Simrad AP14 Manual Download Page 17

Page 33

6  Commissioning

6.1  Commissioning Checks

After installation has been completed, the following checks should be made before use -

1. Installation check

- ensuring that the installation of all the components in the system is mechan-

ically and electrically correct.

2. Seatrial 

- Auto compass calibration.  The pilot should be set up for optimum course keeping

ability.  If a navigational receiver is interfaced with the pilot, Nav Mode should also be tested.

6.1.1  Installation Check

CABLING

1.  Are all the connections secure?
2.  Does all wiring meet recommended lengths and sizes for the current/voltage?
3.  Does the input power line have the correctly rated fuse or circuit breaker?
4.  Where possible, are the cables run away from existing cables which carry radio frequency 
or pulsed signals?  (1m / 3 Ft distance is recommended).
5.  Are cables neatly tied or clamped to prevent friction damage?  (Ties every 0.5m / 1.5 Ft 
intervals recommended minimum).
6.  Are all wire ends tinned?

COURSE COMPUTER SCP12 (AP14H ONLY)

1.  Is the Course Computer in a dry location away from excessive heat and vibration?
2.  Is the Course Computer mounted on a vertical surface, with the cooling fin uppermost?
3.  Is the Course Computer securely attached to a permanent structure?
4.  Are all the cables properly fed through the cable clamp channels?

LINEAR FEEDBACK UNIT SLF12 (AP14H ONLY)

1.  Has the unit been securely attached to the hydraulic ram of the boat using the supplied
mounting saddles?
2.  Is the full stroke of the SLF12 between 150mm and 300mm (6.0in to 12.0in)?
3.  Is the SLF12 correctly aligned with the rudder arm?
4.  Has it been fitted so that the rod does not bend or distort at any point of steering?
5.  When driven hard over from lock to lock, is the SLF12 free from any obstructions?

COMPASS SHS12

1.  Has the compass been mounted the correct way up and is it level?
2.  Has the compass been mounted in a position away from ferrous materials, loudspeakers, 
heavy current carrying cables or other magnetic/electronic equipment to avoid deviation?
3.  Has the compass been mounted as near as possible to the centrepoint of the boat to min-
imise heel angle?

HYDRAULIC PUMP (AP14H ONLY)

1.  Have the correct fittings been used?
2.  Has return line (R) been fitted from the pilot pump ?
3.  Are check valves fitted if needed ?
4.  Has the system been correctly bled of air ?
5.  Is the tubing to the pump high pressure flexible material to reduce vibration?

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Fig 6.2 - Adjusting compass bearing

6.2  Compass Orientation

The SHS12 compass can be mounted pointing
four different ways - 0º, 90º, 180º or 270º to the
bow (Fig 6.1).

• The factory preset is 0º (pointing forward).  If
the compass is mounted pointing any other
way, this must be programmed in before using
the pilot.

Press and hold 

Set

until the controller beeps

twice.

Press  

Set

again - the display will show the cur-

rent offset.  

Press 

to adjust the offset in 90º steps to port.

Press 

to adjust the offset in 90º steps to star-

board - 90º, 180º, 270º.

• If no key is pressed within 5 seconds, the con-
troller will return to the main display and the
orientation currently entered will be set.

6.3  Compass Adjustment

The bearing shown on the AP14 display can be
adjusted by ±15º so that it matches the boat’s
magnetic compass, or a known heading.

•  This procedure should be performed after the
compass has been orientated (see section 6.2
above).

Press and hold the 

Set

key.  The controller will

beep twice and the display will show ADJUST
along with the current bearing detected by the
SHS12 fluxgate compass.

Use the 

and 

keys to adjust the displayed

bearing until it matches the boat’s magnetic
compass, or known heading (Fig 6.2).

• If no key is pressed within 5 seconds, the con-
troller will return to the main display and the
bearing entered will be set.

• Note that the bearing can be adjusted by a
maximum of ±15º from the original.  If the error
is greater than 15º, check that the SHS12 com-
pass is not receiving interference from nearby
metallic, magnetic or electrical objects.

Fig 6.1 - Compass orientation

0º (No flashes)

180º (2 flashes)

90º (3 flashes)

270º (1 flash)

BOW

BULKHEAD

Pressed        & held

Summary of Contents for AP14

Page 1: ...Manual Simrad AP14 Autopilot ...

