Raymarine ST6000+ User Manual

Distributed by

Any reference to Raytheon or

RTN in this manual should be

interpreted as Raymarine.

The names Raytheon and RTN

are owned by the

Raytheon Company.

ST6000 Plus
Autopilot
Control Unit

Owner’s
Handbook

Document number: 81133_3
Date: 1st April 1999

2 Title of handbook

Preface

1

Raytheon Electronics, as part of its commitment to continuous imrovement and updating, reserve the

right to make changes, without prior notice, to the equipment, equipment specifications, and the

instructions contained within this handbook.

To the best of our knowledge, the information contained within this handbook was correct

as it went to press.

A great deal of care has been taken to ensure that this handbook is as accurate as possible. However,

liability cannot be accepted for inaccuracies or omissions.

Autohelm and SeaTalk are registered trademarks of Raytheon Electronics

WindTrim, AutoTack, AutoTrim, AutoSeastate, AutoAdapt, AutoRelease and CodeLock are

trademarks of Raytheon Electronics

Copyright © Raytheon Electronics 1996

2 ST6000 Plus Autopilot Control Unit Owner,s Handbook

Preface

Preface

This handbook contains information on the operation and
installation of your new equipment. In order to obtain the best
performance from your autopilot, please read this handbook
thoroughly.

How this handbook is organised

This handbook is divided into the following chapters:

Chapter 1: Introduces the autopilot, its features and its use.
Chapter 2: Covers basic autopilot operation.
Chapter 3: Explains how to use Track and Vane (WindTrim)

modes and adjust autopilot performance, and summarises the
ST6000 Plus alarms.

Chapter 4: Explains how to use the CodeLock security feature.
Chapter 5: Provides details on how to make adjustments to

customise the autopilot to your particular vessel.

Chapter 6: Explains how to install the ST6000 Plus.
Chapter 7: Covers functional testing and initial calibration

procedures after installation, and intial sea trials.

Chapter 8: Provides general maintenance procedures.
Chapter 9: Provides information to help you resolve any

problems you may encounter with your autopilot.
An index is included at the end of this handbook, followed by a

template for the installation of the control unit.

3

Safety information

Passage making under autopilot control is an enjoyable experience
that can, if you are not careful, lead to the relaxation of the
permanent watch. A permanent watch MUST be maintained no
matter how clear the sea may appear to be.

WARNING:

Remember, a large ship can travel two miles in five minutes  just

the time it takes to make a cup of coffee.

4 ST6000 Plus Autopilot Control Unit Owner,s Handbook

The following rules should always be observed:

• Maintain a permanent watch and regularly check all around for
other vessels and obstacles to navigation – no matter how clear the
sea may appear a dangerous situation can develop rapidly.

• Maintain an accurate record of the vessel’s position either by use of
a radio navigation receiver or visual bearings.

• Maintain a continuous plot of position on a current chart. Ensure
the locked autopilot heading steers you clear of all obstacles. Make
proper allowance for Tidal Set – the autopilot cannot!

• Even when your autopilot is locked onto the desired Track using a
radio navigation receiver, always maintain a log and make regular
positional plots. Radio navigation signals can produce significant
errors under some circumstances and the autopilot cannot detect
this situation.

• Make sure that all members of crew are familiar with the
procedures to disengage the autopilot.

Your Raytheon autopilot will add a new dimension to your boating
enjoyment. However, it is the responsibility of the skipper to
ensure the safety of the vessel at all times by careful observance of
these basic rules.

EMC conformance

All Raytheon equipment and accessories are designed to the best
industry standards for use in the leisure marine environment.

Their design and manufacture conforms to the appropriate
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standards, but correct
installation is required to ensure that performance is not
compromised.

Warranty

To verify the ownership of your new autopilot, please take a few
minutes to complete the warranty card. It is important that you
complete the owner information and return the card to the factory
to receive full warranty benefits.

