WeatherStation Instrument ® Owner’s Guide Model PB200 Record the serial number found on the WeatherStation® instrument. Serial No.
Copyright © 2008 Airmar Technology Corp. All rights reserved.
Table of Contents Introduction......................................................................................4 Safety Instructions........................................................................... 5 Adding an External Speed-Through-Water Sensor..........................6 Parts, Tools & Materials...................................................................7 Choosing the Mounting Location.................................................... 9 Installing....................................
IMPORTANT: Please read the Owner’s Guide completely before proceeding with the installation. Introduction Thank you for purchasing the Airmar ultrasonic WeatherStation instrument. This exciting product is actually six different sensors in a single unit—without any moving parts. The compact housing is waterproof with a single removable cable. Data is output in digital NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000® formats.
WARNING Navigation Aid Only—The WeatherStation instrument is only an aid to navigation and should never be solely relied upon. It is not a replacement for traditional navigation aids and techniques. Only official government charts contain all the information needed for safe navigation. Safety Instructions WARNING: Electrical Safety The power supply voltage must be 12 VDC (±3VDC). Any other voltage may damage the product and/or result in fire, damage to the boat, and/or personal injury.
The Importance of Understanding True Wind Direction When the WeatherStation instrument is stationary, the direction from which the wind is blowing is known as the true wind. The WeatherStation instrument is programed to measure the direction based upon the specific orientation of the sensor. For the WeatherStation instrument to accurately calculate the true direction of the wind, it must be installed and oriented correctly. (To learn more about true and apparent wind direction, see Appendix A.
Parts, Tools & Materials Cables, Converting, and Connecting Hardware The WeatherStation instrument can be connected to a device and/or network in several ways. You must have the correct cable and any needed junction box before beginning the installation. Note that additional cable lengths are available. Cables NOTE: Additional cable lengths are available. • NMEA 0183 Cable • NMEA 2000® Cable • NMEA 2000® Cable 10m 6m 10m Part No. 33-862-02 Part No. 33-1029-02 Part No.
Additional Tools and Materials Safety goggles Dust mask Pencil Level Electric drill Drill bits Deck gland (some installations) Phillips screwdrivers Plumber’s tape (optional) Grommets (some installations) Cutting pliers (some installations) Wire strippers (some installations) Electrical tape (some installations) Cable ties (some installations) Where to Purchase Parts Obtain parts from your instrument manufacturer or marine dealer. Gemeco (USA) Tel: 843.394.3565 Fax: 843.394.3736 Email: sales@gemeco.
Min. 1m Min. 1m Figure 2. Antennas Courtesy of Northstar BNT, Acton, MA Choosing the Mounting Location For accurate readings and a reliable GPS signal, selecting the best location for the WeatherStation instrument is very important. Easy access and appearance should be secondary considerations. Since each installation is unique, the best separation distances from other equipment on the boat will vary depending on the particular equipment and how it is configured.
Installing WARNING: Always wear safety goggles and a dust mask. CAUTION: The blue metal plate and the blue film found in the wind channel of the WeatherStation instrument are essential to its operation (see Figure 3). Be careful not to scratch the plate, puncture the film, or damage them in any way. CAUTION: Do not remove the waterproof connector(s) to ease cable routing. If the cable must be cut and spliced, use Airmar’s splash-proof Junction Box No. 33-035 and follow the instructions supplied.
WeatherStation alignment tabs face forward and parallel to the keel (centerline) of the vessel wind channel where air travels through the sensor nut assembly extension tube (most installations) cable exit (some installations) antenna mount Figure 4. Installation Copyright © 2007 Airmar Technology Corp. WARNING: Always wear safety goggles and a dust mask. 1. Place the antenna mount at the selected location and mark the holes for the screws (see Figure 1).
WeatherStation connector alignment key nut assembly captive nut Figure 5. Connecting Copyright © 2007 Airmar Technology Corp. 6. With the nut assembly on the cable near the WeatherStation connector, thread the cable through the extension tube (if used), antenna mount, and the cable exit. Be sure to leave several inches of cable extending beyond the nut assembly (see Figure 5). CAUTION: If you use a thread lock, use plumber’s tape.
Cable Routing & Connecting Guidelines You must read the safety instructions below before going to the section that is appropriate for your equipment. WARNING: Always wear safety goggles and a dust mask. WARNING: The power supply voltage must be 12 VDC (±3VDC). WARNING: A safe installation requires a 1 amp fast-blow fuse or circuit breaker.
Connecting to an NMEA 0183 Display 1. Route the WeatherStation cable to the display. Do not fasten the cable in place at this time. 2. Connect the WeatherStation instrument to the display in one of two ways. • Connector—If your WeatherStation instrument came with a connector on the display end, and it can be plugged into the port on your NMEA 0183 display, do so now. Coil any excess cable and secure it with cable ties to prevent damage. Fasten the cable in place.
7. Your installation is complete. To begin receiving weather readings, refer to the owner’s manual that came with your display. WeatherStation connector NMEA 0183 display Figure 6. Wiring diagram to connect to an NMEA display Copyright © 2007 Airmar Technology Corp.
