B&G Network Pilot User Manual

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Network Pilot User Manual

CONTENTS

GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO B&G NETWORK ......................2

INTRODUCTION TO NETWORK PILOT.......................................3

SWITCHING THE NETWORK PILOT ON.....................................3

NETWORK PILOT DISPLAY UNIT ...............................................4

NETWORK PILOT HAND-HELD CONTROLLER.........................5

JOYSTICK (TYPE 2 SYSTEMS ONLY) ........................................6

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION .........................................7

MODE SELECTION .......................................................................7

STEER TO COMP MODE.............................................................. 8

ENGAGING PILOT ON CURRENT HEADING.............................8

DISENGAGING THE PILOT..........................................................8

ENGAGING PILOT ON PREVIOUS HEADING............................9

CHANGING PILOT COURSE .......................................................9

MEMORISING THE NEW COURSE...........................................10

RETURNING TO THE PREVIOUS COURSE ............................10

PRESETTING THE PILOT HEADING ........................................11

USING THE DISPLAY KEY IN COMP MODE............................12

STEER TO NAV MODE ...............................................................13

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.....................................................13

SELECTING NAV MODE IN STDBY..........................................14

INSTALLATIONS WITH TWO POSITION FIXERS....................14

PILOT ENGAGED - SELECTING NAV MODE...........................15

CHANGING COURSE.................................................................16

RETURNING TO THE PREVIOUS COURSE ............................16

WAYPOINT ARRIVAL - NEXT LEG............................................17

USING THE DISPLAY IN NAV MODE........................................18

STEER TO VANE MODE.............................................................19

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.....................................................19

SELECTING VANE MODE..........................................................19

STDBY - PRESETTING TARGET AWA.....................................19

PILOT ENGAGED - SELECTING VANE MODE.........................20

CHANGING COURSE.................................................................20

AUTO TACK ................................................................................21

AUTO GYBE................................................................................22

USING THE DISPLAY KEY IN VANE MODE.............................23

OPERATIONS FOR ALL STEERING MODES ...........................24

USING THE SPEED KEY.............................................................24

USING THE MANUAL SPEED BANDS..............................................25

SETTING THE MANUAL SPEED BANDS..........................................26

USING THE SETUP KEY.............................................................27

SPEED DATA SOURCE SELECTION................................................28

RESPONSE.........................................................................................29

WATCH ALARM..................................................................................30

OFF COURSE ALARM........................................................................31

COMPASS DAMPING.........................................................................32

JOYSTICK STEERING MODE............................................................33

FAULT REPORTING...........................................................................34

DISPLAY TYPE....................................................................................35

SETTING ILLUMINATION LEVELS.............................................36

MAN OVERBOARD PROCEDURE (OPTIONAL).......................37

MANUAL RECOVERY (ALL BOATS)................................................38

AUTOMATIC RECOVERY (POWER ONLY).....................................39

NETWORK ALARMS...................................................................40

FAULT AND ERROR MESSAGES..............................................41

TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE....................................................42

HB-0504-03

GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO B&G NETWORK

The B&G Network range of instruments is designed to be used as individual units or connected together to form an integrated navigational system. A single network cable is used to carry data and power between units. The latest technology and screened cables throughout the Network System ensure the ultimate protection from interference between units and other systems. All Network instruments can be linked to Network PILOT, Network CHART, Network GPS or Network LORAN receivers or via NMEA 0183 (v1.5) to other navigational equipment.

INSTRUMENTS NAVIGATIONAL AIDS Network SPEED Network GPS

Network DEPTH Network LORAN Network QUAD Network NAV Network WIND Network CHART Network TACK Network DATA

AUTOPILOTS COMMUNICATIONS Network PILOT Network VHF (USA only)

INTRODUCTION TO NETWORK PILOT

This manual describes how to operate your Network PILOT after it has been installed, commissioned and had it's initial sea trial. These procedures are all described in the Network PILOT Installation Manual. Network PILOT can be used as a stand-alone autopilot with a Network PILOT Display Unit and/or a Hand-held Controller or as part of an integrated Network navigational system, used in conjunction with any of the units listed above.

SWITCHING THE PILOT ON

Your Network PILOT will usually have two circuit breakers, one which supplies the Network PILOT Display and Network Instruments (light duty supply) and the other that supplies the Ram Drive or Pump Unit (heavy duty supply). Both must be switched on before the autopilot will operate.

