TAP and Bandwidth for FCV 295

[BruceFish1]

I have purchased a FCV 295 sounder with a Furuno 526TID-HDN transducer and a Furuno ST-02MSB speed/temp sensor.
Can you confirm the proper TAP settings are B for 50 kHz and A for 200 kHz?
Also, do these TAP settings control the maximum output power to 1kW?
What is the proper setting for the Bandwidth?
Thank you

 

[Snips]

Brucefish1,
Yes the taps settings are used in conjunction with a menu power setting to set the max output power. Use a "B" tap for 50Khz and "A" for 200Khz. Since that transducer isn't broadband you can set the BW at 5 and 20Khz respectively.

Snips

 

[BruceFish1]

Hi Snips,
Thanks for the information.

I have 2 temperature sensors. One in the transducer and one in the temp/speed sensor. Is there an a advantage to one over the other?

Also, I am planning to mount my transducer on the center line using the high speed fairing per a prior suggestion from you. Should I trim the high speed fairing down to get the transducer close to the hull or use it at mxx thickness to get the transducer further from the hull?

Thanks,
Brucefish1

 

[Snips]

Brucefish,
Since you are mounting the transducer on the deepest part of the hull (centerline) another 1/2"-1" deeper is not going to make a much of a difference. I would notch the fairing to match the hulls "VEE" and also tapper the forward part transducer fairing into the hull. As far as the temperature sensor goes I feel both are roughly the same but would lean towards the speed/temp because they are less expensive if it ever needs to be replaced.

Snips

 

[BruceFish1]

Hi Snips,
Fortunately my hull has a flat keel wide enough for the transducer.
Thanks for the advice.
BruceFish1

 

[BruceFish1]

Hi Snips,
A couple additional questions.

Do you recommend tinning the leads with solder before inserting them into the WAGO connectors?

I noticed a caution in the installation manual for the FCV 295 that warned against turning the unit on when the transducer is out of the water. Is this a problem with my transducer? Since I trailer my boat, it is very easy to accidentally turn the unit on when the transducer is out of the water. Is it a problem to turn the unit on for checkout even if the power is set to low levels?

Thanks,
BruceFish1

 

[Snips]

Brucefish,
While it doesn't hurt to tin the wire ends, very few do. You will see no performance difference. It is advised to always run sounders/transducers in the water. That being said, today the sounders and transducers are pretty durable and can handle being run in air for short periods. If you want to become more familiar with the FCV-295 while the boat is out of the water I suggest putting the sounder into the DEMO mode, that way it is not transmitting.

Snips

 

[BruceFish1]

Thanks Snips,
BruceFish1

 

[Snips]

Brucefish,
When you are just starting out I would recommend a screen advance of 1/1, TX Power of 10 and TX Rate of 20.

Snips

 

[BruceFish1]

Hi Snips,
I appreciate the suggestions.
I plan to try the transducer before I install it in the boat. I am planning to hold it over the side on a pole. Can you tell me if the transducer is waterproof where the cable enters the stem or do I need to take special precautions to keep sea water out of this area during the trial?
Thanks again,
BruceFish1

 

[Snips]

Bructefish,
Your transducer wasn't designed to be totally submerged for a extended period of time. That being said I do it when I am testing different sounders and transducers for 4-6 hours. I feel comfortable that you can hold it over the side for a test without any issues. I would advise not hanging it from the cable, attached a line to the stem of the transducer and let the line support the weight.

Snips

 

[BruceFish1]

Hi Snips,
Got it. Thanks,
BruceFish1