Connecting to an NMEA 2000® Network CAUTION: Only two termination resistors are required on an NMEA 2000 network. More than two will degrade the bus performance. IMPORTANT: When using a cable that is longer than 6m (20'), remove the termination resistor at the last node/tee on the NMEA 2000 network. Insert the male-to-male pin into socket 5 of the WeatherStation connector to activate the termination resistor located inside the WeatherStation instrument.
Calibrating the Compass The internal compass must be calibrated for accurate compass readings. To calibrate the compass, use the WeatherCaster™ software and a PC. Software Installing the Software Follow the instructions in the WeatherCaster™ Software Guide. Software Updates Airmar may release updated versions of the firmware. The latest revision will be available for download through an email to you, from Airmar’s website, www.airmar.com, or a CD can be mailed by Airmar’s technical support personnel.
Where to Purchase Parts Obtain parts from your marine dealer. Gemeco (USA) Tel: 843.394.3565 Fax: 843.394.3736 Email: sales@gemeco.com Airmar EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) Tel: 33.(0)2.23.52.06.48 Fax: 33.(0)2.23.52.06.49 Email: sales@airmar-emea.
NMEA 0183 Combiner Problems The LED light on the Combiner indicates its current operating mode and if an error is detected during the self-test process. See the table below. Color and Flash Count Mode and Error Condition Description of Mode and Required User Action Red No flashing Start-up mode No error Normal operation mode that should last for no more than 1.5 seconds. Any longer indicates an error with the program. No action required.
Appendix A—How the WeatherStation Instrument Works About the Ultrasonic Wind Sensor The ultrasonic wind sensor (an ultrasonic anemometer) measures apparent wind speed and direction. The WeatherStation instrument contains four ultrasonic transducers, visible through the four holes in the top of the sensor’s wind channel (see Figure 10). These transducers operate in pairs—one transducer injects a pulse into the air.
Consider the case of a vessel proceeding at a speed of 15 knots in calm air. An observer on board would experience a wind of 15 knots from dead ahead. This apparent wind would be due solely to the motion of the boat. If a true wind of 15 knots was blowing from the stern, an observer would experience dead calm—no apparent wind. That is because the boat is moving at the same speed and in the same direction as the surrounding air.
About the Electronic Compass The WeatherStation instrument includes three magnetoinductive sensors that measure magnetic field-strength in three axes relative to the instrument. From combined measurements of the three-axis magnetic and tilt sensors, it calculates the resultant magnetic heading angle, thereby providing a built-in three-axis electronic compass.
The WeatherStation instrument calculates two values for wind-chill temperature: one using the apparent wind-speed, and one using the true wind-speed. The apparent wind-chill temperature is relevant to what an observer is currently experiencing on the vessel. The true wind-chill temperature indicates what the wind chill would be if the vessel were not moving. Wind chill temperature is only defined for temperatures at or below 10°C (50°F) and wind speeds above 2.6 knots (3MPH).
optional Combiner), in order to enable the true wind capabilities of the WeatherStation instrument. Even if your WeatherStation instrument includes a built-in GPS receiver, you may wish to use a separate external GPS receiver instead, for the determination of true wind.
Appendix B—Technical Information NMEA 0183 Sentence Commands * These sentences are enabled at the factory. $GPDTM $GPGGA * $GPGLL $GPGSA $GPGSV $HCHDG $HCHDT $WIMDA * $WIMWD $WIMWV * $WIMWV $GPRMC $TIROT * $GPVTG * $WIVWR $WIVWT $YXXDR $GPZDA * $PFEC, GPatt * $PFEC, pidat Datum Reference GPS Fix Data Geographic Position –Latitude/Longitude GNSS DOP and Active Satellites GNSS Satellites in View Heading, Deviation and Variation Heading True Meteorological Composite.
PGN 126720-33 PGN 126720-34 PGN 126720-35 PGN 126720-49 PGN 126720-50 PGN 126992 PGN 126996 PGN 126998 PGN 127250 PGN 127251 PGN 127257 PGN 127258 PGN 129025 PGN 129026 PGN 129029 PGN 129033 PGN 129044 PGN 129538 PGN 129539 PGN 129540 PGN 130306 PGN 130310 PGN 130311 PGN 130323 PNG 130822 PNG 130823 PGN 130880 PGN 130881 PGN 130944 PGN 65281 Proprietary: Calibrate Compass Proprietary: True Wind Options Proprietary: Simulate Mode Set WAAS Satellite Set Tzz Parameter System Time Product Information Configura
transmitted are, nevertheless, retained in the WeatherStation instrument. For more detailed information, see the “Technical Manual” on the WeatherStation CD. Baud Rate WeatherCaster™ software needs the baud rate to be set as follows: NMEA 0183 USB Converter baud rate 4800. NMEA 0183 Combiner baud rate 38400. Load Equivalency Number LEN......................... 13 Calibration The WeatherStation instrument is calibrated at the factory and does not require any calibration after purchase.
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