NorthStar NS3100 Multi Instrument User manual

NS 3100 MULTI
Reference
Manual
and
Installation
Manual

FCC Statement
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a normal installation. This equipment generates,
uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on,
the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an output on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced technician for help.
A shielded cable must be used when connecting a peripheral to the serial ports.
Important
It is the owner’s sole responsibility to install and use the instrument and transducer/s in a manner that will not cause accidents, personal
injury or property damage. The user of this product is solely responsible for observing safe boating practices.
Northstar DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY USE OF THIS PRODUCT IN A WAY THAT MAY CAUSE ACCIDENTS, DAMAGE OR THAT MAY
VIOLATE THE LAW.
This manual represents the NS3100 DEPTH as at the time of printing. Northstar reserves the right to make changes to specifications without
notice.
Governing Language: This statement, any instruction manuals, user guides and other information relating to the product (Documentation)
may be translated to, or has been translated from, another language (Translation). In the event of any conflict between any Translation of
the Documentation, the English language version of the Documentation will be the official version of the Documentation.
Copyright © 2005 Northstar.

7-1 Start countdown timer..............................................................15
7-2 Stop and reset countdown timer...........................................15
7-3 Adjust start time..........................................................................15
8 Systems of several instruments......................................................16
8-1 NMEA..............................................................................................16
8-2 NavBus ........................................................................................... 16
9 NS3100 Multi hardware .......................................................................17
9-1 What comes with your NS3100 Multi ................................. 17
9-2 Other parts required.................................................................. 17
9-3 Transducers...................................................................................18
9-4 Accessories....................................................................................18
10 Installation and setup.........................................................................19
10-1 Installation ..................................................................................19
10-2 Setup.............................................................................................21
10-3 Resetting to factory defaults ................................................21
Appendix A - Specifications...................................................................22
Appendix B - Troubleshooting.............................................................23
1 Introduction.................................................................................................... 4
2 Operation.......................................................................................................... 5
2-1 Turn on and off ............................................................................. 5
2-2 Basic operation..............................................................................5
2-3 Change units ..................................................................................6
2-4 Alarms ..............................................................................................6
2-5 Simulate mode .............................................................................. 6
2-6 Key reference.................................................................................7
3 Speed, average speed, maximum speed, trim speed........... 8
3-1 Set speed and log units.............................................................. 8
3-2 Reset average speed ................................................................... 8
3-3 Reset maximum speed...............................................................8
3-4 Reset trim speed ...........................................................................9
3-5 Set speed damping ......................................................................9
3-6 Set speed resolution .................................................................... 9
3-7 Calibrate speed............................................................................10
4 Log and total log.........................................................................................11
4-1 Reset log........................................................................................11
4-2 Reset total log..............................................................................11
5 Depth, keel offset, too deep alarm, too shallow alarm ....12
5-1 Set depth units.............................................................................12
5-2 Set too deep alarm ....................................................................12
5-3 Set too shallow alarm...............................................................13
5-4 Anchor watch...............................................................................13
5-5 Set keel offset ..............................................................................13
6 Temperature ................................................................................................14
6-1 Set temperature units................................................................14
6-2 Calibrate temperature...............................................................14
7 Countdown timer......................................................................................15
Contents

