User manual RAYMARINE AUTOHELM 5000 ANALOG AUTOPILOT

[. . . ] 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. Installation and Operating Handbook ANNOGUE Autohelm" . ;-: AUTOHELM 5000 The Autohelm 5000 is a modern high performance autopilot specifically developed for sailing and motor vessels of up to 40'(13m) LOA. It is exceptionally easy to operate and its advanced micro-electronic control circuit gives outstanding steering performance. The Autohelm 5000 is distinguished by its automatic course locking capability which permits change-over from manual to automatic steering by a single push-button control. [. . . ] 16 13 2. 3 CABLING AND POWER SUPPLIES 2. 3. 1 SIGNAL CABLING Cable inter-connections between system subunits are shown schematically in Figs. The interconnecting multi-core cable between the control unit and drive unit is 20 feet (6m) long, and is supplied with the control unit. All other interconnecting cables are supplied with their related sub-unit and are also 20feet (6m) in length. All 7 core cables are supplied with pre-wired waterproof connectors and are extendable in 20 feet (6m) increments by the addition of standard cable extensions (Cat. Cable connector clamp nuts should be securely tightened to ensure watertight joints. All cables should be run at least 3ft (1 m) from existing cables carrying radio frequency or pulsed signals, and should be clamped at 1. 5 foot (05m) intervals. 2. 3. 2 DC SUPPLY CABLE As a general rule the DC supply cable to the drive unit should be kept as short as possible, and have a conductor area of 1 . O sq. mm per metre run to minimise voltage drop. Example: Length of cable Conductor area Cable size 2. 5 sq. mm 50/0. 25mm Up to 2. 5m Upti4m 4 scpnm 56/0. 3mm The two supply cables must run directly from the vessel's battery or alternatively from the main distribution panel, and a 20 amp fuse or overload trip should be included in the circuit. It is important not to tap into supplies to other into supplies to other equipment to avoid the possibility of mutual interference. The drive unit is supplied with 1. 5ft (0. 5m) power supply cable tails. These should be connected to the main power supply cable via a heavy-duty terminal block. The red cable tail should be connected to the positive supply and the black cable to the negative supply. If polarity is accidentally reversed the equipment will not operate, but no damage will result. The drive unit case must be bonded to the metal hull or engine frame and a heavy duty conductor (2. 5mm2) should be used for this purpose. 14 3. 0 OPERATION 3. 1 BASIC PRINCIPLES The following description of the Autohelm 5000 principle of operation will help in providing a complete understanding of its controls. The control unit houses an extremely sensitive autosetting electronic compass. When the autopilot is in operation, deviation from course is continuously monitored by the compass and corrective rudder is applied by the drive unit to return the vessel to course. The amount of applied rudder is proportional to the course error at any time, and thus when the original course is restored the rudder will be neutralised. The amount of the rudder applied for a given off-course error is adjustable to match both the steering characteristics of the vessel and speed through the water. A vessel with a small rudder for example, will require more corrective helm than a similar sized vessel with a larger rudder. Similarly, a high speed power boat will require considerably less corrective helm at planing speeds than it will at lower displacement speeds (Fig. 1 8. ) The characteristic which distinguishes the Autohelm 5000 is its ability to make automatic correction for changes in trim or weather helm. When changes in trim occur the set course can only be maintained by the application of permanent rudder offset to restore balance. Many automatic pilots are incapable of this and will allow the vessel to bear on to a new heading to achieve a new state of balance. Under these circumstances the Autoheim 5000 detects that the original course has not been restored and will continue to apply additional helm in the appropriate direction until the vessel returns to the original heading. [. . . ] In gusty conditions the course will tend to meander particularly if the sails are badly balanced. Significant improvement to course keeping can be obtained by ensuring that sail balance is maintained. Bear in mind the following important points. : 0 00 notallow the yacht to heel excessive!y. [. . . ]