CPT AUTOPILOT Wheel Pilot Operation Manual Download

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OPERATION MANUAL

Operation

Dockside checkout

Sea trials

Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Specifications

MANUFACTURED AND SOLD DIRECT BY

CPT AUTOPILOT INC.

7960 B Soquel Drive, #114, Aptos, CA 95003 USA

www.cptautopilot.com

email:

[email protected]

Summary of Contents for Wheel Pilot

Page 1: ...eration Dockside checkout Sea trials Maintenance Troubleshooting Specifications MANUFACTURED AND SOLD DIRECT BY CPT AUTOPILOT INC 7960 B Soquel Drive 114 Aptos CA 95003 USA www cptautopilot com email info cptautopilot com ...

Page 2: ...72 72 COLREGS Part B Steering and Sailing Rules Section 1 Conduct of Vessels in any Condition of Visibility Rule 5 Lookout Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and risk of collision WARNING KEEP CHILDREN AND PETS AWA...

Page 3: ...oximately 1 heading range High settings allow the boat to steer within a wider heading range Setting of 5 allows approximately 10 heading range Turn to minimum at start Increase only after rudder control is set and autopilot is steering adequately 1 and 10 buttons Push and release buttons to adjust heading changes target heading Check boat headway and rudder deadband if boat is not responding 1 bu...

Page 4: ...Changing the Motor Rotation 7 Setting the Magnetic Reference 8 Calibrating the Autopilot Compass Magnetic Sensors 9 SAIL TRIM 10 A Boat Balance 10 B Beating 10 C Running 10 D Reaching 11 APPENDIX 12 Dockside Checkout 12 Keeping Watch 13 Sea Trials 13 Maintenance and Adjustments 15 General Maintenance and Storage 15 Belt Tension 15 Pulley and Clutch Maintenance 15 Shear Pin Clearance Adjustment and...

Page 5: ...s provides more sensitivity to heading changes high deadband settings provide less sensitivity when in swells and seas A deadband of 5 allows the boat to range approximately 10 to port or starboard The CPT s performance can be improved by careful tuning but continously adjusting the controls is not necessary Once you find the rudder and deadband settings that work best for your boat you ll use the...

Page 6: ... the lowest setting min which allows a dead range of about two degrees If the bow of the boat strays more than about one degree port or starboard the pilot will take corrective action with the 1 button when the boat is within that range there will be no immediate motor response Tacking Tack angles are approximate and will vary from boat to boat based on the magnetic environment and rudder response...

Page 7: ...ommon mistake seems to be setting the rudder setting too low If the rudder control is set too low the autopilot will make many small repeated corrections in one direction to return to the desired heading and will spend a lot of time on one side of the rhumb line The boat may gradually fall off and the pilot will not keep the boat on heading Almost all boats require a rudder setting of 4 or higher ...

Page 8: ...ng corrections in time with the roll of the boat indicate that the deadband may be too low The deadband can be increased slightly to avoid constant correction A low deadband does not always mean that the boat will maintain a straighter course it can cause the pilot to over steer if the rudder setting is too high In rougher seas the deadband should be higher to avoid constant corrections A lower de...

Page 9: ... 3 Turn the Rudder dial to OFF and remove the control box from its bracket 4 Hold the control box so that it is pointed approximately due North and so the top is level and steady hold it shoulder height or rest it on a cockpit seat but keep it away from metal objects and any possible magnetic fields The center of the cockpit about shoulder high is usually free from magnetic fields on most boats If...

Page 10: ...ilot on for 15 minutes or more to allow the temperature inside the control box to stabilize 8 After at least 15 minutes have elapsed turn the Rudder dial to OFF and remove the control box from its bracket 9 Comfortably hold the control box keeping it away from metal objects and any possible magnetic fields The center of the cockpit about shoulder high is usually free from magnetic fields on most b...

