Kestrel Meters 3000 User Manual

Kestrel® 3000

Pocket Weather™ Meter

Thank you for purchasing the Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter. This
instrument will measure the following environmental conditions:

• wind speed • wind chill

• maximum wind gust • relative humidity

• average wind speed • heat stress

• temperature • dewpoint

This instrument also features a data hold function, a backlight, and
an automatic power-down function. Every unit is fully tested at our
factory for measurement accuracy and waterproof integrity.

OPOP

ERER

AA

OP

OPOP

1) Slide off cover. 2) Turn on: Press the center

3) Select operating mode. Press the right arrow ( ) to scroll

through the measurements listed below. Press the left arrow
(

) to scroll through the measurements in reverse order. The
instantaneous measurements will be displayed. (See
Understanding the Measurements section for more information.)

or

Current

Wind Speed

˚F

Wind Chill

mph

˚F

4) Select the units of measure. Press while holding to scroll
through the units of measure.

+

m/s

m/s

Meters per

Second

TIONTION

ER

A

TION

ERER

AA

TIONTION

button (

mph

MAX

MAX

Maximum 3­Second Gust

Since Power On

% %

%

Relative

Humidity

ft/m km/h ktmph B

ft/m

Feet per

Minute

km/h

Kilometers

per Hour

˚F ˚C

Degrees

Fahrenheit

with Backlight

) to turn on the unit.

mph

˚F

kt

Knots

Degrees

Celcius

˚F

Temperature

Dewpoint

˚C

AVG

AVG

Average Wind

Speed Since

Power On

˚F ˚F

%

Heat Stress

mph

Miles per

Hour

˚F

˚F

Air

˚F

Beaufort

Force

B

5) Hold mode. Press

while holding to hold the measured
value on the display. The word “HOLD” will blink to indicate the
Hold Mode. Press
Hold Mode. Press

or to view the other measurements in

while holding to exit the Hold Mode.
This mode can be useful for taking measurements when unable
to view the display, as within a duct. The Max and Avg Wind
Speed Modes will continue to work as usual.

6) Turn on the backlight. Press
seconds. If

or are pressed while the backlight is illuminated,

to activate the backlight for 10

the backlight will remain illuminated for another 10 seconds.
Press

while the backlight is illuminated to manually turn off

the backlight.

7) Turn off. Hold for 2 seconds to manually turn off the unit.
The unit will automatically turn off if no buttons have been
pressed for 45 minutes.

UNDERSTANDING THE MEASUREMENTS

Wind Speed - average over the previous three seconds. The measurement
will be accurate for air flow through the front or rear of the unit.

Maximum Wind Gust - maximum 3 - second wind speed since the unit was
turned on.

Average Wind Speed - average wind speed since the unit was turned on.

Temperature - instantaneous temperature of the thermistor, which is located

at the end of the long coiled leads in the open cavity below the impeller. The
exposed thermistor will respond quickly to changes in temperature when air
flows past it. For fastest response, either hold the unit into the wind or wave
the unit side to side for 15 seconds. Readings should be taken in the shade.

Wind Chill - combination of wind speed and temperature, as defined by the
US National Weather Service. Wind chill is the effective temperature on a
human or animal at low temperatures due to wind speed. Wind chill readings
will be the same as the temperature readings above 45ºF or below 3 mph.

Relative Humidity - amount of moisture in the air compared to the amount
of moisture the air can hold for the given temperature, represented as a
percent. Because relative humidity is also a function of the temperature, the
response time will be dependent on the temperature response time (see
temperature section above). Readings should be taken in the shade.

Heat Stress – combination of temperature and humidity, as defined by the US
National Weather Service. Heat stress is the effective temperature on a human
or animal at high temperatures due to humidity. Heat stress readings will be
the same as the temperature readings below 70ºF.

Dewpoint – calculated based on temperature and humidity measurements,
as a measure of moisture content in the air. If the dewpoint is very close to the
temperature, the air is humid. If the temperature and dewpoint are the same,
dew will form. If this happens below freezing, frost will form.

MAINTENANCE & TROUBLESHOOTING

Storing Your Kestrel

Avoid storing your Kestrel where it will be exposed to temperatures below

-30°C [-22°F] or above 80° C [176° F] for extended periods of time. Doing so

may cause permanent damage. (Note that the ins ide of a car parked i n the hot
sun can reach very high temperatures.)

