Raymarine Autohelm ST7000 Installation Instructions Manual

Also see for ST7000: Service manual Service manual Operation manual Owner's handbook

Raymarine Autohelm ST7000 Installation Instructions Manual Manual pdf 44 page image

5. Initial Sea TrialsInitial sea trials should be carried out in calmconditions with plenty of sea room. As the vesselwill be constantly changing heading it is veryimportant to maintain a constant look out.Before sea trials:-• Carry out the functional test (section 3) to verifythat the autopilot is operating correctly andthat you are familiar with all of its controls.• If a planing vessel, check that the rudder gainis set to 2 and turn rate limit to 5 degrees asrecommended in section 4.1. The lower turnrate limit is very important for safety at planingspeeds where large course changes canotherwise produce violent turns.• If the system has a hydraulic drive unit set upthe drive type to 4 (see 4.1).• Read the Operating Manual.5.1 Automatic Deviation CorrectionThe ST7000 will correct the fluxgate compass forany deviating magnetic fields. This should becarried out in calm conditions preferably in flatwater.• To select compass adjust Push and holdStandby for 1 second.• Keeping boat speed below 2 knots, turn thevessel slowly so that it takes at least 3minutes to complete 360 deg. Keep turninguntil the display changes to show the amountof deviation the autopilot has corrected:-Note: If the amount exceeds 15 deg., it isrecommended the fluxgate should be re-sited.• Use the course change buttons to adjust thedisplayed heading until it agrees with thesteering compass or a known transit bearing.Note: 000˚ is always followed by off. This willsuppress the display of compass andautomatic headings on the control unit.• To exit compass adjust and store thecompass settings push and hold Standby for1 second.• To exit compass adjust without saving anynew settings push Standby momentarily.5.2 First Sea Trials• Hold the course steady for 5 to 10 seconds.• Press Auto to lock onto the current heading.• In calm conditions a perfectly constantheading will be maintained.• Alter course to port and starboard in multipleincrements of 1 and 10 degrees from anycontrol unit. Course changes should beprompt and without any sign of overshooting.• Press Standby to disengage the autopilot forreturn to hand steering.5.3 Response ControlThere are three response levels to provide tighterthan normal course keeping when restricted searoom requires. Select each level in turn andobserve the autopilot activity.Level 1 - Automatic Sea State Control Thisprovides the optimum compromise betweenpower consumption and course keeping accuracyand is suitable for most situations.The automatic sea state control can be observedduring the sea trial.When the autopilot is initially engaged in Automode the autopilot will respond to all pitch and rollmovements.During the first minute of operation, it will benoticed that repetitive movements of the vesselare gradually neglected until finally the autopilotwill respond only to true variations in course.39