Simrad NAC-2, NAC-3 Commissioning Manual
NAC-2/NAC-3
Commissioning Manual
ENGLISH
www.bandg.com | www.simrad-yachting.com
Preface
Disclaimer
As Navico is continuously improving this product, we retain the
right to make changes to the product at any time which may not be
reflected in this version of the manual. Please contact your nearest
distributor if you require any further assistance.
It is the owner’s sole responsibility to install and use the equipment
in a manner that will not cause accidents, personal injury or
property damage. The user of this product is solely responsible for
observing safe boating practices.
NAVICO HOLDING AS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES, BRANCHES AND
AFFILIATES DISCLAIM ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY USE OF THIS PRODUCT
IN A WAY THAT MAY CAUSE ACCIDENTS, DAMAGE OR THAT MAY
VIOLATE THE LAW.
Governing Language: This statement, any instruction manuals, user
guides and other information relating to the product
(Documentation) may be translated to, or has been translated from,
another language (Translation). In the event of any conflict between
any Translation of the Documentation, the English language version
of the Documentation will be the official version of the
Documentation.
This manual represents the product as at the time of printing.
Navico Holding AS and its subsidiaries, branches and affiliates
reserve the right to make changes to specifications without notice.
Trademarks
NMEA® and NMEA 2000® are registered trademarks of the National
Marine Electronics Association.
Copyright
Copyright © 2016 Navico Holding AS.
Warranty
The warranty card is supplied as a separate document.
In case of any queries, refer to the product's web site on
www.simrad-yachting.com or www.bandg.com.
Preface | NAC-2/NAC-3 Commissioning Manual
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Compliance statements
This equipment complies with:
• CE under EMC directive 2014/30/EU
• The requirements of level 2 devices of Radiocommunications
(Electromagnetic Compatibility) standard
The relevant Declaration of conformity is available in the product's
section on www.simrad-yachting.com or www.bandg.com.
About this manual
The manual assumes that the user has basic knowledge of
navigation, nautical terminology and practices.
Important text that requires special attention from the reader is
emphasized as follows:
Note: Used to draw the reader’s attention to a comment or
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some important information.
Warning: Used when it is necessary to warn
personnel that they should proceed carefully to
prevent risk of injury and/or damage to equipment/
personnel.
Manual version
This manual is written for software version 1.0. The manual is
continually updated to match new software releases. The latest
available manual version can be downloaded from the product site
on www.simrad-yachting.com or www.bandg.com.
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Preface | NAC-2/NAC-3 Commissioning Manual
Contents
7 Introduction
7 NAC-2 and NAC-3 autopilot computers
7 Autopilot controllers
7 Autopilot computer setup
10 Dockside setup
10 Data source selection
10 Boat characteristics
10 Drive configuration
13 Rudder setup
16 Sea trial
16 Compass setup
17 Transition speed
18 Set rudder zero position
18 Set turn rate
18 Tuning the autopilot
23 User settings
23 Steering profile settings
24 Sailing parameters
25 Turn pattern settings
29 Installation verification
29 Checklist
29 Boat specific settings
32 Maintenance
32 Preventive maintenance
32 Checking the connectors
32 Software update
32 Resetting the autopilot computer
34 Technical specifications
34 NAC-2
35 NAC-3
Contents | NAC-2/NAC-3 Commissioning Manual
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37 Dimensional drawings
37 NAC-2
37 NAC-3
38 Supported data
38 NMEA 2000 PGNs
41 NMEA 0183 sentences
42 NMEA 2000 PGN description
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Contents | NAC-2/NAC-3 Commissioning Manual
1
Introduction
NAC-2 and NAC-3 autopilot computers
The NAC-2 and NAC-3 autopilot computers contain the electronics
needed to operate a hydraulic steering pump or mechanical drive
unit, while also interfacing with rudder feedback units and NMEA
2000 devices.
The NAC-2 is designed for boats up to 10 metres (33 feet) in length
and is suitable for low-current pumps, mechanical drive units, or
solenoid valves (8 amps continuous/16 amps peak).
