1. PRODUCT TRAINING AP24/AP28 Level 200
Inge Kvalbein Product Expert

2. AP24/28: Agenda
Introduction
System Overview and Configuration
Component Parts and Accessories
Features and Application
Installation
Commissioning
Operation
Service/Troubleshooting

3. AP24/28: Introduction
Boat size and type: Up to 50 feet, Power, Displacement, Sail
Steering system types: Hydraulic, Mechanical, EVC

4. AP24/28: Introduction
Two full SimNet control units to replace the three models AP16, AP25 and AP26
Two models of autopilot computers with drive electronics; AC12 and AC42 to replace the three AC10, AC20 and AC40
Two types SimNet compasses;
FC40 Fluxgate compass
RC42 Rate Compass (mini gyro)
Two types Feedback units;
New SimNet RF25 Rudder Feedback
RF300 Rudder feedback (two wire)

5. AP24/28: System overview and configuration
Complete autopilot system consisting of:
AP28 Control unit
ACXX Autopilot computer
RC42 Rate compass
RF25 Rudder feedback
Drive unit

6. Expanded autopilot system
AP24/28: System overview and configuration
Expanded autopilot system

7. AP24/28: System overview and configuration
SimNet network

8. SimNet network, expanded
AP24/28: System overview and configuration
SimNet network, expanded

9. AP24/28: Component Parts and Accessories
AP28 Autopilot
171x114mm (1.5x1 module)
Large monochrome graphical display enhances the user interface
Two color backlighting
Rotary course knob
Dedicated mode keys make operation easy
Full set of instrument data pages offers the functionality of a separate instrument

10. AP24/28: Component Parts and Accessories
AP24 Autopilot
114x114mm (1x1 module)
Monochrome display
Two color backlighting
Full key pad operation
Preprogrammed instrument data pages
Single or multi-station operation

11. AC12/42 Autopilot Computer
AP24/28: Component Parts and Accessories
AC12/42 Autopilot Computer
The autopilot computer is the main unit in the AP24 autopilot system.
It contains the steering computer and drive electronics for the drive unit motor and clutch and provides interface to other system components.
Two models, AC12 and AC42 are available.

12. AP24/28: Component Parts and Accessories
SG05 Simrad Gateway
Autopilot Computer & Interface for Volvo EVC systems
Autopilot systemconsists of only 3 main units:
Control unit (AP24/28)
Compass (RC42)
Computer (SG05)
No need for:
Rudder feedback unit
Drive unit

13. RF25 Rudder Feedback Unit
AP24/28: Component Parts and Accessories
RF25 Rudder Feedback Unit
The RF25 is designed for connection to the SimNet network.
It comes with transmission link and 5 m (16 feet) of SimNet cable with connector.
The RF25 provides rudder angle output to a separate rudder angle indicator also when the autopilot is switched off.

14. RF300 Rudder Feedback Unit
AP24/28: Component Parts and Accessories
RF300 Rudder Feedback Unit
The RF300 is designed for connection to the autopilot computer. It comes with transmission link and 10 m (33 feet) of cable.
RF300 has a different signal format (2-wire pwm).
With an RF300 as rudder feedback there is no output to separate rudder angle indicators when the autopilot is off.

15. AP24/28: Component Parts and Accessories
FC40 Fluxgate Compass
FC40 is a compact magnetic heading sensor using a floating ring core in a fluxgate coil.
A 5 m (16 feet) SimNet cable with connector is attached.
The dynamic performance is second to the RC42

16. AP24/28: Component Parts and Accessories
RC42 Rate Compass
RC42 is a fluxgate compass with an integrated rate of turn sensor.
It provides a significant improvement to the dynamic performance of both the autopilot and a stabilized radar display.
A 5 m (16 feet) SimNet cable with connector is attached.

