User manual AUTOHELM ST7000 PLUS AUTOPILOT CONTROL UNIT

[. . . ] Distributed by Any reference to Raytheon or RTN in this manual should be interpreted as Raymarine. The names Raytheon and RTN are owned by the Raytheon Company. ST7000 Plus Autopilot Control Unit Owner's Handbook Document number: 81118_1 Date: 20 January 1999 Preface i Raytheon Electronics, as part of its commitment to continuous improvement and updating, reserve the right to make changes, without prior notice, to the equipment, equipment specifications, and the instructions contained within this handbook. To the best of our knowledge, the information contained within this handbook was correct as it went to press. A great deal of care has been taken to ensure that this handbook is as accurate as possible. [. . . ] · In gusty and unsteady inshore conditions, it is best to sail a few degrees further off the wind so that changes in apparent wind direction can be tolerated. · It is important to ensure that the amount of standing helm is minimised by careful sail trimming and positioning of the mainsheet traveller. · The headsail and mainsail should be reefed a little early rather than too late. 28 ST7000 Plus Autopilot Control Unit Owner's Handbook 3. 3 Adjusting Autopilot Performance The response level and rudder gain can be adjusted during normal operation using the resp key. The calibration settings for response and rudder gain (see Dealer Setup in Chapter 4) are restored when the system is powered on. Changing the Response Level The response level controls the relationship between the autopilot's course keeping accuracy and the amount of helm/drive activity. · Response Level 1, AutoSeastate (Automatic Deadband), causes the autopilot to gradually ignore repetitive movements of the vessel and only react to true variations in course. This provides the best compromise between power consumption and course keeping accuracy, and is the default calibration setting. · Response Level 2 (Minimum Deadband) provides the tightest course keeping possible by applying an amount of rudder proportional to the heading error. However, tighter course keeping results in increased power consumption and drive unit activity. · Response Level 3 (also Minimum Deadband) provides the tightest course keeping possible by introducing yaw damping. The response can be changed at any time. Press either the resp key or press the +1 and -1 keys together momentarily to display the Response screen. 2. Use the up-arrow and/or down-arrow keys to change the response level. Chapter 3: Advanced Operation 29 3. Wait for 10 seconds, or press disp, to return to the previous display. Changing the Rudder Gain Press either the resp key for 1 second or the +1 and -1 keys together for 1 second to display the Rudder Gain screen, and adjust the setting in the same way as for the response level. Refer to Chapter 6, Post Installation Procedures, for instructions on how to check that the rudder gain is set correctly. WARNING It is important that the rudder gain is correctly set on planing craft. Incorrect adjustment will lead to poor steering performance and is dangerous at high speeds. 3. 4 Alarms This section summarises the alarms that are reported by the ST7000 Plus. Unless otherwise stated, alarms can be cleared by pressing standby, to return to the Standby mode, i. e. hand steering. SeaTalk Failure SEATALK alternating with FAILURE This silent alarm indicates that the SeaTalk bus is not operating correctly. Can only be cleared by rectifying the fault. No Link NO LINK This silent alarm indicates either a faulty autopilot or a disconnection between the ST7000 Plus and the course computer. Can only be cleared by rectifying the fault. 30 ST7000 Plus Autopilot Control Unit Owner's Handbook Off Course OFF alternating with COURSE This alarm is activated when the vessel has been off course from the locked heading by more than the specified angle for more than 20 seconds (see Using Auto Mode in Chapter 2). The alarm is cleared if the heading recovers or the course is changed, or if the operating mode is changed. Wind Shift WIND alternating with SHIFT This alarm is activated when a change in the apparent wind angle requires an adjustment of the locked heading by more than 15° (see Operating in Wind Mode in this Chapter). Large Cross Track Error LARGE XTE This alarm is activated when the cross track error exceeds 0. 3 nm (see Operating in Track Mode in this Chapter). The alarm is cleared if the cross track error falls below 0. 3 nm, or if the operating mode is changed. Drive Stopped DRIVE alternating with STOPPED This alarm is activated if the autopilot is unable to turn the rudder. This occurs if the weather load on helm is too high, or if the requested rudder position is past the preset rudder limits or the rudder end-stops. Data Not Received NO DATA This alarm is displayed in the following circumstances: · Track mode is engaged and the autopilot is not receiving SeaTalk navigation data. Chapter 3: Advanced Operation 31 · Track mode is engaged and the position transducer (GPS, Loran, Decca) is receiving a low strength signal ­ this will clear as soon as the signal strength improves. [. . . ] A suitable proof of purchase, showing date, place, and serial number must be made available to Raytheon Marine Company or authorized service agent at the time of request for Warranty service. Consumable items, (such as: Chart paper, lamps, fuses, batteries, styli, stylus/drive belts, radar mixer crystals/ diodes, snap-in impeller carriers, impellers, impeller bearings, and impeller shaft) are specifically excluded from this Warranty. Magnetrons, Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT), hailer horns and transducers are warranted for 1 year/12 months from date of sale. These items must be returned to a Raytheon Marine Company facility. [. . . ]