NETWORK PILOT DISPLAY UNIT

The back-lit Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) shows the following information. LARGE DIGITS (top left) - When the Network PILOT is disengaged the digits show compass heading. When the autopilot is engaged the digits show the course the autopilot is steering. TEXT WINDOW (top right) - When visible, information and messages can be displayed. RUDDER ANGLE BAR DISPLAY - Analogue indication of rudder position. First 6 divisions 10 resolution, then 2 of 20, then 4 of 50. Maximum rudder angle ±300.MODE LEGENDS (bottom row) - Text legends appear depending upon the steering mode and if the autopilot is engaged or disengaged.

The six large keys are the main control keys of the Network PILOT.

AUTO Engages the autopilot in any mode, also used to

execute certain steering functions.

OFF Disengages the autopilot and returns the boat to

manual steering.

<10,<1 PORT course change buttons for increments of

100 or 10.

10>,1> STARBOARD course change buttons for

increments of 100 or 10.

The five keys in the lowest row of the Network PILOT Display provide additional functions as follows: MODE Changes the steering mode. Steer to COMPass,

Steer to VANE (requires Network WIND), Steer to NAV (requires NMEA input from position fixer e.g. GPS, LORAN, DECCA.

DISPLAY Changes the information displayed in the text

window of the LCD, this depends on mode selected.

SPEED Selects speed information displayed in the text

window of the LCD.

SETUP Enables autopilot parameters and alarms to be

set and enabled.

LIGHTS Three levels of illumination and off.

NETWORK PILOT HAND-HELD CONTROLLER

The Handheld Controller provides remote control of the Network PILOT. The six keys give the same control functions as the six large keys on the Network PILOT display unit.

< 100 > 10 < 10 > 1

auto/resume PILOT engage and return to course

off PILOT disengage

course change

Standby Pilot Engaged Course Change Commissioning Compass Cal. Fault Man Overboard

_ _ _ ________ ____ ____ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ _ __ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _

In the centre of the handheld controller is an LED that will flash the coded sequences shown in the table above.

JOYSTICK (OPTIONAL TYPE 2 SYSTEM ONLY)

The joystick allows direct control of the rudder via the autopilot computer unit for quick and responsive steering. There are two modes of joystick operation available to the helmsman, giving different steering control, (see USING THE SETUP KEY, JOYSTICK STEERING to select the modes). The button at the top of the joystick enables the Network PILOT to be engaged and disengaged in joystick steering mode.

1. NORMAL STEERING The rudder moves in the direction of the joystick, when the joystick is returned to the central position the rudder movement stops. The greater the movement of the joystick the faster the response of the rudder.

2. PROPORTIONAL STEERING The position of the rudder imitates the position of the joystick, when the joystick is returned to the central position the rudder returns to its initial position.

ENGAGING THE PILOT IN JOYSTICK MODE

• Turn the steering wheel so the rudder is in the midships

position. See NOTE.

• Press the button on the top of the joystick to engage the PILOT.

• Move the joystick to port or starboard to move the rudder.

When the PILOT is engaged in joystick mode the text area of the Network PILOT LCD will show JOYSTCK, the rudder angle bar display will show rudder position, and heading (in degrees) will be shown on the large LCD digits.

NOTE : When the PILOT is engaged using the joystick button the rudder position (at the moment of engaging) will be the central position of the joystick. It is advisable to ensure that this is the midships position of the rudder. By steering the vessel on to a straight and steady course before engaging the autopilot, any external influences on the steering will be counteracted, e.g. wind and tide. However this is only true as long as you maintain the same course.

DISENGAGING THE PILOT FROM JOYSTICK MODE EITHER:

• Press the joystick button. OR

• Press the red OFF key on any Network PILOT display. When the PILOT is disengaged from joystick mode the

Network PILOT LCD will return to the normal STDBY display.

IMPORTANT NOTE

The Network PILOT red OFF key can be used to disengage the autopilot and resume manual steering from any mode.

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

When the Network PILOT is powered on it will be in Standby mode, STDBY indicated on the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The LCD also shows the Current Heading in digits, the rudder position on a bar display and the operating mode, initially Compass COMP. To steer the boat automatically, turn the boat onto the desired heading and engage the autopilot by pressing the AUTO key on any Network PILOT display or Hand-held Controller. If manual steering is required press the red OFF key and the autopilot returns to standby, STDBY. When the autopilot is steering, course changes are made by multiple presses of the <10 or 10> keys and the <1 or 1> keys on any Network PILOT display or Hand-held Controller.

WARNING

When the autopilot is engaged manual steering is not possible. To resume manual steering the red OFF key must be pressed on any Network PILOT Display or Handheld Controller. It is the responsibility of the skipper to brief all crew members about this procedure.