17. AT10 SimNet/NMEA0183 Converter
AP24/28: Component Parts and Accessories
AT10 SimNet/NMEA0183 Converter

18. AP24/28: Component Parts and Accessories
Reversible pumps: RPU 80, 160, 300

19. HLD350/2000Mk2 Hydraulic Linear Drive
AP24/28: Component Parts and Accessories
HLD350/2000Mk2 Hydraulic Linear Drive

20. AP24/28: Component Parts and Accessories
DD15 Drive Unit

21. AP24/28: Component Parts and Accessories
SD10 Drive Unit

22. AP24/28: Component Parts and Accessories
SD10 Drive Unit
CLUTCH SOLENOID
RFB – PCB
DRIVE MOTOR
RFB – MODULE

23. AP24/28: Features and application
HMI is similar to IS20 instruments
Calibration data are stored in the SimNet sensors
Full range of available instrument data may save the space and cost of an extra instrument
Single common SimNet network compatible with NMEA2000 simplifies installation

24. AP24/28: Features and application
Virtual Rudder Feedback (VRF)
The Virtual Feedback algorithms in the autopilot software enable your autopilot to steer without a conventional rudder feedback unit.
These algorithms are designed for vessels up to 40 ft. powered by outboard or stern drives only.

25. AP24/28: Features and applications
Turn Patterns
The autopilot offers a number of different pattern steering features when in AUTO mode
There is a one minute time-out between selecting a turn pattern and start the turn
During the time-out period the autopilot will maintain the set course
To exit a turn pattern simply press the AUTO key

26. AP24/28: Features and applications
Turn Patterns
U-turn
C-turn
Spiral
Zigzag
Square
Lazy S
Depth contour

27. Hi/Lo Transition speed
AP24/28: Features and applications
Hi/Lo Transition speed
HI-A High response parameters set automatically
LO-A Low response parameters set automatically
HI-M High response parameters set manually
LO-M Low response parameter set manually

28. AP24/28: Features and applications
HI and LO parameters
When sailing in WIND mode, the HI/LO parameter set is determined not only by the speed of the boat but the direction of the wind as per below.

29. Depth contour steering
AP24/28: Features and applications
Depth contour steering

30. Depth contour steering
AP24/28: Features and applications
Depth contour steering

31. Depth contour steering
AP24/28: Features and applications
Depth contour steering

32. AP24/28: Features and application
Technical specifications:
Inter-unit connection: SimNet network
Maximum number of products connected in a network: 50 (SimNet specifications)
System ON/OFF: From control units
Supply voltage: VDC (to Autopilot Computer)
Power consumption: Dependent on system configuration

33. AP24/28: Features and application
AP24 Technical specifications:
Power consumption: 3 W (5 NL)
Display Type: Backlit LCD matrix display
Resolution: 130 x 79 pixels
Illumination (Red or white): Adjustable in 10 steps
Safe distance to compass: 0.3 m (1.0 ft.)
Environmental Protection: IP56 from front, IP43 from back

34. AP24/28: Features and application
AP28 Technical Specifications:
Power consumption: 3 W (5 NL)
Display Type: Backlit LCD matrix display
Resolution: 130 x 104 pixels
Illumination (Red or white):
Adjustable in 10 steps
Safe distance to compass: 0.3 m (1.0 ft.)
Environmental Protection:
IP56 from front, IP43 from back.

35. AP24/28: Features and application
AC12/42 Technical specifications:
Supply voltage: 10-28V DC
Clutch/bypass current: 3 A
Reverse voltage indication: Yes (Red LED)
Power consumption: 5 Watt (electronics)
Motor / solenoid drive:
AC12: 8 A continuous, 16 A for 1 sec. peak
AC42: 30 A continuous, 50 A for 1 sec. peak

36. Drive Unit specifications
AP24/28: Features and application
Drive Unit specifications

37. Drive Unit specifications
AP24/28: Features and application
Drive Unit specifications

38. AP24 Panel mounting (Cut-out 90 mm)
AP24/28: Installation
AP24 Panel mounting (Cut-out 90 mm)

39. AP24/28: Installation
AP28 Bracket mounting

40. AC12/42 Autopilot Computer mounting
AP24/28: Installation
AC12/42 Autopilot Computer mounting

41. AP24/28: Installation AC12/42 Board Terminals AC12 Board Terminals

42. AP24/28: Installation
SimNet Power and Temination The following rules should be observed when installing SimNet:
It must have a separate 12VDC power from the battery bus or the circuit breaker board to reduce interference
It must not be connected to the supply voltage terminals of the Autopilot Computer
It will power a SimNet compatible instrument system. Hence SimNet to other equipment can be supplied from the autopilot.
SimNet must be properly terminated, there must be terminations at each end of the SimNet backbone

43. AP24/28: Installation Control Unit (AP24)
Snap-on corners to hide mounting screws
Two SimNet connectors for system interconnection, expansion and data sharing with other Simrad products.

