ST8002

SmartPilot

Controller

Operating Guide

Document reference: 81271-1

Date: December 2005

Autohelm, HSB (High Speed Bus), SailPilot, SeaTalk and SportPilot are registered trademarks of Raymarine Ltd. Raymarine, AST (Advanced Steering Technology), AutoAdapt, AutoLearn, AutoRelease, AutoSeastate, AutoTack, AutoTrim, FastTrim, GyroPlus, RayGyro, RayPilot and WindTrim are trademarks of Raymarine Ltd.

Raymarine and SeaTalk are trademarks of Raymarine Ltd

Handbook contents ?? Raymarine Ltd. 2005.

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Important Information

About the documentation provided

Welcome to Raymarine SmartPilot. The autopilot system that will steer your boat to a heading automatically, accurately, reliably and comfortably.

SmartPilot documentation is arranged so that you can install, commission and quickly use your SmartPilot, keeping to hand only the information necessary.

???Installation Sheets - One per element of the system, these easy to under- stand sheets guide you through the installation process. These can be dis- carded once the installation is complete.

???SmartPilot Commissioning Guide - Describes how to connect, commis- sion and configure the system. Supplied with systems only.

???Quick Start Guide - Once commissioned, use your Smart Pilot right away with this handy guide to the main operations.

???Operating Guide - This handbook. Contains a detailed description of the SmartPilot???s features and functions.

Warranty

To register your new Raymarine product, please take a few minutes to fill out the warranty card. It is important that you complete the owner information and return the card to us to receive full warranty benefits. You can also register online at www.raymarine.com

Safety notices

WARNING: Calibration

We supply this product calibrated to default settings that should provide initial stable performance for most boats. To ensure optimum performance on your boat, you must complete the procedures in SmartPilot Commissioning Guide before use.

WARNING: Navigation aid

Although we have designed this product to be accurate and reliable, many factors can affect its performance. As a result, it should only be used as an aid to navigation and should never replace common sense and navigational judgement. Always maintain a permanent watch so you can respond to situations as they develop.

Your Raymarine SmartPilot will add a new dimension to your boating enjoyment. However, it is the skipper???s responsibility to ensure the safety of the boat at all times by following these basic rules:

???Ensure that someone is present at the helm AT ALL TIMES, to take manual control in an emergency.

???Make sure that all members of crew know how to disengage the autopilot.

???Regularly check for other boats and any obstacles to navigation ??? no matter how clear the sea appears, a dangerous situation can develop rapidly.

???Maintain an accurate record of the boat???s position by using either a naviga- tion aid or visual bearings.

???Maintain a continuous plot of your boat???s position on a current chart. Ensure that the locked autopilot heading will steer the boat 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 navigation aid, always maintain a log and make regular positional plots. Navigation sig- nals can produce significant errors under some circumstances and the autopi- lot will not be able to detect these errors.

Product disposal

Waste Electrical and Electronic (WEEE) Directive

The WEEE Directive requires the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment.

Whilst the WEEE Directive does not apply to some of Raymarine's products, we support its policy and ask you to be aware of how to dispose of this product.

The crossed out wheelie bin symbol, illustrated above, and found on our products signifies that this product should not be disposed of in general waste or landfill.

Please contact your local dealer, national distributor or Raymarine Technical Services for information on product disposal.

EMC Conformance

All Raymarine equipment and accessories are designed to the best industry standards for use in the recreational 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.

Handbook information

To the best of our knowledge, the information in this handbook was correct when it went to press. However, Raymarine cannot accept liability for any inaccuracies or omissions it may contain. In addition, our policy of continuous product improvement may change specifications without notice. As a result, Raymarine cannot accept liability for any differences between the product and the handbook.

Equipped with AutoLearn, Raymarine???s self-learning calibration system

Extended systems

You can connect the SmartPilot controller to other Raymarine SeaTalk equipment so it can send and receive SeaTalk data:

???it can use waypoint information from a SeaTalk navigation instrument to pro- vide track control.

???it can use boat speed from a SeaTalk speed instrument to optimize track-keep- ing performance.

???it can use wind information from a SeaTalk wind instrument for Wind Vane steering.

