Kongsberg Simrad ST90, Reference Manual

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442704/A
Inspecting and cleaning the transducer face
Marine growth (biological fouling) on the transducer face reduces the performance. For
this reason, it is important to keep the transducer face clean. Every time your vessel is
in dry dock, you must remove the marine growth. At the same time, you must inspect
the transducer closely for physical damage.
Prerequisites
The vessel is in dry dock. The ST90 system is turned off. The following tools and
consumables are required:
• Personal protection
• Fresh water
• A mild synthetic detergent and a plastic brush
• A piece of wood or plastic without sharp corners
• Citric acid (<50%) (only if required)
Two persons are needed to do the task.
• One person must stay in the sonar room to operate the hull unit.
• One person must stay in the dry dock, under the hull, to make sure that the transducer is
not lowered too far down.
Proper oral communication must exist between the sonar room and the dry dock personnel.
Context
During normal use, the transducer is subjected to biological fouling. If this marine growth is
excessive, it will reduce the overall performance of your system. Whenever opportunity
arise, typically when the vessel is dry-docked, the transducer face must be cleaned for shells
and other marine growth. It is important to check the transducer for physical damage. Any
cracks, fractures or holes in the red protective coating may result in a water leak, and a leak
may cause irreparable damage to the transducer.
A transducer must always be handled as a delicate instrument. Incorrect actions may damage
the transducer beyond repair. A physical blow to the transducer face may easily damage one
or more elements. Observe these transducer handling rules:
•
Do not
activate the transducer when it is out of the water.
• Do not handle the transducer roughly. Avoid impacts.
• Do not expose the transducer to direct sunlight or excessive heat.
• Do not damage the outer protective skin of the transducer.
• Do not use high-pressure water, sandblasting, metal tools or strong solvents to clean
the transducer.
Simrad ST90 Reference Manual