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Depth Raider Speed and Temperature Monitor
Professional
downrigger fishermen understand that different species of game fish prefer
different temperature ranges. Additionally, they understand that maintaining a
specific range of trolling speeds is not only important to attract game fish but
is also important to ensure the lure is running with the proper action.
However, it can be very difficult to predict the speed and temperature of a lure
when trolled at varying depths below the water surface. Surface speed and
temperature gauges are ineffective at predicting sub-surface conditions since
day-to-day environmental effects such as wind speed and wind direction can
create underwater currents and drastically alter the sub-surface water
temperature.
The Depth Raider system measures and displays this vital speed and
temperature information with digital precision. The Depth Raider speed
and temperature monitor tells you the exact speed and the exact temperature of
your lure at it's running depth.
Theory of Operation - Upon entry into the water, the underwater
sensor/transmitter probe unit continuously measures speed and temperature then
periodically transmits a digitally encoded RF signal onto the coated downrigger
cable. The signal is received by a receiving antenna mounted on the downrigger
boom. This signal is then routed to the receiver/display unit via a coaxial
cable.
The receiver/display unit continuously monitors for data transmissions from the
underwater probe unit. Once a transmission is received, data is decoded from the
RF signal and converted into speed and temperature which is then displayed on
the LCD display.
Coated downrigger cable is necessary to prevent the lake water from absorbing
(attenuating) the signal transmitted from the sensor/transmitter unit. The
coating provides electrical isolation from the water since water is a conductor
of electricity. Without the coating (or electrical isolation), a portion of the
signal is absorbed by the water thereby reducing the signal level at the
receiving antenna. Without the coating, as the depth of the probe continues to
increase, the signal level at the antenna continues to degrade until it is no
longer adequate for proper interpretation by the receiver/display unit. It
should be noted that the actual depth of operation without a coated cable can
vary greatly from installation to installation, boat to boat, water conditions,
etc.
While the Depth Raider system will operate to varying depths without the
coated cable; installation of the coated cable is highly recommended to provide
proper operation to 200 feet.
Depth Raider features
the smallest Probe on the market!
Sensor/Transmitter Probe
Specifications:
| Power Source |
9V Alkaline Battery |
| Battery Life |
Greater than 225 hours of underwater operation, typical |
| Battery Access |
Screw-on cap with dual O-ring seal |
| Turn On |
Automatic turn-on when Probe enters the water |
| Turn Off |
Automatic turn-off after Probe is removed from water |
| Physical Size |
6.375” Long x 1.89” body diameter |
| Body Construction |
Custom injection molded housing |
| Internal Construction |
Electronics 100% sealed in epoxy to prevent water damage |
| Electronics |
Microcontroller based ultra-low-power electronics |
| Speed Sensor |
6 tooth ferromagnetic rotor with electronic magnetic sensor
circuitry |
| Temperature Sensor |
Precision temperature sensing device |
Sensor/Transmitter Probe
Features:
1) Upper connection tab - The probe unit transmits the RF signal
onto this stainless steel tab. Attach the downrigger cable to this tab. This
connection must be isolated from the water with rubberized electrical tape to
prevent the transmitted signal from being absorbed in the water. Rubberized
electrical tape is included with the Depth Raider system.
2) Raised Boss - This raised boss is part of the injection molded housing. It's
purpose is to provide an electrically isolated flange that the rubberized tape
can adhere to ensuring a good seal. This boss is also handy to quickly determine
which side of the probe unit connects to the downrigger cable.
3) Lower Connection Tab - This tab is used to connect the downrigger cannonball.
Be sure to use an 18”-24” drop leader of lower test. If the cannonball gets
snagged on the bottom, its better to lose the cannonball rather than the
probe and the cannonball. This tab is internally electrically isolated from
the upper connection tab. Therefore, there is no need to use rubberized
electrical tape on this interconnect.
4) Ferromagnetic Rotor - We call it a ‘Paddle Wheel’. This device is molded of
plastic and magnetic particles. It has 6 teeth or ‘paddles’ around the
circumference. Every time a tooth passes by the magnetic sensor located inside
the unit, an electrical pulse is generated. The probe unit measures speed by
counting these magnetic pulses over a specific period of time.
5) Battery Cap - Remove this screw-on cap to access the battery compartment. The
cap features a two-O-ring seal to prevent water entry into the unit. Also, this
cap has an aggressive knurled exterior that aids the user in removing the cap
with wet, slippery hands. Be sure to keep the O-rings well lubricated with
Vaseline or similar lubricants. Tightening the cap without lubricant can quickly
damage O-rings.
Depth Raider
features a display with large, easy to read LCD digits
Receiver/Display Unit
Specifications:
| Power Source |
12VDC Boat Power |
| Current Consumption |
<75ma (backlight off), <500ma (backlight on) |
| Physical Size |
3.25” X 3.75” |
| Housing Construction |
Custom injection molded housing |
| LCD Display |
Custom LCD with large .59” tall digits. User adjustable LED
backlighting |
| Temperature |
32.0 to 99.9 degrees F |
| Speed |
0.0 to 9.9 MPH |
| Power Down Mode |
Auto shut-off in 30 minutes if no transmissions from Probe
are detected |
| Silicone Keypad Configuration |
4 user pushbuttons. Power On/Off button, Backlight On/Off
button, Backlight intensity increase and Backlight intensity decrease |
| Low Probe Battery Warning |
LO BAT icon is activated when probe battery is low. |
Receiver/Display Features:
1) Displays temperature at the probe from 32.0 degrees to 99.9
degrees F.
2) Displays speed at the probe from 0.0 to 9.9 miles per hour (MPH)
3) LO BAT icon - when illuminated, the 9V battery in the probe is low and should
be replaced soon. The low battery indicator is calibrated to ensure you have a
minimum of 8 hrs. of use prior to battery replacement. If this indicator
illuminates during an outing the user may continue to use the system for up to 8
hours. Just be sure to replace the battery at the end of the day so you are
ready for the next outing.
4) ON/OFF button - Press this switch momentarily to turn the unit on. When the
unit is on, press and hold this button until the unit shuts off. Remember, the
receiver/display unit has an auto-off feature, so if you forget to turn it off,
the unit will turn itself off if no probe transmissions are received in a 30
minute period.
5) Backlight button - Press this switch momentarily to turn on the backlight. If
the back light is on, press this switch again to turn the backlight off.
6) Backlight control - Press the > arrow button to increase the backlight
intensity.
Press the < arrow key to decrease the backlight intensity.
The Depth Raider system includes
everything necessary to install on your downrigger equipped boat. The system
includes the following:
- Underwater sensor/transmitter probe unit
- Receiver/display unit
- Receiving antenna
- 25’ antenna-to-receiver coaxial cable with gold plated connectors
- 6’ DC power cable with in-line fuse holder and power plug
- 200’ coated downrigger cable
- Termination kit to connect coated downrigger cable to probe
- Rubberized electrical tape
- Cannonball drop leader kit
Key System Features:
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Large, easy-to-read LCD display on receiver with user
adjustable backlighting |
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Compact receiver/display unit can be mounted in a variety of
locations |
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Receiver/display unit features automatic turn-off when no
probe transmissions are detected in 30 minutes |
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Smallest underwater probe unit on the market |
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Ultra-low power electronics design extends battery life to
over 225 hours typical |
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Probe automatically turns on when it enters the water |
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Electronics are encapsulated in epoxy to prevent damage from
water should an O-ring fail |
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Double O-ring seal on battery cap prevents water entry into
battery compartment |
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Precision speed and temperature sensing devices |
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- To request information on this product please e-mail:
info@kell-labs.com
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