MicroNet Technology MN100 User Manual

mn100

Dual Digital Display

uu037 rev. 8

mn100 Dual Digital Display

EMC Conformance

All Tacktick equipment is designed to the best industry standards for
use in the recreational marine environment. The design and
manufacture of Tacktick equipment conforms to the appropriate
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standards. Correct installation is
required to ensure that performance is not compromised.

Important

Due to the wireless communication systems used in Micronet
instruments they are only recommended for use on boats up to 14
meters (45 ft.) which are of glass, carbon, or wooden construction.
Like any other Electronic instruments your Micronet system is
designed to serve only as an aid to navigation and it remains the
skippers responsibility to maintain a permanent watch and be aware
of developing situations.

Introduction

1 Information

1.1 Introduction - 2

1.2 Specifications - 2

1.3 Power Management and Battery Life - 2

1.5 Safety and Disposal - 5

2 Operation

2.1 Instrument Display Information - 5

2.2 Switching the System On and Off - 6

2.3 Backlighting - 6

2.4 Audible Signals and Alarms - 7

2.5 Chapter and Page Operation - 8

2.6 Chapter and Page Description - 10

3 Setup and Calibration

3.1 Entering Setup and Calibration Mode - 18

3.2 Chapter and Page Setup and Calibration - 18

3.3 Editing Values - 19

3.4 Setup Page Description - 20

3.5 Calibration Page Description - 22

4 Seatrial and Calibration

4.1 Depth Offset - 26

4.2 Speed Calibration - 27

4.3 Wind Calibration - 28

4.4 Compass Calibration - 29

5 Installation

5.1 Tools List & Parts - 30

5.2 Precautions and Positioning Advise - 30

5.3 Bracket Mounting - 31

5.4 Surface Mounting - 33

5.5 External Power Connections - 33

6 Maintenance and Fault Finding

6.1 Care and Maintenance - 34

6.2 Fault Finding and Technica l Support - 34

6.3 Warranty Information - 37

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mn100 Dual Digital Display

1 - Information

1.1 Introduction

Your Micronet instrument is powered for life by the environment.
Although feature packed and highly visible in all conditions, current
demand is so low, and the supply so efficient, that the solar-powered
display is self sufficient. Combined with other instruments in the
Micronet range this display becomes part of a complete navigational
system.

1.2 Specifications

Height of digits: 20mm (0.8”)
Backlighting: 3 levels with daylight shutoff
System-wide or local control
Power: Solar Powered
300 hrs autonomy by day, 7 nights at brightest
backlighting, 20 nights at economy backlighting
without charge
Units of display: Boat Speed
(knots,kilometers per hour,statute miles per hour)
Distance
(nautical miles, statute miles, kilometers)
Depth
(meters, feet, fathoms)
Wind Speed
(knots, meters per second, Beaufort)
Alarm: Audible Alarm for Depth, Wind and MOB
Weight: 285g (0.63lbs)
Operating Temp.: -100 to +600C (140 to 1400F)
Frequency: 868 MHz or 905 MHz

1.3 Power Management and Battery Life

What makes your mn100 instrument possible is Tacktick’s
revolutionary approach to power management. By reducing the
amount of power being used by the electronics and maximizing the
potential of the sun to provide power, a mn100 instrument becomes a
virtually perpetual device.
Power status is indicated by two icons on the instrument display:

Battery Level

and Charge Rate

Used together these icons will show the condition of your instrument’s
power supply.

2

Operation

2 – Operation

Important:

Ensure that the “Auto Network” procedure described on the yellow
instruction sheet and full Setup and Calibration has been performed
correctly before attempting to use your Micronet instruments for
navigation purposes.

2.1 Instrument Display Information

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mn100 Dual Digital Display

If there is no boat speed or change in heading registered on the
system for a period of 12 hours your Micronet instrument will switch
off to conserve power. A “POWER SAVE” alarm will sound before the
instrument system is switched off. Pressing any button within 10
seconds of the alarm sounding will allow the system to remain
switched on.
Backlighting will automatically shut down/off when operated in
daylight.

Artificial light WILL NOT recharge the battery. Placing
your Micronet instrument close to an artificial light will
seriously damage the instrument. Only recharge in natural
daylight.

Applying External Power

In cases where instruments are mounted permanently below decks it
will be necessary to apply an external power source to prevent
complete discharge of the built in battery.
Connections on the rear of the instrument allow a 9V to 24V DC power
source to be connected. Connections can be made to the vessels DC
system or a 9V battery pack may be connected. It is recommended
that permanent connection is only made when the instruments are
permanently fixed to the vessel and not when the clip brackets are
used.
Connection to a 9V (PP3) battery will fully recharge the internal
battery over a period of 24 hours.

1.4 Safety and Disposal

Your Micronet instrument contains Manganese Lithium Dioxide
batteries which should be disposed of correctly. Do not dispose of any
instrument in domestic waste. Refer to regulations in force in your
country.
If in doubt return the instrument to Tacktick Ltd. for correct disposal.