Preface

Contents

5

Preface.....................................................................................3

How this handbook is organised ....................................... 3

Warranty ............................................................................ 3

Safety information ............................................................. 3

EMC conformance ............................................................ 4

Chapter 1: Introduction......................................................... 1

1.1 Overview ..................................................................... 1

1.2 Specification ............................................................... 2

Chapter 2: Basic Oper ation...................................................3

2.1 Key functions .............................................................. 3

2.2 Display layout ............................................................. 4

2.3 Using Auto mode ........................................................ 5

Engaging the Autopilot (Auto) .................................... 5

Disengaging the autopilot (Standby) to return to hand

steering ........................................................................ 5

Changing course in Auto mode ................................... 5

Dodging obstacles in Auto mode ................................ 6

Returning to the previous locked heading ................... 6

Automatic tack (AutoTack) ......................................... 7

AutoTack to starboard ........................................... 7

AutoTack to port.................................................... 8

Off course alarm .......................................................... 8

Operating hints ............................................................ 9

Making major course changes ............................... 9

Course changes under autopilot control ................ 9

Sailboats in gusty conditions ............................... 10

2.4 Using Manual mode .................................................. 10

2.5 Display and keypad illumination .............................. 10

6 ST6000 Plus Autopilot Control Unit Owner,s Handbook

2.6 Data pages ................................................................. 11

Chapter 3: Advanced Oper ation......................................... 13

3.1 Operation in Track mode .......................................... 13

Initiating Track mode ................................................ 13

Automatic acquisition .......................................... 14

Manual acquisition .............................................. 15

Cross track error ........................................................ 16

Tidal stream compensation ........................................ 16

Waypoint arrival and advance ................................... 17

Arrival .................................................................. 17

Skipping a waypoint ............................................ 18

Advance ............................................................... 18

Dodges....................................................................... 18

Initiating a dodge manoeuvre .............................. 18

Cancelling a dodge manoeuvre ............................ 18

Safety ......................................................................... 18

Position confirmation at the start of a passage .... 19

Verifying computed positions .............................. 19

Plot frequency ...................................................... 19

Setting waypoints ................................................. 19

General ................................................................ 19

3.2 Operation in Vane mode (WindTrim) ....................... 19

Selecting Vane mode ................................................. 20

Adjusting the locked wind angle ............................... 20

Returning to the previous apparent wind angle ......... 21

Dodges....................................................................... 21

Wind shift alarm ........................................................ 22

Using AutoTack in Vane mode.................................. 22

Operating hints .......................................................... 23

Preface

7

3.3 Adjusting autopilot performance .............................. 23

Changing the response level (AutoSeastate) ............. 23

Changing the rudder gain .......................................... 24

3.4 Alarms ....................................................................... 24

SeaTalk failure ..................................................... 25

No link ................................................................. 25

Off course ............................................................ 25

Wind shift ............................................................ 25

Large cross track error ......................................... 25

Drive stopped....................................................... 25

Data not received ................................................. 26

Waypoint advance ................................................ 26

Low battery .......................................................... 26

Watch alarm ......................................................... 27

Man overboard (MOB) ........................................ 27

Chapter 4: CodeLock ............................................................ 29

4.1 CodeLock Modes ...................................................... 29

4.2 Setting Up CodeLock ................................................ 29

Initial Setup ............................................................... 29

Changing the code or master unit .............................. 31

4.3 Entering your code (Manual mode only) .................. 31

4.4 Code number problems ............................................. 32

Chapter 5: Customising the System ..................................33

5.1 User setup ................................................................. 33

Compass deviation correction ................................... 35

Deviation display....................................................... 35

Heading alignment .................................................... 35

Heading mode ........................................................... 35

Bar selection .............................................................. 35

8 ST6000 Plus Autopilot Control Unit Owner,s Handbook

Rudder calibration ..................................................... 36

Data pages ................................................................. 36

5.2 Dealer setup: Type 100/300 Course Computer ......... 38

Recommended settings .............................................. 39

Pilot type ................................................................... 39

Calibration lock ......................................................... 40

Rudder gain ............................................................... 40

Rate level ................................................................... 40

Rudder offset ............................................................. 41

Rudder limit............................................................... 41

Turn limit ................................................................... 41

Cruise speed .............................................................. 42

Off course alarm ........................................................ 42

AutoTrim ................................................................... 43

Power steer ................................................................ 43

Drive type .................................................................. 44

Rudder damping ........................................................ 44

Variation .................................................................... 45

AutoAdapt ................................................................. 45

Latitude ..................................................................... 46

