User manual NORTHSTAR 961XD - INSTALL GUIDE

961X/XD GPS CHART NAVIGATOR INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Part Number GM1708 Northstar Technologies 30 Sudbury Road Acton, Massachusetts 01720 www.northstarcmc.com Service: 978/897-0770 Sales: 978/897-6600 Limited warranty policy Northstar Technologies warrants the Northstar 961 to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of two (2) years. This warranty applies to the original purchaser and to any subsequent owner during the warranty period, which begins on the date of shipment of the unit, F.O.B. Acton, Massachusetts, to an authorized Northstar dealer. Systems may not be returned to Northstar without a Returned Materials Authorization (RMA) number. Call the Northstar dealer or Northstar for instructions. During the unit's warranty period, Northstar will repair or replace, at its option, any part of the unit it finds to be defective due to faulty material(s) or workmanship. All such repairs and/or replacements will be promptly performed by Northstar free-of-charge to the owner, excluding freight costs incurred in shipping to the factory. Return shipments from Northstar to points within the United States are made via ground transportation, freight prepaid. Special shipping charges (overnight, two-day, and so on) are the responsibility of the owner. To be covered by this warranty, the Northstar equipment must have been in normal use. This warranty does not apply to units with defects caused by improper installation, physical damage, abuse, tampering, lightning or other abnormal electrical discharge, or to units with defaced or altered serial numbers, or to units repaired by unauthorized persons or repaired in a manner that violates Northstar's recommended service procedures. All repairs and/or replacements made under this warranty must be performed at Northstar's facilities in Acton, Massachusetts. Performance of warranty work elsewhere will not be authorized, and Northstar will not pay for any charges for such work. Northstar will not be responsible for payment of any charges imposed by a Northstar dealer or other party for services requested by and/or performed for a unit's owner in connection with this warranty. Such services might include removal of the unit from a vessel, inspection, packaging, handling, reinstallation, and the like. Northstar Technologies assumes no responsibility for any consequential losses of any nature with respect to any of its products or services sold, rendered, or delivered. The foregoing is the only warranty expressed or implied. No other warranty exists. Contents SECTION ONE - Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Who should read this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Scope of this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Getting technical support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Servicing the unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Returning a unit for service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Ordering information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 SECTION TWO - Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Safety considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 System overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Installation considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Choosing a system location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Wiring the 961 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Installing the antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Turning the unit on and off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Testing and troubleshooting the 961 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 SECTION THREE - Interfacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Interfacing the unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Configuring the NMEA output ports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Setting the auxiliary port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Setting PPNM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Using VGA output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 SECTION FOUR - Service/Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Service functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 Maintenance functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 APPENDIX A - Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Northstar 961 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 Physical features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Internal beacon receiver specifications (961XD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 AN150 Active GPS Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 8410 Antenna Coupling Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 AN205-P GPS/DGPS antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page i Page ii 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Figures Figure 1: 961 control head yoke-mount dimensions (side) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Figure 2: 961 control head yoke-mount dimensions (front) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Figure 3: 961 control head flush-mount drilling dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Figure 4: Processor connectors (back of unit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Figure 5: Separation distances between antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Figure 6: GPS-only antenna (AN150) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Figure 7: Stripping the coax cable jacket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Figure 8: Flared cable braid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Figure 9: Completed BNC connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Figure 10: Combo GPS/DGPS antenna (AN205-P) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Figure 11: Correct AN205-P (combo antenna) splitter wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Figure 12: Stripping the coax cable jacket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Figure 13: Flared cable braid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Figure 14: Completed TNC connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Figure 15: ACU assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Figure 16: Correct AN150 and 8410 wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Figure 17: PL-259 (UHF) connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Figure 18: Initial startup screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Figure 19: System test screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Figure 20: Owner's message screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Figure 21: Advisory message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Figure 22: GPS satellite status screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Figure 23: Interface cabling wiring screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Figure 24: Port 1 output setup screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page iii Figure 25: Port 1 output setup (sentences) screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Figure 26: Port 1 output setup screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Figure 27: Auxiliary port setup screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Figure 28: PPNM output setup screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Figure 29: Product information screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 Figure 30: Receiver information screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 Figure 31: GPS satellite status screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Figure 32: Database function screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 