Lowrance ActiveTarget 2 Installation Manual

Introduction

ActiveTarget 2 is the next-generation ActiveTarget live sonar, offering improved, single-view images of fish locations around your boat. When connected to a Lowrance HDS Pro multi-function display, you can install two ActiveTarget 2 systems and view simultaneous dual images without transducer interference. This manual should be used in conjunction with the installation manual provided with your multi-function display.

Parts Included

The following parts are included with the ActiveTarget 2 system:

• A: Transducer
• B: Sonar module
• C: Sonar module mounting screw, 4x
• D: M4 sonar module grounding screw
• E: Power cable
• F: Ethernet cable
• Shaft mount clamp (pre-assembled): G: M6x20 cap screw, 4x; H: Shaft back collar; I: Rubber shaft collar insert, 2x; J: Shaft front collar; K: M6 nut, 4x; L: Shaft mount bracket arm; M: M6 metal washer, 2x; N: Transducer arm knob, 2x
• Scout motor mount clamp (pre-assembled): O: M6x20 cap screw, 2x; P: M6 metal washer; Q: Motor mount scout bracket arm; R: Motor mount scout bracket arm (for shallow water less than 3 m (10 ft)); S: Scout mounting bracket; T: M6 nut; U: Hose clamp
• Down/forward motor mount clamp: V: Down/forward mounting bracket; W: Rubber washer; X: M8 metal washer; Y: Shoulder bolt

Sonar Module Installation

WARNING: Always wear appropriate eye wear, ear protection and dust mask when drilling, cutting, or sanding. Check the reverse side of all surfaces before drilling or cutting.

Choose location

Choose a mounting location carefully, ensuring no hidden electrical wires or other parts are behind the panel before drilling or cutting. Ensure cutting or drilling is done in a safe position that will not weaken the boat's structure. Consult a qualified boat builder or marine electronics installer if unsure.

Do not:

• Mount where it can be used as a hand hold.
• Mount where it will interfere with the operation, launching, or retrieving of the boat.
• Mount where it might be submerged or exposed to moisture.
• Mount in a way that moisture or condensation follows the cables into the device.

Do:

• Consider the overall width and height requirements.
• Leave sufficient clearance to connect all relevant cables.
• Check that it is possible to route cables to the intended mounting location.
• Leave enough unobstructed space above and below the module to ensure adequate cooling. The ambient temperature should not exceed 55°C (131°F). Consider additional ventilation, such as a vent or extraction fan, if overheating is a concern.

WARNING: Inadequate ventilation and subsequent overheating may cause unreliable operation and reduced service life. Exposing the equipment to conditions exceeding specifications could invalidate your warranty.

Mount sonar module

Mark screw locations using the module as a template. Drill pilot holes. Secure the module using fasteners suitable for the mounting material.

Diagram showing the sonar module being mounted with screws.

Transducer Installation: Single View

You can mount the transducer to the shaft or motor of your trolling motor to achieve three possible views:

• Down: Use for vertical fishing to see what is below the transducer. Watch your lure and fish movements in real-time.
• Forward: Use to see fish and structure in front of the transducer. Know the depth of the fish and structure to target your next cast.
• Scout: Use to scan large areas for fish and structure. Search for schooling fish and know the direction of your next cast.

Shaft mounting

A transducer mounted to the shaft can be positioned for all three views (Down, Forward, Scout). It can be mounted on the port or starboard side of the shaft.

Diagrams showing transducer mounting on a trolling motor shaft for Down, Forward, and Scout views, and on the port and starboard sides.

Down, forward or scout view

Use one knob and washer to attach the short side of the bracket arm to the shaft front collar. Align the lines on the arm with the lines on the collar to achieve the desired view.

Note: If you have a pre-assembled shaft mount clamp in scout view, you can readjust it to the down/forward position by loosening the knob and rotating the arm.

Diagrams illustrating the assembly of the shaft mount clamp for Down/forward (port), Down/forward (starboard), and Scout (port & starboard) views.

