Kestrel 4500 Instruction Manual
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Kestrel 4500 Instruction Manual

Pocket weather tracker
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1
4500
Pocket Weather
Tracker
®
with Backlight
In a hurry?
Be sure to read pages
5-8 to ensure that
your Kestrel is setup
properly!
Instruction Manual for
Kestrel 4500 & Kestrel 4500 NV Models
www.kestrelweather.com
800.784.4221
Revised 02/09

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  • Page 1 4500 Pocket Weather Tracker ® with Backlight In a hurry? Be sure to read pages 5-8 to ensure that your Kestrel is setup properly! Instruction Manual for Kestrel 4500 & Kestrel 4500 NV Models www.kestrelweather.com 800.784.4221 Revised 02/09...
  • Page 2 Kestrel 4500 Pocket Weather Tracker ® ® MANUAL MEMORY BUTTON Press to manually BACKLIGHT BUTTON store current conditions to Press to activate memory. backlight for 1 minute. MEASUREMENT BUTTONS MODE BUTTONS Press Press to scroll between to change mode of...
  • Page 3 TEMPERATURE SENSOR IMPELLER Sapphire jewel Hermetically sealed precision bearings on a user- thermistor coiled to isolate replaceable impeller. from case temperature. IMPELLER COVER Swivel HUMIDITY SENSOR Capacitive cover protects impeller sensor with secondary when not in use. thermistor to improve accuracy and response.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    CUSTOMER SERVICE .................33 Congratulations on the purchase of your Kestrel 4500 Pocket Weather Tracker! The Kestrel 4500 is our newest and most comprehensive weather meter.

  • Page 5: Getting Started

    AAA batteries have a magnetic signature that is strong enough to influence compass readings. In order to negate the batteries effect, it is important that the Kestrel 4500’s batteries remain in the same orientation as they were when the unit was calibrated. To accomplish this, the Kestrel 4500 has a flexible plastic shim that slides in between the two batteries to keep them in place.
  • Page 6 Date and Time Setup The first time that you turn on your Kestrel Meter, as well as after a battery change, you will need to set the date and time. The Introduction Screen will appear for 3 seconds, followed by the Date/Time Setup Screen.
  • Page 7 System. In the System menu, select “Compass Cal. ” Following the screen prompts, place the Kestrel Meter in the foam stand and slowly spin it around three full times. Each rotation should take approximately 10 seconds. “Cal Complete” will be displayed on the screen when the calibration is finished.

  • Page 8: Navigation

    Measurements, followed by the 3 User Screens and the Date/Time Screen. Any of these screens can be turned off so that you can customize your Kestrel Meter to show the screens that your application requires. (See the Measurements section in the Main Menu.)
  • Page 9 Navigation of Charts The Kestrel 4500 is capable of storing up to 1400 data points for each measurement. To review the data, press the - button while viewing a chart. A cursor will appear on the most recent data point. Press the...

  • Page 10: Special Functions

    Cursor SPECIAL FUNCTIONS User Screens The Kestrel Meter has three User Screens that can be customized to display three current measurements simultaneously. These screens can also be turned off. (See the Main Menu section for setup instructions.) Max/Avg for Wind Speed, Direction, Headwind/Tailwind, Crosswind & Wind Chill The Max/Avg values for the Wind Speed and Direction values are measured independently from the stored and charted data.
  • Page 11 (See the Main Setup Menu section for more information on memory.) Backlight The Kestrel Meter has a high-visibility green backlight, which makes the display easily read in low-light conditions.The Kestrel 4500 NV has a night-vision preserving backlight which helps users to sustain natural night vision.
  • Page 12 NOT measure direction and will post the message “uncalibrated” at the base of any direction screen. 3. The impeller of the Kestrel 4500 also contains a small magnet that may slightly influence the compass readings when the impeller is still or rocking slightly. For maximum accuracy of compass...
  • Page 13 The Kestrel 4500 automatically calculates crosswind or headwind with respect to a runway or target direction. To use either of these screens, you must first set the “heading”, or direction of the runway or target as described below. You then measure the wind in the normal way, pointing the Kestrel into the...
  • Page 14 Magnetic Heading either automatically or manually. - Auto Set allows you to point the Kestrel down the runway or in the direction of the target, and it automatically enters the reference heading. Point the Kestrel down the runway or target, and press button.
  • Page 15 (such as when taking a Kestrel Meter stored inside at 70° F outside to a temperature of 40° F), you will need to take additional steps to ensure that the Kestrel Meter’s external temperature sensor is in thermal equilibrium.
  • Page 16 Press the button to exit the adjustment mode. Set your Kestrel Meter down on a table and allow the altitude reading to stabilize. (Note: very small changes in pressure generate noticeable changes in altitude. In order to provide meaningful readings for activities where altitude changes quickly, the Kestrel Meter features rapid altitude response.
  • Page 17 When tracking pressure changes relative to weather, set the reference altitude on the BARO screen and keep the Kestrel Meter in one location. Your graph history will now show trends in barometric pressure. Your altitude as shown on the ALTITUDE screen will change as the weather changes, but you can ignore this screen for this purpose.

