Airmar P39 Owner'S Manual & Installation Instructions Download Page 3

Attaching the Cover & Speed Sensor or Blank

1. Place the cover on the transducer (see Figure 7). Align the holes 

in the cover with the holes in the transducer and bracket.

With speed sensor

—Be sure the tab on the cover fits under the 

speed sensor. This will help to lock the cover in place.

2. Insert the two machine screws capturing the nuts in the slots in 

the back of the bracket. Tighten the machine screws until the 
transducer will stay in the “up” (released) position unaided.

3.

No

 

speed sensor

—Insert the side rails of the blank into the 

channels on the back of the transducer. Slide the blank 
downward. Fasten it in place with the two, #6 x 5/8", self-
tapping screws. 

Be sure to capture the tab on the cover

. This 

will help to lock the cover in place.

With speed sensor

—Fasten the speed sensor to the 

transducer with the two, #6 x 5/8", self-tapping screws.

Testing on the Water

1. Become familiar with your echosounder’s performance at a 

speed of 4kn (5MPH).

2. Gradually increase the boat speed and observe the gradual 

decline in performance due to turbulent water flowing over the 
transducer’s active surface.

3. If the degradation is sudden (not gradual), identify the boat 

speed at which the onset occurred. Return the boat to this 
speed, then gradually increase speed while making moderate 
turns in both directions.

4. If the performance improves while turning, the transducer’s 

position probably needs adjustment. It is probably in aerated 
water. 

To improve performance, try the following 

one at a 

time

 in the order given

.

a. Increase the transducer’s angle in the water. Review 

“Compensating for Transom Angle—Shim” and see Figure 5.

b. Move the transducer deeper into the water in increments of 

3mm (1/8") (see Figure 4).

c. Move the transducer closer to the centerline of the boat. 

Fill unused screw holes with marine sealant.

NOTE: High-speed operation

 above 35 kn (40MPH) may 

require less projection in the water to improve performance.

5.

Calibration

—To match the speed shown on the display to the 

actual speed of the boat, you may need to calibrate the 
instrument. Refer to your instrument owner’s manual.

Cable Routing & Connecting

CAUTION

: Do not remove the connector to ease cable routing. If the 

cable must be cut and spliced, use Airmar’s splash-proof Junction 
Box No. 33-035 and follow the instructions provided. Removing the 
waterproof connector or cutting the cable, except when using a 
water-tight junction box, will void the transducer warranty.

Route the transducer cable over the transom, through a drain hole, 
or through a new hole drilled in the transom 

above the waterline

.

1. If a hole must be drilled through the transom, choose a location 

well above the waterline

 (see Figure 4). Check for obstructions 

such as trim tabs, pumps, or wiring inside the hull. Mark the 
location with a pencil. Drill a hole using the appropriate size bit 
to accommodate the connector.

2. Route the cable over or through the transom.
3. On the outside of the hull, secure the cable against the transom 

using the cable clamps. Position a cable clamp 50mm (2") 
above the bracket and mark the mounting hole with a pencil.

4. Position the second cable clamp halfway between the first 

clamp and the cable hole. Mark this mounting hole.

5. If a hole has been drilled in the transom, open the appropriate 

slot in the cable cover. Position the cover over the cable where 
it enters the hull. Mark the two mounting holes.

6. At each of the marked locations, use a 3mm or 1/8" bit to drill a 

hole 10mm (3/8") deep.

7. Apply marine sealant to the threads of the #6 x 1/2" self-tapping 

screws to prevent water from seeping into the transom. If you 
have drilled a hole through the transom, apply marine sealant to 
the space around the cable where it passes through the transom.

8. Position the two cable clamps and fasten them in place. If used, 

push the cable cover over the cable and screw it in place.

9. Route the cable to the instrument being careful not to tear the 

cable jacket when passing it through the bulkhead(s) and other 
parts of the boat. Use grommets to prevent chaffing. To reduce 
electrical interference, separate the transducer cable from other 

13

°

 transom angle

14

°

–17

°

 angle 

Figure 6. Transducer angle adjustment

20

°

 transom angle

3

°

 transom angle

parallel

slight angle

angle

reversed

angle

too steep

shim with

shim with

taper down

taper up

slight angle

slight angle

3

NOTE: Tighten the machine

screws until the transducer

will stay in the “up” position

unaided.

Figure 7. Assembling 

(exploded view)

cover

side

channel (2)

rails

tab

#6 x 5/8"

transducer

self-tapping

screw

machine

screw

ac

tu

al

 si

ze

ac

tu

al

 si

ze

bracket

blank

Copyright © 2003 Airmar Technology Corp.

Copyright © 2003 Airmar Technology Corp.

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