Chapter 2: Advanced operation
23
• or press
standby
to return to manual control.
Note:
If waypoints are provided using an NMEA connection the controller will display NO
DATA when you reach the final waypoint.
2.2 Using Wind Vane mode
Note:
You can only select Wind Vane mode if the SmartPilot is receiving suitable SeaTalk
or NMEA wind direction information.
What is Wind Vane mode?
When the SmartPilot is in Wind Vane mode it uses the fluxgate compass as the
primary heading reference. As changes in the true or apparent wind angle occur,
it adjusts the locked heading to maintain the original wind angle.
Wind information
To use Wind Vane mode, the SmartPilot must receive wind information from one
of the following sources:
• SeaTalk wind instrument connected to the autopilot via SeaTalk
• NMEA wind instrument
• Raymarine pushpit wind vane connected via a SeaTalk interface
True and apparent wind
SmartPilots can maintain a course relative to either an apparent or true wind
angle in Wind Vane mode
The default setting is apparent wind. If required, you can change this to true wind
in User Calibration (see
page 31
).
WindTrim
In Wind Vane mode the SmartPilot uses WindTrim to eliminate the effects of
turbulence and short term wind variations. This provides smooth and precise
performance with minimal power consumption. You can adjust the wind
response (WindTrim) level in User Calibration (see
page 31
) to control how quickly
the SmartPilot responds to changes in the wind direction. Higher wind trim
settings will result in a pilot that is more responsive to wind changes.
81283_1.book Page 23 Monday, October 2, 2006 2:03 PM