Figure 33: Select database to save dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Figure 34: Select database to restore dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 Figure 35: Select a restored database to undo dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 Figure 36: Save log data dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 Page iv 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Tables Table 1: Contacting Northstar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Table 2: Troubleshooting the installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Table 3: Troubleshooting the GPS/DGPS antenna installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Table 4: Troubleshooting the radar interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Table 5: Interface cable wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Table 6: Port setup options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Table 7: NMEA 0183 sentence identifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Table 8: Aux port setup parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Table 9: PPNM output setup parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page v Page vi 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A SECTION ONE - Introduction SECTION ONE - Introduction Welcome Northstar 961 Installation Manual describes how to install the entire 961 system (control head, processor, and antenna). It describes the physical, mechanical, and electrical characteristics of the unit, as well as how to select the right location, and mount and wire the system. This manual also describes how to interface, troubleshoot, and maintain the Northstar 961 GPS chart navigator. For complete details on operating the unit, see the Northstar 961 Operations and Reference Manual (part number GM1700). The terms "unit" and "961" are used throughout this manual to refer to the 961 GPS chart navigator. The 961X is differential-ready so you can interface it to an external differential receiver. The 961XD has a built-in differential receiver. Unless specifically indicated, all information in this manual refers to both the X (non-differential) and XD (differential) versions of the unit. The Who should read this manual The Northstar 961 Installation Manual is intended for marine technicians who are configuring and installing the 961 GPS chart navigator. CAUTION! To obtain the best performance from your 961, Northstar strongly recommends that you have an authorized Northstar dealer perform the installation. Proper installation of the Northstar 961 is of utmost importance to accurately receive and effectively use GPS signals under a variety of weather conditions. Scope of this manual In this manual, you'll find information on the following procedures: · · · · · · · · choosing a location mounting and wiring the unit installing the antenna testing the unit interfacing the 961 to other instruments troubleshooting the unit configuring the NMEA output ports setting the auxiliary port 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page 1 SECTION ONE - Introduction · · · · setting pulses per nautical mile (PPNM) service functions maintaining the unit installing software updates and saving and restoring the database The unit's technical specifications can be found in Appendix A at the back of this manual. The rest of this section explains how to obtain technical support and how to return a unit for service. Getting technical support After you've followed the instructions in this installation guide, if you require additional technical support or have any other service-related questions, you can contact either your dealer or the Northstar Service Department. Northstar's Service Department can be reached by email, fax, U.S. mail, or phone as described in the table below. Whether you send an email or fax, or write or phone, please have the unit's serial number available, and be as complete and accurate as possible when describing the problem so that a service technician can research the problem and provide the quickest possible response. Northstar's Service Department is available between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. You can email the Service Department directly from Northstar's website. The address is www.northstarcmc.com. From here, you also can access additional technical information under either the Manuals or Support links. Table 1: Contacting Northstar Email: Service: service@northstarcmc.com Sales: sales@northstarcmc.com Fax: Service: 978/897-1595 Sales: 978/897-7241 Telephone: Main number: 978/897-6600 or 800/628-4487 Sales: 978/897-0770 Service: 978/897-6600 U.S. mail: 30 Sudbury Road Acton, MA 01720 Website: www.northstarcmc.com (you can send email to Northstar directly from this site) Hearing from you Your feedback is important and helps ensure that this manual is a valuable resource for all marine technicians. Send your questions, comments, or suggestions about this manual to: Page 2 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A SECTION ONE - Introduction service@northstarcmc.com Servicing the unit Repair of the unit is performed only at the Northstar factory. Service includes a complete hardware and software check-out. NOTE: Field repairs are not authorized and will void the warranty! For a system under warranty, shipping charges to the factory are the only cost for factory repair. Repaired units will be returned via prepaid economy ground freight (units returned overseas are chargeable). Units and accessories returned for warranty repair that are determined to be without fault are subject to a handling charge. Returning a unit for service Before returning the unit to the Northstar factory, to prevent delays it is critical that you first obtain a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number from the Northstar Service Department. If you purchased your unit through a dealer, call the dealer and provide your serial number so they can get you an RMA number. Shipments without a proper RMA number will not be accepted! CAUTION! You may want to ensure that the user has backed-up any of their waypoints and routes before returning the unit for repair; see "Saving and restoring databases and system logs" beginning on page 63 for information on backing up waypoints and routes. The unit is covered by a two-year hardware-only warranty, which, in summary, states that if the unit is returned to the factory by the owner or dealer during the warranty period, Northstar will repair or replace, free of charge, any part found to be defective due to faulty materials or workmanship, if the system has been properly installed and hasn't been abused. See the Limited Warranty Policy at the front of this manual for further details. The only cost to the owner will be the one-way shipping charges and any associated charges that may be imposed by the dealer. If you have overnight or second-day shipping requirements, before shipping the unit, please call the factory for turnaround time, freight charges, and payment arrangements. The unit should be shipped only in a properly designed carton with packing material. Shipments to the Northstar factory should be made to the following address: Northstar Technologies Service Department 30 Sudbury Road Acton, MA 01720 USA 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page 3 SECTION ONE - Introduction Ordering information To order spare parts or replacement/missing parts, call the Northstar Sales Department at 978-897-0770. Page 4 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A SECTION TWO - Installation SECTION TWO - Installation This chapter includes all the information needed to install the 961. It begins with a review of the system components and then provides information on basic installation and powering on the unit. The rest of the chapter describes how to wire the unit, install the