Chapter 2: Commissioning
31
Manual setup
If you have a WheelPilot system (without the gyro upgrade) you need to manually
adjust the rudder gain, counter rudder and AutoTrim settings, based on your
observations of the boat’s performance under SmartPilot control.
Adjust these settings when motoring your boat at cruising speed. On sail boats,
repeat if necessary under sail to optimize the SmartPilot.
Checking SmartPilot operation
Before manually adjusting any of these settings, familiarize yourself with basic
SmartPilot operation:
1. Steer onto a compass heading and hold the course steady.
If necessary, steer the boat manually for a short time to check how the boat
steers.
2. Press
auto
to lock onto the current heading. The SmartPilot should hold a
constant heading in calm sea conditions.
3. Use the
1, +1, 10
and
+10
keys to see how the SmartPilot alters the course
to port and starboard.
4. Press
standby
to return to manual steering.
Response level
The principal method of adjusting the performance of SmartPilot systems is by
changing the response level. This is the only user adjustment you should need to
make to the SmartPilot on a regular basis. This controls the relationship between
the SmartPilot’s course keeping accuracy and the amount of helm/drive activity.
Whilst it is not necessary to set the response level at this stage, the testing of other
parameters requires the temporary adjustment of response settings.
Screen Text
Effect on operation
RESPONSE 1
AutoSeastate on (Automatic deadband).
The SmartPilot will gradually ignore repetitive boat movements and
only react to true variations in course. This provides the best compro
mise between power consumption and course keeping accuracy.
RESPONSE 2
AutoSeastate off (minimum deadband).
This setting provides tighter course keeping but will lead to
increased power consumption and drive unit activity.
RESPONSE 3
AutoSeastate off + counter rudder yaw damping.
This setting provides the tightest possible course keeping by intro
ducing counter rudder yaw damping.
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