Alphatron Marine BASICTRIPLEPILOT Instruction Manual

BASICTRIPLEPILOT
Installation & User manual
ALPHATRON MARINE B.V.
Schaardijk 23
3063 NH ROTTERDAM
The Netherlands
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
P.O. Box 210003
3001 AA ROTTERDAM
Web: www.alphatronmarine.com
Mail: [e-mail]
The information in this manual is subject to change
without further notice. No rights can be derived from
this manual
Document : manual BASICTRIPLEPILOT
Revision : 1.3UK
©ALPHATRON MARINE B.V.

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Table of contents:
1REVISIONS ...................................................................................................................4
2INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................5
2.1 Options ...................................................................................................................6
2.2 VERSIONS .............................................................................................................6
2.3 CLASSIFICATION ..................................................................................................6
3INSTALLATION..............................................................................................................7
3.1 Standard delivery materials.....................................................................................7
3.2 General terms for installation..................................................................................7
3.3 Placing the BASICTRIPLEPILOT............................................................................7
3.4 Other needed materials ..........................................................................................8
3.5 Cable installation:....................................................................................................9
3.6 Connecting:.............................................................................................................9
3.7 Grounding:..............................................................................................................9
3.8 Connecting power:..................................................................................................9
3.9 Servo unit:...............................................................................................................9
3.10 Commisioning.........................................................................................................9
4Controlling the BASICTRIPLEPILOT ...........................................................................10
4.1 Push buttons.........................................................................................................10
4.1.1 BASICTRIPLEPILOT, turning on/off..............................................................10
4.1.2 BASICTRIPLEPILOT, dimming lights ............................................................10
4.1.3 BASICTRIPLEPILOT, test functions..............................................................10
4.1.4 BASICTRIPLEPILOT, switching between different operating modes ............11
4.1.5 BASICTRIPLEPILOT, control unit –steering lever........................................11
4.1.6 BASICTRIPLEPILOT, use on pusher boats...................................................12
4.1.7 Settings for the BASICTRIPLEPILOT............................................................12
4.1.8 Alarms............................................................................................................13
5Repair/maintenance.....................................................................................................14
5.1 Failures:................................................................................................................14
6TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS..................................................................................16
7TECHNICAL SUPPORT ..............................................................................................18
8NOTES.........................................................................................................................19

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Important!
Under no circumstances changes may be made to the instrument
without written permission from Alphatron. Otherwise the warranty
will be void.
Read the entire manual before installing the instrument and/or using it.
Delivery Terms: All our deliveries are under the general terms and
conditions applicable to the metal and electrical industry, which have
been filed with the Clerk of the District Court in The Hague on 21
August 1991. Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce Rotterdam
nr 182635.
Warranty: 1 year on Alphatron equipment on material and / or
workmanship, excluding travel and accommodation and additional sea
trials. Unless otherwise agreed.
No part of this manual may be reproduced and / or published by print, photocopy, microfilm or any other means whatsoever, without prior
written permission of Alphatron.
Although this guide is composed with the utmost care, Alphatron accepts no liability for the consequences of any inaccuracies occurring

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1REVISIONS
Revision number Description Date
V1.0 first draft 12-07-2012
V1.1 index revised 13-07-2012
V1.2 UK small changes after getting Rhine
Certificate 11-09-2012
V1.3 UK Revised version 06-11-2019

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2INTRODUCTION
The BASICTRIPLEPILOT is one of the products from the BasicLine. The BASICTRIPLEPILOT is an
autopilot/ROT-Rudder display combination, which has been specially developed for inland
shipping. By default, the BASICTRIPLEPILOT is suitable to be steered manual with the steering
lever and also function as an autopilot. This BASICTRIPLEPILOT combination is fitted with a
rudder and turn indicator available in the same instrument. Optionally, one can also connect an
electronic compass (or GPS/satellite compass) and use that as a reference. In result both gyro
and compass will serve then as sensor input and combine functions between turn indicator and
compass. The pilot is able to feed signals to black / white or proportional valves. Also special
servo output is available to control Rudder propeller systems e.g.
Diagram:
NOTE:
Always make sure, before operating the auto pilot, that no one is near the
rudder (rudder installation) and assure free motion of all mechanical parts !

