AD
R
Northstar
a unit of Brunswick New Technologies Marine Electronics
30 Sudbury Road
Acton, Massachusetts 01720
K
4
NSTALLATION
I
, 6
K
, 12
Part No. GMRadIM
K
AND
Rev. E1
25
M
K
RADARS
ANUAL
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
Installing the antenna
Installing the control box
Wiring the radar
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SECTION THREE: Setting up the radar (new navigator software)
Configuring the navigator
Calibrating the radar
Adjusting the appearance settings
Finishing up
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SECTION FOUR: Setting up the radar (older navigator software)
Configuring the navigator
Calibrating the radar
Gain adjustments
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SECTION FIVE: Using manual control functions
Gain and clutter adjustments
Other functions
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SECTION SIX: Servicing the radar
Contacting Northstar
Hearing from you
Using the Dealer Express web pages
Returning a radar for service
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APPENDIX A: Specifications and Drawings
APPENDIX B: Manual Tuning Procedure
APPENDIX C: Troubleshooting
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SECTION ONE: Introducing the Northstar radar
WARNING!
The Northstar radar is designed as an option available for the Northstar 958 and 6000i navigators.
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.
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.
Don’t take any shortcuts, and follow these instructions carefully.
NOTE:
Components supplied with each of the four radar models are listed on the next page.
Radar Installation Manual, Rev. E1 Page 1
For the radar overlay to function properly on the chart screen, you must
correctly
navigator’s NMEA interface connector, pins 1 and 3). Without the heading
sensor, the radar image will not line up properly with the chart.
The Northstar 958 and 6000i accept 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
install and calibrate a separate heading sensor (using the
SECTION ONE: Introducing the Northstar radar
TABLE 1: Radar parts list
Radar: RAD4KD-A RAD4K35-A RAD6K45-A RAD12K65-A RAD25K65-A
Description
(Qty.)
Scanner
(1 ea.)
Control box
(1 ea.)
10-meter
∗
cable
(1 ea.)
Parts kit
(1 ea.)
Power
Switch
(1 ea.)
Terminal
strip
(2 ea.).
∗
Optional cables are available in 15-, 20- and 30-meter lengths.
4kW with dome
antenna
RSC715 RSC716 RSC717 RSC718 RSC719
MDS2 MDS2 MDS3 MDS3 MDS4
WC10D WC10OA WC10OA WC10OA WC10OA
MDS2-PK MDS2-PK MDS3/4-PK MDS3/4-PK MDS3/4-PK
ST165 ST165 ST165 ST165 ST165
TS101 TS101 TS101 TS101 TS101
4kW with 3.5’
open array
antenna
6kW with 4.5’
open array
antenna
TABLE 2: Parts kit contents
12kW with 6.5’
open array
antenna
25kW with 6.5’
open array
antenna
Radar: RAD4KD-A RAD4K35-A RAD6K45-A RAD12K65-A RAD25K65-A
Parts kit: MDS2-PK MDS2-PK MDS3-PK MDS3-PK MDS4-PK
Mounting
bolts (4 ea.)
Power
cable (1
ea.)
Screws
(4 ea.)
Spare
fuses
M10x25 hex bolts M10x25 hex bolts M12x55 hex bolts M12x55 hex bolts M12x55 hex bolts
WA585 WA585 WA585 WA585 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 Radar Installation Manual, Rev. E1
SECTION TWO: Installing and wiring the radar
System diagram
A configuration diagram for a fully-optioned Northstar system with radar, heading sensor and
echosounder is shown in Figure 1. This diagram provides an overview of the interconnection
between components.
2301, AN150 or AN156
GPS/WASS
Antenna
Prefabricated
Antenna Cable
Aux Port
VGA out
NTSC in
Northstar
Echo
Sounder
Transducer
Northstar
Navigator
Ship's
power
Ship's
power
WA215 I/O cable
I/O & Power
Interface
(Terminal Strips)
Scanner Array
(4, 6, 12 or 25kW)
NMEA Port 1 out
NMEA Port 1 in
NMEA Port 2
In and Out
NMEA device
(Autopilot
repeater, etc.)
Heading
Ship's
power
Northstar
Radar
Interface
Box
MDS 2/3/4
sensor
Northstar
4kW Dome Radar
10, 15, 20 or 30m
prefabricated
cable
Ship's
power
Figure 1: System diagram
Radar Installation Manual, Rev. E1 Page 3
SECTION TWO: Installing and wiring the radar
Installing the antenna
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
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:
•
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.
•
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.
•
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.
•
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.
