Components5
Cautions on Use8
Operating Instructions9
New Battery Startup Sequence10
New Zero Sequence11
Decription of the Button Functions15
Setting Presets17
Setting the Limits (Go/No Go Function)19
Setting the MIN/MAX/TIR Function22
Data Output24
Data Cover Removal24
Data Cable Attachment25
Battery Drawer Removal25
Battery Installation and Replacement26
Accessories27
Spanish31
French55
Portuguese79
Chinese103
German127
Italian151
2. Avoid extreme temperatures, direct sunlight or
below freezing for extended periods.
3. Avoid shocks to the contact point and spindle. Do
not apply any radial force to the spindle.
4. If the indicator is stem-mounted, protect the
indicator from being struck or bumped to prevent
stem/case mechanical alignment damage.
5. Do not over-tighten the mounting mechanism and
use clamp mounting rather then set screws, if
possible, to prevent damage to the spindle.
6. Frequently clean the spindle using a dry cloth or a
chamois to prevent sluggish or sticky movement.
Isopropyl alcohol may be used to remove gummy
deposits on metallic parts. Do not apply any type
of lubricant to the spindle and do not use solvents.
• Avoid any disassembly or modification of
the indicator, other than what is outlined in
"Accessories" on page 27
7. Avoid using anything that might damage the
buttons when pressing the buttons.
8. Use the appropriate gage stand or indicator holder
for the job intended.
1. First read the "New battery, Startup Sequence"
section below, and the "Zero Sequence" on the
next page 11.
2. Install the batteries that came with the indicator.
Refer to "Battery Drawer Removal" and "Battery
Replacement" on pages 25, 26.
3. Lightly clean the contact point.
4. Fasten the indicator onto the appropria te holding device.
5. You can turn the indicator on by either pressing
the ON/OFF button or moving the spindle.
6. If applicable, pick the unit of measure, inch or
millimeter by pressing the IN/mm button.
Note; standard metric indicators do not have this
function available, however this will be available
on the ME series of indicators.
7. Place the indicator perpendicular to the reference
surface being measured. Allow enough movement
to be able to take a higher or lower measurement.
8. Reset the display by pressing the ZERO Button.
9. Lift the spindle to remove the reference surface,
and carefully place the piece to be measured under
the spindle making contact with the surface. The
value measured on the display will be the difference
between the reference and the measured piece.
10. The indicator can be turned off by pressing and
holding the ON/OFF button for 3 seconds.
Note: the unit will automatically enter sleep mode in
30 minutes, if left unattended.
1. Each time you put in a new set of batteries, the
indicator will go through a startup sequence. See
"Battery Installation and Replacement" on pages 25,
26. At the end of the sequence you will need to move
the spindle to initialize the measurement system.
2. When the indicator comes on after the batteries
have been changed, the display will go through a
series of changes Fig.1-5.
Note: The information displayed here will change
depending on the indicator you are using and is
shown, to give you an idea of what to expect when
changing the battery.
3. When "Cal" is displayed, move the plunger slowly
in and out, until the display changes to show the
indicator measuring. This movement will calibrate
the indicator.
4. This feature will happen each time the battery
is replaced.
5. If you don't move the spindle, "Cal" will stay on the
display for only 10 seconds and the display will go
blank. To return to "Cal" mode move the spindle or
quickly press the on/off button.
6. If you move the spindle to fast it will take longer for
the tool to initialize.
NEW ZERO SEQUENCE
7. After speed mode is completed press the ZERO/
ABS button and the display will show a dashed line
as seen in Fig.6 below. The line will incrementally
disappear from left to right Fig.7; this is a visual
clue on how long you should wait for the tool to zero
out. Make sure not to move the spindle during that
time. This will happen each time the tool is zeroed,
takes about a second to complete.
8. Fig.7 shows a representation of how the display will
look when the sequence is completed.
