Raymarine ST1000 Plus & ST2000 Plus Tiller Pilots ST1000 Plus & ST2000 Plus User Manual

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Chapter 5: Commissioning the Tiller Pilot
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The following test will determine whether the rudder gain is set too 
high or too low.
1. In clear water and with the autopilot in Auto mode, alter course to 
starboard by 40° by pressing +10 four times.
At cruising speeds, a course change of 40° should result in a 
crisp turn followed by an overshoot of no more than 5°.
If this occurs the rudder gain is set correctly. 
If rudder gain is too high, the 40° course change will result in a 
distinct overshoot of more than 5° (A). 
Correct this oversteer by reducing the rudder gain setting.
If rudder gain is too low, the boat’s steering performance will 
be sluggish – it will take a long time to make the 40° turn and 
there will be no overshoot (B). 
Correct this understeer by increasing the rudder gain setting.
            
Note: It is easier to recognize these actions in calm sea conditions 
where wave action does not mask basic steering performance.
2. Refer to the calibration menu diagram in Chapter 6: Adjusting 
Tiller Pilot Settings, for instructions on how to adjust the rudder 
gain setting.
3. Repeat the test until you achieve crisp course changes with no 
more than 5° of overshoot.
You should set the rudder gain to the lowest setting consistent with 
accurate course keeping. This will minimize drive movements and 
reduce power consumption and wear and tear.
New
heading
New
heading
A
New
heading
B
Correct 
rudder gain
Rudder gain 
too high
Rudder gain 
too low
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81130_3.book  Page 59  Wednesday, July 25, 2001  11:57 AM