Use of the Lanyard and Cover

The cover can be captured on the lanyard to avoid loss. First, remove
the cord poplock. Then feed the lanyard end through the large
opening in the over and out the slot. Replace the poplock on the
lanyard.

Replacing the Battery

When your display flashes the low battery
indicator ( ) , replace the battery. Use a large coin
to open the battery compartment. Insert a new
CR2032 coin cell (available where watch batteries are
sold), positive (+) pole up. When replacing the battery
door, be sure to keep the black rubber o-ring seated in
the groove on the case back.

!

+

CR2032

3V

CR2032

Battery

n

i

d

e

l

b

m

e

s

s

A

A

S

U

Thank you for purchasing a Kestrel Pocket Weather Meter! Please register your

Kestrel

Pocket Weather Meters

Kestrel within 10 days of receipt to activate your warranty coverage. (If
product is not registered, two-year warranty coverage will start on date of
manufacture.)

This information will be kept confidential. Any information collected about our customers will not be sold
or distributed, and will be used for the business of Nielsen-Kellerman only. We are conducting this survey in
order to improve the quality of our product. Thank you for your cooperation and we appreciate your time.

The team at Nielsen-Kellerman stands proudly behind our products. If you have any questions or comments please feel
free to call us at 1.800.784.4221 or visit our website at www.nkhome.com.

Sincerely,

Nielsen-Kellerman

Sales Department

Why does the Impeller Appear Imbalanced?

It is NORMAL for the impeller to oscillate as it comes to a stop. It is NOT
imbalanced. Rather, it contains a very small magnet which responds to the
earth’s magnetic fields. This does not affect the accuracy of the wind speed
readings because the magnetic field applies both a braking and an accelerating
force which cancel each other. The impeller has been calibrated to provide
wind speed readings accurate to within at least ± 3%.

High Speed Use

After several hours of sustained operation
over 25 M/S (~49 KT, 90 KM/H, 56 MPH or 4,923
FPM), the Kestrel will lose some accuracy due to
wear of the sapphire bearings in the impeller.

Replacing the Impeller

Press FIRMLY on the sides of the black impeller
housing with your thumbs to remove the entire
assembly. When inserting the new impeller, be sure
the arrow is facing the display side of the unit, and is
aligned with the top of the meter. Press on the sides
of the housing rather than the center.

Taking Accurate Humidity, Heat Stress and Dewpoint Measurements

The patented system for measuring relative humidity allows for extremely
fast and accurate readings. The sensor is located in the large hole on the rear
of the unit. Even extreme and abrupt changes in the surrounding humidity
will be measured within several minutes. To test this, place your hand around
the rear of the unit. Within several seconds, the humidity will increase
dramatically. After removing your hand, the humidity will quickly begin to
decrease. Next, place your hand near the rear of the unit and wave the unit
back and forth. The humidity will not change because the air flow is diluting
the humidity from your hand.

This example shows the importance of keeping air flow past the sensor while
taking a measurement. If there is no natural air flow past the sensor, wave the
unit back and forth. It is also reasonable to lay the unit down on a solid surface
for several minutes to allow the sensor to adjust.

Humidity Sensor Calibration

The humidity sensor has been factory calibrated to be accurate to within ± 3%.
For recalibration, y ou may either return it to Nielsen-Kellerman for factory
calibration, or visit www.nkhome.com/ww/3000/fieldcalibration.html for field
calibration instructions. Field Calibration Kits are also available for sale online.

BEAUFORT SCALE

The Beaufort Scale is a system for
estimating wind force without the
use of instruments based on the
visible effects of the wind on the
physical environment. The behavior
of smoke, waves, trees, etc., is rated on
a 13 point scale. The scale was devised
in 1805 by the British naval
Commander Sir Francis Beaufort
(1774-1857) and is still commonly
used by mariners.

Force Description Kts
0Calm 0

1 Light Air 1-3
2 Light Breeze 4-6
3 Gentle Breeze 7-10
4 Moderate Breeze 11-16
5 Fresh Breeze 17-21
6 Strong Breeze 22-27
7 Near Gale 28-33
8 Gale 34-40
9 Strong Gale 41-47
10 Storm 48-55
11 Violent Storm 56-63
12+ Hurricane 64+

WARRANTY & SERVICE

Warranty

Your Kestrel is covered by a full parts and labor warranty for two years from your
date of purchase. The provisions of this warranty do not apply to: a) batteries,
whether contained in a unit or sold individually; b) units which have been
subjected to misuse, negligence, accident or improper maintenance or
application; c) humidity sensors damaged by excess contact with salt water; or
d) units which have been repaired or altered by a party other than Nielsen­Kellerman’s employees or agents without Nielsen-Kellerman’s prior written
consent.