Wind Trim ................................................................. 46

Tack angle ................................................................. 46

AutoRelease .............................................................. 47

Response ................................................................... 47

Recording calibration settings ................................... 47

Chapter 6: Installation ........................................................ 49

6.1 Planning the Installation............................................ 49

EMC installation guidelines ...................................... 49

Connections to other equipment ................................ 50

Cabling ...................................................................... 50

Preface

9

6.2 Control head .............................................................. 50

Siting ......................................................................... 51

Mounting procedure .................................................. 51

Connections to the SeaTalk bus ................................. 52

SeaTalk cables ..................................................... 52

Cable types .......................................................... 52

Typical SeaTalk cabling ....................................... 53

6.3 NMEA interface ........................................................ 53

Cabling ...................................................................... 53

NMEA cable connectors ........................................... 54

NMEA data transmission .......................................... 54

Transmission of NMEA data on SeaTalk .................. 55

6.4 Functional test (repeater unit) ................................... 55

Switch on ................................................................... 56

Navigation interface (GPS, Decca, Loran) ................ 56

SeaTalk interface ....................................................... 57

Chapter 7: Post Installation Procedures ........................... 59

7.1 Functional test and initial calibration ........................ 59

Switch on ................................................................... 59

Initial calibration ....................................................... 59

Operating sense ......................................................... 59

Navigation interface (GPS, Decca, Loran) ................ 60

Wind transducer interface ......................................... 61

SeaTalk interface ....................................................... 61

7.2 Initial sea trial ........................................................... 62

EMC conformance .................................................... 62

Overview ................................................................... 62

Automatic compass deviation correction .................. 63

Further heading alignment adjustment ...................... 65

10 ST6000 Plus Autopilot Control Unit Owner,s Handbook

Checking autopilot operation .................................... 66

Checking the rudder gain .......................................... 66

Chapter 8: Maintenance ......................................................69

General ............................................................................ 69

Servicing and safety ........................................................ 69

Advice ............................................................................. 69

Chapter 9: Fault Finding......................................................71

Index ...................................................................................... 73

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 1: Intr oduction

1.1 Overview

The ST6000 Plus is a SeaTalk® compatible autopilot control unit. It is

designed for use as a repeater in an autopilot system, allowing autopilot

control from a secondary location, or as the control unit for a

Type 100/300 Course Computer. It can also repeat instrument data in a

programmable selection of Data Pages.

The ST6000 Plus can share all data transmitted from other Raytheon

SeaTalk instruments:

 Wind information from a wind instrument can be used for wind trim

(Vane) steering without the need to install a separate vane.

 Track information, from a navigation instrument, provides waypoint

control from the autopilot.

 Boat speed from the Speed instrument provides optimum track-

keeping performance.

The ST6000 Plus autopilot can also be used with any navigator (GPS,

Decca, Loran) transmitting NMEA 0183 data.

1

There are five operating modes:

Standby: Autopilot disengaged

Auto: Autopilot engaged and locked onto a heading

Track: Autopilot maintains a track between two waypoints created

using a navigation system

Vane: Autopilot maintains a course relative to an apparent wind

angle

Manual: Autopilot power steers rudder using joystick control

When the ST6000 Plus is being used to repeat instrument data, pop-up

pilot pages are displayed for 5 seconds whenever a change in autopilot

control is made.

The ST6000 Plus also provides the following:

 Automatic tack facility, which can be used in Auto and Vane modes

 Automatic compass deviation correction

 Northerly/Southerly heading compensation

 Automatic heading deadband  seastate control

 Waypoint advance feature

2 ST6000 Plus Autopilot Control Unit Owner,s Handbook

 Setup and calibration options to suit each installation, giving

maximum performance with many types of boat, with three

calibration menus (user, intermediate and dealer)

 Raytheon CodeLock security support

1.2 Specification

 Power Supply: 10 to 15V dc

 Current consumption:

Standby: 60mA (less than 200mA with full lighting)

 Operating temperature: 0°C to +70°C (32°F to 158°F)

 Eight button illuminated digital keypad

 LCD display of heading, locked course and navigational data, with

three levels of illumination

 Input connections for SeaTalk and NMEA

 Output connection for SeaTalk

Chapter 2: Basic Operation

Chapter 2: Basic Oper ation

This chapter first provides summary diagrams of the key functions and

screen layout. It then gives operating instructions for engaging the

autopilot and using Auto mode, changing the lighting, and displaying

Data Pages.

