Cutie Reactor™ 40 Compact hidraulic cu GHC™ 50 și Shadow Drive

The kit includes the essential components for a hydraulic autopilot:

A Reactor 40 central control unit (CCU)An electronic control unit (ECU)A hydraulic pumpA GHC 50 control displayA Shadow Drive™ sensorAn audible alarmThe necessary cables and connectors for installation (including NMEA 2000 T-connectors and the NMEA 2000 power cable).

This system is specifically designed for outboard-powered boats equipped with hydraulic steering. It is particularly suited to single-engine vessels, typically under 7.6 metres, although some sources may indicate up to 9.1 metres.

The Shadow Drive™ technology automatically disengages the autopilot when you manually turn the wheel. As soon as you regain manual control of the steering, the autopilot goes into standby, providing a smooth and secure transition. Once the wheel is released, the autopilot resumes its heading.

The GHC 50 control display is a 5-inch (12.7 cm) WVGA color LCD touchscreen with 800 x 480 pixel resolution. It features an edge-to-edge glass design, high brightness for optimal readability, and an anti-reflective glass lens.

Yes, the GHC 50 control display is fully touchscreen, providing an intuitive user interface for managing your autopilot.

The GHC 50 display has an IPX7 water resistance rating, meaning it can withstand accidental immersion up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes.

No, the Garmin Reactor 40 Compact hydraulic kit is specifically designed and suited for single-engine vessels.

The GHC 50 display dimensions without the sunshade are 105 mm (height) x 140 mm (width) x 51 mm (depth). With the sunshade, they are 113 mm (height) x 144 mm (width) x 56 mm (depth).

The GHC 50 display offers a brightness of 1200 cd/m² (NIT), ensuring excellent readability even in full sunlight.

Yes, the pump must be mounted in a location where the boat's hydraulic steering lines can be extended. Ideally, the pump should be mounted horizontally. If vertical mounting is necessary, the hydraulic connections must face upward. The pump must also be installed within 0.5 meters (19 inches) of the ECU.

The ECU must be installed within 0.5 metres (19 inches) of the pump. The cables connecting the ECU to the pump must not be extended.

No, the cables that specifically connect the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to the hydraulic pump cannot be extended. The ECU must be installed within 0.5 meters (19 inches) of the pump.

For flush-mount installation of the GHC 50, you will need:

A drill and drill bits (9 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm)A Phillips screwdriver #2A jigsaw or rotary toolA file and sandpaperMarine sealant (recommended)

The Shadow Drive sensor must be correctly installed in the hydraulic steering line of your boat. It is then connected to the CCU cable.

No, it is not mandatory to have an existing NMEA 2000 network. If your boat does not have one, you can build one using the cables and connectors provided in the autopilot kit. The GHC 50 and the CCU must be connected to the same NMEA 2000 network.

Yes, the system is designed for extended connectivity. The GHC 50 display can connect via NMEA 2000®, Garmin Marine Network, ANT+®, and Wi-Fi®. This allows communication with compatible Garmin chartplotters and other NMEA 2000 devices for autopilot setup and control, as well as software updates.

No, the GHC 50 display is powered by the NMEA 2000 network. Therefore, a separate power connection is not required for the GHC 50 itself, provided the NMEA 2000 network is properly powered (9 to 16 Vdc).

Yes, the ECU must be installed in a location where it will not be submerged or exposed to water spray (e.g., deck washing). It can be mounted on a flat surface and in any orientation.

The Garmin Reactor™ 40 Compact hydraulic kit with GHC™ 50 and Shadow Drive is specifically designed for outboard-powered motorboats equipped with hydraulic steering. It is particularly suited to single-engine vessels, typically under 7.6 metres, although some sources indicate it may also suit vessels under 9.1 metres.

This system provides a complete and reliable autopilot solution for this type of setup, positioning itself as an alternative to more complex systems designed for larger vessels or steering-assist configurations.

To ensure optimal performance of your Reactor™ 40 Compact autopilot, it is essential to meet the positioning requirements for the different components:

Control and Calculation Unit (CCU): This is the system's main sensor. It must be mounted on a rigid surface, ideally near the boat's center of rotation, on the centerline, lower and slightly forward. Keep it away from magnetic interference sources: no closer than 60 cm (2 ft) from iron, magnets, high-current wires, or intermittent pumps. A strong magnet (such as a subwoofer speaker) must not be closer than 1.5 m (5 ft). The CCU-to-ECU cable is 5 m (16 ft) long and must not be shortened. Extension cables are available if needed.Electronic Control Unit (ECU): It can be mounted on a flat surface in any orientation. It must be located no more than 0.5 m (19 in) from the pump. The cables connecting the ECU to the pump cannot be extended. The ECU must be installed in a location where it will not be submerged or exposed to splashes. The ECU power cable connects to the boat's battery and can be extended if necessary using the appropriate wire gauge.Hydraulic pump: It must be mounted where the boat's hydraulic steering lines can be extended to reach it. It must be located no more than 0.5 m (19 in) from the ECU. The cables connecting the pump to the ECU cannot be extended. If possible, mount the pump horizontally. If vertical mounting is necessary, the hydraulic connections must face upward.GHC 50 control display: It must be mounted at or below eye level for optimal viewing. The mounting surface must be strong enough to support the device's weight and protect it from excessive vibration or shock. To avoid interference with a magnetic compass, it must not be installed closer than 20 cm (7.87 in) from a compass. The space behind the mounting surface must allow for cable routing and connections.Shadow Drive sensor: It must be properly installed in the hydraulic steering line and connected to the CCU cable.Alarm: It must be installed near the main helm station for optimal audibility of system alerts.