4Northstar NS3100 MULTI
The NS3100 Multi measures and displays speed,
water depth and water temperature. It can calculate
and display average speed, maximum speed, trim
speed, trip log (distance) and total log.
An installed NS3100 Multi usually has two parts:
The display unit.
Depth and speed / temperature transducers
which are attached to the hull and wired to the
display unit.
The unit is powered from the boat’s power supply.
The NS3100 Multi is part of the Northstar family of
instruments for boats, which includes instruments
for speed, depth, wind and repeaters. These
instruments can be connected together to form an
integrated data system for a boat (see section 8).
For maximum benefit, please read this manual
carefully before installation and use.
How the transducer measures depth
The depth transducer generates an ultrasonic
(sound) pulse, which travels down through the water.
When the pulse meets the bottom, some of the
pulse is reflected back up towards the boat and is
received by the transducer.
1 Introduction
The display unit analyses the reflections from each
pulse. It removes unwanted reflections (from bubbles
and other objects) and calculates the depth by
measuring the time between sending the pulse and
receiving its echo.
How the transducer measures speed
The speed transducer has a small paddlewheel
which spins as the boat moves through the water.
The transducer measures how fast the paddlewheel
is spinning and calculates the boat speed by
averaging several measurements.
Cleaning and maintenance
Clean the display unit and any plastic transducers
with a damp cloth or mild detergent. Avoid abrasive
cleaners, petrol or other solvents.
When repainting the hull, cover or remove any
visible transducers. Depth transducers may be
coated with a thin layer of antifouling paint; gently
sand off any previous paint first.
The NS3100 Multi display unit

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Reference Manual and Installation Manual
Change the items displayed
The display can show two values at once, one in the
top part of the screen and one in the bottom. If an
item displays as dashes (— —) then it means that the
value is outside the range, for example the depth
might be too deep or unknown.
To change what is displayed in the top part of the
screen, press one or more times to select:
Speed.
Avg speed.
Max speed.
Trim speed.
Depth.
Temperature.
To change the value displayed in the bottom part of
the screen, press one or more times to select:
Speed.
Depth.
Trip log ( distance).
Total log (distance).
Battery voltage.
Countdown timer.
The keys
The unit has four keys, labelled and . In
this manual:
Press means to push the key for less than one
second.
Hold for two seconds means to hold the key down
for two seconds or more.
Press one key + another key means to push both
keys together.
Set backlight level for screen and keys
You can set the backlight to one of four brightness
levels or off. Press once to display the current
backlight level, press again to change the level:
Backlight Level 2
2-1 Turn on and off
2-2 Basic operation
Turn the unit on and off with the auxiliary power
switch on the boat. The unit does not have its own
power switch. When you turn it off, any settings you
have made are retained.
If the word SIM flashes at the bottom, right of the
display, then the unit is in simulate mode (see section
2-5).
2 Operation

6Northstar NS3100 MULTI
To turn Simulate mode on or off:
1 Turn the power off.
2 Hold down while you turn the power on.
2-3 Change units
To change the speed and log units, press until
Speed is displayed, then hold until the units
change; if necessary, hold again until the units
change again.
To change the depth units, press until DEPth is
displayed, then hold until the units change; if
necessary, hold until the units change again.
To change the temperature units, press until
the temperature is displayed, then hold until
the units change.
2-4 Alarms
The NS3100 Multi can be set to sound an alarm
when the water is too deep or too shallow (see
sections 5-2 and 5-3). When the alarm sounds, the
internal beeper sounds, the symbol on the display
flashes and any external beepers or lights operate.
Press to mute the alarm. The alarm stays muted
until the depth becomes returns to the pre-alarm
condition or is within the alarm parameters. The
alarm will sound if the depth becomes too deep or
too shallow again.
2-5 Simulate mode
Simulate mode allows you to become familiar with
the unit off the water. In Simulate mode, the NS3100
Multi functions normally except that the transducers
are ignored and the unit generates this data
internally. The word SIMULATE flashes at the bottom,
right corner of the screen.

