Sitex SP38 Autopilot, Installation And Operation Manual

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Sitex SP38 Installation and Operation
Document PN 29010101 V2r0
- 6 8 -
NAV1 and NAV2 Ports
You can use any heading devices that outputs NMEA 0183 HDG, HDT, or HDM sentence(s).
Some of these devices have a special calibration procedure. Often no user interaction is
needed for the calibration. For this type of compasses, there is no configuration required. Refer
to your compass manual for details.
SP38 supports the calibration of Sitex SSRC rate compass. If you want to manually calibrate
your Sitex SSRC rate compass, you can
a. Connect the gyro compass to NAV1 port
b. Change the selection for NAV1 from NMEA to SSRC.
Note: you should do compass calibration at the start of the sea trials. For
Sitex
Fluxgate
compass follow Dockside Menu instruction for compass Calibration process. For Rate
Compass (SSRC), follow Rate compass manual instructions enclosed with the unit.
For
Sitex
fluxgate compass(analog) follow procedure laid in Dockside setup process
.
Sea Trials
Sea Trials allow you to test out the basic functions of your SP38 autopilot while
underway, and to fine-tune the steering parameters for the best performance. The goal
is to achieve accurate course-keeping, and smooth, rapid changes of heading, without
excessive movements of the boat’s rudder.
NOTE: before you begin Sea Trials, it’s a good idea to review how you steer your vessel
manually, and how that compares to how the
SP38
performs when steering the boat
under autopilot conditions. Please re-read the chapter on “How Autopilots Work.”
During Sea Trials, you will test the default Steering Parameters of the SP38 on your
specific vessel, and make adjustments if necessary. When the Steering Parameters are
properly adjusted and fine-tuned for your boat, the autopilot will do the same as you
would manually; which is to allow the boat to adapt to the body of water, yet still maintain
as straight a track as possible in the current conditions, on the desired heading or
course.
NOTE: To accurately and successfully complete Sea Trials, you must be familiar with the
operation of the autopilot in AUTO mode and with the specifics of the Auto menu.
Sea Trial Procedure
The initial Sea Trials should be done in relatively calm conditions.
Adjust Rudder Gain and Counter Rudder for Hi Speed
1. Bring the boat up to a speed where the boat’s rudder (or steerable-thrust system,
such as an outboard or I/O leg), provides sufficient steerageway that it has
accurate, firm control of the boat’s direction of travel. Typically, this will be less
than your normal “cruising speed,” perhaps by quite a margin. For many boats, this
will be around 7 Knots.
2. Bring up the Auto menu, highlight “Parameter Set” and select “Hi”.
3. If ALC is set to “On”, highlight it and set it to “Off”.
Installation