You can also use the SmartPilot with any navigator or wind instrument that transmits National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) 0183 data.

The SmartPilot control unit can display SeaTalk and NMEA instrument data in a user-defined selection of data pages.

For further information on other connections to your system see SmartPilot Commissioning Guide.

1.2 Using the control unit

Switching on and off

All the time that power is applied to the SmartPilot controller, you can use the disp button to switch the instrument off and on as follows:

???To switch the SmartPilot controller off, ensure it is in the Standby mode, then

hold down the disp button for approximately 5 seconds. After this time, a switch off count down of 4 seconds occurs. Keep the disp button pressed during this period, to switch off the instrument.

???To switch the instrument back on, hold down the disp button for approx- imately 1 second.

What does the display tell me?

The SmartPilot display screen provides the following information:

Autopilot mode indicators

GyroPlus indicator (appears if a

yaw sensor is connected to the autopilot)

Variable text area (up to 9 characters)

Distance units:

??? no units = kilometres

??? nm = nautical miles

??? SM = statute miles Heading indicators

Port and Starboard direction-to-steer indicators

Calibration mode indicator (displayed on calibration pages)

Rudder position indicator

D5458-2

The bar graph at the bottom of the screen indicates the current position of the rudder, as measured by the rudder position sensor.

Can I dodge an obstacle and then resume course?

To avoid an obstacle when your boat is under autopilot control, you can dodge the obstacle and then resume your previous course.

Obstacle

Original

course

Dodge

D6339-1

1.Select a course change in the appropriate direction. For example, turn the rotary control anti-clockwise for a dodge to port.

2.When safely clear of the obstacle, reverse the previous course change (for example, turn the rotary control clockwise).

Can I use the SmartPilot to power-steer my boat?

The SmartPilot has an inbuilt Power Steer feature. This gives you direct control of the rudder via the rotary control, in place of the helm. This offers huge benefits over conventional steering. You can set the rudder at a particular angle and the autopilot drive system will keep the rudder at that angle until commanded

otherwise. Power Steer mode includes Quick Center, which will center the rudder at any time, in one simple operation.

How do I activate power steering?

To activate Power Steer mode:

1.Press mode.

2.The display will show PWR STEER, indicating power steer mode is active.

PWR STEER

D6410-1

3.Use the rotary control to steer the boat. The rudder position is displayed in the bar at the bottom of the display.

D6411-1

How do I quickly center the rudder?

To quickly center the rudder in power steer mode, press and release the rotary control.

How do I leave Power Steer mode?

To leave Power Steer mode either:

???press standby to return to manual steering via the helm.

???press auto to proceed on the current heading under autopilot control.

1.4How do I adjust the performance of my SmartPilot?

The principal method of adjusting the performance of SmartPilot systems is by changing the response level. This is the only user adjustment you should need to make to your SmartPilot on a regular basis.

The response level controls the relationship between the SmartPilot???s course keeping accuracy and the amount of helm/drive activity. When you turn on your SmartPilot it will always be at the default level. (This level can be adjusted in User Calibration see page 23)

When you require extra tight course keeping (e.g. for pilotage in confined and sheltered waters), increase the setting. If you want to minimize drive activity and conserve battery power, decrease the setting.

You can make temporary adjustments to the response level when using your SmartPilot on a day-to-day basis. By doing this you can match performance to conditions as they occur.

Note: You will lose these temporary changes to response level whenever the system is powered off. You can make permanent adjustments in User Calibration (See page 23). This determines the default power-up response level.

Adjusting performance ??? S1G, S2G and S3G systems

S1G, S2G and S3G systems have 9 levels of response:

???level 9 to 7 give the tightest course keeping and greatest rudder activity (and power consumption). This can lead to a rough passage in open waters as the SmartPilot may ???fight??? the sea.

???levels 6 to 4 should give good course keeping with crisp, well controlled turns under normal operating conditions.

???level 3 to 1 minimizes the amount of pilot activity. This conserves power, but may compromise short-term course-keeping accuracy.

With these points in mind, you should use the following procedure to make temporary adjustments to the response level when required:

1. Display the RESPONSE screen by pressing the resp button momentarily.

Note: The RESPONSE screen is set as a default data page (see SmartPilot Commis- sioning Guide) so you can also access it by pressing disp and then scrolling through the data pages.