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Reference Manual and Installation Manual
Hold
2 sec
Hold
2 sec
+
+
+
Hold
Hold
+
5 sec
Hold 2 sec
Increase
value or
change
setting
Decrease
value or
change
setting
Turn Simulate
on or off
Reset memory
Change units of bottom value
(e.g. knots, metres)
Change units of top value
(e.g. knots, metres, °C)
Reset bottom value to zero
(Log, Total log (hold for 5 sec)
Start or stop countdown timer)
Reset top value to zero
(Avg speed, Max speed,
Trim speed)
Adjust backlight
(4 levels or off)
Mute an alarm
Change bottom display
(Speed, Depth, Log, Total log,
Battery voltage, Countdown
timer)
Change top display
(Speed, Avg speed, Max speed,
Trim speed, Depth, Tempera-
ture)
Set Speed
Resolution
Set Speed
Calibration
Set Temperature
Calibration
Set Keel Offset
Set Countdown
Timer Start Time
Set Speed
Damping
Set Too Shal-
low alarm
Set Too Deep
alarm
Hold 2
sec
Return to
normal
operation
Return to
normal
operation
Increase
alarm
depth
Hold 2
sec
+
2-6 Key reference
Setup
Turn alarm
on or off
Normal operation
Set Log
Calibration
Set Backlight
Group
Decrease
alarm
depth
Set Speed Mode
Sen(sor) or GPS
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Mode
is GPS
Mode
is SEn
Set alarms
Turn power on

8Northstar NS3100 MULTI
boat speed, relative to when you reset trim speed
to zero. For example, if the boat is travelling at 10
knots and you reset trim speed, then trim speed is
zero. Then:
If the boat speed increases to 11.5 knots, the trim
speed is 1.5 knots.
If the boat speed decreases to 8.5 knots, the trim
speed is -1.5 knots.
The unit can display several speeds:
Speed: The current boat speed.
Avg speed: The average speed since Avg speed
was reset or the unit was switched on.
Max speed: The maximum speed since Max
speed was reset or the unit was switched on.
Trim speed: Trim speed may be used for tuning
racing boats. Trim speed measures changes in
The speed units can be selected to be KNOTS, KPH
and MPH. Selecting one of these automatically sets
the log distance units to NM, KM or M (miles):
Press until Speed is displayed, then hold
until the units change; if necessary, hold again
until the units change again.
3-1 Set speed and log units
Resetting makes the NS3100 Multi calculate a new
average speed:
1 Press until Avg speed is displayed.
2 Press + .
3-2 Reset average speed
Resetting makes the NS3100 Multi calculate a new
maximum:
1 Press until Max speed is displayed.
2 Press + .
3-3 Reset maximum speed
3 Speed, average speed, maximum speed, trim speed

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Reference Manual and Installation Manual
1 Press + several times until the Speed
Damping screen is displayed.
2 Press or to change the damping.
3 Press .
3-4 Reset trim speed
Resetting sets the trim speed to zero:
1 Press until TRIM speed is displayed.
2 Press + .
3-5 Set speed damping
Waves and wind cause the boat speed to fluctuate
slightly. To give a stable reading, the NS3100
Multi calculates the boat speed and trim speed by
measuring the speed several times and averaging
the measurements. The speed damping value ranges
from 1 to 5:
A lower value averages readings over a shorter
period of time. This gives the most accurate speed
but has the most fluctuations.
A higher value averages readings over a longer
period of time. This gives the most stable speed
but will ignore some true speed changes.
Set the speed damping to the lowest value which
gives a stable speed reading. Values of 1, 2, 3, 4
and 5 average readings over a time period of 6,
12, 18, 24 and 30 seconds respectively. To get the
most accurate, stable trim speeds, you may need to
increase the damping. To set speed damping:
To set the speed resolution:
1 Press + several times until the Speed
Resolution screen is displayed.
2 Press or to change the resolution setting to
0.0 or 0.00.
3 Press .
3-6 Set speed resolution
This sets how speeds are displayed. It has two
settings:
0.0 Displays speeds as 0.0 to 19.9, 20 up.
0.00 Displays speeds as 0.00 to 19.99, 20.0 to
29.9, 30 up.
Damping
equals 3
Value equals
0.0 or 0.00