4

Introduction

Bright Sunny
Day

and

and

Battery is charged and being
topped up by the sun. *

Battery is low and being charged
by the sun.

Battery is charged and requires no
further charging.

Battery is low but maintaining it’s
level.

Battery is charged but is not
charging.

Battery is low with no charging.

It is recommended that the
instrument be left in daylight for
some time for the battery to
recover, or charge from an
external 9 - 24V power source. A
fully discharged battery will re­charge in approximately 12 hours
of direct bright sunlight.

Overcast Day

Night

LOW Power

and

and

and

and

and

Flashing

If using the instruments at night power usage can be reduced
dramatically by switching the Backlighting to level 1 or Off. If
Backlighting is not required on instruments located below decks it is
best to set them to “Local” Backlighting control (see page 26 -s31) so
that power is not being wasted in instruments which may not be
visible from the one being viewed.

* If the internal battery is fully charged then it does not matter
how much the instrument is subjected to bright sunlight no further
charging is required and the Charge Rate Indicator will remain low.

If the instruments are to be stored for a long period of time before
next use (Over Winter) ensure that the batteries are fully charged
before storage. If necessary connect to a 9 to 24v power supply for
24 hrs prior to storage.

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mn100 Dual Digital Display

2.2 Switching the System On and Off

To switch on your Micronet
system select any instrument
and press the
seconds.

button for 2

To switch off your Micronet
system select any instrument
and press and hold the
button for 2 seconds.

2.3 Backlighting

At any stage of the instrument’s
operation press and hold for 2
seconds the
access the lighting control.
Pressing the
buttons will scroll through
setting OFF, 1, 2 and 3 whilst
changing the Backlighting.
Depending on the instrument
setup (see page 20 -s5),
Backlighting on the whole
system or just the single
instrument will be altered.

button to

and

Backlighting is automatically switched off in daylight as part of

the instrument’s power saving feature and will not operate in daylight.

6

Operation

2.4 Audible Signals and Alarms

At stages during its operation your Micronet instrument will beep to
indicate alarms or moments of importance.

Power-up Once operating as part of a network the instrument

will issue a single beep as it is switched on by
pressing the

Button Press A single beep is issued each time a button is pressed

A second beep is issued after a 2 seconds hold down
of the

Alarm Continuous bursts of three beeps will indicate an

alarm. The alarm activated will be indicated on the
digital display, accompanied by the flashing

symbol. Pressing any button will silence the alarm.

Timer A single beep will be issued at each minute of the

countdown. With 1 minute left to go a beep will sound
every 10 seconds. With 10 seconds to go a beep will
sound every second.

Countdown complete will be indicated by a single

burst of three beeps.

button for 2 second.

button.

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mn100 Dual Digital Display

2.5 Chapter and Page Operation

Instrument information is displayed in a “Chapter and Page” format
using the
are displayed in the upper part of the window and the and
(Page) buttons to move between Pages within a Chapter which are
displayed in the lower part of the window.

(Chapter) button to scroll through the Chapters which

Chapter Sequence Shown in Upper Window

(for a full description of each Chapter see page 10 - c1 to c8)

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Operation

It is possible to select any Page (lower window) within any Chapter
(upper window) giving you a chance to display any two pieces of
information available at any time. Once a Page display has been
selected within a Chapter the same Page will be displayed every
rollover of the Chapter sequence ensuring that you return to your
choice of display within a maximum of 8 presses of the
button.

(Chapter)

Full Page Selection List Shown in Lower Window

(for a full description of each Page see page 11 -p1 to p32)

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mn100 Dual Digital Display

2.6 Chapter and Page Descriptions

2.5.1 Chapters

(c1) DEPTH
The Actual Depth beneath the vessel as measured by the

Depth Transducer. The displayed value will be affected by
any keel or waterline offset added (see page 23).

(c2) APP WIND Speed
The Actual Wind Speed with respect to the vessel as

measured by the Wind Transmitter.

(c3) SPEED
The vessels actual speed through the water as measured by

the Speed Transducer.

(c4) MAG HDG
Current Magnetic Compass Heading of the vessel as

measured by the Compass Transducer. The value displayed
will be affected by the calibration routine for the compass
(see page 26).

(c5) TRUE WIND Speed
The True Wind Speed with respect to the vessel, calculated

by the instrument taking into account the vessels speed
through the water. Both Apparent Wind Speed, Angle and
Boat Speed must be available for this calculation.

(c6) COG
Course Over the Ground as calculated by the GPS Antenna.

(c7) BTW
Bearing To (active) Waypoint. The active Waypoint being the

one to which the GPS is currently navigating.

(c8) PROG (Custom Chapter)
A Custom Chapter which allows you to select from a full list,

the information you wish to display in the Chapter (upper)
window (see page 21 -s30 for selection).

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