2. Press the up or down arrow buttons to change the response level.

Off Course warning

= deviation to port

= deviation to starboard

D4229-3

The SmartPilot warns you when you have been off course from the locked heading for longer than 20 seconds. It shows whether the deviation is to port or starboard.

Note: The default off course angle is set at 20??. You can adjust this angle in Dealer Cali- bration (see SmartPilot Commissioning Guide).

1.To cancel the off course warning, press standby to return to manual steer- ing.

2.Check whether your boat is carrying too much sail, or whether the sails are badly balanced. You can usually significantly improve course keeping by improving the sail balance.

Note: The SmartPilot also clears the warning if the heading recovers or if you change course.

1.5 Can I adjust the display lighting & contrast?

How do I adjust the lights?

You can adjust the display and keypad lighting by:

1.Pressing disp for 1 second from any mode to access the LAMP screen and turn on the lights.

2.Press the disp button to cycle through the possible illumination settings:

LAMP 3 (the brightest setting), LAMP 2, LAMP 1, OFF, LAMP 1, LAMP 2, LAMP 3 and so on:

???as you change the setting, the illumination on any other SeaTalk instru- ments or control units will also change.

1 second

D5517-2

3.The display automatically returns to the previous mode if you do not press a button for 10 seconds:

???if you press another mode button within 10 seconds you will select the mode assigned to that button (for example: auto selects Auto mode, standby selects Standby mode).

Notes: (1) You can also adjust the lighting level from any other SeaTalk instrument or control unit.

(2) When you switch off the unit you lose any changes you have made to the lighting level.

How do I adjust the contrast?

To set the display contrast level:

1.With the autopilot in Standby mode, press the disp button for one second to access the LAMP screen.

2.Press the disp button for one second again, to display the CONTRAST screen.

3.Use the up and down arrow buttons to set the required contrast level (from 1 to 15).

4.The display automatically returns to the previous mode if you do not press a button for 10 seconds:

Note: if you press another mode button within 10 seconds you will select the mode as-

signed to that button (for example: auto selects Auto mode, standby selects Standby mode).

Chapter 2: Advanced Operation

2.1 How do I follow a route set on a Chartplotter?

CAUTION: Safety in Track mode

Track mode provides accurate track keeping even in complex navigational situations. However, it is still the skipper???s responsibility to ensure the safety of their boat at all times through careful navigation and frequent position checks. Track mode assists precise navigation and removes the tasks of compensating for wind and tidal drift. However, you MUST still maintain an accurate log with regular plots.

In Track mode, the SmartPilot maintains a route between waypoints created on a navigation system. It makes any course changes necessary to keep your boat on course, automatically compensating for tidal streams and leeway.

Track mode is available only if you have connected the SmartPilot to a suitable navigation system providing SeaTalk or NMEA information. (See SmartPilot Commissioning Guide for connection details)

Your SmartPilot system can receive route information from:

???a SeaTalk navigation instrument or chartplotter.

???a navigation system transmitting data in NMEA 0183 format.

How do I activate Track mode?

CAUTION: Make suitable preparations for entering track mode When you enter Track mode, the SmartPilot will bring the boat onto the track in a controlled way. The closer the boat is to the cor- rect heading and track, the quicker it will settle the boat onto the new course. To avoid an unexpected turn, align the boat approxi- mately with the required track before entering Track mode.

Starting with the SmartPilot in AUTO mode and your chartplotter following a route.

1.Press track to enter Track mode.

2.Wait for the warning to sound.

The display will show the bearing to the next planned waypoint and the direc- tion in which the boat will turn to reach this waypoint.

What happens when I arrive at a waypoint?

As the boat arrives at the target waypoint the chartplotter will select the next target waypoint and transmit this to the SmartPilot. It will then detect the new target waypoint name, sound a Waypoint Advance warning and display the Waypoint Advance (NEXT WPT) screen. This shows the new bearing to the next waypoint and the direction the boat will turn to acquire the new track.

Waypoint arrival and advance

D5446-2P

How do I get to the next waypoint in a route?

