ComNav P4 Installation and Operation Getting Started
Document PN 29010100 V1r0 - 73 -
Getting Started
This chapter describes all the basic concepts you need to be familiar with when using your
P4 Advanced Autopilot System, and the steps needed to prepare it for use.
Autopilot Operations
After it is installed, almost all of your interaction with your autopilot system will be done by
means of the Control Head. These include:
• selecting an operating mode
• setting up the parameters you wish to use in each mode
• monitoring your vessel’s Heading
• setting a desired Heading to be followed
• making Special Turns
• monitoring the various system status items
System On/Off
The P4 SPU, once wired to a battery, will always be in power on status. It can only be
powered down by remove the power supply.
This is also true for P4 control Head and P4 series of remote controllers. The pwr button on
the P4 Control Head is used to turn the system to a sleep mode where the display is turned
off and minimum current is consumed.
First time power on
The first time you power on your system, the P4 Controller will search for a P4 SPU. P4 SPU
will also search for suitable data sources it needs in various operations from the NMEA 2000 network. The
following table shows what data are used for SPU
Required in Operation modes
Where to select/change a source
If you have more than one NMEA 2000 device that can provide the same type of data, you
can turn off all devices except the one you want P4 to use before you power on your SPU.
Once SPU has found and saved a device, it will use the same device in the next power cycle.
You can only change this source through the Network Configuration menu (refer to Network
Config Menu for more details), or through a network reset to allow the SPU to pick a new
one.
If you want to use an non-NMEA 2000 data source, for example a fluxgate compass for
heading, you can change the source port from the SPU configuration menu. The following
table shows available ports
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