3
Fishers pingers have several operator adjustable features includ-
ing pulse repetition rate, the length of each pulse, and the output
power. The length of each pulse and output power adjustments allow
the operator to adjust the distance the pingers can be detected. With
the MFP-1 the transmission frequency can be selected by the op-
erator before deployment. These features make the SFP-1 and the
MFP-1 extremely versatile and the first choice for almost any appli-
cation.
Power for the pingers is supplied by two standard alkaline 9 volt
batteries which last from a few days to many months, depending on
output power and pulse selection. For long durations lithium batter-
ies can be used. A longer housing, as shown above, is also avail-
able which holds six batteries to give 3 times the normal operating
time. The pinger is automatically activated when put in the water or
manually activated with a switch.
BOTH THE SFP-1 AND MFP-1
ARE AVAILABLE WITH A
LONGER HOUSING. THE
LONGER HOUSING HOLDS
MORE BATTERIES FOR EX-
TENDED OPERATIONS.
DISTANCE
How far a signal can be detected from a pinger varies greatly on
water conditions. The rougher the water, the more noise there is in
the water. Noise in the water makes it difficult for a receiver to pick
out the signal from the background noise. Noise in the water also
attenuates the pinger’s signal; which shortens the distance the sig-
nal will travel. On a quiet deep water lake, a range of up to 1,500
meters would not be unusual; in shallow rough water, 150 meters
may be hard to do.
Thermoclines (layers of water at different temperatures) also inter-
fere with sound traveling through the water. When sound hits a ther-
mocline, some of the signal bounces off the thermocline, leaving a
reduced signal passing through the thermocline and on to the re-
ceiver.
Pinger frequency also effects the maximum distance a pinger sig-
nal can travel. The lower the frequency, the farther sound will travel
in the water. The signal from a 20 kHz pinger will travel further than
a signal from a 50 kHz pinger.
12
BATTERIES
JW Fishers pingers are powered by standard 9 volt batteries (square
rectangular shape). Two types of batteries are recommended for use
in pingers: Alkaline or Lithium. Alkaline batteries are available ev-
erywhere. Look for the word “Alkaline” printed on the battery. There
are cheaper batteries available that are not Alkaline. Lithium batter-
ies are harder to find and are expensive; however, they last twice as
long as Alkaline.
The standard pinger uses two 9 volt batteries. The “Extended Op-
erations Option” package uses six batteries which operates 3 times
longer than the standard pinger. The batteries are all in parallel so
you can use any number of batteries and the unit will operate. The
number of batteries that are used determine how long the pinger will
operate; not how much output power the pinger will produce.
BATTERY LIFE
Battery life is dependent on the settings you chose for the pinger.
If you need the longest range possible then select the maximum
Power Output and the longest Pulse Length; however, this results in
the shortest battery life.
Single Frequency Pinger Days of Operation
(with two Alkaline batteries and a 5 ms Pulse Length)
Multifrequency Pinger Days of Operation
(with two Alkaline batteries and a 4 ms Pulse Length)
Note:
• If extended case (6 batteries) 3 times the time.
• If Lithium batteries double the times shown.
• If a 3 ms Pulse Length then 1
1/2
times the time.
• If a 1 ms Pulse Length then 3 times the time.
Watt
Days Duration
5 w
1
2
4
2 w
3
6
9
.5 w
9
14
20
.1 w
21
24
27
Power
Output
.5 sec rep rate1 sec rep rate
2 sec rep rate
Watt
Days Duration
8 w
1
2
4
2 w
3
6
12
.5 w
12
22
40
.1 w
40
75
140
Power
Output
.5 sec rep rate1 sec rep rate
2 sec rep rate
Note:
• If extended case (6 batteries) 3 times the time.
• If Lithium batteries double the times shown.
• If a 3 ms Pulse Length then 1
1/2
times the time.
• If a 2 ms Pulse Length then 2 times the time.