2.1 Key functions

The autopilot is controlled using simple push-button operations, all of

which are confirmed with a beep. In addition to the main single key

functions, there are several dual key functions.

-1 plus +1

Press for Response level

-1 plus -10

Press together
for AutoTack
to port

DISP

Press for
Data Page

Press for 1 second
for lamp control

Press for 1 second

for Rudder Gain

3

+1 plus +10

Press together
for AutoTack
to starboard

TRACK

Press for Track
mode from Auto

Press to accept
waypoint advance

Press for 1 second
to skip waypoint

STANDBY

Press for Standby
mode

Press and hold for
Setup modes

Course Change Keys

Port 1˚ Starboard 1˚

Port 10˚ Starboard 10˚

STANDBY plus AUTO

Press for Vane mode

Press for 1 second for Last Wind

Press again to accept Last Wind

AUTO

Press for Auto mode
Press for 1 second

for Last Heading

Press again to
accept Last Heading

D3447-1

 The autopilot always powers up in Standby mode. (If the text CODE

LOCK is displayed, enter your code as described in Chapter 4.)

 Course changes can be made at any time using the –1, +1, –10 and

+10 keys.

 You can return to manual steering at any time by pressing standby.

4 ST6000 Plus Autopilot Control Unit Owner,s Handbook

2.2 Display layout

The following illustration shows all the elements, together with a brief

description, that make up the ST6000 Plus autopilot LCD display.

MANUAL

Rudder or Steer Direction Indicator

3

D3507-1

 The bar graph at the bottom of the display is normally a rudder bar.

If it has been set as a direction-to-steer indicator, the display depends

on the current mode, as follows:

Mode Bar

Standby Not used
Auto Heading error bar
Track Cross track error (XTE) bar, in 0.02 nm increments
Vane Wind angle error bar

 If neither distance units (nm or SM) is displayed, the distance is

in Km.

Chapter 2: Basic Operation

2.3 Using Auto mode

Engaging the Autopilot (Auto)

1. Steady the vessel on the required heading.

2. Press auto.

 In Auto mode, the display shows the locked autopilot heading.

Disengaging the autopilot (Standby) to return to
hand steering

 Press standby.

5

 In Standby mode, the display shows the vessels current compass

heading.

 The previous autopilot heading is memorised and can be recalled

(see Returing to the previous locked heading).

Changing course in Auto mode

 The +1 and +10 (starboard) and –1 and –10 (port) keys are used to

change the locked heading, in increments of 1° and 10°, when the

autopilot has control.

Example: a 30° course change to port = press –10 three times.

6 ST6000 Plus Autopilot Control Unit Owner,s Handbook

Dodging obstacles in Auto mode

In order to avoid an obstacle when your vessel is under autopilot

control, select a course change in the appropriate direction (for

example, port 30° = press –10 three times).

 When safely clear of the obstacle, you can reverse the previous

course change (for example, press +10 three times), or return to the

previous locked heading (LAST HDG).

Returning to the previous locked heading
(LAST HDG)

If for any reason the vessel is steered away from the selected locked

heading (for example, executing a dodge manoeuvre or selecting

Standby) you can return to the previous locked heading:

Chapter 2: Basic Operation

1. Press auto for 1 second. The previous locked heading (LAST

Note: A direction-to-steer indicator is displayed to show you the

direction the vessel will turn.

2. To accept this heading, and resume the original course, press auto

7

HDG?) is displayed for 10 seconds.

1

once within this 10 second period.

If you do not press auto while the display is flashing, the current

heading will be maintained.

Automatic tack (AutoTack)

The ST6000 Plus has a built in automatic tack facility that turns the

vessel through a predetermined angle (the factory default is 100°) in the

required direction.

AutoTack to starboard

 Press the +1 and +10 keys together to tack to starboard.

8 ST6000 Plus Autopilot Control Unit Owner,s Handbook

AutoTack to port

 Press the -1 and -10 keys together to tack to port .

Off course alarm

The off course alarm will sound if the locked autopilot heading and the

vessels current heading differ for more than 20 seconds, by more than

the alarm angle set in calibration (the factory default is 20°).