When the Waypoint Advance warning sounds, the SmartPilot suspends Track mode and maintains the current boat heading.To advance to the next waypoint:

1.Check that it is safe to turn onto the new track.

2.Press the track button. This will cancel the Waypoint Advance warning and turn the boat towards the next waypoint.

Note: If you do not press track to accept the Waypoint Advance, the SmartPilot will maintain the current heading and continue sounding the warning.

How do I skip a waypoint? (SeaTalk chartplotters)

If you want to advance to the next waypoint before you have arrived at the target waypoint, you can skip a waypoint by pressing track for 1 second. The display will then show the Waypoint Advance screen for the next waypoint. Check it is safe to turn, then press track to turn the boat towards the next waypoint.

WARNING: Ensure navigation safety

Skipping a waypoint will take you straight to the next waypoint. Check your navigation before making the turn.

What is the Waypoint Advance warning?

The SmartPilot activates the Waypoint Advance warning (NEXT WPT?) in Track mode whenever the target waypoint name changes. This occurs when:

???you select automatic acquisition by pressing track from Auto

???you request waypoint advance by pressing track for 1 second in Track mode (with SeaTalk navigators only)

???the boat arrives at the target and the navigator accepts the next waypoint

???you activate the Man Overboard (MOB) function (see page 22)

When the warning sounds, the SmartPilot continues on its current heading but displays:

???the bearing to the next waypoint

???the direction the boat will turn to take up that bearing

How do I respond to a Waypoint Advance warning?

To respond to a Waypoint Advance warning:

???check that it is safe to turn onto the new track, then press track to accept the waypoint advance

???alternatively, you can cancel the warning without accepting the waypoint advance by pressing:

???auto to continue on the same heading, or

???standby to return to manual control

What happens when I get to the end of the route?

The SmartPilot displays the ROUTE COMPLETED warning when you have reached the last waypoint on a route in Track mode.

???press auto to continue on the same heading.

???or press standby to return to manual control.

2.2 Using Wind Vane mode ??? sail boats

Note: You can only select Wind Vane mode if the SmartPilot is receiving suitable SeaTalk or NMEA wind direction information.

What is Wind Vane mode?

When the SmartPilot is in Wind Vane mode it uses the fluxgate compass as the primary heading reference. As changes in the true or apparent wind angle occur, it adjusts the locked heading to maintain the original wind angle.

Wind information

To use Wind Vane mode, the SmartPilot must receive wind information from one of the following sources:

???SeaTalk wind instrument connected to the autopilot via SeaTalk

???NMEA wind instrument

???Raymarine pushpit wind vane connected via a SeaTalk interface

True and apparent wind

SmartPilots can maintain a course relative to either an apparent or true wind angle in Wind Vane mode

The default setting is apparent wind. If required, you can change this to true wind in User Calibration (see page 23).

WindTrim

In Wind Vane mode the SmartPilot uses WindTrim to eliminate the effects of turbulence and short term wind variations. This provides smooth and precise performance with minimal power consumption. You can adjust the wind response (WindTrim) level in User Calibration (see page 23) to control how quickly the SmartPilot responds to changes in the wind direction. Higher wind trim settings will result in a pilot that is more responsive to wind changes.

How do I select Wind Vane mode?

You can select Wind Vane mode from either Standby or Auto mode:

1.Steady the boat onto the required wind angle.

2.Press standby and auto together to select Wind Vane mode and lock the current wind angle:

???the display shows the locked heading (e.g. 128??) and the wind angle (e.g. WIND 145P indicates an wind angle of 145?? to port)

???if the SmartPilot does not enter Wind Vane mode, it is not receiving wind data - check the instrument and connections

+

MAG

D3565-6

3.In Wind Vane mode, the SmartPilot will then adjust the boat???s heading to maintain the locked wind angle.

How do I leave Wind Vane mode?

You can leave Wind Vane mode by:

???pressing auto to return to Auto mode.

???pressing standby to return to manual control.

How do I adjust the locked wind angle

You can adjust the locked wind angle by using the rotary control to change course. For example, to bear away when the boat is on a starboard tack:

???turn the rotary control anti-clockwise??? the locked wind angle and locked heading will both change.

