Simrad AC42 Technical Information

www.simrad-yachting.comA brand by Navico - Leader in Marine ElectronicsOperator manualSimrad AP24AutopilotEnglish Sw.1.2

Operation | 9 • Product name • Serial number • Software version • Release date Software version and release date are examples only. After appro

Trouble shooting | 99 Autopilot failures In the event of an autopilot failure, the AP24’s numerous test features will assist you in isolating a proba

100 | Trouble shooting Display readout Probable fault Recommended action Shallow water The depth is inside the set limit or outside the range Depth

Trouble shooting | 101 Display readout Probable fault Recommended action Rudder test failed Following conditions may exist: Rudder feedback failure

102 | Trouble shooting Display readout Probable fault Recommended action Bypass/clutch overload Clutch/bypass current exceeds 3.3 Amps (overload or

Maintenance | 103 6 Maintenance 6.1 General The AP24 units are “repair by replacement” units, and the operator is therefore required to perform only

104 | Maintenance 6.5 Compass If the compass is exposed to the weather, make a visual inspection at 2-3 months intervals, and at the start of each se

Optional equipment | 105 7 Optional equipment 7.1 R3000X Remote Control (NFU) R3000X is a small handheld remote control with two keys for power steer

106 | Optional equipment 7.2 S35 Steering Lever (NFU) S35 has spring-loaded return to mid-position. A push key with light indicator is used for mod

Optional equipment | 107 Zero point setting Unless you need a rudder angle display when leaving the dock, just steer the boat manually on a straight

108 | Optional equipment Blank page

10 | Operation b The Up/Down softkeys to increase/decrease the light level by one step c The Day/Night softkeys to toggle between day and

Glossary | 109 8 Glossary Apparent wind – The speed and direction from which the wind appears to blow with reference to the bow when the boat is movi

110 | Glossary Magnetic bearing – Bearing relative to magnetic north; compass bearing corrected for deviation. Magnetic deviation – A local magnetic

Glossary | 111 SimNet Class 1 products – Simrad products that are SimNet controllers, i.e. they have an appropriate display and routines that can set

Glossary | 112 Blank page

Index | 113 9 Index A about, 92 alarm codes, 95 indication, 93 listing, 99 shallow water, 48 wind shift, 49 apparent wind, 56, 109 apparent wind angl

114 | Index N nav change limit, 32, 69 navigating, 31 NFU Steering lever, 106 NoDrift, 29 P parameter selection automatic, 13 pattern steering, 17 po

Doc.no. 20222535, Rev.B)AJBJA|33455X

Operation | 11 Alternative displays in Standby mode Alternating rudder angle bargraph If your autopilot is driving a Simrad MSD50 Stern Drive, the

12 | Operation 1.5 Automatic steering AUTO (Compass) mode When the AUTO key is pressed, the AP24 automatically selects the current boat heading as th

Operation | 13 • Automatic steering mode • New “captured” heading: 305° • Compass reading: 311° M (magnetic) or T (true) STBY Regain manual steer

14 | Operation Display legend HI-A High response parameters set automatically LO-A Low response parameters set automatically HI-M High response p

Operation | 15 parameter values as set by the Autotune function. If no Autotune is made (not recommended) the level 4 values are the factory default

16 | Operation If the actual wind angle is S-ing around the set wind angle, or the rudder activity is too high, the ‘Wind response’ should be reduced

Operation | 17 The sub-headline in the display shows the active parameter set and how it is selected. Pattern steering (power boats) The autopilot

18 | Operation C-turn makes the boat turn in a circle with a constant rate of turn. The user decides whether the C-turn should be made to port or to

Operator manual Simrad AP24 Autopilot English Sw.1.2 Document no: 20222535 Revision: B Date: March 2008 The original language for this document is

Operation | 19 Spiral-turn The spiral-turn feature may also be used for circling fish or when searching a particular object on the seabed. Spiral-tur

20 | Operation 1 Negative values indicate decreasing radius while positive values indicate increasing radius. Increasing radius

Operation | 21 Zigzag-turns To enter zigzag-turn mode: TURN The course change can be set before the turn is initiated (2-70°). Press either the o

22 | Operation Main courseCourse change 40°Initial course change 20°Leg distance Turn parameter Range Change per step Default Course change 4° - 1

Operation | 23 You can at any time change the main course. You can also at any time change the distance of the leg until the boat makes a new 90° tur

24 | Operation Lazy S-turn To enter Lazy S-turn mode: TURN The course change can be adjusted before the turn is initiated (2-80°). Press either th

Operation | 25 Adjust course change and radius as follows: 1 Course changeHigher radiusLower radiusMain courseMain courseInitial course change Tur

26 | Operation Depth Contour Tracking, DCTTM With input from an echo sounder, the autopilot can be set to steer the boat to a set depth. This is very

Operation | 27 Steer the boat to the depth you want to track and in the direction of the depth contour (main course). When the wanted depth is shown

28 | Operation Contour Cross Angle (CCA) With this parameter you can make the boat lazy s across your reference depth. With the CCA set to zero there

