Reactor™ 40 kit for Volvo-Penta® with GHC™ 50 instrument

The GHC 50 instrument is designed for flush mounting in your dashboard. Here are the considerations and tools required:

Required tools: Drill with bits (9 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm), Phillips screwdriver size #2, jigsaw or rotary tool, file and sandpaper, marine sealant (recommended).Mounting considerations: The mounting location must be at or below eye level, the surface must be flat and sturdy enough to support the device’s weight and protect it from excessive vibration. There must be sufficient space behind the surface to allow cable routing and connections.

Precautions: Do not mount the device in an area exposed to extreme temperatures (outside the range of -15°C to 55°C). To avoid interference with a magnetic compass, maintain a safety distance of 20 cm.
General procedure: Use the provided template to mark and cut the opening. Drill the mounting holes according to the chosen method (wood screws or nut plates). Install the sealing gasket at the rear of the device, connect the necessary cables if access is limited after installation, then secure the device in the opening using the supplied screws.

Yes, to avoid potential personal injury and damage to your boat, the autopilot system must be installed by a qualified marine installer. Specific knowledge of marine steering and electrical systems is required for correct installation.

This Reactor™ 40 package is specifically designed for Volvo-Penta® electronic steering systems (Steer-by-Wire).

After physical installation, the autopilot system must be configured and tuned according to your boat's dynamics. This is done using two main assistants:

The Dockside Wizard: Can be completed when the boat is afloat or ashore (if afloat, the boat must be stationary). It guides you through initial setup steps such as selecting the vessel type, testing the rudder direction, selecting the speed source, and checking the tachometer.The Sea Trial Wizard: Must be performed in calm, open water. This assistant configures the autopilot's core sensors and includes steps such as setting the planning mode or maximum speed, calibrating the compass, and running the Autotune procedure.Configuration can be performed using the GHC 50 instrument or a chartplotter compatible with the same NMEA 2000 network.

No, the GHC 50 instrument is powered by the NMEA 2000 network and does not require a separate power connection. The NMEA 2000 network provides power to the instrument and enables communication with other autopilot components.

The GHC 50 instrument has an IEC 60529 IPX7 waterproof rating, meaning it can withstand accidental immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Its operating temperature range is from -15°C to 55°C (5°F to 131°F).

No, the GHC 50 cannot be updated using only an NMEA 2000 network connection. While the NMEA 2000 connection is essential for autopilot operation, a connection to Garmin marine devices via a Garmin marine network cable (sold separately) is recommended for software updates, especially if a Garmin chartplotter is present on the network.

To avoid interference with a magnetic compass, the GHC 50 instrument must not be installed at a distance of less than 20 cm (7.87 inches) from it.

Yes, the documentation strongly recommends that the installation of the autopilot system be performed by a qualified marine installer. This is due to the specific knowledge required in marine steering and electrical systems, essential for correct installation and to avoid potential damage to the boat or personal injury.

For installing the GHC 50 instrument, you will need the following tools:

A drill with 9 mm (3/8 in), 2.5 mm (3/32 in), 3.5 mm (9/64 in), and 4 mm (5/32 in) drill bits.A #2 Phillips screwdriver.A jigsaw or rotary tool.A file and sandpaper.Marine sealant (recommended).

When selecting the mounting location for the GHC 50, the following points must be considered:

The location must be at or below eye level for optimal viewing.The mounting surface must be flat, sufficiently rigid to support the unit’s weight, and protected from excessive vibration or shock.To avoid interference with a magnetic compass, the unit must not be installed closer than the 20 cm (7.87 in) safety distance from a compass.The space behind the mounting surface must allow for cable routing and connections.The unit must not be exposed to temperatures outside the -15°C to 55°C range.

The GHC 50 instrument connects to the boat's NMEA 2000 network. It is powered by this network; no separate power connection is required.

It is important that the GHC 50 is connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as the other autopilot components to ensure proper operation. If you are installing a new NMEA 2000 network, the NMEA 2000 power cable must be connected to the boat's ignition switch, not directly to the battery.

The autopilot system must be configured and tuned to your boat's dynamics. This process is primarily handled via two assistants: the Dockside Wizard and the Sea Trial Wizard.

The Dockside Wizard guides you through the initial setup steps, such as selecting the vessel type, testing the rudder direction, and choosing the speed source. It can be performed when the boat is in the water (at a standstill) or out of the water.

The Sea Trial Wizard (assistant d'essai en mer) is essential for configuring the fundamental sensors of the autopilot and must be performed under appropriate conditions. It is recommended to carry it out in a clear, calm water area where the boat does not pitch at rest or at very low speed and is not significantly affected by wind.

During the procedure, the boat's weight distribution must remain balanced, and it is advisable not to move around to ensure accurate configuration.

This Garmin Reactor 40 kit is specifically designed for Volvo-Penta® electronic steering systems (Steer-by-Wire). It is not compatible with other types of steering systems.

No, the GHC 50 instrument cannot be updated solely via an NMEA 2000 network connection. For software updates, it is recommended to connect it to Garmin Marine Network devices using a Garmin Marine Network 9-pin cable (sold separately), especially if a Garmin chartplotter is present on the network.

The dimensions of the GHC 50 instrument without the sun cover are 105 mm (height) x 140 mm (width) x 51 mm (depth). With the sun cover, the dimensions are 113 mm (height) x 144 mm (width) x 56 mm (depth).

The GHC 50 instrument has an IEC 60529 IPX7 waterproof rating. This means it can withstand accidental immersion in water up to 1 meter deep for a maximum duration of 30 minutes.

The recommended safety distance from a compass for the GHC 50 instrument is 20 centimetres (7.87 inches). It is important to respect this distance to avoid any interference with the operation of a magnetic compass.

The Garmin GHC 50 instrument is designed for flush-mount installation in your dashboard. Below are the key steps and considerations for installation:

Required tools: You will need a drill with bits (9 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm), a #2 Phillips screwdriver, a jigsaw or rotary tool, a file, sandpaper, and marine sealant (recommended).Mounting considerations: Choose a location where the surface is flat, sturdy enough to support the unit’s weight, and with adequate space behind for cable routing. To avoid compass interference, the unit must not be installed within 20 cm of a magnetic compass.Installation procedure: Use the included template and hardware to cut the opening in the dashboard and secure the unit. Two mounting options are available: wood screws or nut plates with machine screws, depending on your mounting surface material.Electrical connection: The GHC 50 is powered via the NMEA 2000 network and requires no separate power connection. It is essential that the GHC 50 be connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as other autopilot components (such as the CCU) to ensure proper system operation.Software updates: For software updates, connect the unit to Garmin Marine Network devices using a Garmin Marine Network cable (sold separately) if a Garmin chartplotter is present on the network. The unit cannot be updated solely via an NMEA 2000 connection.