44. Control unit connection
AP24/28: Installation
Control unit connection

45. Rudder Feedback mounting
AP24/28: Installation
Rudder Feedback mounting

46. AP24/28: Installation
RF300 connections

47. RF25 connection to SimNet
AP24/28: Installation
RF25 connection to SimNet

48. AP24/28: Installation
RPU connections

49. AP24/28: Installation
HLD connections

50. AP24/28: Installation
Solenoid connections

51. AP24/28: Installation
DD15 connections

52. AP24/28: Installation
DD15 mounting

53. AP24/28: Installation
DD15 mounting

54. DD15 mounting Reducing noise and vibrations
AP24/28: Installation
DD15 mounting Reducing noise and vibrations

55. AP24/28: Installation SD10 mounting
For best performance the following dimensions should be followed.

56. AP24/28: Installation
AP28 Menu structure

57. AP24/28: Menu structure

58. AP24/28: Menu structure

59. AP24/28 Commissioning Rudder HI 0.50 0.30 Cont.Rudder HI 1.40
Displayed parameter
Boat type
Own boat
Displacem. & Sail
Planing & Outboard
Autotune
Manual
Rudder HI
0.50
0.30
Cont.Rudder HI
1.40
Autotrim HI
40 sec.
Rate Lim HI
6.0°
Rudder LO
0.35
0.20
Cont.Rudder LO
1.00
Autotrim LO
Rate Lim LO
Minimum rudder
Off

60. AP24/28 Commissioning Manual tuning, ”Rudder” parameter
Too little Rudder
Too much rudder
Course to steer
Rudder sets the rudder gain which is the ratio between the commanded angle and the heading error, also called P-factor.
Course to steer
Too little Rudder and the autopilot fails to keep a steady course
Too much Rudder gives unstable steering and reduces speed
Low speed requires more rudder than high speed

61. Manual tuning, ”Counter rudder”
AP24/28 Commissioning
Manual tuning, ”Counter rudder”
Counter Rudder is the parameter that counteracts the effect of the boat’s turn rate and inertia.
The best way of checking the value of the Counter Rudder setting is when making turns. The figures illustrate the effects of various Counter Rudder settings.
Counter rudder setting too high, sluggish and creeping response
Correct setting of counter rudder, ideal response
Counter rudder setting too low, overshoot response

62. Manual tuning, ”Autotrim”
AP24/28 Commissioning
Manual tuning, ”Autotrim”
Autotrim corrects for a constant heading error due to wind and current by building up a constant rudder offset.
Standard value is 40 seconds which should work well on most boats.
Rule of thumb: Set to same value (seconds) as the boat’s length in feet.
On boats operating on VRF it should be set to 20 seconds

63. Manual tuning, Rate limit
AP24/28 Commissioning
Manual tuning, Rate limit
Rate Limit is setting the max rate of turn during larger course changes.
Should be kept at 6.0°/second unless there is a need for more rapid response in turns.

65. AP24/28: Operation
A single press on the PWR key turns the autopilot system on and presents the start up pages
Product name
Software version and release date
After approximately 5 seconds, the system is operative

66. Adjusting display illumination
AP24/28: Operation
Adjusting display illumination
Press the PWR key
The Light level overlay window will be displayed on top of the current view
Adjust by the + and – soft key
Select day or night view by the ”moon” and ”sun” soft key
There is a 3 sec. timeout

67. AP24/28: Operation Standby mode Display information: S = Standby mode
Current heading 346°M
Compass source: FC40
Rudder angle 04° to stbd.

68. AP24/28: Operation NFU (Power) steering
In Standby mode, press any of the PORT or STBD keys
The Non-Follow-Up (NFU) display is presented and the rudder will move as long as the key is pressed.

69. Relative and Virtual Feedback (VRF)
AP24/28: Operation
Relative and Virtual Feedback (VRF)
If your autopilot is driving a Simrad MSD50 Stern Drive, the rudder angle display will after turn on alternate between 10 degrees port and starboard to indicate that the (rudder) zero point need be set
When the autopilot is operating on Virtual Rudder Feedback, the rudder angle bar graph is empty

70. AP24/28: Operation Auto (compass) mode Automatic steering mode
Set course: 340 degrees
Compass reading: 340°M
Heading source: FC40
Rudder angle: 01° to starboard
Speed: 6.8 knots (from log)
Steering parameter: LO-M(anual)
Auto (compass) mode

