Kestrel Wind & Weather Support

Kestrel® 2000 Pocket Weather® Meter Instructions (Printable PDF)

Thank you for purchasing the Kestrel 2000 Pocket Weather Meter. This instrument will measure the following environmental conditions:

• wind speed
  
• maximum wind gust
  
• average wind speed
• temperature (air, water, snow)
• windchill

This instrument also features a data hold function and an automatic power-down function. Every unit is fully tested at our factory for measurement accuracy and waterproof integrity.

OPERATION

1. Slide off cover.
   
2. Turn on. Press the center button () to turn on the unit.
3. Select operating mode. Press the right arrow () to scroll through the measurements listed below. Press the left arrow () to scroll through the measurements in reverse order. The instantaneous measurements will be displayed. (See Understanding the Measurements section for more information.)
4. Select the units of measure. Press while holding to scroll through the units of measure.

   Mode Hint Icon Units of Measure Clock --- --- 12-hr, 24-hr Wind Speed SPd m/s, ft/min, km/h, mph, kt, B Max Gust SPd MAX m/s, ft/min, km/h, mph, kt, B Avg Speed SPd AVG m/s, ft/min, km/h, mph, kt, B Temperature dEG C, F Wind Chill chill C, F Barometric Pressure*   hPa, inHg Altitude Alt m, ft * Only one of the pressure icons will be displayed, indicating the 3-hour pressure trend. pressure rising quickly (rise more than +0.18 inHg) pressure rising (rise within +0.06 inHg and +0.18 inHg) pressure stable (remain within -0.06 and +0.06 inHg) pressure falling (drop within -0.06 inHg and -0.18 inHg) pressure falling quickly (drop more than -0.18 inHg)

5. Hold Mode. Press while holding to hold the measured value on display. The word "HOLD" will blink to indicate the Hold Mode. Press while holding to exit the Hold Mode. This mode can be useful for taking measurements when unable to view the display, as within a duct. The Max and Avg Wind Speed Modes will continue to work as usual.
6. Turn on the backlight. Press to activate the backlight for 10 seconds. If or are pressed while the backlight is illuminated, the backlight will remain illuminated for another 10 seconds. Press while the backlight is illuminated to manually turn off the backlight.
7. Turn off. Hold for 2 seconds to manually turn off the unit. The unit will automatically turn off if no buttons have been pressed for 45 minutes.

UNDERSTANDING THE MEASUREMENTS

• Wind Speed - Average over the previous three seconds. The measurement will be accurate for air flow through the front or rear of the unit.
• Maximum Wind Gust - Maximum 3-second wind speed since the unit was turned on.
• Average Wind Speed - average wind speed since the unit was turned on.
• Temperature - Instantaneous temperature of the thermistor, which is located at the end of the long coiled leads in the open cavity below the impeller. The exposed thermistor will respond quickly to changes in temperature when air flows past it. For fastest response, either hold the unit into the wind or wave the unit side to side for 15 seconds. Readings should be taken in the shade.
• Wind Chill - Combination of wind speed and temperature, as defined by the US National Weather Service. Wind chill is the effective temperature on a human or animal at low temperatures due to wind speed. Wind chill readings will be the same as the temperature readings above 45ºF or below 3 mph.

MAINTENANCE & TROUBLESHOOTING

Environmental

Every Kestrel Meter is fully waterproof and floats, and has passed mil-spec drop testing.

Storing Your Kestrel

Avoid storing your Kestrel where it will be exposed to temperatures below -30°C [-22°F] or above 60° C [176° F] for extended periods of time. Doing so may cause permanent damage. (Note that the inside of a car parked in the hot sun can reach very high temperatures.)

Use of the Lanyard and Cover

The cover can be captured on the lanyard to avoid loss. First, remove the cord poplock. Then feed the lanyard end through the large opening in the over and out the slot. Replace the poplock on the lanyard.

Replacing the Battery

When your display becomes dim or disappears, replace the battery. Use a large coin to open the battery compartment. Use only new CR2032 coin cell batteries (available where watch batteries are sold). Wipe the battery clean of any fingerprints and insert the positive (+) pole up, angling the battery downward and pressing it firmly into place. When replacing the battery door, be sure to keep the black rubber o-ring seated in the groove on the case back.

Why does the Impeller Appear Imbalanced?

It is NORMAL for the impeller to oscillate as it comes to a stop. It is NOT imbalanced. Rather, it contains a very small magnet that responds to the earth’s magnetic fields. This does not affect the accuracy of the wind speed readings because the magnetic field applies both a braking and an accelerating force which cancel each other. The impeller has been calibrated to provide wind speed readings accurate to within at least ± 3%.

High Speed Use

After several hours of sustained operation over 25 M/S (~49 KT, 90 KM/H, 56 MPH or 4,923 FPM), the Kestrel will lose some accuracy due to wear of the sapphire bearings in the impeller.

Replacing the Impeller

You may recalibrate the wind speed readings by replacing the impeller. Press FIRMLY on the sides of the black impeller housing with your thumbs to remove the entire assembly. When inserting the new impeller, be sure the arrow is facing the display side of the unit, and is aligned with the top of the meter. Press on the sides of the housing rather than the center.

BEAUFORT SCALE

The Beaufort Scale is a system for estimating wind force without the use of instruments based on the visible effects of the wind on the physical environment. The behavior of smoke, waves, trees, etc., is rated on a 13 point scale. The scale was devised in 1805 by the British naval Commander Sir Francis Beaufort (1774-1857) and is still commonly used by mariners.