  • Page 18: Main Setup Menu

    Some final notes - If you wish to know the actual or station pressure for your location (such as for engine tuning), simply set the reference altitude on the BARO screen to “0”. In this case, the Kestrel Meter will not make any adjustment and will display the measured value. (Engine tuning and ballistics software sometimes refer to atmospheric or station pressure as “absolute pressure.
  • Page 19 Memory Options These settings control the data storage properties. Setting Description Operation Clear Log All stored data is cleared. This will also clear Min/ Press or to clear the log. Max/Avg data. (Go/Done) Reset MMA All Min/Max/Avg data is cleared. Chart data will Press or to clear the remain intact.
  • Page 20 Main Setup Menu. Even when measurements are hidden, the Kestrel Meter will continue to log data for all measurements. If you wish to see the logged data for measurements that are hidden, simply enter the Measurement screen and turn them back on.
  • Page 21 Wind Speed Temperature, Dewpoint, Wet Bulb Pressure Altitude, Density Temp, Wind Chill & Heat Index Altitude m/s meters per second °C Celsius InHg inches m meters mercury km/h kilometers per hour °F Fahrenheit ft feet HPa hectopascals kt knots psi pounds per mph miles per hour square inch ft/m feet per minute...
  • Page 22 Kestrel 4500 Pocket Weather Tracker ® ® System The display Contrast and Auto Shutdown can be reconfigured as required. The relative humidity and pressure sensors can also be recalibrated. Press the buttons to highlight the appropriate selection, and the or button to adjust or select.

  • Page 23: Application Examples

    Metric, Imperial or Defaults. Press the or button to reset the factory setting. Press the button to return to the Main Setup Menu. APPLICATION EXAMPLES This section provides examples of applications where a Kestrel Meter might be used, and the appropriate memory settings. Weather Monitoring Auto Store...
  • Page 24 Kestrel 4500 Pocket Weather Tracker ® ® These settings will allow you to track conditions for 2 months. When the memory is full, each new measurement will be stored in place of the oldest data point. The charts will provide a quick look at the recent weather conditions.
  • Page 25 Skydiving Auto Store Store Rate 2 sec Overwrite Man Store These settings will allow you to record a detailed account of your jump. Be sure to clear the data log just before jumping. As you descend toward the ground, you will be tracking the altitude every two seconds, as well as the conditions at that altitude.

  • Page 26: Memory Capabilities

    Kestrel 4500 Pocket Weather Tracker ® ® These settings will require you to press the Manual Store Button in order to store any data at a duct, hood, vent, or other air system. The meter will not store any data automatically. Be sure to record the location and date/time of storage for reference when reviewing the data.

  • Page 27: Glossary

    An aviation term for the local barometric pressure. Same as reference pressure. Altitude The distance above sea level. The Kestrel Meter calculates altitude based on the measured station pressure and the input barometric pressure - or “reference pressure”. Barometric Pressure The air pressure of your location reduced to sea level.
  • Page 28 Kestrel 4500 Pocket Weather Tracker ® ® Density Altitude The altitude at which you would be, given the current air density. Often used by pilots in order to determine how an aircraft will perform. Also of interest to individuals who tune high performance internal combustion engines, such as racecar engines.
  • Page 29 The cooling effect of combining wind and temperature. The wind chill gives a more accurate reading of how cold it really feels to the human body. The Kestrel Meter’s wind chill is based on the National Weather Service standards as of November 1, 2001.

  • Page 30: Default Settings

    Direction, wind speed, temperature User Screen 2 Temperature, Humidity, dewpoint User Screen 3 Pressure, altitude, density altitude Display Contrast Automatic Shutdown 15 minutes Language English PC Upload Stored data may be uploaded to a PC with the optional Kestrel Interface.

  • Page 31: Frequently Asked Questions

    It probably just needs a replacement impeller. You can verify this by removing the impeller (press firmly on the sides of the impeller), and turn the unit on to the wind speed screen. Hold the Kestrel Meter near a television, computer monitor or some electronic device and it will display a wind speed. Or, wave a magnet (like a refrigerator magnet) back and forth by the Kestrel Meter.
  • Page 32 You can ensure airflow by either placing the Kestrel Meter in a breeze, or by waving it back and forth. If no airflow can be provided, you must allow up to 20 minutes for the values to stabilize and accurate readings to be displayed.

  • Page 33: Customer Service

    NK’s facility in Boothwyn, Pennsylvania, USA. We guarantee every Kestrel Pocket Weather Meter to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of FIVE YEARS from your date of purchase. We will repair or replace any defective product or part when notified within the warranty period, and will return the product via domestic ground shipping at no charge.
  • Page 34 Return Authorization to expedite the handling of your warranty claim. The Kestrel 4500 is covered by the following US patents: 5,783,753, 5,939,645, 6,257,074, and 7,059,170. Calibrations, Certifications and Service Every NK product is tested and calibrated before it leaves our factory. We guarantee that it will perform within specifications when you receive it.
  • Page 35 NK wants you to be an NK customer for life, so we take care of you even beyond the terms of the above warranty with our Customer Care Program. Trade-in any Kestrel Pocket Weather Meter, no matter the age or condition, and receive a generous discount on the replacement product (same model only).
  • Page 36 Kestrel 4500 Pocket Weather Tracker ® ® Kestrel® Pocket Weather® Meters are designed and manufactured in the USA by: NIELSEN-KELLERMAN 21 Creek Circle, Boothwyn, PA 19061 Phone: (610) 447-1555 Fax: (610) 447-1577 Web: www.kestrelweather.com Email: kestrel@nkhome.com Instruction Manual for Kestrel 4500 version: 4.29 ALL...

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4500 nv

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