Chapter 2: Basic Operation

1. To cancel the off course alarm, press standby to return to hand

2. Check whether your vessel is carrying too much sail, or whether

Operating hints

Making major course changes

 It is sound seamanship to make major course changes only when

 Manual course changes ensure that obstructions or other vessels can

9

steering.

the sails are badly balanced. Significant improvements in course

keeping can usually be obtained by improving sail balance.

steering manually.

be cleared properly, and due account taken of the changed wind and

sea conditions on the new heading prior to engaging the autopilot.

Course changes under autopilot control

It is important to understand the effect of sudden trim changes on

steering performance. When a sudden trim change occurs, due, for

example, to weather helm or sail imbalance, there will be a delay before

the automatic trim applies rudder to restore the locked heading. This

correction can take up to one minute.

Large course changes which change the apparent wind direction can

produce large trim changes. In these situations, the autopilot will not

immediately assume the new automatic heading, and will only settle

onto course when the automatic trim has been fully established.

To eliminate this problem, the following procedure can be adopted for

large course changes:

1. Note the required new heading.

2. Select standby and steer manually.

3. Bring the vessel onto the new heading.

10 ST6000 Plus Autopilot Control Unit Owner,s Handbook

4. Select auto and let the vessel settle onto course.

5. Bring the vessel to the final course with 1° increments.

Sailboats in gusty conditions

In gusting conditions, the course may tend to wander slightly,

particularly if the sails are badly balanced. A significant improvement

in course keeping can always be obtained by improving sail balance.

Bear in mind the following important points:

 Do not allow the yacht to heel over excessively

 Ease the mainsheet traveller to leeward to reduce heeling and

weather helm

 If necessary, reef the mainsail a little early

It is also advisable, whenever possible, to avoid sailing with the wind

dead astern in very strong winds and large seas.

Ideally, the wind should be brought at least 30° away from a dead run

and, in severe conditions, it may be advisable to remove the mainsail

altogether and sail under headsail only.

Provided these simple precautions are taken, the autopilot will be able

to maintain competent control in gale force conditions.

2.4 Using Manual mode

If your system is fitted with a joystick, the ST6000 Plus will enter

Manual mode when the joystick is used.

The ST6000 Plus will return to Standby mode when the joystick button

is released, or if you press the standby key on the ST6000 Plus.

2.5 Display and keypad illumination

 Press disp for 1 second, from any mode, to enter illumination

adjustment mode and turn the lights on.

 Subsequent presses of the disp key cycles the possible illumination

settings: L3, L2, L1, OFF, L1, L2, L3 etc. where L3 is the brightest

setting.

Chapter 2: Basic Operation

The display times out to normal operation after 10 seconds of keypad

inactivity.

Pressing any other key before the 10 second time-out will select the

mode assigned to that key (for example, auto selects Auto mode,
standby selects Standby mode).

Note: If other SeaTalk instruments or autopilot control units are

connected to SeaTalk, the illumination can be adjusted from these

units.

11

1

Any adjustments to the illumination are lost when the unit is

switched off.

The keys are still lit at a courtesy level when the display lighting is off.

2.6 Data pages

The disp key is used to cycle pages of SeaTalk or NMEA data. Once

a Data Page is selected, this page becomes the principle autopilot

display. The autopilot mode displays (Standby, Auto, Track Vane and

Manual) then become pop-ups, and are displayed for 5 seconds when

the autopilot mode is changed or a course change is made.

 Press disp to display each Data Page in turn.

 When the last Data Page is cycled, the display returns to the current

 To return to a previous Data Page, press disp for 1 second within 2

autopilot mode display (for example, Standby).

seconds of displaying a page. You can continue to move backwards

through the Data Page sequence in this way.

12 ST6000 Plus Autopilot Control Unit Owner,s Handbook

Up to 7 Data Pages are available using the disp key. The number of

pages, and the information displayed on each page, depends on the the

selections made in User Setup (see section 5.1).

The following illustration shows the default settings for the Data Pages.

D3581-1

 If the required data for a page is not available, dashes are displayed

instead of a value.

