Chapter 3: Commissioning & setup
41
3.2 Manual setup
Checking SPX-5 Wheel system operation
Before manually adjusting any settings, familiarize yourself with basic SPX-5 Wheel
system operation, as follows:
1. Steer onto a compass heading and hold the course steady at a normal cruising
speed. 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 SPX-5 Wheel system should
hold the locked heading in calm sea conditions.
3. Use
-1
,
+1
,
-10
and
+10
and observe how the SPX-5 Wheel system alters the
course to port and starboard.
4. Press standby to return to manual steering.
If you feel you need to fine tune the SPX-5 Wheel system performance, you can do so
by using one or more of the procedures below to adjust:
•
Response level.
•
Rudder gain.
•
Counter rudder
•
AutoTrim.
Over time you may wish to repeat these adjustments using a range of sea conditions
and headings to achieve optimum all-round performance for your particular vessel
and preferences.
Adjust these settings when motoring your boat at cruising speed.
Response level
The principal method of adjusting the performance of an SPX-5 Wheel system is by
changing the response level. This controls the relationship between the SPX-5 Wheel
system’s course keeping accuracy and the amount of helm/drive activity.
To temporarily change the response level:
1. Press
-1
and
+1
or
resp
to access the
RESPONSE
screen.
2. Use
-1
or
+1
to adjust the setting.
3. Press
disp
to confirm the change.
Screen Text
Effect on operation
RESPONSE 1-3
This setting minimizes the amount of rudder activity but may compro-
mise short-term course keeping accuracy,
RESPONSE 4-6
This setting gives good course keeping with crisp, well controlled turns
under normal operating conditions.
RESPONSE 7-9
This setting provides the tightest possible course keeping and greatest
rudder activity. This can lead to a rough passage in open waters as the
SPX-5 Wheel system may fight the sea.
87074_2.book Page 41 Wednesday, November 21, 2007 3:55 PM
