Pub. 988-0161-042 www.lowrance.
Copyright © 2007 Lowrance Electronics, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be copied, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed for any purpose, without prior written consent of Lowrance Electronics. Any unauthorized commercial distribution of this manual is strictly prohibited. Lowrance® is a registered trademark of Lowrance Electronics, Inc. NMEA 2000® is a registered trademark of the National Marine Electronics Association.
Warnings and Cautions Caution: Use this radar at your own risk. This radar was designed for use as a navigation aid. It should not be used for purposes that require precise measurements of direction, distance, topography or location. Always compare the navigation information received from your radar with data from other navigation aids and sources.
switching off the radar. Before touching the magnetron or any high voltage components, ground them with a clip lead. There are no internal connections or adjustments necessary for installation. WARNING: Microwave Radiation Hazard The microwave energy radiated by a radar antenna is harmful to humans, especially to the eyes. NEVER look directly into an open waveguide or into the path of radiation from an enclosed antenna. Radar and other radio frequency radiation can upset cardiac pacemakers.
Section 1: Introduction Thank you for purchasing this Lowrance Radar with the RIM 200 radar interface module. Your radar consists of three main components: the radar scanner unit, a display unit (sold separately) and the RIM 200 radar interface module which connects the scanner unit and the display unit. We know you’re anxious to begin the installation, but first, let us tell you how this manual is organized. The first section describes how your radar works.
rate targets at a distance. The critical factors are the antenna's beam width and side lobe level. Typically, a radar antenna will radiate a tightly focused beam from the front of the array. The longer the antenna array is, the narrower the beam width. Additionally, it will also emit smaller amounts of energy to each side. A lower side lobe level lessens the effect of a false echo. Side lobe The beam radiating the strongest radio signal from the antenna is called the "main lobe".
False echoes Sometimes radar will display targets on screen that do not exist in the real world. You should be aware of how and why this happens. A. Ghost echoes Sometimes one large object very near your boat will appear as two different targets onscreen. One is the actual radar echo. The other is a ghost echo generated by a re-reflection of the original signal. It comes back to your own boat, bounces back to the target, and then is picked up by the antenna on the second bounce.
Radar interference If another boat's radar is operating on the same frequency as yours, it can create interference on your display. The interference usually appears as spiral or radial patterns. This radar has an interference rejection control to eliminate interference. Turn it on to reduce or eliminate the interference. Installation Considerations Prior to actual installation of the radar scanner unit, several factors must be considered to assure maximum performance.
The scanner unit should be mounted on the center line of your vessel in a location that has an unobstructed view forward and is as clear as possible the rest of the way around the unit. A location as high as practical to improve maximum range is desirable, keeping in mind that minimum range objects may be overlooked if mounted too high. Position the unit forward of large structures and exhaust stacks. Large structures or stacks cause blind spots.
The recommended mounting surface thickness is 3/8" to 1/2" (9 mm to 13 mm). If the mounting surface is thin, a doubler should be added. If it is thicker, longer bolts must be purchased. WARNING: The scanner will be damaged if bolts penetrate more than 9/16" (15 mm). Also, consider the cable route from the scanner to the operator’s location. Avoid routing the interconnecting cable through areas of possible damage from moving objects, machinery, exposure to chemicals or high temperature.
Section 2: Radar Installation Preparations Unpack your new radar and check the contents against the packing list. Do not remove the cover from the unit. There are no connections or adjustments inside the unit needed for installation or operation. The cable must remain attached. For ease of handling, coil the cable and place it on top of the scanner, then secure it with tape.
8. Secure the cable near the scanner to support the weight of the cable and prevent strain on the watertight cable seal. If the cable is to pass through tubing or a bulkhead, protect the unfinished end. Do not use the unfinished wires or fabric braid to pull the cable. Attach a fish cord only to the cable jacket. 9. Route the cable to the RIM 200, securing it at appropriate points along the way. Make a drip loop and apply sealant at the entry point of an exterior bulkhead.
Section 3: RIM 200 Installation The RIM 200 will replace the power cable that came with your display unit. Early RIM 200 models have four cables branching out from the cable plug. The cables include: RIM 200 radar data cable (will be connected to your radar), RIM 200 power cable, display unit power/data cable and NMEA 2000 network power cable. Newer RIM 200 models have three cables branching out from the cable plug.
tail Drawing C for open array models. Wiring instructions for both array and radome antennas are listed in text format below.
Now connect the display unit power cable green (RX) receive wire to the transmit (TX) wire from the NMEA 0183 device. There is no ground wire, so the NMEA 0183 device MUST be grounded to the same place as the display unit. NOTE: If your RIM 200 model has four branches, proceed to Step 4 to connect the RIM 200 power cable. If your RIM 200 has three branches, it does not have a RIM 200 power cable, so skip ahead to Step 5. 4.
