Chapter 4: Commissioning the Autopilot 8-4-17
ST290 Instrument System Owner’s Handbook
Manual set-up
The T150 or T400 (non-GyroPlus) autopilot systems do not support
AutoLearn.If youhave oneof thesesystems,you need tomanually adjust
the rudder gain, counter rudder and AutoTrim settings, based on your
observations of the boat’s performance under autopilot control.
Adjust these settings when motoring your boat at cruising speed. On
sail boats, repeat if necessary under sail to optimize the pilot.
Checking autopilot operation
Beforemanuallyadjusting anyofthesesettings,familiarizeyourselfwith
basic autopilot operation:
1. Steer onto a compass heading and hold the course steady. If neces-
sary, control the boat manually for a while to check how the boat
steers.
2. At the Pilot Keypad, press the
AUTO button, to lock onto the current
heading. The autopilot should hold a constant heading in calm sea
conditions.
3. Use the Pilot Keypad
-1, +1, -10 and +10 buttons to check how the
autopilot alters the course to port and starboard in multiples of 1° and
10° .
4. Press the Pilot Keypad
STANDBY button, to return to hand steering.
Adjusting the rudder gain
Boats can vary widely in their response to helm, and by adjusting the
rudder gain you can change the autopilot’s steering characteristics.
RUDDER GAIN is a measure of how much helm the autopilot applies to
correct course errors – higher settings mean more rudder is applied.
You will find it easiest to recognize the steering response in calm sea
conditions where wave action does not mask basic steering performance.
Complete the following test to determine whether the rudder gain is set
correctly:
1. Set RESPONSE to level 2.Todothis:
i. At the Pilot Keypad, press the
RESP button.
ii. Use the
-1 or +1 button to adjust the setting
iii. Press the Pilot Keypad
DISP button or wait for 10 seconds.
2. Sail your boat at cruising speed in clear water.
3. Press the Pilot Keypad
AUTO button, to enter Auto mode, then using
the
-10 or +10 buttons, alter course by 40° :
81183_2 S8.book Page 17 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 9:08 AM
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