The NAC-3 is designed for boats 10 metres (33 feet) or greater in
length and is rated to operate high-current pumps, mechanical
drive units, and solenoid valves (30 amps continuous/50 amps
peak).
Autopilot controllers
The NAC-2 and NAC-3 autopilot computers can be controlled by
various Simrad and B&G control units. This can be dedicated
autopilot controllers (e.g. AP44), Multifunction displays (MFDs) and
autopilot remote controllers (e.g. OP12) used in combination with
instrument systems, or any combination of the above.
Autopilot functions
NAC-2 and NAC-3 include a large range of functions, but not all
autopilot controllers have access to all options. E.g. autopilot
systems including only an autopilot remote controller (without
display unit) do not have access to turn patterns.
The user interface
The autopilot functions are presented slightly different on the
different displays.
This manual shows screen examples from both MFDs and AP44.
Autopilot computer setup
When the autopilot installation is completed, the setup of the
autopilot computer must be performed. Failure in setting up the
autopilot correctly may prohibit the autopilot from functioning
properly.
Introduction | NAC-2/NAC-3 Commissioning Manual
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The setup of the autopilot computer is divided in three main steps:
• Installation settings
- Including dockside and seatrial commissioning. See "Dockside
setup" on page 10 and "Sea trial" on page 16
• User adjustment of autopilot settings
- Manual fine-tuning for various operational conditions and user
preferences. See "User settings" on page 23
Note: The Installation settings can only be accessed when the
Ú
autopilot is in Standby mode. Some systems require a
dedicated physical standby key to perform installation
procedures. This key can be a key on the autopilot controller, on
an autopilot remote controller, or it can be a separate standby
key.
Warning: When the autopilot is delivered from
factory and any time after an autopilot reset has been
performed, the installation settings are all reset to
factory preset (default) values. A notification will be
displayed, and a complete setup has to be made.
Failure to do so correctly may prohibit the autopilot
from functioning properly!
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Introduction | NAC-2/NAC-3 Commissioning Manual
Installation setup workflow
Con gure boat
settings
Drive
con guration
Check rudder
feedback source
selection
Rudder feedback
calibration
Rudder test
Select data
sources
Set transition
speed
Set turn rate low
speed
Tune steering
parameters low
speed
Calibrate compass
Set rudder zero
Power up
Operational
autopilot system
Set turn rate high
speed
Tune steering
Dockside Sea trial
Introduction | NAC-2/NAC-3 Commissioning Manual
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2
Dockside setup
Data source selection
Before commencing with autopilot computer setup the data
sources must be available and configured.
Data sources selection is required on initial start-up of the system, if
any part of the network has been changed or replaced, or if an
alternative source is made available for a given data type and this
source has not been selected automatically.
You can let the system automatically select your sources, or set up
each source manually. Refer to documentation for the autopilot
controller or for the display unit for details about how to perform
the data source selection.
Boat characteristics
Boat type
Affects steering parameters as well as available autopilot features.
The following options are available:
• Sail
• Displacement
• Planing
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Note: If the boat type is set to Sail, Virtual Rudder Feedback is
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not available.
Boat length
Used by the autopilot system to calculate steering parameters.
Cruising speed
Used if no speed info is available. It is used by the autopilot system
to calculate steering parameters.
Drive configuration
The drive configuration controls how the autopilot computer
operates the steering system.
Refer to your drive unit documentation for relevant specifications.
Dockside setup | NAC-2/NAC-3 Commissioning Manual
Control method
Used for setting the appropriate control ouput for your drive.
The following options are available:
• Solenoid
For on/off steering of hydraulic valves. Gives fixed rudder speed.
• Reversible motor
For variable speed pumps/drives.
Drive voltage
Nominal drive voltage specified for your drive unit.
• Options: 12 V and 24 V.
Note: 24 V output is only available with 24 V supply.
Ú
The setting must match the spec of the solenoids/pump/motor.
Warning: Selection of improper voltage level for your
drive unit may damage both the drive unit and the
autopilot computer even if the protection circuits are
activated.