???the autopilot will then adjust the locked heading as required to maintain the new wind angle.

Note: Because turning the boat affects the relationship between the true and apparent wind angles, you should only use this method to make minor adjustments to the wind an- gle. For major changes, return to Standby mode, steer onto the new heading, then reselect Wind Vane mode.

How do I dodge an obstacle in Wind Vane mode?

In Wind Vane mode you still have full control from the keypad. You can make a dodge maneuver by using the rotary control to select the desired course change.

After you have avoided the hazard, you can cancel the dodge course change by making an equal course change in the opposite direction.

What is a Wind Shift warning?

If the autopilot detects a wind shift of more than 15?? it will sound the wind shift warning and display the WIND SHIFT message:

???To cancel the warning, and retain the existing wind angle and new heading, press standby and auto together.

???Alternatively, to cancel the warning and return to the previous heading:

???adjust the locked wind angle using the rotary control.

???press standby to return to hand steering, steer onto the required head- ing, and press standby and auto together to return to Wind Vane mode with the new wind angle.

Operating hints for Wind Vane mode

???Always trim your sails carefully to minimize the amount of standing helm.

???Reef the headsail and mainsail a little early rather than too late.

???In Wind Vane mode the SmartPilot will react to long-term wind shifts, but will not correct for short-term changes such as gusts.

???In gusty and unsteady inshore conditions, it is best to sail a few degrees fur- ther off the wind so that changes in wind direction can be tolerated.

2.3How do I display boat data?

Use the disp button to show ???data pages??? of SeaTalk or NMEA data:

1.Press disp to access the first data page, and press it again to cycle through each data page in turn:

???when you cycle past the last data page, the display returns to the current SmartPilot mode screen (for example, AUTO).

???4 data pages are set in the factory as a default (see diagram): within User setup you can select up to 15 pages and control the information they dis- play (see SmartPilot Commissioning Guide).

Notes: (1) If the SmartPilot system cannot obtain the required information, the data page will show dashes instead of a value.

(2)The direction-to-steer arrows relate to the data page information.

(3)Most data pages show repeated data so you cannot adjust them: the exceptions are the RESPONSE and RUDDER GAIN data pages, which you can adjust using the up/down arrow buttons

Warning messages

Shallow warning (SHALLOW)

The SmartPilot shows the Shallow warning if it receives a shallow depth message from an instrument on the SeaTalk system. Press standby or disp to cancel the warning.

Man Overboard warning (MOB)

The SmartPilot activates the Man Overboard warning if it receives a man overboard (MOB) message from another instrument on the SeaTalk system. It displays the text MOB instead of the waypoint number for the XTE, DTW and BTW data pages.

2.4 User Calibration Options

The calibration information in this handbook relates to only those settings that can be adjusted during normal operation (USER CAL). For information on all available calibration settings, see SmartPilot Commissioning Guide.

Note: Many of the settings are sailboat specific and will only be displayed if your vessel type is set to SAILBOAT.

How do I access User Calibration settings?

You can only access the calibration mode from Standby mode:

1.With the SmartPilot in Standby mode, press and hold the standby button for 2 seconds. The display will change to show DISPLAY CAL.

2.Press the disp button once, the display will now show USER CAL.

3.Press auto to enter User Calibration.

The first page of User Calibration will now be displayed.

4.To access other User Calibration pages, press disp to scroll down through the items within that grouping:

5.When you reach an item you wish to adjust, use the rotary control to change the value.

6.When you have made all the changes you want to make, press and hold standby for two seconds to exit calibration mode and save changes.

User Calibration pages

AutoTack angle (SAILBOAT only)

This calibration setting has no effect on ST8001 or ST8002 systems

Gybe inhibit (SAILBOAT only)

This calibration setting has no effect on ST8001 or ST8002 systems

Wind selection (SAILBOAT only)

This screen determines whether the boat steers to apparent or true wind in Wind Vane mode.

Options

WindTrim (SAILBOAT only)

WindTrim controls how quickly the SmartPilot responds to changes in the wind direction. Higher wind trim settings will result in a system that is more responsive to wind changes.

activity)

Response level

This sets the default SmartPilot response level setting. The response level controls the relationship between course keeping accuracy and the amount of helm/drive activity. You can make temporary changes to response during normal operation, as described in Chapter 1, SmartPilot Operation.

