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OPERATION

 

 

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BASIC PRINCIPLES

The following description of the

 4000’s principle of operation

will help you to make full use of its
advanced features.

The powerful combination of a 

compass and microprocessor control

provides “autolock” course selection

together with precise push-button course

adjustment.

Deviation from the set course is

continuously monitored by the sensitive

 compass and corrective rudder is

applied to return the vessel to course. The
applied rudder is proportional to course
error at any time and thus when the
course is restored the rudder will be

neutralised.

When changes in vessel trim occur due

to variations in wind pressure or engine
throttle setting the course can only be
maintained by the application of
permanent rudder off-set (standing helm)
to restore balance. If permanent rudder
off-set is not applied to restore balance

the vessel will bear on to a new heading.
Under these circumstances the 

4000 detects 

that the original course is

not being restored and continues to apply
additional rudder off-set in the
appropriate direction until the vessel
returns to the original heading. Automatic
trimming capability ensures that the
originally set course is held irrespective of
any changes in balance that may occur
during the course of a passage.

The 

 4000’s computer also

continuously monitors the pattern of
applied rudder correction and can
distinguish unnecessary repetitive

corrections caused by pitch and roll of the
vessel from those necessary to maintain
the selected heading. The computer will
automatically neglect all unnecessary

corrections so that autopilot activity and
power consumption is continuously
optimised at minimum levels.

1 0

The 

 deqree of control automation

KEYPAD OPERATION

made possible-by the 

 computer

simplifies user control to a series 

 push

 operations.

Full control of the 

 4000 is

provided via a simple six button key pad.

The basic control functions are as

follows:

When the autopilot is switched on it

will always start up in 

Stand by 

mode. In

Stand by 

mode the wheel can be driven

 

 

  4 0 0 0 )

- 1 0

0

0

 

STAND 

AUTO

 

 

Push 

once 

to engage the autopilot

to maintain the current heading or

push 

twice 

(within 2 seconds) to

return to the previous automatic

heading.

by pressing and holding down any of the

r course change buttons.

R E M O T E   V A N E

 

Push to alter course to port 

 or

starboard 

 in increments of 1

and 10 degrees.

autopilot and return to 

Stand by

mode.

(The previous automatic heading

will be memorised).

STAND BY

Push 

once 

to disengage the . .

Summary of Contents for Autohelm 4000

Page 1: ...Distributed by Any reference to Raytheon or RTN in this manual should be interpreted as Raymarine The names Raytheon and RTN are owned by the Raytheon Company ...

Page 2: ......

Page 3: ...his can be The full system is shown below Fig 1 The system is designed for owner installation which aided by the following guide should prove to be a simple and interesting job After fitting the equipment it is only necessary to make a single adjustment to the control unit to match the autopilots response to the steering characteristics of your vessel nde8by ad ng any of the following Good Sailing...

Page 4: ... produces significant lost motion which will impair steering performance Fig 2 WliEEICI AMPS I CLUTCH LEVER DRtVE MOTOR GEARBOX 2 ATTACHMENT TO THE WHEEL The drive unit is clamped to the wheel spokes using the bolts and clamps provided and may be used on wheels with 3 5 or 6 spokes Fig 3 Fig 3 AI8 A holes 3 and 6 spoke wheels B holes 5 spoke wheels The drive unit must be mounted between the wheel ...

Page 5: ...Fig 8 3 u the distance will change with the wheel position The smallest distance should be me asured The mounting pin should be cut 11 mm 0 40in longer than dimension A Fig 9 Fig 9 I t I CUT HERE Remove any burrs and place the plast cap supplied over the cut end l Slide the wheel forward and place the pin end with the plastic cap in the slot Fig 10 l Remove the wheel and mark round the inside of t...

Page 6: ...pping screws provided Fig 13 6 CABLING AND POWER SUPPLIES see Fig 15 The four pin v terproof connector provides a pluggable connection to the power supply and motor drive Two terminals of the socket are pre wired for connection to the 12v power supply the drive unit cable is connected to the remaining two terminals on installation It is most important that power supply is not connected to drive un...

Page 7: ...n in the following table Extension Cable Copper Area Length AWG Up to 2 5m 8ft 1 5mm2 16 Up to 4 0m 13ft 2 5mm 14 Having attached the cable to the control unit socket the socket may be screwed n place using the four self tapping screws provided Fig 17 Fig 17 Accessory Connection The Autohelm 4000 s accessories plug into the contrdl unit to facilitate stowing and servicing To ensure reliable connec...

Page 8: ...riginally set course is held irrespective of any changes in balance that may occur during the course of a passage The Autohelm 4000 s computer also continuously monitors the pattern of applied rudder correction and can distinguish unnecessary repetitive corrections caused by pitch and roll of the vessel from those necessary to maintain the selected heading The computer will automatically neglect a...

Page 9: ... keys always turn the vessel IO a a to starboard STAND BY 0 AUTO 0 Push once to disengage the windvane for manual steering The previous apparent wind angle will be memorised or Push once to change over to 44 automatic compass heading control and maintain the current heading d AUTOTACK FUNCTION The Autohelm 4000 has an automatic tacking function which operates in both compass and windvane mode as f...

Page 10: ...T PROCEDURE After completing the installation you should carry out the following functional test to familiarise yourself with the system before attempting sea trials i Plug the Autohelm 4000 into the power socket and switch on the electrical supply The unit will emit a short beep tone to indicate that it is active and the LED will i flash to indicate Stand by operating j apde Q Engage the drive by...

Page 11: ...c heading Hand Steering l Press Stand by and rotate the clutch lever fully anticlockwise for return to Automatic Sea State Control During the sea trial the operation of the automatic sea state control can be observed When the autopilot is initially 42 TO PORT engaged in Auto mode the autoprlot will respond to all pitch and roll movements During the first minute of operation it will be noticed that...

Page 12: ...gether This will silence the alarm and advance the off course alarm datum to the current compass heading CURRENT LIMITING AND CUTOUT If the autopilot is driven into its end stops the drive will be pulsed to prevent overloading the motor If the pilot is left in this condition for 30 seconds the microprocessor will automatically cut out power to the motor and sound the alarm continuously To restore ...

Page 13: ...ol unit in a damp locker over the winter lay up period MAINTENANCE All moving parts of the system have been lubricated for life at the factory Therefore no maintenance whatsoever will be required Should a fault develop the t autopilot s plugability ensures that only the defective unit need be returned Before this is done please double check that the power supply cable is sound and that all connect...

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