Drive engage
Defines how the Engage output is used.
The following options are available:
• Clutch
If your drive unit/motor/pump needs clutch to engage the
actuator, it shall be connected to the "engage" output. Configure
the "Drive engage" as clutch. The clutch will be activated when
autopilot computer is controlling the rudder. In standby, the
clutch is released to allow manual steering. Check specification of
your drive unit to determine whether clutch is required.
• Auto
Output activated when autopilot computer is in Auto, NoDrift or
Navigation modes. For manual rudder control (Standby, NFU and
FU) the output is not activated. Typically used to switch between
two rudder speeds on a continuous running pump, used when
Dockside setup | NAC-2/NAC-3 Commissioning Manual
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different rudder speeds are required for automatic and Followup/Non-Follow-up steering.
Minimum rudder
Some boats may have a tendency to not respond to small rudder
commands around the “course keeping” position because of a small
rudder, whirls/disturbance of the water-stream passing the rudder,
or it is a single nozzle water jet boat. By increasing the Minimum
rudder parameter you may improve the course keeping
performance on some boats. However, this will increase the rudder
activity.
Note: Only set a value for minimum rudder if it proves to give a
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better course keeping performance in calm sea. It should be set
after the autopilot steering parameters have been optimised/
tuned.
Rudder deadband
Prevents the rudder from hunting induced by mechanical play in
the steering gear or rudder.
The following options are available
• Auto
(Recommended).
The rudder deadband is adaptive and is continuously operative. It
will also optimize the deadband to the pressure on the rudder
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• Manual
If the Auto setting doesn’t perform properly due to extreme
rudder speed and/or overshoot, it can be adjusted manually. Can
also be used to reduce the rudder activity. Rudder commands
smaller than the size of the dead band will be ignored
Find the lowest possible value that will prevent the rudder from
continuous hunting. A wide deadband will cause inaccurate
steering. It is recommended to check rudder stability in AUTO mode
at cruising speed to get pressure on the rudder. (Slight hunting
observed dockside may disappear at cruising speed.)
Dockside setup | NAC-2/NAC-3 Commissioning Manual
Rudder setup
Warning: During the rudder calibration and test the
autopilot computer issues a series of rudder
commands. Stand clear of the helm and do not
attempt to take manual control of the rudder during
this test!
Rudder source
The correct rudder source has to be selected before the rudder
feedback calibration can be performed.
Rudder source selection, MFDs
Dockside setup | NAC-2/NAC-3 Commissioning Manual
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Rudder source selection, AP44
Note: Virtual Rudder Feedback (VRF) should only be used if no
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rudder feedback is available. Installing a feedback unit will
enhance the performance of an autopilot and provide an
accurate rudder angle indicator on the autopilot display.
Note: VRF is not available if boat type is set to Sail.
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Rudder feedback calibration
Note: Only available if you have a rudder feedback unit installed
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and selected as rudder source.
The rudder feedback calibration determines the rudder feedback's
direction.
• Follow the on-screen guided steps until the rudder calibration is
completed.
Rudder test
This rudder test verifies the drive direction. It detects minimum
power to drive the rudder and reduces the rudder speed if it
exceeds the maximum preferred speed for autopilot operation.
Note: If the boat uses power assisted steering, it is important
Ú
that the engine or electric motor used to enable the power
assist steering is turned on prior to this test.
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• Run the rudder test as described in the on-screen instructions
- Rudder should make a small movement within 10 seconds,
then follow up with travelling both directions
Dockside setup | NAC-2/NAC-3 Commissioning Manual
Failure to complete test will result in an alarm.
VRF calibration
Note: Only available if the rudder source is set to a virtual
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rudder feedback.
VRF calibration determines the direction of rudder movement, the
minimum output required to move the rudder and the voltage to
rudder speed ratio.
To perform the VRF calibration you must be able to view the
movement of the rudder.
• Follow the on-screen guided steps until the VRF calibration is
completed.
Dockside setup | NAC-2/NAC-3 Commissioning Manual
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