2900-3-1.0005"/.01mm 1"/25 mm .375"
2900-3M-25.01mm25 mm8 mm
2900-5-1.0005"/ .01mm 1"/25 mm .375"
2900-5M-25.01mm25 mm8 mm
2900-3ME-25 .01mm /.0005" 25 mm / 1" 8 mm
2900-5ME-25 .01mm /.0005" 25 mm / 1" 8 mm
Baud Rate 4800
Data Bits 8
Parity None
Stop Bits 2
Flow Control None
Data Request and
Response Timing
2 – CR2032 Lithium Coin Cells
Capacity 240 mAh
1 Space Character
2 Status characters indicating the operating mode
• BLANK - Normal mode
• OL - Displacement outside Lower Limit
• OU - Displacement is outside the Upper Limit
• MN - Displacement is minimum peak displacement stored
• MX - Displacement is minimum peak displacement stored
• TR - Displacement is the T.I.R. stored
• LL - Displacement is the lower or minimum limit setting
• LU - Displacement is the upper or maximum limit setting
• HL - Displacement is a held displacement
1 Sign Character (minus but no plus)
1 Space Character (IN mode only)
6 Digits
1 Decimal point
2 Spaces
2 Character strings to indicate units "IN" or "mm"
1 Carriage Return
1 Line Feed
Receive High to Low Momentary
Response Time Delay 120 ms
Transmit Time 45 ms
The functions printed in yellow; LIMITS and PRESET,
are used in conjunction with the SHIFT/SET button also
printed in yellow. To enable these functions press the
SHIFT/SET button first. The SET (S) icon will appear in
the top left corner, and then press the button for the
required function.
1. ON/OFF - Power button. Press and release to turn
on, and Press and hold for 3 seconds to turn off.
2. +/- - Plus/Minus sets the direction (polarity) of
the reading
3. ZERO - Press and release the ZERO button and the
display will zero. The spindle must not be moved
until the Zero Sequence has elapsed. See "New
Zero Sequence" on page 11.
4. IN/mm - Toggles the display between English or
Metric values.
5. SHIFT/SET - Dual function button used to enable
the, Preset and the Limits (Go/No Go) function.
When enabled the SET (S) icon will be displayed on
the top left corner of the display.
6. LIMITS - Press the SHIFT/SET button then press the
LIMITS button to enable the Go/No Go function. Sets
the Min and Max values for the Go/No Go function.
Refer to the section, "Setting the Limits" page 19.
7. PRESET - Press the SHIFT/SET button then press
the PRESET button to enable the PRESET function.
Refer to the section "Setting PRESETS" page 17.
8. ZERO/ABS - Dual Function button Zero's the
display or enables the ABS mode. Press and hold
for 2 seconds to activate the ABS mode then Press
and hold for 2 more seconds to exit the ABS mode.
To zero the display, refer to step 3 above.
9. MIN/MAX/TIR - Displays the minimum or maximum
values captured during the movement of the spindle
while in the min/max limits operation. The TIR
function displays the difference of the two readings.
See "Setting the Min/Max/TIR" page 22.
This function is not available with the basic type
indicators. To set the value, follow the steps below:
1. Press and hold the ZERO/ABS button until the ABS icon
appears in the upper right corner of the LCD Fig. 9.
2. The values can be set to: ±99.9999 inches or
±9999.99mm.
3. Press the SHIFT/SET followed by the PRESET
button. The SET and PRESET icons will appear in
the upper left hand corner of the LCD. The PRESET
icon should be flashing Fig. 10.
4. To move from the PRESET (P) icon to a digit, Press
the SHIFT/SET button. The flashing digit indicates
that the digit is ready to be SET Fig. 11. Press the
PRESET button to increment the value. To set the
digit, Press the SHIFT/SET button.
Fig. 11
5. To move to the next digit Press the SHIFT/SET
button again and repeat step 4.
6. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until all the digits are SET.
7. To set a negative value Press the PRESET button
when the plus/minus sign icon is flashing. Fig. 11
8. To exit the PRESET function, Press the PRESET
button when the PRESET icon is flashing. The SET
value will remain displayed.
9. Press and hold the ZERO/ABS button to exit the
Preset function.
SETTING THE LIMITS (GO/NO GO FUNCTION)
(CONTINUED)
4. Press the SHIFT/SET button. The LIMIT icon will
flash on/off.
5. Adjust the spindle to the desired minimum value.
6. Press the SHIFT/SET button to capture the minimum
value. The LIMIT icon will stop flashing.
