Simrad AUTOPILOT SYSTEM AP50 Manuel D’Utilisation

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Simrad AP50 Autopilot 
30 
20221032B
 
Caution ! 
When operating an On/Off thruster it is important to note that 
most electrical thrusters have a built in thermal cut-off switch 
that will shut off the electromotor if it is overheating and re-
engage it when it has cooled down. The water temperature also 
affects the running time. The On/Off thruster may only run for 
a few minutes, and its total running time for a longer period 
should be limited by increasing the thruster sensitivity value 
(see page 156). 
2.8  Navigating with the AP50 
The AP50 has the capability to use steering information from an 
external navigator (GPS/Chart plotter or ECS) to direct the boat 
to one specific waypoint location or through a series of 
waypoints. In the NAV mode, the AP50 uses the heading sensor 
as its heading source for course keeping. The steering and speed 
information received from the external navigator alters the set 
course to direct the AP50 to the destination waypoint. 
Note ! 
Navigational steering must only be used in open waters. By 
selecting the NAV mode, the AP50 is set for automatic steering 
on the current set course to a destination waypoint. 
To obtain satisfactory navigation steering, the following 
conditions must be fulfilled prior to entering the NAV mode: 
•  The AP50 autosteering must be tested and determined 
satisfactory 
•  The navigation receiver must be operating and the navigation 
system (GPS/Chart plotter or ECS) must be in full operating 
mode with adequate signal characteristics for valid position 
and steering data 
•  At least one waypoint must be entered and selected as the 
current waypoint in the navigation receiver 
•  The navigation source in the AP50 User Set-up menu must be 
set for the navigator that contains the current waypoint 
The AP50 is designed to steer in mixed mode operation. This 
combines the straight steering capability of Cross Track Error 
(XTE) steering in conjunction with the turning capability of 
bearing mode steering (Course To Steer [CTS]).  
NAV
SETUP
  Press the NAV button to activate the NAV prompt display.