10 Northstar NS3100 MULTI
Calibration may be required, because different hull
shapes have different water flow characteristics.
Speed calibration can be done either by the speed or
by the log, as described below. If speed readings are
taken from a GPS receiver (see section 8-1), then you
can not calibrate it.
Calibrate by speed
In this method, travel at a measured, constant speed.
Use the speed displayed on a GPS receiver, follow
another boat travelling at a known speed or make a
timed run over a known distance.
Note that for accurate calibration:
The speed from a GPS receiver should be above 5
knots.
The speed from another paddlewheel transducer
e.g. another boat - should be between 5 and 20
knots.
Best results are achieved in calm conditions where
there is minimal tidal current (best at high or low
tide).
Continue travelling at this measured, constant speed
and calibrate the speed as follows:
1 Press + several times until the Speed
Calibration screen is displayed (after this, it does
not matter if the boat speed changes).
2 Press or to change the displayed speed to
the measured boat speed.
3 Press .
Calibrate by log
In this method, travel a known distance in a straight
line over a course. Best results are achieved in calm
conditions where there is minimal current (best at
high or low tide). Tidal effects may be reduced by
making the trip twice, parallel to the current, once in
each direction.
1 At the start of the course, reset the trip log (see
section 4-1). Travel in a straight line over the
course, then repeat in the other direction.
2 At the end, note the trip log distance (see section
4).
3 Press + several times until the Log Calibration
screen is displayed.
4 Press or to change the displayed distance
travelled to the actual distance you travelled over
the course.
5 Press .
3-7 Calibrate speed
Measured speed
Distance travelled

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Reference Manual and Installation Manual
The NS3100 Multi has two distance logs:
LOG: Trip distance. The distance travelled since
log was reset.
TOTAL LOG: Total distance. The distance travelled
since total log was reset:
The log units are NM, KM or M (miles) and
correspond to the speed units, for example if you set
the speed units to KPH then the log units are KM (see
section 3-1).
Total log
4 Log and total log
4-1 Reset log Resetting zeros the log (trip distance):
1 Press until LOG is displayed.
2 Press + .
4-2 Reset total log
Resetting zeros the total log (total distance), as well
as the log and avg speed:
1 Press until TOTAL LOG is displayed.
2 Hold + for 5 seconds.

12 Northstar NS3100 MULTI
Depth and keel offset
The displayed depth is the distance from the
transducer on the boat to the bottom of the water,
plus or minus an offset which is called the keel
offset:
A positive keel offset displays depth as measured
from a point above the transducer.
For example, if you set the offset as the distance
from the transducer to the surface, it will display
the depth from the surface to the bottom of the
water.
A negative keel offset displays depth as
measured from a point below the transducer.
For example, if you set the negative offset as the
distance from the transducer to the bottom of the
keel, it will display the depth from the bottom of
the keel to the bottom of the water.
5-1 Set depth units
The units can be METERS, FEET or FATH:
Press until DEPth is displayed, then hold until
the units change; if necessary, hold until the
units change again.
Deep alarm
value
Alarm is on
Positive value
Keel offset
Negative value
Transducer
Depth of transducer
Water surface
Keel offset
Note: The boat illustrated uses a through hull transducer
5-2 Set too deep alarm
The too deep alarm sounds if the alarm is turned on
and the depth becomes equal to or more than the
too deep alarm depth. To mute the alarm, press .
5 Depth, keel offset, too deep alarm, too shallow alarm
To set the too deep alarm:
1 Hold for two seconds to display the Too Deep
Alarm screen:
2 To change the alarm depth, press or .
3 To turn the alarm on or off, press .
4 Press .

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Reference Manual and Installation Manual
Shallow alarm
value
Alarm is off
5-3 Set too shallow alarm
The too shallow alarm sounds if the alarm is turned
on and the depth becomes equal to or less than the
too shallow alarm depth. To mute the alarm, press .
To set the too shallow alarm:
1 At the Too Deep Alarm screen, hold for two
seconds to display the Too Shallow Alarm screen.
5-4 Anchor watch
2 To change the alarm depth, press or .
3 To turn the alarm on or off, press .
4 Press .
Keel offset (negative)
To set an anchor watch, set the too shallow alarm to
slightly less than the current depth and set the too
deep alarm to slightly more than the current depth.
Allow for tide changes.
5-5 Set keel offset
Keel offset is described above. The range is ± 2.9 m
(± 9.6 ft, ± 1.6 fathoms):
1 Press + several times until the Keel Offset
screen is displayed:
2 Press or to change the keel offset.
3 Press .

