AC12N/AC42N Autopilot Computers Installation manual ENGLISH www.bandg.com | www.simrad-yachting.
Preface Warranty 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. The warranty card is supplied as a separate document. In case of queries, refer to the brand web sites: www.bandg.com and www.simrad-yachting.
Contents 2| 3 System description 3 3 General How to use this manual 4 Installation and wiring 4 4 5 6 7 9 11 12 13 16 17 Installation checklist Unpacking and handling Determine system configuration Autopilot system layout Autopilot computer installation Introduction to NMEA 2000 (SimNet) Autopilot control units Rudder feedback installation Drive unit installation Interfacing External alarm 18 Spare parts 19 Technical specifications 19 20 Autopilot system Autopilot computers Contents | AC12N/
1 System description General The autopilot computer is a navigational data processing unit and contains the steering computer and electronics for the drive unit motor and clutch and provides an interface to other system components. Two models, AC12N (8 A continuous / 16 A peak motor current) and AC42N (30 A continuous / 50 A peak motor current) are available.
2 Installation and wiring • • • An autopilot system interfaces with several units that are to be mounted in different locations on the boat, including: The boat’s steering system The boat’s electrical system (input power) Other equipment on board (NMEA 2000 interfacing) In addition, the advanced capabilities of the system require the installer to perform a series of settings and tests to verify proper operation of the system, refer to the check list below. Installation checklist 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Determine system configuration It is important to become familiar with the configuration of the system prior to beginning the installation. An example of a system featuring this autopilot computer is shown on the next page. Plan your cabling and configure the NMEA 2000 network in accordance with the section on page 9. Pay particular attention to the autopilot computer/drive unit combinations.
Autopilot system layout LTW T LTW LTW LTW 12V DC T 120 ¼¼ Notes: • The backbone must be terminated at both ends. The wind sensor has a built-in terminator and can be used as one of the terminators • Daisy-chaining, as shown in this illustration, is recommended for ease of installation. It will still be compatible with most NMEA 2000 devices but not fully comply with NMEA 2000 standard.
Autopilot computer installation The autopilot computer is designed to operate in a location with ambient temperatures below +55°C (+130°F). ¼¼ Note: The autopilot computer units (AC12N and AC42N) should be mounted vertically in a place between the control unit and the drive unit. The unit should not be exposed to dripping or splashing water. Cabling Use only shielded cables and ready made NMEA 2000 (or compatible) cables and accessories.
Remove the bottom cover to get access to the plug-in terminals. Provide sufficient wire length so that the plug-in terminals can be easily connected and disconnected. Pull out each terminal before connecting the wires. Remove all strands before putting back the terminal cover. A Micro-C NMEA 2000 cable is supplied with the autopilot computer. It has a connector in one end, and the other end is prepared for screw terminals.
Polarity protection ¼¼ Note: The fuse located in the lower left corner of the AC board is not put in its final position when supplied from factory. When the motor supply is connected to the terminal, a diode will light. If the light is red, you have to swap the wires. When the light is green, the polarity is correct. Switch off the supply voltage and put the fuse into the correct position.
• • An NMEA 2000 network needs to have a terminator at each end of the backbone. A terminator can be one of the following: • a power cable with built in terminator • a terminated blanking plug • a wind transducer (terminator is in the mast head unit as opposed to the mast cable). Certain products have two Micro-C or SimNet connectors, which can be made to be an in-line component of the backbone. Connecting from device to device is known as ‘daisy chaining’.
¼¼ Note: Do not connect the power cable to the same terminals as the autopilot computer, pulse radar, bow thruster or other high current devices - the network may be affected by voltage drop when these devices are operated. Avoid connection to the engine starting batteries, where possible. Autopilot control units 2 1 1 3 3 4 1. 2. 3. 4. 4 NMEA 2000 drop cable, male-female Micro-C plugs SimNet to Micro-C (male) adapter cable (part no.
Rudder feedback installation 1 2 2 3 1. RF25N cable 2. NMEA 2000 backbone 3. Micro-C T-connector ¼¼ Note: For more details, refer to the rudder feedback unit’s documentation.
