Simrad Navico Wheelpilot WP10 User Manual

Manual

Navico WP10

Wheelpilot

Page 3Page 2

E03548 Issue 1.0

CONTENTS

1. General

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Technical Summary

2. Operation

2.1 General

2.2 Engaging the Clutch

2.3 Autopilot Mode

2.4 Adjusting Course

2.5 Autotack

2.6 Rudder Movement (Gain)

2.7 Seastate

2.8 Autotrim

3. Configuration

3.1 Scaling

3.2 Calibration Mode

3.3 Adjusting Gain

3.4 Adjusting Seastate

4. Installation

4.1 Fitting Wheelpilot

4.2 Electrical Installation

5. Appendix

5.1 Advice On Operation

5.2 Fault Finding

5.3 Auto Compass Calibration

5.4 Adjusting Belt Tension

5.5 Spares & Accessories

5.6 Service & Warranty

The technical data, information and illustrations contained in this publication were to the best of our knowledge correct at the time of going to print. We reserve the right
to change specifications, equipment, installation and maintenance instructions without notice as part of our policy of continuous development and improvement.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, electronic or otherwise without prior permission from Simrad
Navico Ltd.
No liability can be accepted for any inaccuracies or omissions in the publication, although every care has been taken to make it as complete and accurate as possible.

MDL 2/12/98

© 1998 Simrad Navico Ltd

For service and advice please contact the main Simrad dealer in your country of residence.

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1 General

1.1 Introduction

The Simrad Wheelpilot WP10 is a self contained
automatic pilot suitable for a wide variety of wheel
steered sailing yachts up to 10M (32 Ft) in length.
Combining highly sophisticated electronics with
advanced software and a powerful mechanical
drive, it is capable of providing reliable and accu­rate steering performance under a variety of differ­ent conditions with minimal current consumption.

The WP10 has been designed so that, while it rep­resents the state of the art in marine autopilots with
many advanced features, it remains very simple to
operate, using only five keys to access all functions.

To ensure the best results from your Wheelpilot it is
essential that the unit is installed correctly. Please
read this manual thoroughly before installation.

Thank you for choosing Simrad

If you are pleased with your Wheelpilot we hope
you will be interested in our range of marine elec­tronic equipment, which is manufactured to the
same high standards as the Wheelpilot. Please con­tact your nearest Simrad Agent for a catalogue
showing our increasing range of high tech naviga­tional instruments, GPS, autopilots, Radar,
Chartplotters, Fishfinders and VHF radio sets.

Simrad operate a policy of continual development
and reserve the right to alter and improve the
specification of their products without notice.

Wheelpilot¨is a Registered Trade Mark of

Simrad Navico Ltd

WP30

Wheelpilot WP10

1.2 Technical Summary

WHEELPILOT WP10 SPECIFICATIONS

Supply Voltage 12v DC (10v-16v)
Power Consumption 0.06A (Standby)
(Typical) 0.75A (Auto)

WP30

Fig 1.1 - Wheelpilot dimensions

388mm (15.25 in)

348mm (13.7 in)

165mm (6.5 in) 550mm (21.6in)

234mm (9.2 in)

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Fig 2.1 - Engaging clutch

STBY

TACK

STBY
AUTO

STBY

AUTO

Fig 2.2 - Engaging autopilot mode

STBY

CAL

TACK

STBY
AUTO

Fig 2.3 - Course adjustment to Port

To make a 1¼ adjustment, press either the Por t or
Starboard key once. This is confirmed by a single beep,

and the relevant Port or Starboard LED will flash once.

To make a 10¼ adjustment, press and hold the key, con­firmed by a double beep and a double flash of the Port
or Starboard LED (Fig 2.3).

2.5 Autotack

The Wheelpilot has a built-in autotack facility, allow­ing easy tacking of the vessel when single or short
handed. An autotack is only possible when in
Autopilot Mode.

To initiate autotack, press and hold the Tack key, fol-
lowed by either the Por t or Starboard key, depending
on which direction you wish to tack (Fig 2.4). The
WP10 has a factory preset autotack angle of 110¼.

2.6 Rudder Movement (Gain)

The Wheelpilot uses highly advanced steering soft­ware, which constantly assesses how the vessel is being
affected by the prevailing conditions. By adjusting its
own performance, the pilot is able to maintain the most
accurate course for these conditions, just as a human
pilot would. Thus, in a rough sea the pilot is not over­worked and battery drain is kept to a minimum.

The pilot will make corrections to compensate for
heading errors, in order to keep the boat on course.
The amount of rudder correction made is set by the
Gain (sometimes referred to as the rudder ratio).

The Gain setting can be compared to driving a motor
vehicle - at high speeds, very little wheel movement is
necessary to steer the vehicle (LOW gain). When dri­ving at slow speeds, more wheel movement is neces­sary (HIGH gain).

Fig 2.5A shows the effect of setting the Gain too low:
the boat takes a long time to return to the correct
heading. Fig 2.5B is ideal, where errors are quickly
corrected. Fig 2.5C occurs when the Gain too high,
causing the boat to ÒSÓ, or oscillate around the cor­rect heading. Excessive Gain (Fig 2.5D) causes
instability of course, leading to increasing error.

To adjust Gain, please refer to section 3.3.

STBY

TACK

STBY
AUTO

STBY

TACK

STBY
AUTO

TACK

TACK

Fig 2.4 - Initiating Starboard autotack

2 Operation

2.1 General

The Wheelpilot powers up in Standby Mode, indicat­ed by a flashing LED next to the STBY AUTO key.
The two direction LEDs above the Port and Starboard
keys are always dimly lit, which provides night illu­mination for the keypad. All functions are confirmed
audibly by a ÒbeepÓ and visually by the LEDs, so the
status of the unit can always be confirmed at a glance.

2.2 Engaging the clutch

The Wheelpilot will not drive in any mode unless the
drive clutch is engaged first. The clutch is controlled
by the lever on the left side of the unit (Fig 2.1). When
the lever is in the upward position, the clutch is disen­gaged, and the wheel is free to turn by hand. To
engage the clutch, push the lever down fully until it is
flush with the motor housing. The wheel will then be
held firmly by the Wheelpilot - hand steering will not
be possible until the clutch is disengaged.

2.3 Autopilot Mode

To lock the vessel onto the current heading, simply
steer a straight course, engage the clutch and press the
STBY AUTO key to switch to Auto Mode, indicated
by the LED next to the STBY AUTO key lighting per­manently (Fig 2.2).

To lock the pilot onto the desired course, simply steer
the correct course and then engage the autopilot. The

wheel should always be in the centreline position
before engaging the Wheelpilot.

If the STBY AUTO key is pressed and held, the pilot
will beep a second time and lock onto the previously
used heading (this feature will not be available if the
unit has just been switched on).

To disengage the pilot, press the STBY AUTO key and
lift the clutch lever. Always switch the pilot to

Standby mode when disengaging the clutch.

2.4 Adjusting Course

While in Autopilot Mode, precise course adjustments
can be easily made -

Clutch On

Clutch Off

ABCD

Fig 2.5 - Effects of Gain setting