CPT AUTOPILOT CPT, Installation Manual

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CPT Autopilot Installation Manual
© 2018 CPT AUTOPILOT INC. VERSION 21 PAGE 23 OF 26
NOTE REGARDING STEEL BOATS:
We do not recommend the autopilot for steel boats. The control box must be located more than six feet from
the nearest steel. If the magnetic field is too strong the autopilot will not be able to keep the boat on heading.
The CPT is able to steer on some steel boats but not all. The electronic sensor in the control box is more
sensitive to magnetic fields than the older CPT models that used an optical compass. Every steel boat is
different, and for the autopilot to operate successfully, any magnetic fields cannot cause more than five
degrees of needle deflection from a hand-held compass. Some owners have mounted it on wooden boom
gallows, aluminum or wooden mizzenmasts, under or on top of wooden coach roof, etc. Contact us for
directions for performing a magnetic survey of your vessel before ordering a CPT.
Testing the Control Box before final mounting
Before the final tightening of the control box bracket to the pedestal pipe, or drilling any pilot holes to mount
the bracket, do the following steps:
1. The CPT is set for the northern hemisphere at the factory. If you are in the southern hemisphere, set the magnetic
reference (see Setting the Magnetic Reference). Temporarily mount the control box in its proposed location. Mount
the control box in the bracket using the wing nuts, with rubber washers on the inside. (Only tighten wing-nuts
finger tight; never use pliers as the bolts may break or strip.) Keep the top of the control box level; do not tilt out of
plumb in the bracket.
2. Slip the belt OFF the small motor pulley gear, and engage clutch. (Push the black pulley gear in while turning it
until it snaps in.)
3. Check to make sure that the 10 amp fuse is in place, and that power is available. The red wire must connect to
+12V, the black wire to ground / battery negative.
4. The motor rotation direction has been preset for your installation at the factory; you should not have to make any
changes. The instructions for changing the motor rotation are on page 20, if needed.
5. Flip toggle to STANDBY. Turn the autopilot on by turning Rudder dial to 5. Turn Deadband dial to 3. Allow one
minute for autopilot to warm-up . (Do not toggle to Hold Heading until autopilot has been on for one minute.)
6. After warm-up, flip the toggle to HOLD HEADING. The pilot will make a slight correction after 10 seconds, then
periodically every 10-seconds. Push the 10-degree PORT button once: the small drive pulley should turn in the
direction needed to turn the boat to port. It will make an initial rotation, then stop and wait, with repeated short
pulses once/second in an attempt to change the boat’s heading. Push the 10-degree Starboard button once: the
small drive pulley should rotate back in the direction to turn the boat to starboard.
*If, when toggled to Hold-Heading, the autopilot immediately makes corrections every second there is
magnetic interference in the mounting location or inadequate warm-up time allowed.
* When left on Hold Heading, it is normal for the pilot to make a small correction once every 10 seconds. If the belt
is on DO NOT let the wheel corrections continue until the rudder-stops are reached, flip to Standby or turn power
off or disengage clutch.
7. Follow the steps for the SEA TRIALS found in the OPERATION MANUAL before final installation of the control
box. The vessel should be tested while motoring on North, South, East, and West headings.