NorthStar NS3100 Multi Instrument User manual

NS 3100 DEPTH
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.

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.

1 Introduction ..................................................................................................4
2-1 Turn on and off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2-2 Basic operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2-3 Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2-4 Simulate mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2-5 Key reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3 Depth, keel offset, too deep alarm, too shallow alarm .............7
3-1 Set depth units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3-2 Set too deep alarm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3-3 Set too shallow alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3-4 Anchor watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3-5 Set keel offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4 Systems of several instruments...........................................................9
4-1 NavBus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4-2 NMEA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
5 NS3100 DEPTH hardware ................................................................... 10
5-1 What comes with your NS3100 DEPTH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5-2 Other parts required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5-3 Transducer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5-4 Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
6 Installation and setup .............................................................................11
6-1 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
6-2 Set up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
6-3 Resetting to factory defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Appendix A - Specifications.................................................................... 14
Appendix B - Troubleshooting.............................................................. 15
Contents

4Northstar NS3100 DEPTH
The NS3100 DEPTH measures and displays the depth
of the water. An installed NS3100 DEPTH usually has
two parts:
The display unit.
A depth transducer, which is attached to the hull
and wired to the display unit.
The unit is powered from the boat’s power supply.
The NS3100 DEPTH is part of the Northstar family
of instruments for boats, which includes instruments
for speed, depth and multi. These instruments can
be connected together to form an integrated data
system for a boat (see section 4).
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.
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.
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.
1 Introduction
Alarm symbol
Display (backlit)
Four keys
(backlit)
Display normally
shows depth
The NS3100 DEPTH display unit
Depth units
Units
The factory default units
are meters. To change
these units, please refer to
section 3-1 of this manual.

5
Reference Manual and Installation Manual
Simulate mode allows you to become familiar
with the unit off the water. In Simulate mode, the
NS3100 DEPTH functions normally except the
transducer is ignored and the unit generates this
data internally. The word SIMULATE flashes at the
top, left corner of the screen.
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 SIMULATE flashes at the top, left of the display, then the unit is in simulate mode (see section 2-4).
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.
2-1 Turn on and off
2-2 Basic operation
Set backlight 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.
The display
The display normally shows depth. If it displays dashes (— —) then it means that
the depth is too deep or unknown.
Backlight level 2
2-3 Alarms The NS3100 DEPTH can be set to sound an alarm
when the water is too deep or too shallow (see
sections 3-2 and 3-3). 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 normal. The alarm will sound if the
depth becomes too deep or too shallow again.
2-4 Simulate mode To turn Simulate mode on or off:
1 Turn the power off.
2 Hold down while you turn the power on.

6Northstar NS3100 DEPTH
2-5 Key reference
Set Backlight
Group
+
Hold
Hold
+
5 sec
Hold 2 sec
Increase
value or change
setting
Decrease
value or change
setting
Turn Simulate
on or off
Reset memory
Adjust backlight
(4 levels or off)
Mute an alarm
Change depth units (meters,
feet or fathoms)
Set Keel Offset
Set Too Shallow
alarm
Set Too Deep
alarm
Hold
2 sec
Return to
normal operation
Return to
normal operation
Increase
alarm depth
Hold
2 sec
+
Setup
Set alarms Turn alarm
on or off
Turn power on
Normal operation
Decrease
alarm depth
+

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Reference Manual and Installation Manual
3 Depth, keel offset, too deep alarm, too shallow alarm
Water surface
Depth of transducer
Negative value
Transducer
Note: The boat illustrated uses a through hull transducer
Positive value
Keel offset
Keel offset
Deep alarm
value
Alarm is on
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 to 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 offset to minus 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.
3-1 Set depth units
The units can be METERS, FEET or FATH:
Press ;if necessary, press again.
3-2 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 .
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 .

8Northstar NS3100 DEPTH
Shallow
alarm value
Alarm is off
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.
3-3 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:
2 To change the alarm depth, press or .
3 To turn the alarm on or off, press .
4 Press .
3-4 Anchor watch
3-5 Set keel offset
Keel offset is described above. The range is ± 2.9
m (± 9.6 ft, ± 1.6 fathoms):
1 Press + to display the Keel Offset screen.
2 Press or to change the keel offset.
3 Press .

