Cofret Reactor™ 40 pentru direcții electronice cu instrument GHC™ 50

The Garmin Reactor™ 40 steer-by-wire is an autopilot system designed for boats equipped with an electronic steering system. It provides precise course-keeping and seamless integration via the NMEA 2000 network. The kit includes the Reactor™ 40 Control and Command Unit (CCU), which serves as the primary sensor, and the GHC™ 50 instrument for control and display.

The Reactor™ 40 autopilot is initially configured using two wizards: the "Dockside Wizard" and the "Sea Trial Wizard". These procedures are critical to adapt the autopilot to your boat's specific dynamics. They include:

The heading test.The selection of the speed source (NMEA 2000 tachometer or recommended external GPS).The tachometer verification.Advanced compass calibration.The "Autotune" procedure to adjust autopilot gains.The "Set North" function (with GPS connected) or fine heading adjustment.

The Reactor™ 40 CCU control unit must be mounted in a non-submerged location, ideally near the center of the boat, and can be oriented in any direction. It is crucial to keep it away from sources of magnetic interference such as iron, magnets, high-current wires, and pumps operating intermittently. A test with a handheld compass is recommended to ensure the needle does not deviate by more than three degrees. The best location is generally the closest to the boat's center of rotation, on the centerline, lower in the boat, and slightly forward.

Yes, the Reactor™ 40 autopilot system, including the GHC™ 50 instrument and the computer control unit (CCU), must be connected to an NMEA 2000 network. If your boat does not already have an NMEA 2000 network, the necessary components to build one are included in the kit. A single NMEA 2000 power cable is required for the network to function properly.

The GHC™ 50 instrument is powered directly from the NMEA 2000 network. It does not require a separate power connection. The NMEA 2000 network provides both the electrical power for the instrument and communication with other autopilot components.

Yes, the autopilot alarm wires can be extended if necessary. It is recommended to use a 28 AWG (0.08 mm²) wire for this extension. Connections must be made watertight: the white wire (+) of the alarm must be connected to the orange wire (+) of the CCU cable, and the black wire (-) of the alarm to the blue wire (-) of the CCU cable.

The "Autotune" procedure is an essential function of the Reactor™ 40 autopilot. It automatically adjusts the autopilot gains for optimal rudder response in varying speed and sea conditions. This procedure must be performed in open, calm water, at typical cruising speed, where the boat will make zigzag movements to calibrate the system.

The compass calibration, which is part of the "Sea Trial Wizard", must be performed with the boat as stable and level as possible, without heel. It is important to ensure that the weight is balanced and that the boat does not pitch during the procedure. After calibration, a magnetic environment quality value is displayed. A value of 100 indicates a perfect installation and calibration of the CCU in an ideal magnetic environment. If this value is low, it may be necessary to reposition the CCU and recalibrate.

The standard kit for the Garmin Reactor™ 40 steer-by-wire autopilot with GHC™ 50 instrument is a complete solution designed for the navigation of boats equipped with an electronic steering system. It is centered on the Reactor™ 40 Control and Command Unit (CCU), which acts as the primary sensor, and provides precise course-keeping as well as seamless integration via the NMEA 2000 network.

The Reactor™ 40 steer-by-wire system is configured via two assistants: the "Dockside Wizard" and the "Sea Trial Wizard".

The Dockside Wizard can be performed dockside or out of the water and allows testing the rudder direction, selecting the speed source, and checking the tachometer. The Sea Trial Wizard must be carried out in calm water and enables advanced compass calibration and the "Autotune" procedure, which adjusts autopilot gains for optimal rudder response in varying speed and sea conditions.

The control unit (CCU) must be installed in a non-submerged location, near the center of the boat, in any orientation. For optimal performance, it should be mounted on a rigid surface and away from sources of magnetic interference (iron, magnets, high-current wires, intermittent pumps). Ideally, the location should be as close as possible to the boat’s center of rotation, the central axis, lower down, and slightly forward.

To test a mounting location for magnetic interference, use a handheld compass. Hold the compass at the intended location for the CCU. Then move the compass six inches to the left, then to the right, above, below, in front of, and behind the location. If the compass needle moves more than three degrees at any time, magnetic interference is present. In this case, you will need to choose a new mounting location and repeat the test.

Yes, the Reactor™ 40 system is compatible with Garmin chartplotters. If your autopilot package does not include a dedicated helm control (such as the GHC™ 50), the Control and Command Unit (CCU) must be connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as a compatible Garmin chartplotter to configure and control the autopilot system.

To flush-mount the GHC™ 50 instrument, follow these steps:

Cut out the provided template and secure it to the chosen location.Drill 9 mm (3/8 in) holes at the corners of the continuous line of the template to prepare for cutting.Use a jigsaw or rotary tool to cut the mounting surface along the inside of the continuous line.Test the fit of the unit in the cutout and adjust if necessary using a file and sandpaper.Drill the outer mounting holes (2.5 mm for wood screws or 3.5 mm for nut plates). If using nut plates, also drill the inner 4 mm holes.Install the rubber gasket parts on the rear of the unit.Connect all necessary cables to the unit if rear access will not be possible after installation.Place the unit in the cutout and secure it using the included screws.Snap the trim caps onto the screws.

The Autotune procedure is crucial for configuring the autopilot’s core sensors and adjusting the pilot gains for optimal rudder response across varying speeds and sea conditions. It must be performed in a large expanse of calm, open water. You need to set the throttle so the boat sails at a typical cruising speed (below planing speed) that provides responsive steering. During the procedure, the boat will execute various zigzag maneuvers.

The Reactor™ 40 autopilot can use different speed sources:

NMEA 2000 tachometer or proprietary: If your autopilot controller provides RPM data, or if one or more NMEA 2000-compatible engines are connected to the NMEA 2000 network. GPS: If your autopilot controller does not provide RPM data, or if an NMEA 2000 tachometer data source is unavailable or unusable. Garmin recommends using an external GPS antenna for reliable and accurate speed information. None: If none of the above options are available. However, Garmin recommends connecting a tachometer via the NMEA 2000 network or using an external GPS antenna as a speed source if autopilot performance is insufficient.

Yes. The control unit of the computer (CCU) and the GHC™ 50 instrument must be connected to an NMEA 2000 network. If your boat does not already have an NMEA 2000 network, all the parts required to build one are included in the autopilot kit. To use the advanced features of the autopilot, optional NMEA 2000 devices, such as a wind sensor or a GPS device, can also be connected to this network.

The compass heading alignment with the course over ground (COG) is performed using the "Set North" procedure. This function is available if the autopilot is connected to an optional GPS device that has acquired a GPS position. During this procedure, the autopilot aligns the compass heading with the course over ground (COG) data from the GPS device. To do this, you must sail in a straight line at cruising speed, downwind and in the direction of the current.

Yes, the gain values are displayed on the tiller command after the Autotune procedure, and you can adjust them manually. However, Garmin does not recommend manually adjusting the gain settings, as the Autotune procedure is designed to automatically optimize these parameters for your boat's best performance.