Page 2: ... Mode 2 5 Set Key 2 6 Dodge 2 7 Backlighting 2 8 Alarms 2 8 1 Off Course Alarm 2 9 Default Boat Speed 2 10 Adjusting Dodge Angle 3 Parameter Adjustment 3 1 Rudder Movement Gain 3 2 Seastate 3 3 Autotrim 4 Installation AP14H Hydraulic Drive 4 1 Pump Installation SRP12 4 2 Bleeding The Steering System 4 2 1 Two or Three Line Systems 4 2 2 Pressurised Systems 4 3 Linear Feedback Unit SLF12 4 4 Fittin...

Page 3: ...ccurate and dependable steering in varying sea conditions with minimal current consumption The AP14 a state of the art autopilot system with many advanced features is simple to operate and occupies little space on the dash The keypad accesses all functions and pilot status is indicated clear ly in the backlit LCD display To ensure the best results from your autopilot it is essential that the unit ...

Page 4: ...Mode The AP14 has an inbuilt interface which allows it to be connected to NMEA0183 compatible equipment such as GPS LORAN Chart Plotters etc Once connected the AP14 can steer using data from this source in addition to the compass allowing a highly accu rate course to waypoint To enter Nav Mode the pilot must be in Auto Mode and receiving waypoint or route data from the navigational receiver Press ...

Page 5: ...o toggle the alarm on and off press and hold the Alarm FIg 2 8 Dodging to Starboard Press hold Fig 2 9 Selecting backlighting level Page 8 key Fig 2 10 The alarm icon will be displayed while the alarm is on If the off course alarm sounds press Alarm to acknowledge and disable the alarm The off course limit can be set from 10 60º Press Set see section 2 5 until ALARM appears at the bottom of the di...

Page 6: ... take a minute or so to fully compensate after a major course change Fig 3 3 Seastate deadband Average Course Fig 3 5 Autotrim principle COURSE HELD WIND TIDE Autotrim applied C o u r s e W i t h o u t A u t o t r i m Page 10 Page 11 3 Parameter Adjustment The AP14 uses highly advanced steering soft ware which constantly assesses how the boat is being affected by the sea conditions By adjust ing i...

Page 7: ...of the cylinder unbalanced rams have the rod emerging from one end only Fig 4 1 Volume 3 142 x S R2 r2 S Stroke length R Cylinder bore radius r Push rod radius If S R and r are in inches the volume will be in cubic inches in3 If they are in centimetres then the volume will be in cubic centimetres cc An ideal location for the pump is in a gas inflammable vapour free area where it will not be immers...

Page 8: ... not important which way round the pump outlet connections A B are connected to the steer ing lines as the pilot automatically sets the correct polarity when the unit is configured 4 2 Bleeding The Steering System The hydraulic system should be bled according to the manufacturer s instructions Make sure the cor rect oil is used to fill the system If there are no manufacturer s instructions availab...

Page 9: ...uence FLYBRIDGE 1 Helm CABIN 2 Second Helm ENGINE BAY 3 SRP12 Page 16 7 Turn the helm clockwise until the ram is fully extended 8 Open the bleed valve on the ram cylinder nearest to the extended ram If there are no bleed valves fitted to the cylinder loosen the nut connecting the hydraulic hose to the cylin der to allow the air to escape Do not com pletely undo the bleed valve or nut 9 Holding the...

Page 10: ... Unit SLF12 measures the rudder position and can be installed on most types of boat including I O or Outboard dri ves It is important that the SLF12 is properly installed with the maximum possible stroke minimum 150mm 6 0 in or it will not give an accurate reading The SLF12 is mounted onto the hydraulic ram cylinder using two mounting saddles Fig 4 11 Make sure that the maximum stroke of the hydra...

Page 11: ...e 20 Fig 4 14 Connecting control unit Length of Cable Run Under 5M 16 6Ft 5 10M 33 3Ft Cross Section Area 2 5mm2 4mm2 Conductor Type 50 0 25 56 0 3 AWG 13 12 Fig 4 17 Cable selection table Fig 4 16 Mounting Course Computer 4 6 Fitting Course Computer SCP12 Locate the course computer in a moisture heat and vibration free area somewhere between the boat s power source and the pump to minimise power ...