9
Reference Manual and Installation Manual
4 Systems of several instruments
Several Northstar instruments can be connected together to share data. There are two ways of connecting
instruments together, NavBus or NMEA.
NavBus is a Northstar proprietary system that
allows systems of multiple instruments to be
built using a single set of transducers. 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 6-2, step 2). 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
vinstruments are affected.
If an alarm sounds, mute it by pressing on
any instrument which can display that alarm.
NMEA is an industry standard, but is not as flexible as NavBus as it requires dedicated connections between
instruments. Depth data is output by the NS3100 DEPTH and can be read and displayed by the Northstar MULTI
3100 or other NMEA instrument.
4-1 NavBus
NavBus and the NS3100 DEPTH
If the NS3100 DEPTH does not have a depth transducer
fitted then the unit will automatically take depth readings
from another instrument, via NavBus, if the data is
available. For more information, refer to the NavBus
Installation and Operation manual.
Note: If a transducer is not fitted to the unit and the
corresponding external data is not available then the
displayed value will be dashes (— —).
4-2 NMEA

10 Northstar NS3100 DEPTH
5 NS3100 DEPTH hardware
The NS3100 DEPTH is usually used with a through
hull depth transducer. However, the unit can take
readings from another instrument, in which case it
may not need a transducer (see section 4).
A through hull transducer generally gives the best
performance and is the best choice for displacement
hulls. It is mounted in a hole drilled through the
bottom of the boat.
A plastic through hull transducer is suitable
for GRP or metal hulls. Plastic through hull
transducers are not suitable for solid wooden
hulls (use Northstar’s bronze transducers).
A bronze transducer is 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.
4 m (13 ft) depth transducer
extension cable NavBus junction box
(See section 4)
5-1 What comes with your NS3100 DEPTH
The NS3100 DEPTH comes in several configurations.
Standalone configuration
NS3100 DEPTH unit with protective cover.
Warranty card.
Mounting template.
This Installation and Operation manual.
In addition, the standalone configuration usually
requires a depth transducer (see section 5-3).
Kit configuration
The NS3100 DEPTH 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.
Transducer Installation manual.
5-2 Other parts required
One or more NS3100 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 DEPTH 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 4 or the NavBus
Installation and Operation manual).
5-3 Transducer
5-4 Accessories These accessories are available from your Northstar dealer.

11
Reference Manual and Installation Manual
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.
6 Installation and setup
The NS3100 DEPTH can:
Drive external beepers or lights for the alarm.
Send and receive data from other Northstar
instruments connected via NavBus. Settings
NS3100 DEPTH 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 (1.65 ft) from a radio or radar
antenna.
Away from engines, fluorescent lights, and
power inverters.
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.
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.
6-1 Installation
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.
Warnings
Side view of display unit mounting
Fixing hole
50 mm (2”)
Clearance 50 mm
(2”) minimum
20 mm (0.75”)
maximum thickness
Fixing nut
Display
unit
Cables
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.
for alarms, units, calibration and backlighting are
shared (see section 4-1).
Send and receive NMEA data from other
instruments (see section 4-2).

12 Northstar NS3100 DEPTH
Transducers
1 If the NS3100 DEPTH does not come with a
transducer, choose a suitable transducer (see
section 5-3). If the NS3100 DEPTH is supplied with
a transducer, see section 5-3 to ensure that it is
suitable.
2 Choose a suitable location for the transducer
and install it by following the instructions in the
Transducer Installation manual.
3 Fit the cables between the transducer and the
display unit:
Keep the cable away from other cables, engines,
fluorescent lights, power inverters and radio or
radar transmitters.
Ensure no connectors lay in the bilge.
If necessary, extend the cable by adding extension
cables.
Do not cut the cable on any depth transducer.
Secure the cable at regular intervals.
4 Connect the transducer to the display unit
connector.
Power/data wiring
1 Wire the display unit power/data cable:
The unit requires 12 V DC power. Fit a power
switch and fuse to the power supply or power
the unit from a fused auxiliary switch. The fuse
should be 1 A for up to five instruments.
If the external beepers and lights require more
than 250 mA DC total, fit a relay.
A single unit can be wired as shown below:
Power/data cables
Junction box
Junction box
Power & data
connections
Power/data cable
NavBus cable
Group 1
Group 2
Power & data
connections
12 V DC power
NMEA out (optional)
External beepers or
lights (optional)
Red
White
Green
Black
Yellow
Switch Fuse
Orange
Blue
Depth transducer
No connection
}NavBus (optional)
With several instruments, use the optional junction
boxes to simplify wiring, as shown below:
For information on how to connect NavBus and to use
junction boxes, refer to the NavBus Installation and
Operation manual.
Warning; Tape or cover any unused wires
or connectors to protect them from water and
keep them from shorting together.