Page 11: ...elm either weather or lee A boat that is in trim and balanced does not round up to windward at every gust A boat with a heavy weather helm is one that has been poorly trimmed or is carrying a poor selection of sails The boat should be trimmed for consistent steering needs By spending time trimming the boat properly before engaging the CPT you will place lower current demands on your boat s electri...

Page 12: ...e a lower setting Get to know your vessel s characteristics there is usually an optimum vessel speed course through seas and amount of canvas that best balances the boat to meet the wind and sea conditions D Reaching Twin poled out jibs or a main and a poled out jib can be used up to 30 to 40 off a dead downwind course See the comments above on running In high winds and particularly in gusting con...

Page 13: ...ould not respond very much and will make small wheel corrections about every 10 seconds If corrections are made every second either inadequate warm up time was allowed or there is magnetic interference in the mounting location do not attempt sea trial until corrected 6 Push the 10 Port button once The wheel should turn briefly to port stop and then begin short rotations to port about once per seco...

Page 14: ...he 1 degree or 10 degree buttons during this initial test The rudder dial must be set high enough so that only one or two pulses or wheel corrections are needed to keep the boat on heading If over steering occurs with a rudder dial of 5 slightly lower the setting usually no lower than 4 If under steering 3 or more small repeated wheel corrections raise the rudder control Keep the deadband dial set...

Page 15: ...pond to any autopilot rudder corrections and the wheel will eventually hit the rudder stops Disengage the CPT until you are making adequate headway 5 The CPT will accept heading changes by pressing the 10 or 1 buttons Push the 10 button two times for 20 three times for 30 etc Due to differences between boats heading adjustments are not exact check your ship s compass after settling on the new head...

Page 16: ...he rudder stops with a skip and thump The hose clamps on the pedestal bracket may need to be tightened after the foam scratch pads compress Pedestal installations using a reverse mounting plate may sometimes need the bracket directly fastened to the pedestal with screws if the hose clamps slip under heavier loads Pulley and Clutch Maintenance The drive pulley is held in one of two positions engage...

Page 17: ...just the spring and ball détente The drive plate 4 does not need to be removed as part of normal maintenance It may need to be removed if a broken shear screw 7 head becomes trapped behind it There is a hole in the shaft To remove the drive plate insert a narrow screw driver and unscrew the stainless shaft from the motor shaft it has normal threads rotate shaft counter clockwise to loosen Gently p...

Page 18: ...ther exposure and amount of use This is also worthwhile if it has been used for many years and you are planning an extensive passage There is a nominal charge but if the seals become worn or brittle and salt water enters the unit repairs may be extensive The motor box and control box should be securely bubble wrapped with bubble wrap then separated by cardboard and boxed and boxed again with 1 of ...

Page 19: ...dings but not others may be an indication of magnetic interference near the control box or failure to set the magnetic reference for your hemisphere Refer to the section Setting the Magnetic Reference on page 7 Under Steers Boat Does Not Reach Heading Or Does So Slowly Eventually Falling Off Heading Small repeated heading corrections in one directions indicates the Rudder control is too low increa...

Page 20: ...t uniform favor a slight belt slant that will help keep the clutch engaged The set screw recessed into the drive pulley gear adjusts the friction of the ball bearing detente in the clutch Slightly tightening this screw will lock the clutch more securely in position tightening too much will make the clutch difficult to disengage This normally does not need adjustment unless it has worked loose or t...

Page 21: ...ocation A few older steering systems in fiberglass or wood boats may have magnetized parts in the pedestal worm drive or parts of the steering system or engine controls Refer to the section How to check for magnetic interference in the CPT Installation Manual for more information Basic Circuit Function Test To check basic circuit function remove belt and engage clutch Keep the vessel on a consiste...

Page 22: ...ing the unit improperly in standing water or flooded conditions can eventually exceed the rating of the watertight seals Designed built in the USA LIMITED WARRANTY The CPT is warranted for one year for defective parts and workmanship provided the unit is installed and used in accordance with these instructions and common sense as explained in the attached limited warranty card You are cautioned to...

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