antenna, and troubleshoot. Proper installation of the Northstar 961 is of utmost importance to accurately receive and effectively use GPS signals under a wide variety of weather conditions. Safety considerations WARNING! WARNING! Be sure to turn the power off at the main switchboard before starting the installation. Further, it is highly recommended that you post a sign by this switch telling others to keep power off while you're performing the installation. If power is left on or turned on during the installation, fire, electrical shock, or other serious injury may occur. Be sure that the voltage of the power supply is compatible with the unit's voltage rating, which can be found on the label at the rear of the unit. Connecting to the wrong power supply can result in fire or damage to the equipment. Be sure to ground the equipment in order to prevent electrical shock or mutual interference. WARNING! CAUTION! Be sure to use the proper fuse. Using the incorrect fuse can result in fire or damage to the equipment. Make sure that the 961 does not interfere with any of the on-board systems. Check all other systems to ensure that their performance doesn't degrade when the unit is turned on. CAUTION! CAUTION! The 961 processor can only be mounted horizontally due to its rubber vibration mounts. If you must cut the processor's 10-foot power cord shorter, be sure to keep the external fuse intact. If the power cable must be longer than 10 feet, use a heavier gauge wire for those applications and be sure to use an external fuse. 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page 5 SECTION TWO - Installation System overview The unit is shipped ready to install and operate. It is recommended that you follow the steps below: 1. Check the shipping carton for any damage, and immediately report any damage to the carrier. Save all packing material in case you have to return the unit to the factory for repair or evaluation. For return procedures, see "Returning a unit for service" beginning on page 3. 2. Unpack the cartons. Compare the 961 Packing List (P/N GM1703), included in the 961's packaging against the contents in those cartons and with what you ordered. 3. Make sure you have the tools necessary to complete the installation. 4. After reviewing the components, next, review the components of a proper installation. For details, see "Installation considerations" beginning on page 6. 5. Choose the best location to mount the control head(s) and processor. For suggestions and further information, see "Choosing a system location" beginning on page 9. 6. Choose the best location to mount the antenna. For suggestions and further information, see "Installing the antenna" beginning on page 14. 7 Review the section on wiring the system. For details, see "Wiring the . 961" beginning on page 12. 8. Install the control head(s), processor, and antenna. (You may want to temporally install the antenna, then try operating the 961 to ensure the antenna location works well before permanently installing the antenna.) 9. Turn on the unit. For details, see "Turning the unit on and off" beginning on page 26. 10.To ensure that the system is installed correctly and running properly, perform a functional test. For details, see "Testing and troubleshooting the 961" beginning on page 32. 11.If desired, interface the NMEA output ports; for details, see "Configuring the NMEA output ports" beginning on page 46. If desired, interface the auxiliary port, see "Setting the auxiliary port" beginning on page 53. Installation considerations CAUTION! The following basic installation considerations aren't a substitute for all the details in SECTION TWO. To ensure that you meet all critical installation parameters, be sure to read and follow everything in this section. Page 6 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A SECTION TWO - Installation Ensuring a proper 961 installation To ensure a proper installation, it is highly recommended that you perform all of the following activities before starting the installation: · · · preview/survey the vessel's layout and existing equipment review all the installation materials review all the installation requirements, including: - the physical requirements (spacing, location with regard to other equipment, etc.) - the electrical and electronic requirements (interference between other pieces of equipment, power requirements, etc.) Although the unit itself is very straightforward and easy-to-understand, it has a few basic requirements that must be met before safe and proper operation can be assured. The major parts of the rest of this section address several topics regarding the minimum installation requirements for the unit to: · · · · minimize electrical wiring hazards be mounted correctly accurately receive GPS and DGPS signals navigate safely Avoiding shortcuts The majority of installation problems are caused by shortcuts taken with system cables. When installing your 961, be sure to: · · · · · assemble the connectors carefully don't make sharp bends in the cables leave service and drip loops tie-wrap all cables to keep them secure if cables are lengthened, seal all wiring splices Using the GPS antenna (AN150) The "active" GPS antenna is best mounted in the clear, and low on the vessel to avoid extra motion from pitching and rolling. It should be mounted lower than directional high-power transmitting antennas such as radar or satcom. The length of coaxial cable to the "active" AN150 antenna (supplied with the unit) must be a minimum of 20 feet, but not more than 100 feet. Coil up any unused length of cable; do not cut it to less than 20 feet! Be sure that all cable connectors are securely fastened, and that the cable itself is not subject to any tight bends. For complete details about installing the AN150, see "Installing the antenna" beginning on page 14. 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page 7 SECTION TWO - Installation Using DGPS with an AN150 and 8410 ACU If the unit is equipped with a differential receiver (and you're using the AN150 GPS antenna, not the AN205-P GPS/DGPS combo antenna), this receiver must be connected to a Northstar 8410 differential Antenna Coupling Unit (ACU). The ACU's four-foot whip antenna should be mounted as high as conveniently possible (but not at the highest point) and as far away as possible from other antennas. The ACU can be mounted on a standard marine antenna mount (1" diameter, 14 threads per inch). For complete details about installing the AN150/8410 ACU, see "Installing an 8410 ACU (for use with the AN150 only)" beginning on page 22. Using the DGPS antenna (AN205-P) Bench-testing the 961 For complete details about installing the AN205-P, see "Installing the antenna" beginning on page 14. It is recommended that you bench-test the unit before installing it on the vessel. Bench testing ensures that the equipment is fully operational, and allows the GPS receiver to collect its almanac and ephemeris data for the installed location, which results in less on-board installation time. Page 8 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A SECTION TWO - Installation Choosing a system location The 961 consists of two major parts--a processor and a control head. The 961 supports two fully functional control heads (the second head is optional). The 961 system comprises the processor and control head, GPS receiver, optional differential receiver, controls, and the specially-coated display screen. Mounting the control head You can either yoke- or flush-mount the control head: Use the yoke-mount kit as a framework for holding the control head, or flush-mount the control head directly onto a flat surface of your choice. Using the Northstar-supplied yoke mounting kit usually provides a quicker and less expensive installation than a flush-mount installation. Regardless of the type of mount, here are a few helpful hints about where to mount the control head. Choose the mounting location carefully--before any drilling or cutting takes place. Choose a location that: · · · · · · is convenient, accessible, and within comfortable reach gives you easy access to the function keys is where you can clearly see the display screen from your normal vantage point when navigating for best display contrast, is viewed from below, looking up at the display screen provides a reasonably direct path for running the required electrical cables has minimal glare from windows or other bright objects (even though the unit has a high-contrast, anti-reflective LCD screen that's specially coated and readable in direct sunlight, you'll want to make the screen as visible as possible) if flush-mounting the head, make sure you choose an area that's well-ventilated; poor ventilation may cause overheating, resulting in potential backlighting problems · Yoke mounting For yoke mounts, leave ample room--usually two inches--all around the sides and top to avoid crowding the unit. Also allow a clearance of at least 2½ inches in the rear just for the cables and connectors. For the recommended yoke-mount installation dimensions, see Figure 1, and Figure 2. Before drilling holes, rotate the unit to the desired angle to ensure proper clearance for cables and operation of the unit. 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page 9 SECTION TWO - Installation 6.1 1.9 12.4 2.5 8.2 Figure 1: 961 control head yoke-mount dimensions (side) 13.5 12.4 11.6 Figure 2: 961 control head yoke-mount dimensions (front) Page 10 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A SECTION TWO - Installation Flush mounting For flush-mounting the unit, allow at least 2½-inch clearance at the rear for cables and connectors. For the recommended flush mounting drilling dimensions, see Figure 3 below. For the full-size version of the flush-mount installation measurements and instructions, refer to the full-size flush-mount template (P/N GT1600) included in the 961 shipping carton. CAUTION! When flush-mounting, be sure to mount the unit on a flat surface. Mounting on a curved surface can distort or break the plastic and cause a breech in the waterproof seal. Make sure you provide for adequate ventilation, especially if the unit is installed in a closed area that's usually poorly ventilated. Poor ventilation will cause the head to overheat, which in turn may cause the display screen to darken. Figure 3: 961 control head flush-mount drilling dimensions 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page 11 SECTION TWO - Installation Installing the processor For the processor installation measurements and instructions, refer to the full-size flush-mount templates, "961 Processor Mounting Template, top view" (P/N GM1700) and the "961 Processor Mounting Template, front view" (P/N GM 1701) included in the 961 shipping carton. To properly install the processor, you must first install the mounting bracket to the surface of the vessel, then attach the processor to the bracket. Processor installation tips · · · · check the dimensions of the processor mounting bracket; these dimension are provided on the enclosed template. follow the recommended clearance around the sides and front of the unit. install the processor in a spacious, well-ventilated area to minimize heat-related problems. mount the processor on a hard, solid, vibration-free surface of at least 3/4-inch thickness. If the surface is carpeted, make sure that the carpet doesn't block the bottom ventilation holes or interfere with the mounting plate vibration/shock mounts. 10-foot power cable goes to 10-36 Volts DC. · Wiring the 961 The majority of installation problems are caused by shortcuts taken with system cables. When installing the unit, be sure that you: · · · · · assemble connectors carefully don't make sharp bends leave service and drip loops tie-wrap all cables to keep them secure if cables are lengthened, seal all wiring splices The 961 operates on DC power from a 10-volt minimum to a 40-volt maximum connected by at least 16-gauge wire. The 10-foot power cable supplied with your 961 should be long enough for most installations, but if you must lengthen the power cable, you can extend it to a maximum of 25 feet without adversely affecting the 961's operation. For lengths up to 15 feet, the power connections to the battery must use 16-gauge wire or heavier. For lengths of 15 feet or more, use 14-gauge wire or heavier. Regardless of the length of the cable, you should use a 20-amp external fuse as an added safety precaution ((the 961 has an external fuse in its standard 10-foot power cable). The external fuse protects the vessel wir- Page 12 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A SECTION TWO - Installation ing and prevents electrical fires. The power wiring should be connected directly to the battery when possible for optimum noise immunity. CAUTION! Ensure that fuse or circuit-breaker protection is provided at the power source. If you must cut the processor's 10-foot power cable shorter, be sure to keep the external fuse intact. If the power cable must be longer than 10 feet, use a heavier gauge wire for those applications, and be sure to use an external fuse. Electrical power requirements The 961 is a negative-ground system. After the processor has been installed--but before you turn the 961 on--verify that the wires in the 10-foot power cable are connected as follows: · · Red -- positive (+) 10 to 40 Volts DC (VDC) Black -- negative (­) Wiring the system The back of the processor, with all the proper wiring and connections, is shown in "Figure 4: Processor connectors (back of unit)" below. Figure 4: Processor connectors (back of unit) 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page 13 SECTION TWO - Installation Connectors · · · · · · · · · Power connector (3-wire) TNC connector (control head #1) TNC connector (control head #2) I/O #1 interface connector (18-wire) I/O #2 interface connector (18-wire) GPS antenna connector (BNC) DGPS antenna connector (UHF) PC connectors (variable) VGA Installing the antenna Choosing an antenna Three antenna choices are available for the 961X or 961XD: · · one for reception of GPS-only signals (the standard one-piece "active" AN150 antenna) one for reception of both GPS and DGPS signals (a two-piece antenna system comprising the standard AN150 GPS antenna and the 8410 DGPS coupler) one for reception of both GPS and DGPS signals (optional one-piece AN205-P "combination" antenna) · Choosing an antenna location Choosing the AN150 antenna location The GPS receiving antenna is a vital link between the unit's receiver and the outside world. Aesthetics and easy access should be secondary to providing strong and reliable GPS signals to the unit's receiver. You should select a location for the antenna that meets the following requirements: · The antenna should have a reasonably clear view of the horizon, but be no higher than necessary (side-to-side motion of the antenna caused by rolling of the vessel may degrade the SOG and COG readings); however, the antenna should be 12 to 18 inches above the surrounding surfaces to avoid interference. The antenna must be out of the radiation path of any on-board radar sets or strong magnetic fields. The antenna must be lower than any INMARSAT communications antenna. The antenna should be as far as possible from other high-power transmitting antennas. Watch out for electromagnetic "shading" of antennas from rigging, other vessels, shoreline buildings, and so on. Secure the cable well. · · · · Page 14 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A SECTION TWO - Installation To avoid mutual interferences among different antennas on the vessel, refer to the drawing of recommended separation distances in Figure 5: `Separation distances between antennas,' below. Figure 5 shows the minimum recommended distances for the separation of the GPS antenna from other antennas and physical mounting surfaces. Under normal circumstances, following these guidelines usually result in a relatively trouble-free installation. The installer may want to adjust these distances, however, depending on the particular equipment and how it is configured. Since each installation is unique--according to the wishes of the customer--this information should be used only as a guideline. It is not absolution in determining the best locations for every possible equipment configuration. Figure 5: Separation distances between antennas NOTE: Be especially careful about the distance between the combo antenna and any sources of magnetic interference (for example, the INMARSAT antenna). Choosing the AN205-P combination antenna location A combination GPS/DGPS antenna is available for applications involving serious grounding problems (which creates noise issues with the beacon receiver), where optimum portability is required, or when only a single 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page 15 SECTION TWO - Installation antenna is desired. The AN205-P doesn't require any ground and is portable, an advantage when it must be moved from one vessel to another. The "combo" antenna should be located where it has a clear view of the horizon, but is not the highest point on the vessel. Keep the combo antenna at least six feet away from objects that can "shade" GPS or differential signals. If poor GPS Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) readings are obtained after the unit has been running for several minutes, check that you have the proper length of cable, and verify the quality of the antenna location and the quality and proper termination of the connectors. SNR should be as high as possible. Values of 15 and higher are preferable; anything below 10 could indicate poor reception. About the antenna cabling Supplied with your 961 system is a 50 foot-length of RG-59 coaxial cable to use with either the AN150 or the AN205-P. The length of coax cable to the AN150 antenna must be no less than 50 feet and no more than 100 feet; to the AN205-P, no less than 20 feet and no more than 50 feet. When installing antenna cable, don't bend it tightly in any places, and fasten the cable along its length to avoid chafing or whipping of any kind. Coil up any unused length of cable. Secure the cable well (the center conductor is solid wire), and securely fasten all cable connectors. Whereas a loran or differential antenna should be mounted high on the vessel for best performance, the GPS antenna should be mounted as low as possible and out in the open to avoid "shading" (placement of the antenna where it is partially obscured by another object from the signals it must receive). If mounting on top of a tower or mast, understand that the unit will be affected by the pitch and roll of the vessel. Often the bow or stern will provide a location where shading is minimized, while serving to keep the antenna low. Be sure that any directional L-band transmitting antennas (such as radar or satellite communication antennas) can never point at the GPS antenna--its internal preamplifier is quickly destroyed by such radiation. Installing the AN150 antenna Page 16 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A SECTION TWO - Installation 3.00 A N TE N N A .91 O -RING A D AP TER 1.82 CAPTIVE SCREW Figure 6: GPS-only antenna (AN150) Wiring the AN150 antenna Supplied with the antenna is a 50-foot length of RG-59 coaxial cable for use with either the GPS-only AN150 "active" antenna (as well as the GPS/ DGPS AN205-P "combo" antenna). CAUTION! The GPS-only antenna must be used with a minimum of 20 feet of cable, and no more than 100 feet. Any unused length must be coiled up; do not cut it to less than 20 feet! Mounting the AN150 antenna Tools needed: · · · flat-bladed screwdriver knife blade Amphenol crimp tools One TNC connector is pre-attached to the antenna-end of the RG-59 coaxial cable. Connection to the antenna itself involves the following steps: 1. Remove the antenna base by loosening the four captive screws in the base. 2. Screw the base onto the top of the antenna mount (standard 1"-14 marine thread). 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page 17 SECTION TWO - Installation 3. Feed the open end of the supplied coax cable down through the antenna base and through the hollow core of the antenna mount. 4. Affix the TNC connector-end of the coax to the mating connector inside the upper half of the GPS antenna. Be sure to tighten it securely, as vibration can loosen the connection over time. In addition, protect the coax-to-antenna connection with liquid electrical tape or self-vulcanizing electrical tape. 5. Align the upper half of the antenna with the bottom half and tighten the four screws. Be careful not to over-tighten the screws, as this may deform the watertight seal between the two antenna halves. 6. Make a termination for a male BNC connection--as described in the following steps--then connect the antenna to the female BNC connection at the back of the unit. 1. Strip cable jacket to the following dimensions (in inches), as illustrated in Figure 7: `Stripping the coax cable jacket,' below: a=0.57 b=0.34, c=0.14, d=0.43. Do , not nick the center conductor. Figure 7: Stripping the coax cable jacket 2. See Figure 8: `Flared cable braid,' below: Slide outer ferrule on as shown. Slightly flare the end of cable braid, as shown, to facilitate insertion into inner ferrule. Figure 8: Flared cable braid 3. Place center contact onto center conductor so that it butts against the cable dielectric. Crimp the contact in place using Amphenol tool handle #227-944 and Cavity B of Die Set 227-980-3. 4. Install cable assembly into body assembly so inner ferrule slides over dielectric and under braid. Push cable Page 18 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A SECTION TWO - Installation assembly forward until contact seats in insulator. Slide outer ferrule over braid and up against connector body. Crimp outer ferrule using Cavity A of tools specified above. The connector ferrule-to-cable junction can be sealed and protected using adhesive-lined heat shrink. Figure 9: Completed BNC connector Installing the AN205-P antenna The combo antenna provides for an easier, more compact, and better-looking installation, and in many cases, the loop antenna design improves the noise rejection of signals interfering with differential signals. 7.00 2.5 TNC 3.5 Figure 10: Combo GPS/DGPS antenna (AN205-P) CAUTION! The combo antenna must be used with a minimum of 20 feet of cable, and no more than 100 feet. Any unused length must be coiled up; do not cut it to less than 20 feet! Wiring the AN205-P antenna When you use the AN205-P combo antenna, a cable "splitter" is required to separate the signal path of the single cable from the antenna into two cables for connection to the 961. For the proper installation of the splitter, refer to "Figure 11: Correct AN205-P (combo antenna) splitter wiring" below. The splitter should be located near the unit for convenience, but may be situated virtually anywhere along the length of the maximum 100 feet of RG-59 GPS cable, without appreciable signal loss. Note, how- 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page 19 SECTION TWO - Installation ever, that the splitter isn't weatherproof and should be placed in a protected area where it won't be subjected to direct water splash or spray. AS105/AS110 Figure 11: Correct AN205-P (combo antenna) splitter wiring Avoid tight bends when installing any antenna cable. Be sure to fasten the cable along its length to avoid chafing or whipping of any kind. After the antenna has been mounted and the cable has been cut to length--not less than 20 feet--install the supplied TNC connector at the other (961X) end. See Figure 12, Figure 13, and Figure 14 below. A satisfactory crimp for this connector may be made with a commonly available, high-quality crimping tool designed for use with TNC connectors. NOTE: Be sure that you properly install the TNC connector: Most system failures--whether continuous or intermittent--can be traced to poor connector installation. Page 20 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A SECTION TWO - Installation Mounting the AN205-P antenna 1. Strip cable jacket to the following dimensions (in inches), as illustrated in Figure 12: `Stripping the coax cable jacket,' below: a=0.57 , b=0.34, c=0.14, d=0.43. Do not nick the center conductor. Figure 12: Stripping the coax cable jacket 2. "Figure 13: Flared cable braid" below: Slide outer ferrule on as shown. Slightly flare the end of cable braid, as shown, to facilitate insertion into inner ferrule. Figure 13: Flared cable braid 3. Place center contact onto center conductor so that it butts against the cable dielectric. Crimp the contact in place using Amphenol tool handle #227-944 and Cavity B of Die Set 227-980-3. 