•
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 Radar Installation Manual, Rev. E1
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 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
Radar Installation Manual, Rev. E1 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 8. 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)
Figure 6: Mounting the radome antenna
Page 6 Radar Installation Manual, Rev. E1
SECTION TWO: Installing and wiring the radar
Figure 7: Mounting the open array antenna
Attaching the 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.
Antenna
Arrows
radiation
surface
Figure 8: Attaching the array
Radar Installation Manual, Rev. E1 Page 7
SECTION TWO: Installing and wiring the radar
TABLE 3: Bolts for mounting radome antenna
Thickness of
mounting base
0.04-0.16 in. (1 - 4mm) M10 × 15 (1.5mm pitch) Stainless
0.16-0.35 in. (4 - 9mm) M10 × 20 (1.5mm pitch) Stainless
0.35-0.55 in. (9 -14mm) M10 × 25 (1.5mm pitch) Stainless Included
0.55-0.75 in. (14 -19mm) M10 × 30 (1.5mm pitch) Stainless
Radome mounting bolts Material Comments
TABLE 4: Bolts for mounting open array antenna
Thickness of
mounting base
0.04-0.16 in. (1 - 4mm) M12 × 45 (1.5mm pitch) Stainless
0.16-0.35 in. (4 - 9mm) M12 × 50 (1.5mm pitch) Stainless
0.35-0.55 in. (9 -14mm) M12 × 55 (1.5mm pitch) Stainless Included
0.55-0.75 in. (14 -19mm) M12 × 60 (1.5mm pitch) Stainless
Open array mounting bolts Material Comments
Installing the control box
For the control-box dimensional drawing, see Figure 18 on page 41.
Do not install the control box in the bilge.
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-2 (with 4 kW radome)
Supply voltage Main fuse Motor fuse
12 VDC 8A/250V or 125V∗ (6.3Ø x 32mm) T3.15A/250V or 125V∗ (5Ø x 20mm)
24 VDC 8A/250V or 125V (6.3Ø x 32mm) T3.15A/250V or 125V (5Ø x 20mm)
TABLE 6: Fuse requirements for MDS-2 (with 4 kW open array)
Supply voltage Main fuse Motor fuse
12 VDC 10A/250V or 125V (6.3Ø x 32mm) 5A/250V or 125V (5Ø x 20mm)
24 VDC 8A/250V or 125V∗ (6.3Ø x 32mm) T3.15A/250V or 125V∗ (5Ø x 20mm)
Page 8 Radar Installation Manual, Rev. E1
SECTION TWO: Installing and wiring the radar
TABLE 7: Fuse requirements for MDS-3 (with 6 kW open array)
Supply voltage Main fuse Motor fuse
12 VDC 8A/250V or 125V (6.3Ø x 32mm) 5A/250V or 125V (5Ø x 20mm)
24 VDC 8A/250V or 125V∗ (6.3Ø x 32mm) T3.15A/250V or 125V∗ (5Ø x 20mm)
TABLE 8: Fuse requirements for MDS-3 (12 kW open array) and MDS-4 (25 kW open array)
Supply voltage Main fuse Motor fuse
12 VDC (MDS-3 only) 10A/250V or 125V (6.3Ø x 32mm) 5A/250V or 125V (5Ø x 20mm)
24 VDC 8A/250V or 125V∗ (6.3Ø x 32mm) T3.15A/250V or 125V∗ (5Ø x 20mm)
Wiring the radar
Regardless of the type of antenna, when connecting the cables, keep in mind the following:
• Do not tie the radar cables, especially the power supply cable, together with the cables of
other equipment
• Do leave service and drip loops so you can easily remove the control box
• Do mount the control box in a dry area protected from moisture and humidity
• Do lay the cable along the vessel’s hull or wall surface, and secure it at intervals of about
16” (40 centimeters)
• The 25 kW unit operates on a 24- or 32-volt system only
Figure 9 shows the connections to the radar control box.
Figure 9: Control box connectors
Radar Installation Manual, Rev. E1 Page 9
SECTION TWO: Installing and wiring the radar
Install the radar antenna cable as described below, under either Radome cable connection or Open
array antenna connection. The functions of the wires in the antenna cable are shown in Table 9.
TABLE 9: Antenna cable wire functions
X11 Connector X12 Connector
Pin Color Function Pin Color Function
1 Violet +250V 1 Blue +24V
2 N/C 2 N/C
3 Yellow GND 3 Orange +12V
4 Red Ships + 4 Braid of Red DAT-R
5 Yellow Ships + 5 Red DAT
6 Green Ships – 6 Braid of Brown BP/SHF-R
7 Blue Ships – 7 Brown BP/SHF
8 Braid of Gray V/TRG-R
9 Gray V/TRG
Important: If connectors are removed for cable routing, check Table 9 above before reconnecting to
the radar scanner.