Parts and Service

To order replacement parts for your Kestrel or obtain service please contact
Nielsen-Kellerman or your original place of purchase.

Revised 06/15/05

SPSP

ECIFICECIFIC

SP

ECIFIC

SPSP

ECIFICECIFIC

Accuracy

(Within OPERATIONAL RANGE)

Wind Speed ±3% of reading
Temperatu re ±1°C
Wind Chill ±2°C
Relative Humidity ±3%
Heat Stress ±3°C
Dewpoint ±3°C

of scale

(above 20% RH)

Response Time

Wind Speed 1 Second
Temperature, Relative
Humidity, Wind Chill,
Heat Stress, Dewpoint

<1 Minute

AA

TIONSTIONS

A

TIONS

AA

TIONSTIONS

Units and Operational Range

Units Low End High End
Meters per Second 0.3 40
Feet per Minute 59 7877
Kilometers per Hour 1.0 144
Miles per Hour 0.7 89
Knots 0.6 78
Beaufort Force 1 13
Celsius -29 70
Fahrenheit -20 1 58
Percent Humidity 5 95

Display

Type: Reflective 4 digit LCD.
Dig it H eight : 9 mm. [0.36 in.].
Update: 1 second.
Temperature Limitations: Normal operation from -15°C to 50°C [5°F to

122°F]. Below -15°C [5°F] the display fluid will freeze. Above 50°C, the
display will turn black. This is temporary and display will function
properly when unit is returned to normal temps. Accurate readings
may be taken by keeping the unit warmer than -15°C [5°F], or cooler
than 50°C [122°F] and exposing it for the minimum time necessary
to take a reading (less than one minute).

Auto Shutdown: After 45 minutes of no button presses.

Environmental

Sea ling: Electronics enclosure IP67 – water resistant to 1 m. [3 ft.]. Floats.
Shock: Drop tested to 2 m. [6 ft.].
Sto rage Temperat ure: -30°C to 80°C [-22°F to 176°F].

Physical

Buttons: Three sealed tactile rubber buttons control all functions.
Battery: User-replaceable CR2032 coin cell. Typical life, 300 hours.
Impeller: 25 mm. [1 in.] diameter, sapphire bearings, light weight. User-

replaceable impeller/housing assembly.
Case: Slip-on case prevents damage to display and moving parts.
Dim ensions : Unit: 4.8 x 1.7 x 0.7 in [122 x 42 x 18 mm]; case: 4.8 x 1.9 x 1.1

(122 x 48 x 28 mm].
Weight : Unit2. 3 oz [65g]; case 1.3 oz [37 g].

For more information or more detailed specifications, please visit
www.nkhome.com.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

What is a “Kestrel”? The American Kestrel is the smallest North
American falcon. Beautiful and highly adaptable, it can be
found virtually everywhere in North America. It is unique
among falcons for its ability to both hover at very low speeds
and dive at very high speeds.

Assembled in the USA. The Kestrel 3000 is protected by US
Patents 5,783,753, 5,939,645 and 6,257,079. Other patents
pending. Nielsen-Kellerman reserves the right to change
product specifications. © 2004. Kestrel, the Kestrel logo,
Pocket Weather, NK and the NK logo are trademarks of the
Nielsen-Kellerman Co.

NIELSEN-KELLERMAN

21 Creek Circle, Boothwyn, PA 19061

Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]

Web www.nkhome.com

E-mail [e-mail]

Please fill out the product registration below and mail it to: Kestrel Registration, 21 Creek Circle, Boothwyn, PA 19061.

NAME:

ADDRESS:

CITY: STATE: ZIP:

COUNTRY: TELEPHONE NUMBER:

EMAIL ADDRESS:

SERIAL NUMBER: DATE OF PURCHASE:

MODEL: 1000 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4000 NV 4100

MALE: F EMALE:

AGE: 18-24 25-36 37-48 49-56 57+

AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD INCOME: <$25,000 $26,000-45,000
46,000-75,000 $76,000-100,000 $100,000+

WHERE DID YOU PURCHASE YOUR KESTREL?

HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT KESTREL POCKET WEATHER METERS?

PRIMARY USE (CAMPING, FIRE FIGHTING, AGRICULTURE, ETC.):

SECONDARY USE:

FAVORITE MAGAZINE: