Detailed instructions for use are in the User's Guide.
NORTHSTAR ETHERNET RADAR INSTALLATION MANUAL
Part No. GMEKRadIM Rev. A
Northstar
30 Sudbury Road Acton, Massachusetts 01720
a unit of Brunswick New Technologies Marine Electronics
www.NorthstarNav.com Service: 978/897-6600 Sales: 800/628-4487
Contents
SECTION ONE: Introducing the Northstar radar SECTION TWO: Installing and wiring the radar
------------------- 1
-------------------- 3 3 4 8 9
System diagram - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Installing the radar antenna - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Installing the control box - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Wiring the radar - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SECTION THREE: Setting up the radar
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 17
Calibrating the radar - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 18
SECTION FIVE: Using manual control functions
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 23
Gain and clutter adjustments - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 23 Other functions - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 24
SECTION SIX: Servicing the radar
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 25
Contacting Northstar - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 25 Hearing from you - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 26 Returning a radar for service - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 26
APPENDIX A: Specifications and Drawings - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 27 APPENDIX B: Troubleshooting - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 31
SECTION ONE: Introducing the Northstar radar
WARNING!
Always stay away from any type of radar antenna to avoid exposure to radiation! An open array antenna may start rotating at any time. Before starting antenna operation, always move all personnel away from the antenna to prevent accidents. It is highly recommended that an open array antenna be installed as high as possible (such as on the fly bridge, radar mast, etc.) so that no person can ever be near enough to sustain injury.
The Northstar Ethernet Radar is designed as an option available for the Northstar 972 navigator. A radar unit should only be installed by a qualified marine technician, as potentially lethal high voltage is present, along with heavy rotating parts. There is a transmit interlock that prevents radar transmissions if the array is not rotating. However, high voltage remains for a period of time after the system is turned off. If you are not familiar with this type of electronics, consult with a trained service or installation technician before attempting to service any part of the equipment. Installation includes mechanical mounting and electrical wiring, followed by properly configuring the navigator to work with the radar, and finally adjusting the radar for proper performance. Don't take any shortcuts, and follow these instructions carefully.
NOTE:
For the radar overlay to function properly on the chart screen, you must correctly install and calibrate a separate heading sensor (using the navigator's NMEA Input Port 1 interface connector, pins 1 and 3). Without the heading sensor, the radar image will not line up properly with the chart. The Northstar 972 accepts the following standard NMEA 0183 sentences to obtain heading information from a sensor: HDG, HDT, OSD, HCC, HCD, and HDM. For sensor installation and calibration instructions, see the sensor manufacturer's installation manual. In addition, the navigator must be calibrated to the heading sensor as described on page 21.
Components supplied with each of the five radar models are listed on the next page.
Ethernet Radar Installation Manual, Rev. A
Page 1
SECTION ONE: Introducing the Northstar radar
TABLE 1: Radar parts list
Radar:
Description (Qty.) Scanner (1 ea.) Control box (1 ea.) 10-meter cable (1 ea.) Parts kit (1 ea.) Power Switch (1 ea.)
R4KDE-A
4kW with dome antenna RSC715 MDS5 WC10D
R4KE35-A
4kW with 3.5' open array antenna RSC716 MDS5 WC10OA
R6KE45-A
6kW with 4.5' open array antenna RSC717 MDS6 WC10OA
R12KE65-A
12kW with 6.5' open array antenna RSC718 MDS6 WC10OA
R25KE65-A
25kW with 6.5' open array antenna RSC719 MDS6 WC10OA
MDS2-PK ST165
MDS2-PK ST165
MDS3/4-PK ST165
MDS3/4-PK ST165
MDS3/4-PK ST165
Optional cables are available in 15-, 20- and 30-meter lengths.
TABLE 2: Parts kit contents
Radar: Parts kit:
Mounting bolts (4 ea.) Power cable (1 ea.) Screws (4 ea.) Spare fuses
4KDE-A MDS2-PK
M10x25 hex bolts WA585
R4KE35-A MDS2-PK
M10x25 hex bolts WA585
R6KE45-A MDS3-PK
M12x55 hex bolts WA585
R12KE65-A MDS3-PK
M12x55 hex bolts WA585
R25KE65-A MDS4-PK
M12x55 hex bolts WA585
TPT5x20U self-tapping screws MF61NN10 10A fuse (2 ea.) MF61NN8 8A fuse (1 ea.) MF51NN250V5A 5A fuse (2 ea.) ES3-3150 3.15A fuse (1 ea.)