14 Northstar NS3100 MULTI
The unit is factory calibrated and should not
normally need calibrating. To calibrate:
1 Measure the water temperature near the speed
transducer.
2 Press + several times until the Temperature
Calibration screen is displayed.
3 Press or to change the temperature to the
value measured in step 1 above.
4 Press .
Water temperature
6 Temperature
Temperature is measured by a sensor in the speed transducer.
6-1 Set temperature units
The units can be either °C or °F:
Press until the temperature is displayed, then
hold until the units change.
6-2 Calibrate temperature

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Reference Manual and Installation Manual
7 Countdown timer
Timer counting
down
Countdown timer
symbol flashes
1 Press until the countdown timer is displayed.
2 Press + . The timer stops and the time resets
to the start time (see section 7-3).
Timer start time is 9 min
You can adjust the countdown timer to start counting
down between one and ten minutes, in increments
of one minute. The factory default start time is 10
minutes. When the timer is counting down, the
countdown timer symbol flashes and the time
remaining is displayed in minutes and seconds:
The beeper sounds and any external beepers or
lights operate:
Four beeps at four minutes to go.
Three beeps at three minutes.
Two beeps at two minutes.
One beep at one minute.
Ten beeps at the end; the last beep is longer and
marks the end of the countdown.
In each case, the end of the last beep marks the exact minute.
7-1 Start countdown timer
The timer starts at the start time (to adjust the start
time, see section 7-3).
1 Press until the countdown timer is displayed.
2 Press + . The timer displays On briefly and
starts counting down from the start time.
7-2 Stop and reset countdown timer
2 Press or to set the start time in minutes.
3 Press . The timer does not start now (to start the
timer, see section 7-1).7-3 Adjust start time
1 Press + several times until the Countdown
Timer Start Time screen is displayed:
7-3 Adjust start time

16 Northstar NS3100 MULTI
NavBus is a Northstar proprietary system. It is high
speed and allows a wide range of data to be shared
by the instruments.
When instruments are connected by NavBus:
If you change the units, alarms or calibration in
one instrument, then the values will automatically
change in all other instruments of the same type
Each instrument can be assigned to a group of
instruments (see section 10-2, step 3). If you
change the backlight in an instrument in group
1, 2, 3 or 4 then the backlight will automatically
change in the other instruments in the same
group. If you change the backlight in an
instrument in group 0 then no other instruments
are affected.
If an alarm sounds, mute it by pressing on any
instrument which can display that alarm. For
example, mute a depth alarm on any instrument
that can display depth.
If the unit does not have a depth or a speed/
temperature transducer fitted then the unit will
automatically take depth, speed and temperature
readings from another instrument, via NavBus, if the
data is available.
For more information, refer to the NavBus
Installation and Operation manual.
8 Systems of several instruments
Several Northstar instruments can be connected together during installation to share data. There are two ways
of connecting instruments together, NavBus or NMEA.
8-1 NMEA
NMEA is an industry standard. Speed, depth,
temperature and log data may be output which
can be read and displayed by any compatible
Northstar (eg. NS3100 Multi Depth) or other NMEA
instrument. Speed (RMC) can be received via NMEA
and displayed by the NS3100 Multi (see section 10-1
for wiring).
If an external RMC (speed) input is available from
a GPS instrument, then you can set up the NS3100
Multi to use this for speed readings (see section 10-2,
step 2);
Note:
A speed from a paddlewheel sensor is the speed
that the boat is moving through the water. A
speed from a GPS is the speed over the ground.
If there is a current then these two speeds will be
different.
If a transducer is not fitted to the unit and the
corresponding external data is not available then
the displayed value will be 0 (for example, when
using a GPS input for speed and no speed/
temperature transducer is fitted then temperature
displays as 0).
8-2 NavBus