To create the clamp, align the front and back collars and rubber inserts with the centerline of the trolling motor. Ensure the shaft front collar is angled in the downward position (arrows on both sides of the collar indicate the top).

Note: If you have a pre-assembled clamp, you will need to unscrew the front and back collars and reassemble the clamp as shown.

Secure the clamp to the trolling motor shaft with the cap screws and nuts. Use the arm to finely adjust the alignment before securing the clamp.

WARNING: Tighten screws by hand, not with an electric drill. Tighten just enough to prevent movement under normal use. Do not use thread-locking compound on cap screws or nuts, as it may degrade the bracket quality and cause it to break.

Use the remaining arm knob and washer to attach the transducer to the bracket arm. Align the lines on the arm with the lines on the transducer.

WARNING: When installing your transducer, leave enough slack in the cable to adjust to all possible views (down, forward, or scout). Also, leave enough slack in the cable loop so the motor shaft can spin all the way around without damaging the cable.

Motor mounting

A transducer mounted to the trolling motor can be positioned for all three views (Down, Forward, Scout). Down and forward views can be achieved on the port or starboard side of the motor.

Diagrams showing transducer mounting on a trolling motor for Down, Forward, and Scout views, and on the port and starboard sides.

Down or forward view

Use the shoulder bolt, M8 metal washer, and rubber washer to attach the down/forward mounting bracket to the transducer. Unscrew the hose clamp, wrap it around the motor and through the mounting bracket slots. Re-screw the hose clamp to secure the transducer to the motor. Tighten just enough to prevent the transducer from moving during normal use.

Once attached to the motor, orient the transducer to the down or forward view by firmly gripping and rotating the transducer until the alignment marks match.

Diagrams showing the orientation of the transducer for Down and Forward views.

Scout view

Use an M6 cap screw and metal washer to attach a motor mount scout bracket arm (the shallow water bracket is ideal for depths less than 3 m (10 ft)) to the transducer. Align the lines on the arm with the lines on the transducer. Use the nut and remaining screw and washer to attach the scout mounting bracket to the other end of the bracket arm.

Note: If you have a pre-assembled scout motor mount clamp, you can easily swap out the standard bracket arm for the shallow water bracket arm.

Unscrew the hose clamp, wrap it around the motor and through the scout mounting bracket slots. Align the scout mounting bracket with the centerline of the trolling motor. Re-screw the hose clamp to secure the entire assembly to the motor. Tighten just enough to prevent the transducer from moving during normal use.

Transom mounting

If you do not have a trolling motor on your vessel, you can install a single Active Target 2 on the transom. A transom bracket, sold as a separate accessory, allows the transducer to be oriented in down or forward view. For mounting instructions, see the Active Target Transom Bracket Installation Guide that comes with the accessory.

Transducer Installation: Dual Views

To view two sonar images on your multi-function display (MFD), you can install two Active Target 2 systems (two sonar modules and two transducers) on your boat. The sonar modules are synchronized using the blue wire in the power cable and run simultaneously without interference. You can install the transducers on the same trolling motor to achieve the following dual views:

• Forward and scout
• 180° (forward and back view)
• Scout wide (scout and scout view that requires an optional accessory bracket).

Forward and scout views can be displayed as a split screen (two images side by side) on HDS Pro, HDS Live, HDS Carbon, and Elite FS, or as full screen on two separate MFDs. Scout wide and 180° views display as composite images (two images blended at the center to make a single picture) on HDS Pro only.

Forward and scout view

The forward and scout view can be achieved by mounting:

• The scout transducer on the shaft and forward transducer on the motor.
• The forward transducer on the shaft and the scout transducer on the motor.
• Both the forward and scout transducers on the motor.

To attach transducers to the shaft and motor in either scout or forward view, follow the instructions in the “Transducer installation: single view” section of this manual.

Diagrams showing dual transducer mounting configurations: Forward on motor and scout on shaft; Forward on shaft and scout on motor.