2 | AP24 Manual About this manual Rev. A 06.11.07 First issue Rev. B 25.03.08 Updated according to autopilot software 1.2. This manual is intend

Operation | 29 Tacking in Auto mode (sailboat) The tack function is only available when the system is set up for SAIL boat type in the installation s

30 | Operation MODE Unlike when in Auto mode the autopilot will steer the course unaffected by wind and current when the NoDrift mode is engaged. The

Operation | 31 the boat to a specific waypoint location, or through a route of waypoints. The information received from the navigator automatically c

32 | Operation The prompt display shows the name of the next waypoint (WP), the bearing of the track line (BWW) from the previous waypoint to the des

Operation | 33 Alert screen Press the softkey to verify course change larger than 10°. If no verification is made, the AP24 will continue on the

34 | Operation Example: With the speed of 20 knots you should use a waypoint circle with radius 0.09 nm. The distance between any waypoints in a ro

Operation | 35 The wind display presents the following information: • Wind (vane) mode • Set wind angle: 010 degrees from starboard • Measured win

36 | Operation the tack will be given by the ‘Tack time’ parameter set in the Setup/Sailing menu (page 55). The tack time is also controlled by the s

Operation | 37 Tack and gybe prevent When beating and running, using the autopilot is most critical. If the sails are unbalanced when beating, yaw fo

38 | Operation autopilot. The autopilot will utilize the current wind direction in these calculations and the change of course is accepted by pressin

AP24 Manual | 3 Contents 1 Operation... 5 1.1 Overview ...

Operation | 39 Figure 1-2

40 | Operation 1.10 Data pages A number of data pages can be displayed if the information is available on SimNet (see page 97). When one of the main

Operation | 41 Available data pages Main mode screen 1.11 Multiple station system In normal operation control is accessible from every control unit c

42 | Operation Blank page

Main menu | 43 2 Main menu In the Main menu you will find items for operation, setup and installation of the autopilot. The Service menu item present

44 | Main menu The Main menu is activated by a press on the MENU key. The Main menu items give further access to sub menus and parameter settings. Pa

Main menu | 45 Disabling pages 1 Continue to select pages and repeat the procedure if more pages are to be disabled. 1 Press and hold the Left 1 key

46 | Main menu Enabling all pages To restore all disabled data pages, select Restore data pages: 1 2.2 Trip log The trip log display shows: a. to

Main menu | 47 - Adjusting the sea state filter - Changing the sailing parameters The section assumes that the user is familiar with how to use th

48 | Main menu Setting Range Change per step Default Boat speed 4 Heading 1 Apparent wind 4 Wind shift 4 Depth 0 - 9 1 1 Alarms The AP24 may b

4 | AP24 Manual 4.2 Acknowledging an alarm ...94 4.3 Viewing active alarms...94 4.4 Alarm codes ...

Main menu | 49 Wind shift (Only available in Wind/WindNAV mode) The wind shift alarm monitors the wind angle. The reference angle is set when the ala

50 | Main menu The data types and their respective data sources used in the products are listed on the source page in the products. If no selection

Main menu | 51 list. Highlight the data type and press the 1 key to display the list of available devices. 1 Confirm selection of the highlighted de

52 | Main menu Display The display is controlled by two user profiles that can be individually adjusted. The profiles are Day profile and Night profi

Main menu | 53 Language The language is set when the autopilot is turned on for the first time. Refer First time turn on, page 59. It is however poss

54 | Main menu Units of measure Parameter Options Default Boat speed − kn − km/h − mph kn Wind speed − kn − m/s − mph kn Distance − nm

Main menu | 55 Sea state filter The Seastate filter is used to reduce rudder activity and autopilot sensitivity in rough weather. OFF: Seastate fil

56 | Main menu Tack time When performing a tack in WIND mode, the rate of turn (tack time) can be adjusted. This will give single-handed sailors time

Main menu | 57 VMG optimizing Optimizing the VMG to wind will be active for 5–10 minutes after a new wind angle has been set and only when beating. ‘

58 | Main menu On the active control unit a icon will alternate with the mode index. The "locked" control units in the system will show:

Operation | 5 1 Operation An autopilot is a very useful navigational aid, but DOES NOT under any circumstances replace a human navigator Do not use

Setup at installation | 59 3 Setup at installation 3.1 First time turn on Before attempting to turn on the AP24 and perform an Installation Setup, th

60 | Setup at installation 3.2 Installation Menu The installation settings must be performed as part of the commissioning of the AP24 system. Failur

Setup at installation | 61 Commissioning 1 Dockside settings 1 If the autopilot has no rudder feedback unit installed refer to Virtual Rudde

62 | Setup at installation Confirm by pressing the softkey. Rudder feedback calibration (Not applicable when configured for Electronic Vessel Contr

Setup at installation | 63 Confirm Rudder feedback calibration to starboard by pressing the MENU key. 1 Manually turn the helm/wheel to port un

