighten the Pivot Bolt just enough so the transducer routes the cable over the transom. The most common
can rotate, but remain in a place when released. method drills a hole through the transom, above the
3. Apply silicone sealant into the drilled mounting holes. water line.
4. Align the transducer with the mounting holes and • Once inside the boat, the cable routes through or along
attach with Phillips screws provided. internal conduits and channels.
5. Tighten the Mounting Screws just enough so the • Keep the cable as far away as possible from VHF radio
transducer can move vertically, but remain in a place antenna and tachometer cables.
when released. • Do not cut, shorten or lengthen the transducer cable.
Mounting Bracket • If the cable is too short, extensions are available at
Star lock washers
your dealer or direct from Humminbird.
FOLLOW THESE STEPS:
Pivot
1. Run the cable over the transom or through a 16mm
Nut
Cable
(⁵⁄₈") hole drilled well above the water line.
Pivot Bolt ¹⁄₄-20, #3 Phillips Drive 2. If a hole was drilled, fill it with silicone sealant.
Transducer 3. Secure the cable with clamps as shown. (Figure 6).
Figure 4 Cable Clamps Note: Allow enough
slack in the cable for
Note: A third mounting screw location is provided in the the transducer to
mounting bracket. Drill and install this ONLY after final pivot. Route the
6" cable to side of
testing and adjustments have been made. 150mm the transducer.
STEP 4: ADJUST THE TRANSDUCER
Correct transducer height and running angle settings are
Figure 6
needed to ensure best performance at all boat speeds.
Use the template provided (pg. O-15) to make the initial
setting for most boats. Some boat hulls require adjust-
ments beyond these settings for best performance at INSTALLING THE CONTROL HEAD
all speeds.
1. Cut out the transducer templates from the Piranha STEP 1: ASSEMBLE THE BASE
package printed template insert following the cutting 1. Insert the Mount Arms through the Base.
directions for your boat hull. 2. Secure the Mount Arms with the 4 screws provided.
2. Adjust the height on the transom and the pivot bolt
angle to match guides on the template as shown.
3. Hand tighten the Pivot Bolt and Mount Screws at this
Arm Screws, 4 #6 x ⁷⁄₁₆"
time. Ensure the height and angle have not changed.
Transducer Hull
Place on bottom of hull
Transducer bottom
rglass Hulls
Cut and use for Fibe Align with transom.
inum Hulls
Cut and use for Alum
30mm
15mm
Aluminum
Fiberglass
Transducer
Guide Left Arm
Right Arm
Templates supplied locating the transom bracket and
adjusting the transducer’s position.
Figure 5 Figure 7
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STEP 2: ATTACH THE CONTROL HEAD TO THE BASE • Ensure enough space exists for easy control head
1. Insert the Pivot Bolt through the Pivot Knuckle on the installation and removal and for pivoting through its full
control head. range of motion.
2. Thread the Gimbal Knob onto the Pivot Bolt using only • The mounting area should be well supported to protect
2-3 turns. the fishfinder from wave shock and vibration.
3. Align the Pivot Knuckle with the Mount Base Arms and • Choose an area that provides good visibility for the
slide into place until it seats firmly. A slight twist will aid Piranha.
in seating the unit. STEP 4: ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS
4. Rotate the Control Head to the desired angle and hand A 2m (6’) long power cable is included to supply power to the
tighten the Gimbal Knob. fishfinder. You may shorten or lengthen the cable using 18 gauge
Now you can use the assembled Piranha to identify the best multi-stranded copper wire.
mounting location. CAUTION: Some boats have 24 or 36 volt electric systems.
Be sure your unit is connected to a 12 VDC power supply.
Humminbird is not responsible for over current or over
voltage failures.
POSITIVE
Pivot Bolt
Gimbal Knob GROUND
Figure 11
Pivot Knuckle
Figure 10
Figure 8 The power cable can be connected to the boat’s electrical sys-
tem at two places: a fuse panel, usually located near the con-
STEP 3: DETERMINE CONTROL HEAD MOUNTING LOCATION sole, or directly to the battery.
When choosing a mounting location consider the following:
If a fuse terminal is available, use crimp-on type electrical con-
• Power and transducer cables should be installed first nectors (not included) that match the terminal on the fuse panel.
and must reach the control head. Transducer extension
Attach the black wire to ground and the red wire to 12 VDC
cables are available. The power cable can be
shortened or lengthened with 18 gauge wire. power (Figure 10). Be sure to use a one amp fuse in the connec-
tion. If you must wire the control head directly to a battery, be
• If possible, choose a location that provides access
from below so above deck cable length is short, and sure to install an inline fuse holder and use a one amp fuse (not
the cable’s hole can be covered by the mount base. included) for the protection of the unit (Figure 11).
In order to minimize the potential for interference with other
Cabling can be rout-
marine electronics a separate power source (such as a second
ed through a 16mm battery) may be necessary.
hole centered
between the two STEP 5: INSTALL THE BASE
rear mounting holes
of the base. 1. Remove the control head from the mount base by
loosening the gimbal knob and pulling the unit from the
base - a slight twisting motion will help to release it.
Note: It is not necessary to completely remove the gimbal
knob. Unscrew only enough to permit the unit to release.
2. Using the mount base as a template, mark the location
for the mounting holes.