Radome cable connection
Use the following instructions for connecting to cable to an enclosed radome.
1. Turn the power off.
2. Remove the upper part of the radome from the scanner, lifting it vertically to avoid bumping
it against the antenna (four screws hold it in place).
3. Remove the tape securing the antenna.
4. Remove the shield cover located on the backside (there are four screws).
5. See Figure 10 on next page: Remove the cable compression plate and rubber ring and pass
the cable up through the opening. Replace the rubber ring and secure the cable with the
compression plate. Attach the 7-pin connector to X11 and the 9-pin connector to X12 of the
printed circuit board (PCB).
6. Replace the aluminum shield cover. Lay the cable shield into the channel machined into the
aluminum housing. Be careful that the cable won’t get caught between the main unit and
the cover.
7. Replace the upper part of the radome, making sure you don’t bump it against the antenna.
Make sure the radome cover is positioned in the correct direction, as shown in Figure 11. The
upper and lower parts of the radome each have four alignment markings indicating screw
positions.
8. Connect the antenna cable to the plug labeled SCANNER on the rear panel of the control
box. Be sure to secure the rubber boot around the cable connector rim.
Page 10 Radar Installation Manual, Rev. E1
SECTION TWO: Installing and wiring the radar
e
Figure 10: Connecting the radome cabl
Figure 11: Attaching the radome cover
Open array cable connection
1. Turn the power off.
2. Use a socket wrench to remove the back cover of the scanner. Remove the two bolts securing
the transceiver (see Figure 12).
3. Remove the connectors to the motor (labeled X1 or J5) and to the heading switch (X2 or J3).
Pull out the transceiver.
“X” numbers are found on the 4kW unit, and “J” numbers on the larger units.
4. Remove the four mounting bolts securing the clamp plate at the cable entrance.
5. Remove the metal clamp plate, rubber seal and washer that secure the cable. Pass the cable
through as shown in the diagram; replace the above items and tighten the bolts.
6. Return the transceiver to its original position and secure it with the bolts you removed.
7. Connect the 7-pin connector to the point labeled either X11 or J2 and the 9-pin connector to
either X12 or J1 on the printed circuit board. Reconnect the two connectors that you
removed in Step 4.
8. Re-attach the scanner cover (be careful not to pinch the cable when reattaching it).
9. Connect the antenna cable to the plug labeled SCANNER on the rear panel of the control
box. Be sure to secure the rubber boot around the cable connector rim.
Radar Installation Manual, Rev. E1 Page 11
SECTION TWO: Installing and wiring the radar
Keep the cable shield braid
as short as possible
Mounting bolts (4)
Cable shield
terminal
Washer
Scanner
housing
Remove connectors
Connecting
cable
Transceiver unit
mounting bolts (2)
Cable clamp
Cable jacket
must not exceed
1/4 inch
Rubber ring
Cable inlet
Figure 12: Connecting the open array antenna cable
Connecting a ground wire
Connect a grounding wire from one of the bolts on the scanner base, as shown in Figure 13 below
(the crimp terminal and grounding wire are installer-supplied).
Page 12 Radar Installation Manual, Rev. E1
Connecting the power cable
SECTION TWO: Installing and wiring the radar
Figure 13: Grounding the antenna to earth
The MDS-2 and MDS-3 units are designed for 12/24/32-volt installations. The MDS-4 operates
on 24 or 32 VDC only.
CAUTION!
Do not apply over 41.6V to the radar or it may be damaged.
Power should be fed through a switch and protective fuses (or circuit breakers).
To connect the power cable:
1. Plug the power cable into the receptacle labeled “POWER” on the rear panel of the control
box, and connect to power supply as shown below.
2. Place the fuse and connector part in a dry area with no water splash.
Figure 14 shows the power connector wiring, to be used if the installer chooses to remove and
reinstall the connector to run the cable through small openings.
Radar Power Cable
Connector End View
Gnd
NC
5
4
NC
DC –
1
2
3
DC +
Pin Function Color (new style) Color (old style)
1 DC Power – Gnd Black Black
2 DC Power – A+ Red White
3 Not Connected
4 Not Connected
5 Equipment Ground Green Gray
Figure 14: Power cable pin connections
Radar Installation Manual, Rev. E1 Page 13