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Reference Manual and Installation Manual
9 NS3100 Multi hardware
One or more 3100 series instruments will be
connected to the boat 12 V power supply via:
An accessory switch to turn the instruments on
and off.
A fuse. Use a 1 A fuse for between one and five
instruments.
Optional external beepers or lights can be fitted.
The NS3100 Multi output is switched to ground, 30 V
DC and 250 mA maximum. If the beepers and lights
require more than 250 mA, fit a relay.
For systems of several instruments, wiring and
connectors are required (see section 8 or your
NavBus Installation and Operation Manual).
9-1 What comes with your NS3100 Multi
The NS3100 Multi comes in several configurations.
Standalone configuration
NS3100 Multi unit with protective cover.
Warranty card.
Mounting template.
This Installation and Operation Manual.
In addition, the standalone configuration usually
requires a depth transducer and a speed/
temperature transducer (see section 9-3).
Kit configuration
The NS3100 Multi is available in several kit
configurations with different grades of through hull
transducer, with:
The parts for the standalone configuration, listed
above.
Through hull depth transducer.
Through hull speed/temperature transducer.
Transducer Installation Manual.
9-2 Other parts required

18 Northstar NS3100 MULTI
The NS3100 Multi is usually used with a through
hull depth transducer and a separate through hull
speed/temperature transducer. However, the unit can
take readings from another instrument, in which case
it may not need transducers (see section 8).
Through hull transducers generally give the
best performance and are the best choice for
displacement hulls. They are mounted in a hole
drilled through the bottom of the boat.
Plastic through hull transducers are suitable for
GRP or metal hulls.
Bronze transducers are suitable for wood or
fibreglass hulls. Never install a bronze transducer
in a metal hull, because it will cause electrolytic
corrosion.
A range of Northstar through hull transducers
are available, plus in hull and transom mount
transducers. For more information, refer to the
Transducer Installation manual or consult your
Northstar dealer.
9-3 Transducers
Through hull
speed transducer
skin fitting
4 m speed
transducer extension
cable
Through hull speed
paddlewheel
These accessories are available from your Northstar dealer.
4 m depth
transducer
extension cable
NavBus junction
Box (See section 8)
9-4 Accessories

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Reference Manual and Installation Manual
The choice, location, angle and installation of the transducers is the most critical part of the
installation. If they are not correct, the unit can not perform at its designed potential. If in
doubt, consult your Northstar dealer. Plastic through hull transducers are usually unsuitable
for wood hulls. If in doubt, consult a marine surveyor or marine engineer.
Correct installation is critical to the performance of the unit. It is vital to read this section of the manual and the
documentation that comes with the other parts before starting installation.
The NS3100 Multi can:
10 Installation and setup
NS3100 Multi display unit
1 Choose a location for the display unit that is:
Easily seen and protected from damage.
At least 100 mm (4”) from a compass and at least
500 mm (19.5”) from a radio or radar antenna.
Away from engines, fluorescent lights, power
inverters and radio or radar transmitters.
Accessible from behind; the minimum clearance
required at the back is 50 mm (2”) (see mounting
diagram).
With the back of the unit protected from moisture.
10-1 Installation
Drive external beepers or lights for the alarm and
countdown timer.
Send and receive data from other Northstar
instruments connected via NavBus. Settings for
alarms, units, calibration and backlighting are
shared (see section 8).
Send and receive NMEA data from
other instruments.
Warnings
The unit is waterproof from the front. Protect the rear of the unit from water, or else water might enter the
breathing hole and damage the unit. The warranty does not cover damage caused by moisture or water
entering the back of the unit.
Ensure that any holes that you cut will not weaken the boat’s structure. If in doubt, consult
a qualified boat builder.
2 The unit must mount on a flat panel which is
less than 20 mm (0.75”) thick. Stick the mounting
template in place. Drill a 50 mm (2”) fixing hole
through the centre hole in the template. Note that
the template allows space around the unit for the
protective cover.
3 Remove the fixing nut from the back of the unit.
Insert the stud at the back of the unit through the
mounting hole. Hand tighten the fixing nut.