ComNav 1500 / 1510 Autopilot - 48 -
To find the optimal [RUD] and [CRD] settings at different boat speeds, or when
the boat is towing, follow the procedures outlined in #3 and #4 above. Make a
record of the different settings needed to control the boat at all typical speeds,
loads and weather conditions normally experienced. Due to the wide dynamic
control range and self-tuning features of the microprocessor control, settings
determined for cruising speed in calm seas may be found acceptable without
further change at slower speeds and in heavier seas.
5.
The compass damping [SEA] setting is a combination of yaw dead-band
(compass sensitivity) and compass damping. The minimum setting may only be
used under calm sea conditions to avoid unnecessary rudder correction due to
compass acceleration errors.
Smaller boats and high-speed boats, which are subject to acceleration in even
lighter seas, will have to use higher settings.
Larger and more stable boats can use lower settings since there is less
compass disturbance. Factory default setting should work on most boats in light
to moderate sea conditions.
Following seas may require lower settings to catch course error trends quickly
in order to minimize excessive yaw and steering activity.
6.
Automatic Trim Calibration [ATC] adjustment is not critical. It constantly
compares the course set against the course steered. The automatic trim slowly
applies more rudder as necessary to reduce any persistent errors to zero. Such
errors may exist due to wind, waves or other unbalanced forces such as single
screw operation of a twin screw boat, or an off-center tow or weather helm on a
sailing boat. If the trim time is set too high, it will take a long time to eliminate
the course error. If it is set too low it can start to degrade course stability.
In general, longer trim times (higher settings) should be set for large boats and
sailing boats and shorter trim times (lower settings) for small boats and high
speed planning boats. The factory default setting should be acceptable for all
but extreme applications. If after fine tuning all routines and auto-deviation
routine has been done and poor steering is noted only on some but not all
headings, magnetic interference is present which must either be compensated
for by a compass adjuster and/or another compass location must be found.
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