Introduction
Thank you for choosing the LUCKY FF918-CWLS Bait Boat Fish Finder. This device is an advanced fishing sonar designed for both amateur and professional anglers using bait boats. It provides clear and effective underwater information, including fish location, water depth, and bottom contour, enhancing your fishing experience.
The FF918-CWLS is the ultimate edition fishing sonar in the LUCKY fish finder family, offering various base support options. Its 100m (328ft) detective depth and 300m (980ft) wireless operating range are designed to meet the needs of most boat anglers.
Figure 1: LUCKY FF918-CWLS Fish Finder components.
Setup and Installation
This FF918-CWLS fish finder is designed for use with a bait boat. Follow these steps for proper installation:
- Install the Signal Tower: Simply install the Long-distance signal tower onto your bait boat.
- Mounting: The unit comes with two types of rubber adapter pads to fit various bait boat mounting holes, ensuring easy installation.
- Antenna Installation: Install the antenna onto the wireless receiver before connecting power. Do not use an extension as an antenna.
- Power Connection:
- Connect the main display unit to a power source (11V to 13.5V DC).
- Connect the wireless signal tower to a 10V to 12.5V DC battery (not included).
Warning: Please use 10V to 12.5V DC battery to power the signal tower. Connecting higher voltage may damage the unit.
Figure 2: System wiring diagram. Note the separate power requirements for the main unit and signal tower.
Figure 3: Wireless receiver, transducer, and rubber adapter pads for mounting.
Operating Instructions
Power ON/OFF
To power on the FF918-CWLS, press the POWER-MENU button for 3 seconds and then release it. To power off, press and hold the POWER-MENU key until the display turns off.
Figure 4: Fish Finder control buttons.
User Mode Selection
When powered on, the unit will temporarily display "LUCKY FF918-CWLS" for 3 seconds, then present options for "Start-Up" or "Simulation".
- Start-Up: Select to enter the normal operating mode.
- Simulation: Select to learn how to use the system with simulated data. Press the Down Arrow Key to enter simulation mode.
If no selection is made, the unit will default to normal mode when placed in water.
The Menu System
The FF918-CWLS features a simple menu system to adjust settings. To activate the menu, press the POWER-MENU key. Continue pressing the POWER-MENU key to cycle through menu options one at a time. Use the Up and Down arrow keys to select and adjust settings. Menu settings will automatically disappear after a few seconds of inactivity.
Note:
- Most settings are saved and will not revert to default when the device is turned off.
- Each press of the POWER-MENU key momentarily illuminates the backlight for night viewing. Adjust the Brightness setting to keep the backlight on continuously.
Menu Options:
- User Mode (Wireless/Simulation): Toggles between wireless operation and simulation mode.
- Sensitivity (1-9): Controls the level of detail shown on the display.
- Increase sensitivity to detect smaller baitfish and suspended debris.
- Decrease sensitivity to reduce clutter in murky water.
- If too low, fish may not be detected.
- Depth Low Limit (Auto, 1-100m): Sets the lower depth boundary for the display. In AUTO, the unit adjusts automatically. If set manually (e.g., 20m), only underwater information below that depth will be shown.
- Depth Upper Limit (Off, 1-100m): Sets the upper depth boundary for the display. In OFF, this function is inactive. If set manually (e.g., 9m to 20m), only information within that range will be displayed. In manual operation, if the actual depth exceeds the limit, the bottom may not be visible. Select AUTO for automatic operation.
- Shallow Alarm (Off, 1-100m): Sets an audible alarm to sound when the water depth is equal to or less than the set value.
- Fish Icon (On/Off):
- Off: Displays raw sonar reflected signals (arches).
- On: Displays fish icons, which are interpreted by advanced signal processing. The icon size indicates fish size, and its position indicates depth.
- Fish Alarm (Off, Large Fish, Medium Fish, All Fish): Sets an audible alarm to sound when fish matching the selected size are detected. This alarm only functions when "Fish Icon" is set to On.
- Units (M/°C, Ft/°C, Ft/°F): Selects the unit of measure for depth and temperature.
- Sonar Color (Red, Gray, Blue): Selects the color scheme for displaying the bottom structure on the screen.
- Battery Alarm (Off, 8.6-13.5 Volts): Sets an audible alarm to sound when the input battery voltage drops to or below the set value.
- Brightness (1-9): Adjusts the backlight intensity for the display. Higher numbers mean brighter display.
- Language: Choose your preferred language from 20 available options.
- Chart Speed (1-9): Adjusts the speed at which the sonar chart scrolls across the screen. 1 is the slowest, 9 is the fastest.
Display View Interpretation
The FF918-CWLS display provides comprehensive underwater information. Understanding these elements is key to effective use:
Figure 5: Labeled display elements for interpreting sonar readings.
- Battery Capacity: Indicates the current battery level.
- Upper Zoom Range: Shows the upper limit of the currently displayed depth range.
- Water Surface Line: Represents the water surface under the sensor.
- Small Fish Icon: Indicates the presence of small fish.
- Depth Ruler: A vertical scale indicating depth.
- Large Fish Icon: Indicates the presence of large fish.
- Bottom Contour: Shows the shape and structure of the seabed.
- Signal Indicator: Displays the strength of the wireless signal from the sonar sensor.
- Sensitivity: Current sensitivity setting.