Connecting RIM 200 to Radome Antenna (Four-Branch Installation) * A power switch will only be connected to the red (+) wire. The black wire (–) will not be connected to the power switch.
Connecting RIM 200 to Radome Antenna (Three-Branch Installation) * A power switch will only be connected to the red (+) wire. The black wire (–) will not be connected to the power switch.
Detail Drawing A Radar motor power { Large white/pwr + ( fuse) Large black/pwr – ……………… Shield/Small black ……………….. …………Data Out +/Brown/Data In + …………. ……………Data Out –/Red/Data In – ………….. …………. Data In –/Yellow/Data Out – ……...… …………. Data In +/Orange/Data Out + ………. ….. SW1 On Signal/Blue/On Signal SW1 ……. ……………. SW2+/Green/+V SW2 …………….. To radar unit To RIM 200 Detail drawing A: wiring diagram, RIM 200 to radome unit.
Connecting RIM 200 to Open Array Antenna (Four-Branch Installation) * A power switch will only be connected to the red (+) wire. The black wire (–) will not be connected to the power switch.
Connecting RIM 200 to Open Array Antenna (Three-branch Installation) * A power switch will only be connected to the red (+) wire. The black wire (–) will not be connected to the power switch.
Detail Drawing B Large red + (fuse) Radar magnetron power { Large black – white + (fuse) Radar motor power { Large Large Blue – ……………… Shield/Small Black ……………….. ……………………… Brown ……………………….. ………………………...Red …………………………. ……………………… Yellow ……………………….. ……………………… Orange ……………………… Blue Blue Green Green To radar unit To RIM 200 Detail drawing B: Wiring diagram, RIM 200 to open array unit. NOTE: Fuse both the radar unit's large Red wire (+) and large White wire (+) with the supplied 8-amp fuses.
Switchbox * NMEA 2000 power cable * 18 COM Port 2 (RS232): blue (TX) & green (RX) RIM 200 power cable * * Display unit power cable * RIM 200 data cable (RS-422); connects to radar unit RIM 200 module Cable Plug Detail Drawing C: Four-branch Installation * 12 volt battery Fuse box * A power switch will only be connected to the red (+) wire. The black wire (–) will not be connected to the power switch.
19 RIM 200 data cable (RS-422); connects to radar unit * Switchbox * COM Port 2 (RS232): blue (TX) & green (RX) * Display unit power cable * RIM 200 module Cable Plug NMEA 2000 power cable Detail Drawing D: Three-branch Installation * * 12 volt battery Fuse box * A power switch will only be connected to the red (+) wire. The black wire (–) will not be connected to the power switch.
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Lowrance Radar Specifications Model LRA-1000 LRA-1500 LRA-2000 LRA-4000 LRA-5000 Radome 1.0 ft. 1.5 ft. 2.0 ft. N/A N/A Diameter Open Array N/A N/A N/A 4.0 ft. 5.0 ft. Length Power 2 kW 2 kW 4 kW 4 kW 4 kW Output Power 30 watts 55 watts 70 watts 85 watts 95 watts Required Voltage 10.8-41.6 10.8-41.6 10.8-41.6 10.8-41.6 10.8-41.6 Required volts DC volts DC volts DC volts DC volts DC Slotted Wave yes yes yes open array open array Guide Antenna X-Band yes yes yes yes yes (10 GHz) Rev. Per Min.
FCC Compliance This device complies with Part 15 of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
LOWRANCE ELECTRONICS FULL ONE-YEAR WARRANTY "We," "our," or "us" refers to LOWRANCE ELECTRONICS, INC., the manufacturer of this product. "You" or "your" refers to the first person who purchases this product as a consumer item for personal, family or household use. We warrant this product against defects or malfunctions in materials and workmanship, and against failure to conform to this product's written specifications, all for one (1) year from the date of original purchase by you.
How to Obtain Service… …in the USA: We back your investment in quality products with quick, expert service and genuine Lowrance parts. If you're in the United States and you have technical, return or repair questions, please contact the Factory Customer Service Department. Before any product can be returned, you must call customer service to determine if a return is necessary. Many times, customer service can resolve your problem over the phone without sending your product to the factory.
Accessory Ordering Information for all countries To order Lowrance accessories for your radar, please contact: 1) Your local marine dealer or consumer electronics store. Most quality dealers that handle marine electronic equipment or other consumer electronics should be able to assist you with these items. To locate a Lowrance dealer near you, visit our web site, www.lowrance.com and look for the Dealer Locator. Or, you can consult your telephone directory for listings. 2) U.S. customers: LEI Extras Inc.
Visit our web site: Lowrance Pub. 988-0161-042 Printed in USA 062707 © Copyright 2007 All Rights Reserved Lowrance Electronics, Inc.