TPT5x20U self-tapping screws MF61NN10 10A fuse (2 ea.) MF61NN8 8A fuse (1 ea.) MF51NN250V5A 5A fuse (2 ea.) ES3-3150 3.15A fuse (1 ea.)
TPT5x20U self-tapping screws MF61NN10 10A fuse (2 ea.) MF61NN8 8A fuse (1 ea.) MF51NN250V5A 5A fuse (2 ea.) ES3-3150 3.15A fuse (1 ea.)
TPT5x20U self-tapping screws MF61NN10 10A fuse (2 ea.) MF61NN8 8A fuse (1 ea.) MF51NN250V5A 5A fuse (2 ea.) ES3-3150 3.15A fuse (1 ea.)
TPT5x20U self-tapping screws MF61NN10 10A fuse (2 ea.) MF61NN8 8A fuse (1 ea.) MF51NN250V5A 5A fuse (2 ea.) ES3-3150 3.15A fuse (1 ea.)
Page 2
Ethernet Radar Installation Manual, Rev. A
SECTION TWO: Installing and wiring the radar
System diagram
A configuration diagram for a fully-optioned Northstar 972 system with radar, heading sensor and echosounder is shown in Figure 1. This diagram provides an overview of the interconnection between components.
2301 GPS/WASS Antenna GPS Port Aux Port VGA out NTSC in Northstar 972 Processor Data Control Ethernet
972 Display
Scanner Array (4, 6, 12 or 25kW)
Dome Radar (4kW)
Ship's power
NMEA Port
Ship's power
Northstar Radar Interface Box MDS 5/6
WA215 I/O cable NMEA Port 1 out
Ship's power
10, 15, 20 or 30m prefabricated cable
Northstar Echo Sounder
Ship's power
NMEA Port 1 in
NMEA device (Autopilot repeater, etc.)
Transducer
Ship's power
Heading sensor
Figure 1: System diagram
Ethernet Radar Installation Manual, Rev. A
Page 3
SECTION TWO: Installing and wiring the radar
Installing the radar antenna
CAUTION!
To eliminate interference, install the antenna away from GPS and radio receiver antennas, including SatNav and satellite TV antennas.
Choosing the antenna location
The radar's ability to detect targets depends greatly on the position of its antenna. The ideal antenna location is high above the ship's keel line where there aren't any obstacles. This ideal location is limited by various factors; therefore, consider the following when choosing the antenna location:
· Do install the antenna as high as possible (after considering the structure of the vessel's hull, the weight of the antenna, and how easy it will be to maintain the antenna). The higher the installation position, the longer the radar ranging distance. · Do install the antenna away from masts or other obstructions. If the antenna isn't higher than obstructions, radar waves may be blocked, creating shadow zones or generating false echoes. · Do install the antenna closer to the vessel's bow, for a clear view to the front. When installing the antenna on a mast, place it in front of the mast. If obstacles can't be avoided for vessel structural reasons, see "Shifting the antenna away from the keel line," described below. · Do install the antenna as far away as possible from the antennas of other equipment, such as direction finders, GPS equipment, radio receivers, etc. Radar scanners may cause interference with radio receivers. · Do keep the connecting cable as short as possible. Whenever possible, keep the distance from the antenna to the control box within the standard cable length of 10 meters. If you must use longer cable, do not exceed 30 meters. · Don't install the antenna where it may be subjected to smoke or hot air from smokestacks or heat from lamps.
Shifting the antenna away from the keel line
By shifting the antenna position from the keel line to starboard, it's possible to move shadow zones to the port side. This makes it possible to keep a clear view to the bow. You can calculate the distance to be shifted, depending on the distance from the antenna to any obstacles, by using the following equation (Ls = distance to be shifted from keel line; D = diameter of obstacle on keel line; and R = distance from antenna to obstacle):
Ls=0.4R+D/2 (when R<15m) Ls=0.025R+D/2 (when R>=15m)
Page 4
Ethernet Radar Installation Manual, Rev. A
SECTION TWO: Installing and wiring the radar
Figure 2: Shifting from the keel
Obtaining sufficient dip angle
Raise the antenna position above on-board obstacles to avoid shadow zones. Dip angle is the angle between a horizontal line and the line of sight from the antenna to the obstacle. By maintaining a dip angle greater than 5 degrees, you may be able to prevent mid- and long-distance shadow zones. The radar can't detect objects below its line of sight.