To attach both forward and scout transducers on the motor, prepare a transducer for each view by following the instructions in the “Motor mounting” section. Then, use a single hose clamp to attach both assemblies to the motor. Align the mounting brackets to the motor as in a single-view installation. Once attached, orient the forward transducer to forward view.

Diagram showing forward and scout transducers mounted on the motor.

180° view

The 180° view (composite forward and back) is achieved by installing:

• Both the forward and back transducers on the shaft.
• The forward transducer on the shaft and the back transducer on the motor.

To achieve the 180° view with two transducers on the shaft, attach one shaft mount clamp with transducer in forward (starboard) view and the other in forward (port) view. Then, rotate one of the clamps 180° on the shaft so both transducers are on the same side of the motor.

WARNING: Ensure the backwards-facing transducer is high enough on the shaft to avoid interference with the trolling motor propeller.

To achieve the 180° view with one transducer on the shaft and one on the motor, attach a shaft mount clamp with transducer in forward view and a motor mount clamp with transducer in back view.

Note: The down/forward motor mount bracket has three lines on it. The two shorter lines can be forward or back, depending on which side of the transducer is assembled to the bracket and which side of the motor it is installed on (port or starboard).

Diagrams showing dual transducer mounting for 180° view: Forward and back on shaft; Forward on shaft and back on motor.

Scout wide view

The scout wide view (composite scout and scout) is achieved by installing a non-adjustable bracket arm that attaches to the trolling motor shaft. The scout wide bracket, sold as a separate accessory, holds two Active Target 2 transducers at proper scout angles. For mounting instructions, see the ActiveTarget 2 Scout Wide Bracket Installation Guide that comes with the accessory.

Diagram showing the scout wide view setup.

Wiring

WARNING: Before starting wiring, turn off electrical power. If power is left on or turned on during wiring, fire, electrical shock, or other serious injury may occur. Ensure the power supply voltage is compatible with the unit.

Do not:

• Make sharp bends in cables.
• Run cables in a way that water flows into connectors.
• Run data cables adjacent to radar, transmitter, large/high current carrying cables, or high frequency signal cables.
• Run cables so they interfere with mechanical systems.
• Run cables over sharp edges or burrs.
• Extend or shorten supplied transducer or Ethernet cables. Purchase a longer Ethernet cable or transducer extension cable if extra length is needed.

Do:

• Make drip and service loops.
• Solder/crimp and insulate connections if extending or shortening the power cable.
• Leave room around connectors for easy plugging and unplugging of cables.
• Use cable ties on all cables to keep them secure.

Note: Take care not to overtighten cable ties to avoid damaging cables.

Wiring diagram for a single-view system

Diagram illustrating the wiring for a single-view system, showing connections for the sonar module, transducer, Ethernet, and power, including grounding.

Note: For alternative ways to connect the yellow wire, refer to page 18.

Wiring diagram for a dual-view system

Diagram illustrating the wiring for a dual-view system, showing connections for two sonar modules, transducers, Ethernet, power, and grounding.

Note: For alternative ways to connect the yellow wire, refer to page 18.

Connect transducer

Connect the transducer cable to the SONAR port of the sonar module. Secure the cable with cable ties.

WARNING: Leave enough slack in the cable to adjust the transducer to all possible views (forward/down/scout). Also, leave enough slack in the cable loop to ensure the motor shaft can spin all the way around without damaging the cable.

Connect Ethernet cable

Connect the Ethernet cable to the ETHERNET port of the sonar module. Connect the other end to your multi-function display (MFD) or Ethernet expansion device.

Connect power cable

The sonar module can be powered by a 12 or 24 V DC system. It is protected against reverse polarity, under voltage, and over voltage (for a limited duration).

The yellow wire in the power cable controls the unit's ON/OFF state. The blue wire is not used in a single-view system (one sonar module and transducer) but is used in a dual-view system (two sonar modules and transducers).

WARNING: Always connect the positive supply wire (red) to (+) DC with a fuse or circuit breaker. For recommended fuse rating, refer to the Technical specifications section of this manual.