8 Optimizing steering performance

8-1 Steering parameters

The autopilot has seven steering parameters which can be adjusted to optimize steering performance. Select the Advanced checkbox to view all parameters.

These parameters can be adjusted using the Parameters menu. To adjust the parameters, go to Menu > Setup > Profiles > Parameters (see section 6-2). From the Basic, Pilot or Compass screens, press to open the Parameters menu directly.

Adaptive

This is an adaptive response setting where the autopilot adjusts how far the boat can move off course to maintain a constant rate of rudder corrections. The adaptive setting eliminates the need to set the response according to varying weather conditions.

•The range is A1 (adapts slowly) to A5 (adapts quickly).

Response (dead band)

How far the boat will be allowed to fall off course before it makes a correction.

A lowest response setting lets the boat fall very far off course before the autopilot corrects. The highest response setting corrects for every boat movement

•The range is 1 (broad course keeping) to 10 (tight course keeping).

Ratio (gain)

How far the rudder moves relative to the degrees of course error

•The range is 1 (small corrections) to 10 (large corrections).

Trim

Trim gain -(Integral gain) Watches if the boat is off course consistently in one direction (Ex. Due to a strong wind, or poor weight distribution ).

Trim Gain causes the pilot to slowly apply extra rudder in the opposite direction to correct for the course error.

•The range is 1 (trim slowly) to 10 (trim quickly) and 0 (OFF no trim effect).

C-rudder

Counter rudder gain – (derivative gain) At the end of the turn, counter rudder will steer in the opposite direction to help stop the turn at the desired heading. If the boat is turning quickly towards the set course, the autopilot with start to apply rudder in the opposite direction to prevent to boat steering past the desired direction, this is called counter rudder. Counter rudder gain sets how strong this effect is.

•The range is 1 (low: Most often used with a

plaining boat) to 10 (high : Most often used with a sail boat or displacement boat) and 0 (OFF no counter rudder effect).

GPS gain

In GPS mode, this determines how much correction is applied to remove cross track error.

•The range is 1 (steer gently back on track) to 10 (steer quickly back on track).

Wind gain

In wind mode, this determines how much correction is applied to reduce any difference between the set wind angle and the actual wind angle.

•The range is 1 (slowly affected by wind change) to 10 (sensitive to wind change).

Optimum steering

Change the values of the steering parameters for optimum steering performance.

Generally:

•For calm seas, increase response; for rough seas (or to save power) decrease response.

•For higher boat speeds, decrease ratio; for lower speeds, increase ratio.

•In case of cross-winds or weather-helm, increase trim; In case of balanced steering, decrease trim.

•For large displacement boats and boats with insensitive steering, increase counter rudder; for lightweight boats and boats with responsive

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Northstar NS3300 Pilot

 

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NorthStar Navigation NS3300 manual Optimizing steering performance, Steering parameters
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NS3300 specifications

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