Northstar RAD12K, RAD4K, RAD6K, RAD25K Install Guide

Northstar

a unit of Brunswick New Technologies Marine Electronics

30 Sudbury Road Acton, Massachusetts 01720

NSTALLATION

, 6

, 12

Part No. GMRadIM

AND

Rev. E1

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

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

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

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

DC –

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

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