7. Press the LIMITS button. The MAX LIMIT icon will appear
in the top middle of the display Fig. 14 next page.
8. Press the SHIFT/SET button. The LIMIT icon will
flash on/off.
9. Adjust the spindle to the desired maximum value.
10. Press the SHIFT/SET button to capture the
maximum value. The LIMIT icon will stop flashing.
11. Press the LIMITS button to use the go/no go
function. The display will flash unless the reading
is within the range that you set your limits to. The
SET icon will remain on. The MAX and MIN icons
will stay off as long as the reading is within the
set limits. If the measurement is beyond the set
limits, the display will flash and the MIN or MAX
LIMIT icon will indicate the direction the limit has
been exceeded. To exit Press the LIMITS button.
The Min/Max/TIR function measures the maximum
and the minimum measurement values and displays
the difference or the range of deviation in the part you
are measuring.
NOTE: This function is only available with the advanced
type indicators.
1. Select the units to be displayed.
2. Bring the indicator down to the part being
measured, to a point that is around half the travel
of the indicator.
3. Lock in the indicator at this height.
NOTE: Care must be taken; to make sure the difference
between the high and low measurements is not
outside of the full travel of the indicator. Either your low
measurement will be wrong or your high measurement
might jam the spindle and damage your indicator.
4. Press the MIN/MAX/TIR button. The MIN icon will
appear in the display.
5. Press the ZERO/ABS button. The tool is now ready
measure the part.
6. Move the part under the indicator to find the low spot.
You will know because the value will not change.
7. Press the MIN/MAX/TIR button. The MAX icon will
appear in the display.
8. Press the ZERO/ABS button. The tool is now ready
measure the part.
9. Move the part under the indicator to find the high spot.
You will know because the value will not change.
10. Press the MIN/MAX/TIR button. The TIR icon will
appear in the display, and the display will show the
value of the TIR. If recording this value, do not allow the
spindle to move until you have taken the information.
11. Replace the part being measured, and repeat the
sequence starting at step four.
The data cover can be removed using a small Phillips
head screwdriver. When using a data cable, place the
data cover somewhere you can easily find it. When you
are done using the data cable, make sure you replace the
data cover to protect the electronics from dust and liquids.
Plug in and secure the cable using the Phillips head
screws taken from the data cover. The orientation of the
data cable plug can only be placed as shown in Fig. 18.
Data Output Cover
Fig. 18
Data Cable
Data Output
Cover Screws
BATTERY DRAWER REMOVAL
The screws in the battery drawer can be removed
using a small Phillips head screwdriver.
Remove the battery drawer then replace the two
batteries with two-type CR2032 batteries negative side
down. Slide the tray carefully into the indicator and
secure with the two screws. Inside the tray, there is a
reminder of the type of battery and their orientation.
The 2900 comes standard with a Lug-On-Center back.
The back is easily removed by unscrewing the four
back screws as shown in Fig. 20.
Do not touch any of the inner workings of the indicator,
and protect them from liquids, dust, and any other
foreign matter. Replace the back-lug as soon as possible.
Some examples of the different backs are listed below.
The Contact Point is another one of the parts on
your indicator that is interchangeable. Caution: When
removing the contact from an electronic indicator, two
pairs of pliers need to be used, one having soft jaws
so as not to damage the spindle and the second to
loosen the contact. Caution must be made not to twist
the tools spindle during this operation. The contact
point can be removed by carefully holding the spindle
firmly with the soft jawed
pliers and then unscrewing
Back Screws x4
Stem Cap
it counter-clockwise with
your other pliers. Replace
the contact point the same
way, turning the tip on
clockwise. Excessive radial
Back - Lug
rotation of the spindle shaft
may cause your indicator to
stop functioning properly.
Special contact points are
listed on the next page.
Spindle
Fig. 21
These backs, contact points
and all of the available
indicator accessories can
be found in your Starrett
PT21697-164633 Contact Point Extension, 1"
PT21697-264634 Contact Point Extension, 2"
PT21697-364635 Contact Point Extension, 3"
PT21697-464636 Contact Point Extension, 4"