3. Drill the mounting holes using a 3.5mm (⁹⁄₆₄") bit.
Figure 9
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4. Drill a 16mm (⁵⁄₈") hole at the location where the If the bottom is visible on-screen with digital depth readout the
cables pass through the mounting surface. If access is unit is working properly. If no bottom is visible or erratic opera-
possible underneath mounting surface, drill the hole so tion occurs, ensure that the unit is in water greater than 1 meter
the mount base forms a hole cover. See Figure 9 for (3') and the transducer is fully submerged in water. Remember,
location of cable hole under the mount.
sonar signals can not travel through air.
5. Pass the transducer and power cables through the
16mm inch hole, leaving about 150mm length above If the unit is working properly, gradually increase boat speed to
the surface. test higher speed performance. If the unit functions well at low
speeds but begins to skip or miss the bottom at higher speeds,
6. Align the mount base with the holes and attach with the
Phillips screws provided. the transducer requires adjustment.
Note: Transducer installation often requires several incremental
STEP 6: ATTACH THE CONTROL HEAD AND PLUG IN CONNECTORS adjustments before optimum high-speed performance is achieved.
To optimize transducer installation, try the following.
1. Mount the control head to the base.
• Ensure the transducer is NOT located in an area of
2. With attention to shape and orientation of the plugs, turbulent water.
insert the transducer and power cable into the correct
socket according to the figure below. • First, incrementally lower the running depth by 1.5mm
(¹⁄₁₆") until best high-speed performance is achieved.
• If the bracket is fully extended and high-speed
performance continues to need adjustment,
incrementally change the Pivot Angle to lower the rear
of the transducer by 3mm (¹⁄₈") steps until best high-
speed performance is achieved.
Transducer Power Temperature
Important: For transom mount transducers, install the third
mounting screw after final transducer adjustments. Hand
3. With the control head in place, tilt the unit through its
full range to ensure enough cable slack is left for tighten only!
movement. Hand tighten the gimbal knob when at its
desired position. OPTIONAL INSIDE HULL TRANSDUCER MOUNTING
YOUR NEW HUMMINBIRD IS NOW READY FOR OPERATION! Inside the hull installation requires the control
head to be installed and operational. Inside the
TEST & COMPLETE INSTALLATION hull mounting generally produces
Testing should be performed with the boat in the water, however, good results in single thickness
you can initially confirm basic operation with the boat trailered. fiberglass-hulled boats.
Press POWER-MENU once to turn the unit on. An audible chirp Humminbird cannot guarantee
sounds any time a button is pressed. If the unit does not power depth performance when transmit-
on, ensure the cable plugs are fully seated and there is power ting and receiving through the hull of
available. the boat, since some signal loss Figure 13
occurs. The amount of loss depends on
The first screen indicates either Start-Up or Simulator. If the unit hull construction, hull thickness and the installation.
detects the transducer, Start-Up will be the default selection. If This installation requires slow-cure two-part epoxy. Do not use
no transducer is detected, Simulator will be selected. Use the silicone or any other soft adhesive to install the transducer, as
Arrow keys to change between Start-Up and Simulator. this material reduces the sensitivity of the unit. Five minute
Note: The transducer must be submerged in water for epoxy has a tendency to cure before all the air bubbles can be
reliable transducer detection. purged.
If the transducer is detected, after several seconds the Piranha
will begin operation unless you choose another option. If the
boat is in the water sonar data begins to scroll across the
screen.
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STEP 1: INSTALL THE CONTROL HEAD 5. Press the transducer into place with a slight twisting
Follow directions above for installing the control head. motion to purge any trapped air from underneath,
keeping the pointed end of the transducer body
STEP 2: DETERMINE THE MOUNTING LOCATION pointed forward (Figure 14).
Begin the transducer installation by determining where inside 6. Weight the transducer so it does not move while the
the hull to install the transducer. Consider the following to find epoxy is curing.
the best location: When the epoxy cures, no water is necessary inside the hull.
• Observe the outside of the boat hull to find the areas Neither water, spilled gasoline, nor oil will affect the perform-
that are mostly free from turbulent water. Avoid ribs, ance of the transducer.
strakes and other protrusions as these create
turbulence (Figure 2).
• As a general rule, the faster the boat can travel, the
further aft and closer to the centerline of the hull the
transducer has to be located to remain in contact with
the water at high speeds (Figure 13).
STEP 3: TEST THE MOUNTING LOCATION
There is no opportunity for adjustment after the transducer is
glued in place. Therefore, it is best to perform a trial installation
on inside the hull transducers first, and run the boat at high
speeds to determine the best mounting area.
1. At the identified mounting location, lay the transducer
body face down with the pointed end towards the bow. Figure 14
2. Fill the hull with enough water to submerge the
transducer body. Use a sand filled bag or other heavy
object to hold the transducer in position.
The transducer cannot transmit through air. The water
purges any air from between the transducer and the
hull, and fills any voids in the coarse fiberglass surface.
3. Power up the Control Head.
4. Run the boat at various speeds and water depths while
observing the screen on the Control Head. If the unit
functions well at low speeds but begins to skip or miss
the bottom at higher speeds, the transducer needs to
be moved. If depth performance is required, test the
fishfinder in water at the desired depth. Test different
locations in the hull until the optimum performance is
achieved.
STEP 4: PERMANENTLY MOUNT THE TRANSDUCER
1. Once the mounting location is determined, mark the
position of the transducer.
2. Remove the water from inside the hull and thoroughly
dry the mounting surface. If the surface is excessively
rough, it may be necessary to sand the area to provide
a smooth mounting surface.
Ensure the mounting area is clean and dry.
3. Mix an ample quantity of two-part slow-cure epoxy
slowly and thoroughly. Avoid trapping air bubbles.
4. Coat the face of the transducer and the inside of the
hull.
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