 Most displays are repeated data, and cannot be adjusted. The

exceptions are the Response and Rudder Gain pages (if selected for

display), which can be adjusted using the +1 and -1 keys.

 The current autopilot mode is shown at the left of the display, and

the autopilot bar graph remains in use.

 The direction-to-steer arrows relate to the Data Page information.

Chapter 3: Advanced Operation

Chapter 3: Advanced Operation

This chapter provides information on:

 Operation in Track mode

 Operation in Vane mode (WindTrim)

 Adjusting the response level and rudder gain

 Alarms

3.1 Operation in T r ack mode

Track mode is used to maintain a track between two waypoints created

on a GPS, Decca, or Loran navigation system. The ST6000 Plus will

then compute any course changes to keep your boat on track,

automatically compensating for tidal streams and leeway.

The ST6000 Plus can receive cross track error (the distance your vessel

is from a planned track) from:

(a) A SeaTalk navigation instrument or chartplotter

or

(b)A non-SeaTalk navigation system transmitting data in the

NMEA 0183 format  this can be connected directly to the ST6000

Plus NMEA input, as described in the Installation Chapter).

13

Track mode is selected by pressing the track key, but can only be

selected from Auto mode. You can return to either Auto or Standby

mode from Track mode, as follows:

 Press auto to leave Track mode and return to Auto mode.
 Press standby to leave Track mode and return to manual steering.

Note: The ST6000 Plus control head can be programmed to display

various pages of navigation data, such as

page 37 for details.

XTE, BTW

etc. Please refer to

Initiating Tr ack mode

When initiating Track mode, the track can be acquired in one of two

ways:

 Automatic acquisition, when cross track error and bearing to

waypoint data are available

 Manual acquisition, when cross track error is the only available data

14 ST6000 Plus Autopilot Control Unit Owner,s Handbook

Automatic acquisition

Automatic acquisition can only be achieved if the pilot is receiving

cross track error and bearing to waypoint information (via SeaTalk or

NMEA 0183). It is initiated as follows:

1. Bring the vessel to within 0.1nm of track

2. Press auto.

3. Press track to enter Track mode, with the current locked heading

displayed.

After a short delay for data acquisition, the Waypoint Advance

alarm will sound, and the display will show the planned bearing to

waypoint alternating with the direction in which the boat will turn.

Note: If the vessel is further than 0.3nm from the track, the Large

Cross Track Error alarm will sound. Press standby to cancel the

alarm, hand steer closer to the track, and press auto and track again.

4. Check that it is safe to turn onto the new course.

5. Press the track key. The boat will turn on to the new course and

the alarm will be cancelled.

Chapter 3: Advanced Operation

 The display shows the new bearing to waypoint.

Manual acquisition

For manual track acquisition, when only cross track error data is

available:

1. Steer the vessel to within 0.1nm of track.

2. Bring the heading to within 5° of the bearing to the next waypoint.

3. Press auto.

4. Press track to enter Track mode.

 The display shows the locked pilot heading.

15

Previous
Heading

D3505-1

Note: At low speeds, the effect of tidal streams is far more significant

than it is at higher speeds. Providing the tidal flow is less than 35% of

the vessels speed, no noticeable difference should occur in the

performance of Track mode. However, extra care should be taken

during manual acquisition, as follows:

 Ensure that the vessel is as close as possible to track, and the

direction made good over the ground is as close as possible to the

direction of the next waypoint, before selecting Track mode.

 Make positive positional checks at regular intervals, especially if

navigational hazards are close by.

16 ST6000 Plus Autopilot Control Unit Owner,s Handbook

Cross track error

Cross track error (XTE) is the distance between the current position

and a planned route. This is displayed in nautical miles (nm), statute

miles (SM) or kilometres, and is taken directly from your navigator.

The Large XTE alarm sounds if the XTE exceeds 0.3nm.

 The direction of the error is identified as Pt port or Stb

starboard.

 To cancel the alarm and leave track mode, press standby to return

to hand steering, or auto to return to Auto mode.

Note: If the Large Cross Track Error alarm sounds, it is usually an

indication that the cross tide is too great for the vessels current speed.

Tidal stream compensation

Under most conditions, Track mode will hold the selected track to

within ±0.05nm (300ft) or better. The autopilot takes account of

vessel speed when computing course changes to ensure optimum