4. "Figure 14: Completed TNC connector" below: Install cable assembly into body assembly so inner ferrule slides over dielectric and under braid. Push cable assembly forward until contact seats in insulator. Slide outer ferrule over braid and up against connector body. Crimp outer ferrule using Cavity A of tools specified above. The connector ferrule-to-cable junction can be sealed and protected using adhesive-lined heat shrink. Figure 14: Completed TNC connector 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page 21 SECTION TWO - Installation Installing an 8410 ACU (for use with the AN150 only) If you want to receive differential corrections with the 961 and you're using the AN150 antenna, you must use the Northstar 8410 Antenna Coupling Unit (ACU). Although similar in appearance to Northstar loran ACUs, only the unit labeled "8410" will work with the internal DGPS receiver. The ACU also serves as a sturdy mounting base for the whip antenna. Mounting the 8410 The Northstar 8410 differential receiver antenna should be mounted as high as conveniently possible (but not at the highest point) and as far away as possible from other antennas. If you have several possible antenna locations, you may evaluate each by operating the unit with the DGPS antenna temporarily mounted in each location. The best location is one providing the lowest "noise" count (atmospheric impulse noise generated by thunderstorms and other conditions, including vessel-generated noise and any on-board interference) and highest Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). You can view both of these values after you turn the unit's power on; see "Turning the unit on" beginning on page 26. Another major concern, precipitation static (called "P-static"), must be addressed when installing the differential antenna. The 8410 receives weak AM signals and can be sensitive to nearby noise sources and P-static. P-static generally appears only during rain or snow; consequently, it can easily be overlooked during installation. Much like a loran antenna, the effects of P-static are minimized if the differential antenna is mounted so that it isn't the highest metallic object on the vessel. The highest metal object acts much like a lightning rod, attracting tiny static discharges in the atmosphere. If the differential receiver antenna is the highest object, these discharges can totally override the differential signals and cause poor operation in bad weather. The optimum antenna location is high and clear for fair-weather operation, but below the top of a metal mast or other antenna for best foul-weather operation. On sailing vessels, the ACU might be mounted on top of a low mast, or on the stern rail if no other suitable location is available. The 8410 differential receiver ACU can be mounted on a standard marine antenna mount (one inch diameter, 14 threads per inch). For special applications involving serious grounding problems, or where optimum portability is required, you can use the AN205-P combination GPS/DGPS antenna; for details, see "Installing the AN205-P antenna" beginning on page 19. The ACU consists of two pieces, the body and the base. The circuitry is sealed in a rugged, waterproof, fiberglass polycarbonate body, the upper end of which is threaded to accept a standard 4-foot whip antenna. A large female thread is molded into the lower portion, or base, of the ACU Page 22 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A SECTION TWO - Installation body into which the upper half is secured (see Figure 15, "ACU Assembly"). A gasket and rubber O-ring on the upper half provide weathertight sealing when the two halves are secured. The bottom of the base is threaded (1"­14) to mount onto an antenna mast or onto a standard deck mount. Figure 15: ACU assembly CAUTION! Maintaining the ACU's weathertight seal between its upper and lower halves requires only hand-tightening the two together. Using a wrench or other tool may distort the gasket or housing/ rubber O-ring inside, or break the coupler base. The ACU connects to the 961X with RG-58U coaxial cable, which carries signals to the differential receiver and DC power to the ACU amplifier. See Figure 16 below for the correct AN150/8410 wiring. A 25-foot length of this cable is supplied with the unit; this cable may be extended up to a length of 300 feet. The cable passes up through the hollow ACU base and connects to the PL-259 (UHF) connector at the bottom of the ACU. For UHF connector preparation, see"Differential GPS antenna cable connectors" beginning on page 25. 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page 23 SECTION TWO - Installation NOTE: This connection must be made before the ACU is screwed into its base. Figure 16: Correct AN150 and 8410 wiring RF grounding The grounding system is an equal partner with the antenna in producing quality differential beacon signals for the 961 differential receiver. Lack of proper grounding can adversely affect differential signal strength, as well as SNRs, and is the most common source of problems with differential antenna installations. The same grounding techniques that have worked well for loran systems will work equally well for differential antenna systems. Essentially, the ground system provides a secure connection to a large electrical mass; ideally, the earth itself. On a vessel, this means establishing electrical contact with "seawater" ground. On a steel vessel, a good connection to the hull or steel pilothouse is sufficient. Wood or fiberglass vessels require a metal ground plate or a thru-hull fitting. If the metal ground plate is impractical, the engine block or the negative (­) battery terminal can sometimes be used, but only as a last choice due to stray electrical noise that may be present at these locations. Page 24 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A SECTION TWO - Installation The 8410 ACU has a separate black ground wire inside the coupler base, this wire should be connected to an electrically quiet ground location. This wire is the AC signal ground connection from the antenna input circuit. The purpose of bringing it out is to make available a separate signal ground path. Use #16 AWG minimum for grounding. If possible, use a grounding "strap" that is designed for this purpose. Other electrical equipment onboard can cause large amounts of electrical noise, even at points that appear well-grounded. Try several ground points (ground plate, vessel ground, engine block, and so on) to determine which works best under different conditions. WARNING! Whenever any antenna is disconnected from on-board equipment, be sure to ground the antenna shield in order to discharge extremely large static voltages that can quickly build up on an ungrounded antenna system. These voltages are hazardous to personnel and equipment! Differential GPS antenna cable connectors Both ends of the differential beacon receiver antenna cable end in UHF connectors. To prepare UHF connectors, follow the assembly instructions in Figure 17. For best results, coat these connectors with silicone dielectric grease (DC 4 or equivalent) to protect the connector junction against water intrusion and surface corrosion of the contacts. In addition, the connector area including the shield-to-connector junction and jacket-to-crimp ferrule area can be protected with liquid electrical tape (Starbright Liquid Tape comes in color-coordinating black or white), or self-vulcanizing electrical tape (Tommy Tape). 