Drive unit installation The relations between drive units, drive unit voltage, autopilot computer, drive performance and interface to the steering gear are shown in the tables below. Refer to the connecting diagram for the different drive units. Installation instruction for the drive units are found in the manual for the individual units. The maximum drive current capability of the AC12N and AC42N autopilot computers are different. Use the table below as reference and observe the notes.
MODEL MO- AUTOMAX PEAK MAX HARD- POWER TOR PILOT STROKE THRUST RUDDER OVER CONVOLTS COM- mm (in.) kg (lb.) TORQUE TIME sec. SUMPPUTER Nm (30% TION (lb.in.) load) TILLER ARM mm (in.) RAM-T2-12V 12V AC42N 254 (10) 680 (1496) 1427 (12630) 12 2-4 A 214 (8.4) RAM-T2-24V 24V AC42N 254 (10) 680 (1496) 1427 (12630) 12 2-4 A 214 (8.4) RAM-T3-24V 24V AC42N 305 (12) 1062 (2341) 2688 (23790) 15 2-4 A 257 (10.1) 1. 2. 3. 4. Steering gear interface: Connects to quadrant or tiller.
Connecting a hydraulic linear drive Hydraulic Linear Drive AC12 Autopilot Computer Connecting a solenoid valve Solenoid Valve AC12 Autopilot Computer Installation and wiring | AC12N/AC42N Autopilot Computers | 15
Interfacing With the autopilot system there are several possibilities to connect to other equipment for data collection and exchange: 1. NMEA 2000 device directly through Micro-C connectors and cables. 2. SimNet device via adapter cable, part no. 24005729. 3. NMEA 0183 via AT10 converter (+ adapter cable). The different connecting diagrams on the following pages illustrate the interface possibilities of the autopilots.
NMEA 0183 sentence TX (max rate [Hz]) RX RMB 0.5 x RMC 0.5 x RSA 3.33 VHW 0.5 VTG 0.5 VLW 0.2 0.5 x x x 1) VWR x WPL x XTE x ZDA 0.5 x ZTG x Open cells indicates no transmission or reception. 1) Applies only for units with P/N - S/N code AA. 2) Applies for units with P/N - S/N code BA onwards. External alarm The external alarm circuit has an open collector output for an external alarm relay or buzzer. The operating voltage for the circuit is the main supply voltage. Max.
3 Spare parts Autopilot Computers 000-10866-001 22097166 000-10867-001 22097125 22096986 AC12N Autopilot Computer AC12N Installation accessories AC42N Autopilot Computer AC42N Installation accessories Terminal cover Other cables and accessories 24005729 SimNet cable to Micro-C. Adapter cable for SimNet products in an NMEA 2000 network.
4 Technical specifications Autopilot system Boat type and size: ......................Sail- and Motor boat (displacement and planning), up to 80 ft. * Steering system types:........................................................Hydraulic, Mechanical Inter-unit connection:..... NMEA 2000 (primary)/SimNet or NMEA 0183 Maximum number of products connected in a network:.......................50 Supply voltage:....................................................................................
Instrument data page interface: Instrument screen SimNet/NMEA 2000 PGN* Heading PGN 127250, PGN 130577 Rudder angle PGN 127245 Speed PGN 128259, PGN 129026, PGN 130577 Depth PGN 128267 Wind angle, speed and direction PGN 130306 Position PGN 126992, PGN 127250, PGN 127258, PGN 129025, PGN 129026, PGN 129029, PGN 129033, PGN 130577 NAV PGN 129283, PGN 129284, PGN 129285, PGN 129029, PGN 129291 Log PGN 128275 Sea temperature PGN 130310, PGN 130311 * Parameter Group Number Autopilot computer
Rudder feedback input:............................SimNet/NMEA 2000 PGN 127245 Optional rudder feedback input:...................... Frequency signal, 3400 Hz, 20 Hz/deg. Solenoid output:...........................................................................................AC12N only External Alarm:........................................................................................Open collector Temperature range: Operation:.............................................................
AC42N Autopilot Computer - Dimensions AC12N/AC42N Cable retainer 22 | Technical specifications | AC12N/AC42N Autopilot Computers
*988-10276-002*