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Chapter 3: Fault Finding & Maintenance

All Raymarine products are designed to provide many years of trouble-free operation. We also put them through comprehensive testing and quality assurance procedures before shipping.

This chapter provides information about identifying problems, interpreting alarm messages, maintaining your SmartPilot and obtaining product support.

If a fault occurs with your SmartPilot, use the fault finding tables in this section to help identify the problem and provide a solution. If you cannot resolve the problem yourself, refer to the product support information.

3.1 Fault finding

SmartPilot alarm messages

When the SmartPilot detects a fault or failure on the system, it will activate one of the alarm messages listed in the following table.

???Unless otherwise stated, you should respond to the alarm by pressing standby to clear the alarm and return to manual control, before you attempt to resolve the problem.

???In some situations, the SmartPilot will raise more than one alarm. When you have dealt with the first alarm, it will display the next alarm.

3.2 General maintenance

Routine checks

CAUTION: Do not dismantle SmartPilot products

The SmartPilot computer and controller do not contain any user serviceable parts. They should be serviced only by authorized Raymarine service technicians.

The SmartPilot computer does NOT contain user-serviceable parts. If you remove the main cover you will invalidate the warranty. The controller is also a sealed unit, so user maintenance is limited to the following checks

???make sure all cable connectors are firmly attached

???examine for signs of wear or damage ??? replace any damaged cables

Note: Do not use chemical or abrasive materials to clean the SmartPilot computer. If the case is dirty, wipe it with a clean, damp cloth.

Cleaning the display

CAUTION: Avoid damage when cleaning

Take care when cleaning the display. Avoid wiping the display screen with a dry cloth as this could scratch the screen coating. If necessary, use only a mild detergent.

???Never use chemical or abrasive materials to clean the controller. If it is dirty, wipe it with a clean, damp cloth.

???In certain conditions, condensation may appear inside the display screen. This will not harm the unit, and you can clear it by switching on the illumination for a short time.

EMC advice

???When powered up, all electrical equipment produces electromagnetic fields. These can cause adjacent pieces of electrical equipment to interact with one another, with a consequent adverse effect on operation.

???To minimize these effects and enable you to get the best possible perfor- mance from your Raymarine equipment, guidelines are given in the installa- tion instructions, to enable you to ensure minimum interaction between different items of equipment, i.e. ensure optimum Electromagnetic Compati- bility (EMC).

???Always report any EMC-related problems to your nearest Raymarine dealer. We use such information to improve our quality standards.

???In some installations, it may not be possible to prevent the equipment from being affected by external influences. In general this will not damage the equipment but it can lead to spurious resetting action, or momentarily may result in faulty operation.

Product support

Raymarine provides a comprehensive customer support service, on the world wide web and by telephone help line. Please use either of these facilities if you are unable to rectify a problem.

World wide web

Please visit the Customer Support area of our web site at:

www.raymarine.com

As well as providing a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions section and servicing information, the web site gives e-mail access to the Raymarine Technical Support Department and a details of the locations of Raymarine agents, worldwide.

Telephone help line

If you do not have access to the world wide web, please call our help line.

In the USA, call:

???+1 800 539 5539, extension 2444 or

???+1 603 881 5200 extension 2444

In the UK, Europe the Middle East or the Far East, call:

???+44 (0) 23 9271 4713 (voice)

???+44 (0) 23 9266 1228 (fax)

Help us to help you

When requesting service, please quote the following product information:

???Equipment type.

???Model number.

???Serial number.

???Software issue number.

Software information

The following illustration shows how to display the software information:

???press and hold standby for 4 seconds:

???after 2 seconds you will see the DISPLAY CAL screen

???then after another 2 seconds you see controller software version

???press disp to display the computer software version

???press disp again to display the total number of hours the SmartPilot has been used in Auto mode.

Software Information

Product details table

For future reference, you may want to use this table to record serial and software information for your SmartPilot:

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Specifications

ST8002 control unit

SmartPilot computer functions

SmartPilot computer