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page 25 SECTION TWO - Installation Figure 17: PL-259 (UHF) connector Turning the unit on and off Turning the unit on To activate the unit, briefly press the PWR key. This activates the control head and the processor. After several minutes, the INITIAL STARTUP screen appears (as shown in Figure 18 below). This screen displays for about five to ten seconds. The unit will then perform a series of system self-tests in which it checks critical components and functions for any errors, as shown in Figure 19. Page 26 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A SECTION TWO - Installation Figure 18: Initial startup screen Figure 19: System test screen After the SYSTEM TEST screen, the 961 automatically displays the OWNER'S MESSAGE screen, as shown in Figure 20, for about 10 seconds. For information on creating a personal owner's message (such as the owner's name and name of the vessel), see "System security" in the Northstar 961 Operations and Reference Manual (GM1700). 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page 27 SECTION TWO - Installation Figure 20: Owner's message screen NOTE: A brief warm-up period may be required for the unit's display screen to achieve its full intensity, if the unit's power has been off and its display screen is "cold." Advisory message After the OWNER'S MESSAGE screen, the special advisory message is displayed as a precautionary reminder that the unit's chart cartography must not be relied upon as the sole means of safe navigation. Although every effort has been made to ensure that the data used by the unit is as close to paper charts as possible, errors and omissions are inevitable. Therefore, extreme care must be used when navigating by means of electronic charts. It is the captain's responsibility to cross-check the 961 against other sources of navigation data. To proceed, accept the advisory message by pressing any key. Page 28 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A SECTION TWO - Installation Figure 21: Advisory message If chart CDs for your geographical area have been installed onto the 961's hard drive, and after the unit acquires GPS signals, you'll see your vessel symbol centered on the CHART screen at your present position. Until the 961 acquires GPS signals, the small position-fix circle will be located at the last known position. If there aren't any charts covering your geographic location installed on the hard drive, the 961 displays a plotter grid instead of a chart. For new units only When you first turn your 961 on, you'll see your present vessel position at the center of the chart, represented as a small circle. A 961 that recently has been used either at or near that same position will usually be ready to navigate within several minutes. If the 961 doesn't acquire GPS signals soon enough, however, your last position fix (from the last time the unit ran) will be represented by a small position-fix circle; you'll see an alarm message in the upper portion of the CHART screen, and you'll hear the GPS alarm beep. This sequence often occurs when a 961 is used for the first time in a new location hundreds of miles from where it was last used, and means you're being notified that the 961 is searching for the necessary satellites. This take should take two to five minutes to acquire, after which the 961 is ready to navigate. GPS signals The 961 uses a high-performance GPS receiver as its primary source of position data. Calculated directly from the received satellite data are your present position in lat/lon coordinates, time of day and date, speed-over-ground (SOG) and course-over-ground (COG), and an estimate of the 961's accuracy. 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page 29 SECTION TWO - Installation Once the unit is turned on and has acquired satellite data, you can check the quality of the GPS signals being received by viewing the various satellites' SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) readings. GPS receiver status summary To display information about the GPS satellites, press the STAR key to display the SERVICE MENU screen, then press the GPS STATUS key. The 961 displays the GPS SATELLITE STATUS screen, showing the status of the GPS receiver. This screen also displays the status of the DGPS receiver, if installed (961XD). Figure 22: GPS satellite status screen The GPS SATELLITE STATUS screen shows the received Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) for each satellite (up to 12), and a map indicating where the satellites are now located in the sky. Satellites are identified by their pseudorandom number (PRN), a two-digit number assigned by the U.S. government. The center of the satellite map represents the center of the sky, and the outer ring is the horizon. The view is looking down from above, with East to your right and West to your left. Also displayed on the screen is the following GPS data: · · ACCURACY HDOP (horizontal dilution of precision) Accuracy is the estimated accuracy of the GPS system to be expected at the current time. Your position readings should be more accurate than this estimate 95 percent of the time. HDOP is a technical measure of how good the satellite pattern is in the sky for fix-taking purposes. HDOP depends on how many operational satellites are in view and where they're currently located. HDOP is calculated from the satellites' current positions, not on actual received signals, Page 30 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A SECTION TWO - Installation and doesn't consider atmospheric conditions, Selective Availability, and signal interference, all of which affect accuracy. HDOP can range from an ideal value of slightly less than one, up to a poor value of 10 or more; any value less than two indicates excellent performance. Lat/lon coordinates On the CHART screen INFO BARS, the 961 displays lat/lon as degrees, minutes, and thousandths of minutes. To display this data, press the INFO key several times. After press the first INFO key, a second INFO key is displayed, letting you display additional data on the second INFO BAR. SOG and COG You can display SOG and COG in the INFO BAR on the CHART screen, or on the 3-D STEER screen or numeric STEER screen. To display SOG and COG on either the STEER or 3-D STEER screens, press the STEER key once or twice. SOG and COG readings result from ongoing measurements derived from the satellite signals; SOG speed is updated every second. You can set the 961 to display its SOG and COG readings more smoothly by setting the GPS speed averaging value up to 10 seconds. Increasing this averaging time, however, may reduce overall reaction time. For more details about GPS speed averaging value, see Chapter 14 in the Northstar 961 Operations and Reference Manual (GM1700). Loran-C TDs The 961 also calculates Loran-C TDs from the GPS coordinates, and displays them on the CHART-screen INFO BARs. For more details, see "Viewing loran TDs" in Chapter 5 of the Northstar 961 Operations and Reference Manual (GM1700). About auto-dimming mode If you don't touch any key on the control head for one hour or more, its LCD screen automatically dims to about half its normal brightness (based on its current brightness), if required by the system. Pressing any key at any time automatically restores the display's previous brightness level. This function helps maintain the integrity of the display screen and reduce power consumption when the 961 is on for many hours at a time. It is still recommended, however that you keep the lighting level lower when you don't actually need it. The procedure for turning off a system with two control heads is slightly different than turning off a system with one head. To turn off an entire system (both the head and the processor) with one control head: Turning the unit off 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page 31 SECTION TWO - Installation 1. Press and hold the PWR key for three seconds, and the 961 will turn off. To turn off an entire system (the two heads and the processor) with two control heads that are on: 1. Press and hold the PWR key for approximately two seconds until the POWER-OFF dialog appears, as shown. 