64 | Setup at installation Special test of LF3000/LFI3000 Mk2 feedback 1 Align engines to center position; “zero rudder”. 2 Rev engines to 3-4000 r

Setup at installation | 65 The drive engage/bypass clutch output follows the same voltage as set for the drive unit. It is not possible to select a

66 | Setup at installation ‘Drive engage’ port will activate (go high) in all active steering modes, and typically engage a bypass valve on a hydraul

Setup at installation | 67 Depth calibration This adjustment only applies to “smart” depth transducers that outputs depth on NMEA2000 format. The d

68 | Setup at installation The symbol in front of the depth reading will change to indicate that the depth is measured from: the keel or the water

6 | Operation Key Description PWR Power ON-OFF / Light key STBY Standby key Engage Standby mode AUTO Auto key Engage Auto mode MODE Mode key Activa

Setup at installation | 69 Minimum wind angle Minimum wind angle is only available if ‘Boat type’ is set to ‘Sail’ in the Installation menu. The ‘M

70 | Setup at installation The ‘Nav change limit’ screen can also be reached from the Nav mode main screen by pressing the MENU key followed by the

Setup at installation | 71 Boat type 1 When the autopilot is configured for Virtual Feedback the Boat type is automatically set to Outboard. Virt

72 | Setup at installation >3 sec. If the rudder is not moving so as to give a starboard turn, press the softkey, and repeat. When the rudde

Setup at installation | 73 Seatrial settings The Seatrial menu presents settings and automatic calibrations to be performed during seatrial. The sea

74 | Setup at installation - Set the trim tabs and stabilizers to have no effect on the boat’s heading - Steer the boat manually on a steady course

Setup at installation | 75 low turn rate is indicated as follows: Turn rate too high, turning cw Turn rate too low, turning cw 4. The automatic ca

76 | Setup at installation Lubber line Lubber line Magnitude of local field in % of earth’s magnetic field. Direction of local field with respe

Setup at installation | 77 Wind Calibration This calibration only applies if you have a wind transducer directly connected to SimNet (IS12TW) or a w

78 | Setup at installation Ground. This adjustment should be made in calm sea with as little wind or tidal current as possible. 1 Bring the boat up

Operation | 7 Up key Up in menu or list box, Increase Down key Down in menu or list box, Decrease Softkeys When the basic operation of the keys

Setup at installation | 79 2 Speed Over Ground (SOG) from the GPS/chart plotter. See also page 13. Range Change per step Default Units OFF - 30

80 | Setup at installation The Automatic tuning function will take control of the boat and perform a number of S-turns. It must always be performed

Setup at installation | 81 1 Recall autotuned To recall the parameter values that were achieved during the Autotune procedure, select Recall auto

82 | Setup at installation The ‘Manual tuning’ screen can also be reached from the Auto mode main screen by pressing the MENU key followed by the MO

Setup at installation | 83 Rudder sets the rudder gain which is the ratio between the commanded angle and the heading error. • Too little Rudder a

84 | Setup at installation Autotrim standard value is 40 seconds which should work well on most boats. Rule of thumb: Set to same value

Setup at installation | 85 Range Change per step Default Units OFF - 5 0.1 OFF ° Final seatrial After having completed all settings in the Ins

86 | Setup at installation get a smoother steering. Alternatively on a sailboat you may want to have a higher rudder speed when running • The motor

Setup at installation | 87 • Locating the Mains circuit breaker and the separate SimNet circuit breaker if provided Calibration The Calibration is a

88 | Setup at installation If the auto-setting does not perform properly due to high inertia from the wheel or a loose steering gear, it can be adju

8 | Operation Operational modes The AP24 system is capable of the following primary steering modes: STBY (power steering), AUTO, NoDrift, NAV, WIND a

Setup at installation | 89 By assigning several units to the same group, a parameter update on one unit will have the same effect on the rest of the

90 | Setup at installation DISPLAY = 1 DISPLAY = 2 DAMPING = 1 LANGUAGE = NONE FLYBRIDGE COCKPIT

Setup at installation | 91 Instance number The instance number is used to identify multiple units of the same model when connected to a SimNet or NME

92 | Setup at installation Confirm Demo mode by pressing the softkey. If the unit is turned off while in demo mode, the demo mode will still be act

Alarm system | 93 4 Alarm system 4.1 Alarm indication The alarm system in the AP24 autopilot is activated if any alarm settings are exceeded. Refer t

94 | Alarm system 4.2 Acknowledging an alarm An alarm is acknowledged by pressing any key. This will remove the alarm notification (text, light and s

Alarm system | 95 Alarm ID Alarm 10 Shallow water 11 Deep water 12 Anchor alarm 13 Wind shift 14 True wind speed too high 15 True wind speed too l

96 | Alarm system Blank page

Trouble shooting | 97 5 Troubleshooting An autopilot is a complex system. Its performance depends on a proper installation and a successful seatrial.

98 | Trouble shooting 5.3 Resets Autopilot reset An Autopilot Reset is part of the final test at the factory, which will reset the memories to facto