13
Reference Manual and Installation Manual
1 Take the boat for a trial run to check that all
the instruments work correctly.
2 If the unit is part of a system of the NS3100
series instruments connected by NavBus, set
the backlight group number (see section 4-1):
i Press
+ several times until the
Backlight Group screen is displayed:
ii Press
or to set the backlight group
number.
iii Press
.
3 Set:
The depth units (see section 3-1).
The keel offset (see section 3-5).
Backlight
group 3
Depth units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . m
Keel offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Depth alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Off
SIMULATE mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Off
Backlight level. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Backlight group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
6-2 Set up
6-3 Resetting to factory defaults
All settings may be reset to the manufacturer’s
default settings (see below).
To reset to factory defaults:
1 Turn the power off.
2 Hold down + while you turn the power
on and continue to hold the keys down for at
least five seconds.

14 Northstar NS3100 DEPTH
Physical
Case size 111 mm (4.4”) square.
LCD display 82 mm (3.2”) wide, 61 mm (2.4”) high;
twisted nematic.
LCD digits 38 mm (1.4”) high.
Four operator keys, laser etched.
Backlighting for display and keys, amber, four
levels and off.
Operating temperature 0 to 50°C (32 to 122°F).
Transducer cable length 8 or 9 meters (26.25 or
29.5 ft).
Power Cable length 1 m (3.25 ft).
Electrical
Power supply 10.5 to 16.5 V DC, 40 mA without
backlighting, 200 mA with full backlighting and
transducer.
External beeper or light output, switched to
ground, 30 V DC and 250 mA maximum.
Depth
Range 0.5 to 130 m (1.5 to 400 ft, 0.3 to 67 fa).
Typical accuracy < 2% (depends on type of depth
transducer, installation and water clarity).
Displays 0.0 to 19.9, 20 up.
Adjustable keel offset ± 2.9 m (± 9.6 ft, ± 1.6 fa).
Too deep and too shallow alarms (run both at
once to provide anchor watch facility).
Appendix A - Specifications
Interfaces
NavBus connection to other Northstar instruments.
NMEA 0183 outputs: DBT, DPT, PTTKD.
Standards compliance
EMC compliance
USA (FCC): Part 15 Class B.
Europe (CE): EN50081-1, EN50082-1.
New Zealand and Australia (C Tick):
AS-NZS3548.
Environment: IP66 from front when correctly
mounted.
Power/data cable wires
Wire Signal
Red Power positive, 12 V DC, 200 mA
maximum
Black Power negative, NMEA common
Green External beeper or light out, switched to
ground, 40 V DC and 250 mA max.
Orange NavBus +
Blue NavBus -
White NMEA out
Yellow No connection

15
Reference Manual and Installation Manual
This troubleshooting guide assumes that you
have read and understood this manual.
It is possible in many cases to solve difficulties
without having to send the unit back to the
manufacturer for repair. Please follow this
troubleshooting section before contacting the
nearest Northstar dealer.
There are no user serviceable parts. Specialized
methods and testing equipment are required
to ensure that the unit is reassembled correctly
and is waterproof. Repairs to the unit must only
be carried out by a service centre approved by
Northstar. Users who service the unit themselves
will void the warranty.
More information can be found on our Website:
www.NorthstarNav.com
1 Unit will not turn on:
a Fuse blown or circuit breaker tripped.
b Battery voltage is outside the range 10.5 to
16.5 V DC .
c Power/data cable damaged.
2 Depth reading wrong or erratic:
a Unit temporarily unable to detect bottom,
for example water too deep or too shallow,
water not clear, boat reversing and
transducer in turbulent water.
b Depth transducer cable unplugged or
damaged.
c Depth transducer fouled or damaged.
Check for fouling, damage or too thick a
layer of paint over it.
d Depth transducer installed incorrectly or
transducer does not have a smooth flow of
clear water over it. Review installation.
e Interference from the ultrasound pulse from
another depth sounder.
f Interference from electrical noise. Review
installation.
To check the transducer, disconnect it and connect
a known good transducer temporarily. Hold it over
the side of the boat in the water and check if the
unit displays a depth.
3 The word SIMULATE flashes at top, left of screen,
values displayed are unexpected:
a Unit is in simulate mode (see section 2-4).
4 The display fogs:
a Moist air has entered the breathing tube at the rear
of the unit. Air the boat or run unit with backlight
fully on.
b Water has entered the breathing tube. Return unit
for service.
Appendix B - Troubleshooting

Notes

30 Sudbury Road
Acton MA 01720 USA
www.NorthstarNav.com
[phone]
(800) NAVIG*R
MN000447A