Si-tex SP38, Инструкция по установке и эксплуатации, Страница: 117 / 193

Sitex SP38 Installation and Operation Getting Started
Document PN 29010101 V1r0
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It is always a good idea to check all the compasses on your boat, for accuracy in all
directions, on a regular basis - approximately once or twice a year - and before setting off
on any long voyage. A good way to do a quick check is with any of the traditional “box the
compass” methods, which every professional mariner should have learned as a novice.
Simply find some convenient ranges which have good cuts between them, and steer back
and forth along them.
Steer various straight tracks, in as many directions as possible, between pairs of
charted objects. Determine the Coastal and Marine Geology (CMG) between various
plotted positions (with GPS, or with two or three-bearing LOP fixes with a good Pelorus
or hand-bearing compass, etc.) on your paper charts.
You might even want to do a box-the-compass confirmation right now, simply as a final
“double check” of the compass setup you just completed.
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”.
4. Start with “Rudder Gain” and “Counter Rudder” set to the factory defaults (for Hi): 5