Garmin Reactor™ 40 Kicker autopilot

The Garmin Reactor™ 40 Kicker autopilot is an advanced navigation solution specifically designed for auxiliary engines, also known as 'kicker' engines, fitted on displacement-hull vessels. It provides reliable automated control of the direction and speed of your auxiliary engine, thereby improving heading accuracy and the stability of your vessel.

The Reactor™ 40 Kicker autopilot uses 9-axis AHRS (Attitude Heading Reference System) technology. This advanced technology provides exceptional heading accuracy and stability, even in rough sea conditions or with the specific vibrations from auxiliary engines.

The Reactor™ 40 Kicker system consists of several key components:

The Compass Control Unit (CCU), which is the main sensor of the autopilot.The Electronic Control Unit (ECU), which acts as the power interface.A steering actuator, which controls the engine's direction.An throttle actuator, which manages the engine's speed.NMEA 2000 cables and connectors are also provided for networking.

No, the Garmin Reactor™ 40 Kicker autopilot is specifically designed for auxiliary engines ('kicker') fitted on displacement-hull vessels. It is meticulously adapted to the particular dynamics of these engines, which are often subject to vibrations and specific stresses.

This 'Kicker' version of the Reactor™ 40 is specifically optimized for auxiliary engines. Unlike standard Reactor 40 systems, which are optimized for main hydraulic or mechanical propulsion, the Reactor 40 Kicker is adapted to the dynamics and vibrations of auxiliary engines, ensuring optimal performance for this niche application.

For optimal performance, the CCU must be mounted on a rigid surface, away from magnetic interference sources. This includes iron, magnets, high-current cables, and intermittent pumps (such as toilet or livewell pumps). It is also recommended to mount it as close as possible to the boat's center of rotation. A test with a handheld compass is advised to check for interference.

Yes, the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) must be mounted on a flat surface in a location where it will not be submerged or exposed to washing. It can be oriented in any direction.

The CCU cable must not be cut. It is 5 meters (16 feet) long. If the CCU cannot be mounted within 5 meters of the ECU, extension cables are available and can be purchased separately from your Garmin dealer or on garmin.com.

The steering actuator must be installed in a stainless steel tilt tube. Installing it in a tube made of another material (such as non-stainless steel, common on Honda or Yamaha engines) will cause rust to develop inside the tube, which could jam the steering actuator. Such mechanical damage is not covered by the product warranty. The steering actuator cable cannot be extended.

Garmin strongly recommends installing an engine kill switch before installing the autopilot system if your engine is not already equipped with one. It is crucial to know how to use it in an emergency for safety.

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

The Dockside Wizard (dockside assistant): can be performed dockside or out of the water, for initial settings such as hull type, maximum kicker engine speed, and maximum RPM (6000 rpm). It also includes a rudder direction test.The Sea Trial Wizard (sea trial assistant): must be performed in calm, clear water to configure the fundamental sensors and run the Autotune procedure, which adjusts the autopilot to your boat's characteristics.These assistants will guide you through the necessary configuration steps.

Yes, the Reactor™ 40 Kicker autopilot is compatible with certain Suzuki™ outboards, but this requires the installation of additional components provided in a specific Suzuki adapter kit. You must follow the installation instructions for this kit in addition to those for the autopilot's corepack.

To configure and control the autopilot, you need either a dedicated helm control unit (not always included in all packages) or a compatible Garmin chartplotter. In both cases, the device must be connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as the autopilot’s compass control unit (CCU).

No, the Reactor™ 40 Kicker autopilot system is not compatible with Garmin's Shadow Drive™ valve. After completing the Dockside Wizard at the dock, you will need to disable the Shadow Drive valve in the system settings to prevent an error message from displaying.

The Reactor™ 40 Kicker autopilot requires an NMEA 2000 network. The Compass Control Unit (CCU) and tiller or wheel pilot drive must be connected to this network. If your boat does not have an existing NMEA 2000 network, a basic network can be built using the included cables and connectors.

During configuration, you can select the speed source. Options include the tachometer (if the throttle actuator spark wire is connected to an engine spark cable), GPS (an external GPS antenna is recommended for better accuracy), or 'None'. If the autopilot does not perform well with 'None', Garmin recommends connecting the spark wire or using an external GPS antenna.

No, the product warranty does not cover mechanical damage to the steering actuator if it is installed in a tilt tube that is not made of stainless steel. Using a tube made of another material can cause rust and actuator jamming, and attempts to free it will not be covered.

To ensure the longevity of the steering actuator, even when installed in a stainless-steel tilt tube, Garmin recommends performing routine maintenance at least twice a year if the boat is used in saltwater. This maintenance typically involves lubrication.

No, a dedicated helm control is not included in every Reactor™ 40 Kicker autopilot package. If your package does not include one, you will need to configure and control the system using a compatible Garmin chartplotter connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as the Compass Control Unit (CCU).