- Water Depth: Numerical reading of the current water depth.
- Water Temperature: Numerical reading of the current water temperature.
- Medium Fish Icon: Indicates the presence of medium-sized fish.
As your boat moves, the display dynamically updates to show changes in terrain, bottom structure, fish, bait fish, and thermoclines (underwater temperature changes). Interpreting these displays effectively requires some experience.
Video 1: Product demonstration showing the fish finder in action on a boat.
Maintenance
To ensure your FF918-CWLS continues to deliver top performance, follow these simple maintenance procedures:
- Cleaning the Unit: If the unit comes into contact with salt spray, wipe the affected surfaces with a cloth dampened in fresh water.
- Cleaning the LCD: Do not use chemical glass cleaners on the lens, as this may cause cracking. When cleaning the LCD protective lens, use a chamois and a non-abrasive, mild cleaner. Avoid wiping if dirt or grease is present, as this can scratch the lens.
- Transducer Care:
- If your boat remains in the water for extended periods, marine growth can reduce transducer effectiveness. Periodically clean the transducer face with liquid detergent.
- If your boat is out of the water for a long time, it may take a while for the transducer to "wet" properly when returned to the water. Small air bubbles can cling to the surface and interfere with operation. These bubbles usually dissipate over time, or you can wipe the transducer face with your fingers after it's in the water.
- Storage: Never leave the unit in a closed car or trunk, especially in hot weather. Extremely high temperatures can damage the electronics.
Troubleshooting
Lost Signal in Wireless User Mode
If the FF918-CWLS is in Wireless mode and cannot receive an RF signal from the wireless sonar sensor, the display will stop updating and show "NO SIGNAL". This occurs if the reception is lost or the wireless sonar sensor is out of the water for more than a few seconds. The display will resume once the sensor is back in the water and reception is regained.
Figure 6: Example of 'NO SIGNAL' display.
- Line-of-Sight: The wireless sonar sensor uses line-of-sight technology. Obstructions between the FF918-CWLS and the sensor can cause signal loss.
- Depth Range: The wireless sonar sensor has a depth range of 3 to 300 feet (1 to 100 meters). Erratic readings may occur in water shallower than 3 feet. This product is not intended for use in swimming pools or small enclosed bodies of water due to the nature of sonar.
- Reeling Speed: Reeling the wireless sonar sensor too fast can cause signal loss and freeze the screen.
- RF Distance & Water Conditions: The maximum RF distance of 980 feet may not be achieved in rough water. Waves or chop can significantly reduce the RF range. A distance greater than 100ft between the sensor and FF918 may cause intermittent screen display. Excessively rough water can also submerge the sensor, leading to contact loss.
Fluctuating Depth Readings and Excessive Clutter
This can occur due to various factors, including water conditions or interference. Adjusting the "Sensitivity" setting (see Operating Instructions) can help mitigate clutter.
Screen Jumps or Abrupt Bottom Changes
If the screen jumps, or the bottom contour changes abruptly, sometimes with a missing vertical line or a black line, this is often due to an automatic change in depth scaling. When the unit automatically adjusts the depth range, new returns graphed at a different scale may not align with historical data. Vertical lines can also appear if the radio signal from the wireless sonar sensor is temporarily lost and then regained in rough water conditions.
Product Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 3.5-inch MVA-TFT-LCD, 320V x 480H pixels |
| Backlighting | On/off White LED |
| Sonar Operation Frequency | 200KHz |
| Sensor Coverage | 45 degrees beam angle |
| Depth Capability | 3 feet (1m) to 328 feet (100m) |
| Wireless Operational Range | 980 feet (300m) |
| Operational Wireless Frequency | 433.92 MHz |
| Power Requirement (Main Unit) | 11V to 13.5V DC |
| Power Requirement (Signal Tower) | 10V to 12.5V DC |
| Operational Temperature | -14°F to 122°F (-10°C to 50°C) |
| Memory | Built-in memory stores sonar settings when turned off |
| Language Support | Supports 20 languages |
Figure 7: Product dimensions (main unit: 13.8cm W x 13.4cm H; receiver: 10.3cm L x 6.6cm W x 2.7cm H; transducer: 5.8cm diameter x 2.1cm H).
User Tips
- Power Supply: Always ensure you are using the correct DC voltage for both the main unit (11-13.5V) and the wireless signal tower (10-12.5V) to prevent damage.
- Antenna Usage: Use the provided antenna and avoid using extensions, as they are not supported and may hinder performance. Ensure the antenna is installed before powering on.
- Language Settings: The device supports 20 languages, including Spanish and Italian. You can select your preferred language through the menu system.
- Saltwater Exposure: While designed for fishing, prolonged exposure to saltwater should be followed by cleaning with fresh water to prevent corrosion and maintain functionality. The device is not specified as fully waterproof, so avoid submersion of the main unit.
- Signal Optimization: For best wireless signal reception, ensure a clear line-of-sight between the main unit and the wireless sonar sensor. Avoid obstructions and be mindful of rough water conditions which can reduce range.
Warranty and Support
This product is manufactured by JINHUA LUCKY ET MANUFACTURER CO.,LTD. For any warranty claims or technical support, please refer to the seller or manufacturer's official contact channels. Keep your purchase receipt as proof of purchase.
A detailed user manual in PDF format is available for further reference: View User Manual (PDF)