MODE SELECTION

The MODE key enables the steering mode to be changed. There are three steering modes, however selection is dependant upon your boat type and Network System.

• COMP Steer to Compass. The basic mode for all autopilot systems on power and sail boats. When switched on the Network PILOT is always in this mode.

• VANE Steer to Wind. Only selectable on sail boats that have a Network System containing a Network WIND unit.

• NAV Steer to Navigational data. Selectable with all autopilot systems that are linked to an NMEA position fixer e.g. GPS, Decca, Loran.

Depending upon the mode extra operations and displays are available, refer to the sections on VANE and NAV.

STEER TO COMP MODE

ENGAGING PILOT ON CURRENT COURSE

• If necessary, press the MODE key to select COMPass.

• Press the AUTO key once to engage the autopilot on the

current course. NOTE

The Network PILOT has a Course Memory, the previous autopilot course is stored in it when the autopilot is disengaged for future use. The previous autopilot course is displayed for 4 seconds in the LCD text area, this is recalled from the autopilot Course Memory.

DISENGAGING THE PILOT

• Press the OFF key to disengage the autopilot.

• The previous autopilot course is MEMorised.

NOTE

The previous autopilot course is always stored in the course memory when the autopilot is disengaged.

ENGAGING PILOT ON PREVIOUS COURSE

• Press the AUTO key twice within 4 seconds to engage the autopilot on the previous MEMorised course.

NOTE

In this example the current course is 2700, the previous autopilot course was 0900, displayed in the LCD text window. The autopilot will steer the boat on to 0900 as soon as the

AUTO key is pressed the second time.

CHANGING PILOT COURSE

• Press <10 or <1 to alter course to port in 100 or 10

increments.

• Press 10> or 1> to alter course to starboard in 100 or 10

increments.

• Multiple presses of the keys are added together to give

the required course change, e.g. for 200 to port press <10 twice, for 110 to starboard press 10> then 1>.

• The previous autopilot course is MEMorised and

displayed in the LCD text window.

key twice within 4 seconds to return to

orised course shown in the LCD text

MEMORISING THE NEW COURSE

• Press AUTO key once to store the new course in the

autopilot course memory.

NOTE It is suggested that this carried out after every permanent course change, i.e. not when you have just steered around an obstacle.

RETURNING TO THE PREVIOUS COURSE

• Press the AUTO

the previous MEM window.

NOTE If you have used the course memory after every permanent course change then the autopilot will steer the boat back on to your last autopilot course. If not, the autopilot will steer on to the last course that was memorised. Check that the MEMorised course in the LCD text window is the one that you want.

PRESETTING THE PILOT COURSE

• The autopilot has to be disengaged in STDBY to preset

the course.

• Use <10,<1,10>,1> keys to alter the course displayed in the LCD text window.

• Press AUTO to engage the autopilot and automatically steer on to the preset course.

USING THE DISPLAY KEY IN COMP MODE

Press the DISPLAY key to cycle through additional autopilot and navigational information, displayed in the LCD text window.

• RUD Rudder Angle - Digits indicated rudder angle in degrees to port <, or to starboard >.

• W A Watch Alarm - Will indicate OFF or the time in minutes and seconds until the alarm sounds.

• HDG Heading - This is the actual compass heading in degrees. The large digits indicate the autopilot course.

PILOT IN STDBY

PILOT IN AUTO

STEER TO NAV MODE

NAV MODE - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The position fixer has a compatible NMEA 0183 (v1.5)

up and connected in accordance with the

The signal and noise levels are within the manufacturers

The waypoint have been entered correctly, and the

If using waypoints in a Route or Sail (cruise) Plan, they

When the autopilot in engaged in NAV mode it will steer a course using waypoint data from a position fixer programmed with the waypoint positions. The position fixer can be any GPS (Global Positioning System), DECCA or LORAN-C receiver, with a compatible NMEA 0183 (v1.5) interface.

POSITION FIXER ERRORS It is important to remember that when the autopilot is steering

to NAV, any erratic or positional errors generated by the position fixer due to poor reception, bad satellite constellation or radio beacon chain transitions, will be transferred to the autopilot via the NMEA interface. This could cause steering inaccuracy so always maintain a log and positional plot on a current chart. Also ensure that the autopilot course will steer you clear of any obstacles, taking into account tides.

Before using your position fixer to steer to NAV, check the following:

•

interface, setmanufacturers instructions.

• It is switched on and has the correct current position.

•

recommended levels.

•

waypoint arrival alarm switched on (if it has one).

•

are entered correctly and the route is enabled.

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