Figure 3: Sufficient dip angle
Mounting the radar antenna
It may be easier to install the antenna by fabricating a mounting base, as shown below, but you can also install the antenna directly to a rigid, flat surface, such as the roof. Pay attention to the water drain tube at the bottom of the antenna.
Figure 4: Using a mounting base
Ethernet Radar Installation Manual, Rev. A Page 5
SECTION TWO: Installing and wiring the radar
NOTE:
When the radar platform or mounting bracket has a curvature of more than 2mm, repair it or use spacers.
Referring to Figure 5 below and the supplied full-size antenna mounting templates, drill holes at the specified locations in the mounting base. Using these holes and hexagonal bolts, install the antenna to the mounting base. Use silicone to stop the bolts from loosening. The bolts supplied will suffice for mounting base thicknesses of 0.35 to 0.55 inch (9 to 14 mm). If the mounting base is thicker or thinner than that, use bolts specified in Table 3 or Table 4 on page 7. See Figure 6 or Figure 7 below for details on bolting the antenna to the mounting base.
Figure 5: Hole positions for mounting antennas (radome or open array)
Page 6
Ethernet Radar Installation Manual, Rev. A
SECTION TWO: Installing and wiring the radar
Mounting a radome
Figure 6: Mounting the radome antenna
TABLE 3: Bolts for mounting radome antenna Thickness of mounting base
0.04-0.16 in. (1 - 4mm) 0.16-0.35 in. (4 - 9mm) 0.35-0.55 in. (9 -14mm) 0.55-0.75 in. (14 -19mm)
Radome mounting bolts
M10 × 15 (1.5mm pitch) M10 × 20 (1.5mm pitch) M10 × 25 (1.5mm pitch) M10 × 30 (1.5mm pitch)
Material
Stainless Stainless Stainless Stainless
Comments
Included
Mounting an open array
Remove the protective cap covering the rotary coupler on the top of the antenna. Match the antenna radiation direction to the direction of the arrows on the rotation base as shown in Figure 8, and secure the antenna into place using four M8 bolts.
Figure 7: Mounting the open array antenna
Ethernet Radar Installation Manual, Rev. A
Page 7
SECTION TWO: Installing and wiring the radar
TABLE 4: Bolts for mounting open array antenna Thickness of mounting base
0.04-0.16 in. (1 - 4mm) 0.16-0.35 in. (4 - 9mm) 0.35-0.55 in. (9 -14mm) 0.55-0.75 in. (14 -19mm)
Open array mounting bolts
M12 × 45 (1.5mm pitch) M12 × 50 (1.5mm pitch) M12 × 55 (1.5mm pitch) M12 × 60 (1.5mm pitch)
Material
Stainless Stainless Stainless Stainless
Comments
Included
Antenna radiation surface
Arrows
Figure 8: Attaching the array
Installing the control box
For the control-box dimensional drawing, see Figure 17 on page 29. Do not install the control box in the bilge or areas with high level of humidity. The control box is not waterproof.
Replacing the fuse
You must use proper rating fuses to safely operate the radar control box. Fuses marked with an asterisk () in the following tables are installed in the set when shipped.
TABLE 5: Fuse requirements for MDS-5 (with 4 kW radome) Supply voltage
12 VDC 24 VDC
Main fuse
8A/250V or 125V (6.3Ø x 32mm) 8A/250V or 125V (6.3Ø x 32mm)
Motor fuse
T3.15A/250V or 125V (5Ø x 20mm) T3.15A/250V or 125V (5Ø x 20mm)
Page 8
Ethernet Radar Installation Manual, Rev. A
SECTION TWO: Installing and wiring the radar
TABLE 6: Fuse requirements for MDS-5 (with 4 kW open array) Supply voltage
12 VDC 24 VDC
Main fuse
10A/250V or 125V (6.3Ø x 32mm) 8A/250V or 125V (6.3Ø x 32mm)
Motor fuse
5A/250V or 125V (5Ø x 20mm) T3.15A/250V or 125V (5Ø x 20mm)
TABL ...