Page 12: ...ecting the AP14 to the power supply always check that the pilot and the receiver are not connected to a different battery bank This is to avoid a possible voltage drop between the interfaced equipment which would render the equipment inoperative The receiver must be running an active route or waypoint for the Nav Mode function to operate While any NMEA0183 compatible receivers should interface wit...

Page 13: ...to the boat the fol lowing basic requirements must be met 1 The boat must have at least one single cable steering helm Dual cable systems which are for high performance boats or boats over 11m 35 Ft cannot be adapted for the AP14R However the AP14R can be fitted to boats with two steering positions providing that one has a single cable helm 2 There must be a minimum of 250mm 10 0 in clearance behi...

Page 14: ...nnected Fig 5 5 Fit take up tube to the exit port and replace retaining bolt Page 26 the drive unit and wind it in by turning the steering shaft The cable should wind into the drive unit and emerge through the exit port into the take up tube Fig 5 6 Push the cable outer retainer into the entry port and refit the retain ing bolt to hold it in place Position the drive unit behind the dashboard and b...

Page 15: ...objects such as stereo speakers heating units etc If the boat has a metal hull this includes fer rocement the compass must be mounted above decks on a mast or pole between one and two metres 3 to 7 feet above deck When mounting make sure that the compass is the right way up and is level The compass unit can be screwed to a vertical bulkhead using the two No 6 x 3 4in self tapping screws provided I...

Page 16: ...ting the AP14 to the power supply always check that the pilot and the receiver are not connected to a different battery bank This is to avoid a possible voltage drop between the interfaced equipment which would render the equipment inoperative The receiver must be running an active route or waypoint for the Nav Mode function to operate While any NMEA0183 compatible receivers should interface with ...

Page 17: ...ent carrying cables or other magnetic electronic equipment to avoid deviation 3 Has the compass been mounted as near as possible to the centrepoint of the boat to min imise heel angle HYDRAULIC PUMP AP14H ONLY 1 Have the correct fittings been used 2 Has return line R been fitted from the pilot pump 3 Are check valves fitted if needed 4 Has the system been correctly bled of air 5 Is the tubing to t...

Page 18: ...uto to engage the autopilot and lock onto the heading in calm conditions a constant heading should be held 3 Alter course to Port and Starboard the course change should be smooth without any sign of overshooting 4 Look back at the wake of the boat to get an indication of the steering performance over a dis tance of at least 3km 2 Miles If there is any evidence of snaking or S ing try decreasing th...

Page 19: ...Low Gain AP14H only AP14R only Page 36 Page 37 7 Appendix 7 1 Advice On Operation When making course changes be aware of the effect of a large course change on the boat espe cially when travelling at high speed the AP14 will respond very quickly to any instructions so it is advisable to reduce speed before changing course This should particularly be remembered when approaching a waypoint in Nav Mo...

Page 20: ...der the black cover of the SRD12 Drive Unit can be used to identify the potential source of the problem Flashes Diagnosis Fault Location 5 Control unit not connected SHC14 6 No compass data received SHS12 7 No compass controls detected SHC14 SHS12 SRD12 8 Compass calibration failed SRD12 Page 38 7 5 Optional Accessories The following optional accessories for the AP14H and AP14R are available from ...

Page 21: ...cally Linear Thrust 175kg 385 lbs Max Torque 19 5Nm 170 lb in Speed 15 rpm Page 40 25 mm 1 0 in 65 mm 2 56 in 155 mm 6 33 in 7 7 Service Warranty This unit is guaranteed for 2 years from date of retail sale If it is necessary to have the unit repaired return it carriage prepaid to the agent in the country of purchase with a copy of the receipted invoice showing the date of purchase Where possible ...

Page 22: ......

Page 23: ...d Navico Star Lane Margate Kent CT9 4NP United Kingdom Telephone 44 0 1843 290290 Telefax 44 0 1843 290471 E Mail sales simrad navico co uk W O R L D W I D E M A N U F A C T U R E R O F M A R I N E E L E C T R O N I C S ...

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