2. To turn off only one head (where you pressed the PWR key, press the THIS HEAD key. Otherwise, to turn off the entire system, press the BOTH HEADS key. Testing and troubleshooting the 961 To test the system after installation, first apply power to the control head: Pressing the control head's PWR key automatically turns the entire system on, including the processor. Next, check for the presence of GPS and DGPS signals: For GPS signals, the time-to-first-fix (TTFF) is about two to five minutes; for DPGS signals, it may take at least 20 minutes for the first channel of the 961's internal beacon receiver to lock onto a transmitter­keep checking for the presence of the word DGPS in the upper-left corner of the CHART screen. Troubleshooting common installation problems Typical problems you may encounter during or after the installation process are outlined in Tables 2, 3, and 4. If you've followed the troubleshooting steps below and are still experiencing difficulties, call the Northstar Service Department at 978-897-6600 and ask to speak with a marine service technician. Table 2: Troubleshooting the installation Problem Area POWER Symptom Pressing the PWR button doesn't power-up the unit. Possible Solutions/Reasons · Check the fuse and the power to the head. Page 32 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A SECTION TWO - Installation Table 2: Troubleshooting the installation (continued) Problem Area POWER (cont'd) Symptom The control head powers-up, but not the processor (the processor's power indicator at the back of the unit is not lit). Possible Solutions/Reasons · · · Check the fuse and the power to the processor. Check the coax cable between the head and the processor. Set the TEST-POWER switch on the processor to the TEST position; if the processor doesn't power-up, then power to the processor is faulty, or the entire unit may be defective. Verify that the processor's power indicator at the back of the unit is lit. Check the fuse and the power to the processor. Check the coax cable between the head and the processor and make sure it's properly terminated and connected. If a spare known-good cable is available, temporarily substitute it to see if the problem goes away. Verify that the processor's power indicator at the back of the unit is lit. Check the fuse and the power to the processor. Check the coax cable between the head and the processor and make sure it's properly terminated and connected. If a spare known-good cable is available, temporarily substitute it to see if the problem goes away. If a test setup with a VGA monitor and keyboard is available, call Northstar technical support for guidance concerning in-depth troubleshooting of the system to determine if the problem is the display or the processor. POWER (cont'd) The control head powers up, beeps, and the backlight can be operated up and down, but there isn't any video. · · · DISPLAY There is continuous or intermittent system failure as evidenced by the display screen flashing a "plaid" or multi-colored "waffle weave" pattern. · · · · There is continuous or intermittent system failure as evidenced by the display screen flashing a pulsing white flash in a continuous repeating pattern. · This may be radar interference; for additional guidance, see Table 4, "Troubleshooting the radar interface," on page 42. 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page 33 SECTION TWO - Installation Table 2: Troubleshooting the installation (continued) Problem Area DISPLAY (cont'd) Symptom The display screen dims, either slightly or more, after the unit has been on for a certain time. Possible Solutions/Reasons · The unit may be implementing its auto-dimming mode, which occurs when no keys have been pressed for an hour or more (pressing any key restores the previous brightness level). When this occurs the display screen dims to about half its normal brightness (based on its current brightness). Auto-dimming helps maintain the integrity of the display and reduce power consumption when the unit is on for many hours at a time. The unit may be running too hot based on its current environment. In this case, the display screen dims only about or notch or so, which is normal. There are two covered external fans at the back of the control head. When one or both of these fans needs servicing, the 961's backlighting dims substantially to reduce the unit's overall temperature. These fans are dealer-serviceable; call your Northstar dealer. · If the display screen dims and also displays the error message "unit too hot, backlighting dimmed." · PROCESSOR System lock-ups Software-related: System locks up under certain conditions, such as when configuring screens, routes, or waypoints. This maybe followed by a colored screen indicating that you may want to call the Northstar Service Department to report an EIP (software) error. · Install the latest software upgrade (to order, call the Northstar Service Department). Page 34 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A SECTION TWO - Installation Table 2: Troubleshooting the installation (continued) Problem Area PROCESSOR (cont'd) System lock-ups Symptom Vibration-related: The system locks up while underway under certain conditions. Systems tend to lock up on those vessels that are 35-55 feet in length with varying beam widths, having twin large displacement engines, moving approximately 20 to 35 knots, and with their processors installed at/or below the waterline and close the outside hull. Possible Solutions/Reasons · Vibration induced into the hull and surrounding structure from the engine and the running gear. The action of the waves against the hull while the vessel is underway at a medium-to-high rate of speed. Cavitation of the water pumps in jet boat propulsion systems. Incorrect installation practices, including improperly fitted lower attachment clips for the internal hard drive assembly. If this is the case, to remedy the problem, ensure that the tabs are engaged and tightly secured in their respective slots on the power-supply frame so that the bottom of the drive mounting bracket is properly restrained. Use the mounting bracket with the ME500-series vibration mount. · · · PROCESSOR (cont'd) System lock-ups Hardware-related: The system locks up on a random basis with no apparent pattern. · Ensure that the processor internal cooling fans are operating and that the processor is not overheating. If you can not comfortably place your hand on the top of the processor when it is operating then it is most likely overheating and the reason needs to be determined and corrected. Make sure that the compartment where the processor is mounted has adequate ventilation to prevent heat build up. 961 INSTALLATION MANUAL Revision A Page 35 SECTION TWO - Installation Table 2: Troubleshooting the installation (continued) Problem Area PROCESSOR (cont'd) Configuration Symptom Possible Solutions/Reasons