Reactor™ 40 Kicker autopilot with GHC™ 50 and stainless steel tilt tube

The Garmin Reactor™ 40 Kicker autopilot is an advanced navigation solution specifically designed for auxiliary engines (kickers) on displacement motor vessels. Its primary function is to simultaneously control the steering and throttle of the auxiliary engine, providing optimized heading accuracy and speed control. It is particularly well-suited for trolling or as a supplementary propulsion system.

The Garmin Reactor™ 40 Kicker system is a complete kit that integrates several essential components for its operation:

A dedicated GHC™ 50 helm display.The autopilot control unit (CCU), which serves as the primary sensor.The electronic control unit (ECU) for actuator management.A steering actuator.An accelerator actuator.A stainless steel tilt tube, which is essential for installing the steering actuator and durability in a marine environment.

Yes, it is mandatory to install the autopilot drive inside a stainless steel steering tube. Installing the autopilot drive in a tube made of any other material than stainless steel will cause internal rust to develop, eventually jamming the autopilot drive. Mechanical damage to the autopilot drive caused by attempting to free a stuck push rod is not covered by the product warranty.

Note that some popular engine manufacturers use non-stainless steel steering tubes, which will need to be replaced before installation.

No, the Garmin Reactor™ 40 Kicker autopilot is not compatible with the Shadow Drive™ valve. After completing the "Dockside Wizard" configuration assistant, the Shadow Drive™ valve must be disabled in the system settings. An error message will appear until this deactivation is performed.

After physically installing the components, the Reactor™ 40 Kicker autopilot system must be configured and tuned for your boat's dynamics. The initial configuration steps include:

Running the Dockside Wizard: This assistant can be completed with the boat in or out of the water, but the boat must be stationary if in the water. It allows you to define the hull type, the kicker engine's maximum speed, and to test the steering.Disabling the Shadow Drive™ valve: This step is crucial because the Reactor™ 40 Kicker system is not compatible with this valve.Running the Sea Trial Wizard: This assistant configures the autopilot's core sensors and must be performed in calm water. It includes compass calibration and the Autotune procedure.Compass calibration: It must be performed while keeping the boat as stable and level as possible.The Autotune procedure: It requires a large expanse of open water and involves the boat making various zigzag movements to optimize settings.

Yes, the Garmin Reactor™ 40 Kicker autopilot is designed for seamless integration via the NMEA 2000 network. This enables efficient communication with compatible Garmin chartplotters for system configuration and control. If your Garmin chartplotter is connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as the autopilot control unit (CCU), you will be able to use it to configure and control the autopilot.

Yes, to ensure the durability and proper operation of your Reactor™ 40 Kicker autopilot, regular maintenance is recommended, especially if your boat is used in saltwater. It is advised to service the steering actuator at least twice a year. This preventive maintenance helps prevent actuator jamming and extends the system's lifespan.

The Garmin Reactor™ 40 Kicker autopilot is an advanced navigation solution specifically designed for auxiliary engines (kickers) on displacement motor vessels. It is unique within the Garmin Reactor™ 40 family due to its ability to simultaneously control both the steering and throttle of the auxiliary engine, providing optimized heading and speed control, particularly for trolling or auxiliary propulsion.

The complete Reactor™ 40 Kicker system includes several essential components:

A dedicated GHC™ 50 tiller pilot display.The autopilot control unit (CCU) acting as the primary sensor.The electronic control unit (ECU) for actuator management.A steering actuator.An throttle actuator.A stainless-steel tilt tube, critical for steering actuator installation and durability in marine environments.

The system is designed to operate with certain auxiliary engines. Specific adapter kits, such as the Reactor™ 40 Kicker Adapter Kit 7, are required for use with certain Mercury and Tohatsu™ engines. It is recommended to consult the corepack and adapter kit installation instructions to verify compatibility with your specific engine.

Yes, it is absolutely necessary to install the steering actuator inside a stainless steel tilt tube. Installing it in a tube made of any other material will result in internal rust formation, which could jam the steering actuator. Mechanical damage caused by attempting to free a stuck push rod is not covered by the product warranty. Popular engine manufacturers like Honda and Yamaha commonly use non-stainless steel tilt tubes, which must be replaced.

To avoid potential personal injury and damage to your boat, it is strongly recommended that the autopilot system be installed by a qualified marine installer. Specific knowledge of marine steering and electrical systems is required for correct installation. However, the installation guide provides detailed instructions if you choose to do it yourself, emphasizing caution and adherence to safety instructions.

After physical installation, the system must be configured and tuned for your boat’s dynamics. This is done via two wizards:

The Dockside Wizard: It guides you through initial steps such as selecting hull type (Power Displacement Hull), entering auxiliary engine top speed and max RPM (6000 rpm), steering test, and speed source selection.The Sea Trial Wizard: It configures the autopilot’s core sensors and must be performed in calm water. It includes compass calibration and the Autotune procedure, where the boat performs zigzag movements to optimize settings.These wizards can be launched from the GHC™ 50 helm display or a compatible Garmin chartplotter screen.

For optimal performance, the CCU, which is the primary sensor of the system, must be mounted in a non-submerged location near the boat's pivot point, preferably along the centerline, lower in the boat, and slightly forward. It can be mounted in any orientation on a rigid surface. It is crucial to keep it away from sources of magnetic interference such as iron, magnets, high-current wires, and intermittently operating pumps (at least 60 cm), and large magnets (at least 1.5 m).

You can use a handheld compass to test a mounting location for magnetic interference:

Hold a handheld compass at the proposed mounting location for the CCU. Move the compass 15 cm (6 in) to the left, then 15 cm to the right. If the compass needle moves more than three degrees, magnetic interference is present and you will need to select a new location. Repeat this process by moving the compass above and below, then in front of and behind the mounting location. If the compass needle does not move or moves less than three degrees, the location is suitable.

No, the Reactor™ 40 Kicker autopilot system is not compatible with the Shadow Drive™ valve. After completing the Dockside Wizard, you must disable the Shadow Drive™ valve in the system settings. An error message will appear until it is disabled.

The autopilot can use different speed sources:

Tachometer - NMEA 2000: If the spark wire on the throttle actuator is connected to an engine spark plug wire.GPS: If the spark wire is not connected. Garmin recommends using an external GPS antenna mounted with a clear view of the sky for reliable and accurate speed information.None (None): If the spark wire is not connected and no GPS device is available as a speed source. If the autopilot does not perform well with this option, it is recommended to connect the spark wire or use an external GPS antenna.

No, the power cables for the steering and throttle actuators cannot be cut or extended. It is essential to plan the installation so that these cables reach the electronic control unit (ECU) without modification.

The Reactor™ 40 Kicker system integrates via the NMEA 2000 network. The autopilot control unit (CCU) and the helm display (GHC™ 50 or a compatible Garmin chartplotter) must be connected to the NMEA 2000 network using the included T-connectors. If your boat does not already have an NMEA 2000 network, a basic network can be built with the provided cables and connectors. Optional NMEA 2000 devices (wind sensor, speed log, GPS) can also be connected for advanced features.

The Reactor™ 40 Kicker autopilot is specifically designed to provide full control of the auxiliary engine. It simultaneously manages:

Steering: Via the steering actuator installed in the tilt tube.Throttle: Through the throttle actuator connected to the engine’s throttle system, enabling precise speed control.This dual capability allows for autonomous navigation and optimized course and speed holding, particularly useful for trolling.