Wesmar SS590 SERIES, Installation & Operation Manual

Page: 15 / 62

SS590
WESMAR
Page II - 7
PART B: SEACHEST
INSTALLATION
Part B will outline where to locate your sea-
chest, and what size seachest you should obtain
for your model of sonar. For fiberglass boats,
you can order a fiberglass seachest from
WESMAR, or have one made locally. Seachests
for wood en or steel boats are constructed at the
shipyard, according to the specifications given
in the following pages.
1.0 SEACHEST LOCATION
For vessels of 150 tons or more, the seach-
est should be installed 1/10 to 1/5 of the
ship's overall length back from the bow.
On vessels of 50 to 150 tons, the seachest
should be installed 1/5 to 1/3 of the ship's
overall length back from the bow.
With smaller vessels up to 50 tons, the
seachest should be installed 1/3 to 1/2 of
the ship's overall length back from the
bow.
Mounting the seachest too far forward will
expose the soundome to turbulence and air
bubbles. Installing the seachest too far aft
will place the soundome close to the engine
and propellor. They are sources of noise
and can limit sonar performance.
Locate the seachest away from water intakes,
discharge lines, or zinc plates welded to the
hull.
Air bubbles and water turbulence caused
by these objects during vessel movement
will reduce sonar performance.
Avoid installing the seachest in the vicinity of
existing transducers.
Sounders and other sonar equipment, when
operated at the same time, may interfere
and cause a pattern to appear on the SS590
display screen each time they transmit.
THE SEACHEST IS NORMALLY INSTALLED
ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WAY BACK FROM THE BOW.
Special Circumstances
:
On seining boats, install the
seachest on the same side of the
vessel used for setting the net.
The soundome can then scan the
net without being blocked by the
keel when the vessel rolls.
For engine room installations, place
the seachest forward of the engine.
This will eliminate possible
mechanical vibration and electrical
interference.
For fish hold installations, a water-
tight box must be built around the
complete soundome assembly. Fit
a drain plug to the bottom of this
box to provide drainage. A lamp or
some kind of heat source is also
recommended.
.NOTE: This is generally not a safe
location for the hoist assembly.