71. AP24/28: Operation Heading capture:
When in AUTO mode heading capture allows you to automatically cancel the turn you are in and continue on the heading read from the compass the very moment you pressed the AUTO key
Heading capture also applies for the NoDrift mode
Automatic steering mode
New “captured” heading: 305°
Compass reading: 311° M (magnetic) or T (true)

72. AP24/28: Operation Response control
The Response control allows you to make this fine tuning for each of the two (HI/LO) parameter sets
The response can be set to nine levels
Level 4 is default with steering parameter values as set by the Autotune or manual entered
If no Autotune is made, the level 4 values are the factory default values

73. AP24/28: Operation
Adjusting Response

74. Wind response (sailboat)
AP24/28: Operation
Wind response (sailboat)
If the difference between the set wind angle and the actual wind angle is too big, increase the ‘Wind response’ to reduce the difference.
If the actual wind angle is S-ing around the set wind angle, or the rudder activity is too high, the ‘Wind response’ should be reduced

75. Adjusting Wind response
AP24/28: Operation
Adjusting Wind response

76. AP24/28: Operation NAV mode (AP24) Course to steer (CTS)
Cross track error (XTE)
Boat symbol illustrating whether the boat is to port or starboard of planned track
Compass heading: 345°
Next waypoint: WP (Eigeroy)
Bearing to next waypoint (BTW)
Distance to next waypoint (DTW)
Steering parameters: HI-Automaic

77. AP24/28: Operation No Drift (NAV) mode:
The NoDrift mode is an alternative to route steering in NAV mode, and is automatically entered when you press the MODE key followed by the soft key.
Requires Lat/Long input from GPS
Shown display is AP24

78. AP24/28: Operation
Wind mode (AP24 display)
soft key
Soft keys

79. AP24/28: Operation
Tacking in Wind mode

80. AP24/28 Service/Troubleshooting
Field service
Service in the field by replacing complete units
Software upgrade is easily made from a Laptop through a SimNet connector
A SimNet-USB Software Upgrade Kit is available; p/n

81. AP24/28 Service/Troubleshooting
Service menu
The main menu includes a Service item that access several options to display data used when testing or troubleshooting the system.

82. AP24/28 Service/Troubleshooting
SimNet status
The SimNet status screen provides you with status information about the different SimNet messages used by the system.

83. AP24/28 Service/Troubleshooting
System data
The System data screen provides you with status information about the different messages used by the system.

84. AP24/28 Service/Troubleshooting
Autopilot reset
To confirm the autopilot reset press the softkey.
An Autopilot Reset is part of the final test at the factory, which will reset the memories to factory settings. Unless you need to clear all stored values during the installation setup, you should not perform an Autopilot reset.
The Installation and Setup procedures must be repeated after a reset has been performed!

85. AP24/28 Service/Troubleshooting
Global (SimNet) reset
A Global reset resets the entire SimNet setup in the Simrad Group and initiates a new automatic interface setup.

86. AP24/28 Service/Troubleshooting

87. PRODUCT TRAINING AP24/AP28 Level 300
Inge Kvalbein Product Expert

88. AP24/28: “Exam”
How many control units can you have in one autopilot system?
Only one
Two
Multiple
Which Feedback unit can not be used with AP24/28;
RF300
RF14XU
RF45X
RF25
LF3000

89. AP24/28: “Exam”
3. Which Autopilot Computer do you need for a RPU300, 24V?
1. AC12
2. AC42
3. AC40
How many NMEA0183 ports do a AC12 have?
One
Two
None

90. AP24/28: “Exam”
How many different Turn patterns are available in the autopilot (including U-turn)? 3 5 7
Which settings/adjustments must be made untill you can use your autopilot?
Set boat type
Calibrate Rudder feedback
Calibrate Compass
Perform Automatic rudder test
Perform Automatic tuning

91. AP24/28: “Exam”
What data is required from the GPS/Plotter to activate the NoDrift mode?
Cross track error (XTE)
Bearing to waypoint (BWW,BWC)
Position (GGA, GLL)
Waypont name (in RMB)
Can AC42 operate solenoid valves on a steering gear? No
Yes, but only 24V
Yes, but only proportional valves

92. AP24/28: “Exam” Can you calibrate the speed log from an AP24?
No, only from IS20 Combi and Graphic
No, only from AP28
Yes
Where is the FC40 compass calibration data stored?
In the AC12/42
In the compass
In the autopilot control unit