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2.1 Options
As an option, the following items are available:
Additional remote control (e.g. for outdoor operation)
Manual / auto switch 2 positions (HAND / AUTO)
Manual / auto switch 3 positions (Manual / AUTO / or EMERGENCY HAND / AUTO / OFF)
Rudder feedback assembly, comprising:
- belt/pulley set, or
- Chain or
- Locking bars
2.2 VERSIONS
The BASICTRIPLEPILOT is available in two different versions. For larger vessels the 90 ° / min
model is most suitable, for smaller vessels a 300 ° / min is available.
In addition, the instrument are both available in standard Alphatron grey, as well as a in black.
2.3 CLASSIFICATION
All parts of the BASICTRIPLEPILOT are suitable for use in dry rooms

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3INSTALLATION
3.1 Standard delivery materials
The hardware of a BASICTRIPLEPILOT comprises of:
❑Mounting frame display unit
❑BASICTRIPLEPILOT display unit
❑BASICREMOTE control unit
❑Processor unit
❑Feedback unit (with double potentiometer)
❑Single Gyro (sensor)
3.2 General terms for installation
Don’t install pilot hardware parts along strong vibration locations, nor in direct sunlight or
places were oil vapour, moisture, high temperature or high concentration of dust is present.
For the dimensions of the various parts, check the available drawings.
Be sure, when installing the hardware, to keep a safe distance from any compass.
3.3 Placing the BASICTRIPLEPILOT
The system consists of a number of hardware units for which it is important to select a suitable
location. for the dimensions of the various parts, see the available drawings.
Display: The BASICTRIPLEPILOT can be installed in various different ways. The display unit is
flush mounted by default but a bracket mount housing is available. According to (rhine)
regulation requirements the display must be placed in plain view of the helmsman and must be
easy accessible. There are no restrictions regarding the length of cable between the display unit
and the processor unit.
Operating unit/steering lever: This unit needs to be installed so that the zero positioning of the
steering lever exactly aligns with the bow/aft axis of the ship’s hull. For this unit also certain
general installation regulation apply and need to be followed.
Processor unit: To adjust the pilot settings easy access the processor unit is required, therefore
it should be Installed at an easily accessible location in the wheelhouse console.
Feedback unit: Depending of the type of propulsion a feedback unit may or may not be needed.
The default position of the feedback unit is near to the rudder(s). Check the drawing for more
details. During and after installation especially check the absolute free motion of the mechanical
link between the rudder stock and the feedback unit. Also be sure this link (in most cases a
ribbed belt and pulley set) is mounted fully horizontal. Don’t place the pulleys (big one on the
rudder stock, small pulley on the feedback axis) further apart than approx. 50 cm. Be sure that
the tension spring (of the belt) cannot come into contact with either pulleys, choose the
installation distance and the length of the belt accordingly.
To avoid the belt of coming loose from the pulleys enough tension needs to be applied to the
belt. The coil spring provides for this if the length of the belt is cut to the appropriate length.

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Rate of turn sensor/ single axis gyro: Choosing the correct location for installing the ROT sensor
(gyro) is of great importance to obtain the right steering characteristics of the auto pilot. Check
the following instructions for correct installation:
-Position of the gyro as near to the waterline as possible
-Position the gyro as near to the centre line of the hull as possible
-Place the gyro, horizontally, at a stable platform, try to avoid installation in the
column of,- or in the lifting wheelhouse.
-The arrow on the gyro sensor housing needs to be placed parallel to the length
direction of the ship.
-Install the gyro housing on the supplied shock absorbers. Avoid contact with oil and
grease
-Note that the top of the gyro housing needs at least 10 cm of free space above to be
able to be dismantled.
3.4 Other needed materials
Besides the materials in the scope of supply a functional auto pilot system comprises of:
- various cables (check the diagram of the BASICTRIPLEPILOT )
- external switch: manual steering / auto pilot steering
- fuse box and fuses
- Heading setter (optional in case of compass input in auto pilot)
Manual/auto steering switch: If the ship had an auto pilot prior installed and this switch exist
(must be able to switch at least 5AhDC) than this one can be used. Otherwise a switch need to
be installed (can be ordered separately form Alphatron Marine).
Installation of this switch is normally near to the pilot or near the existing controls of the
steering engine. This switch is needed to turn off the auto pilot’s output (to either steering
servo,- or valves) The emergency steering installation always needs to be operational standby
and must be functional independent of the position of the manual/auto steering switch.
Check the available schematic diagram how to set up the manual/auto switch properly.
IMPORTANT:
The output of the auto pilot processor box is connected directly to the steering
system’s solenoids or their relays.
Without the possibility to isolate and stop the signal from the auto pilot to the steering
system a malfunction (for instance: a “hanging” relay) will cause big problems (rudder
will keep turning).
Therefor installing a “manual/auto – switch” is very important as a precaution to regain
control over the steering system again if and when the autopilot brakes down.
Heading setter: When a Alphacource (electronic compass, recently more and more GPS
compasses will be used instead….) is connected to the auto pilot a “heading setter” need to be
installed near the helmsmen’s steering position. This device (can be a single turning knob) then
function to set a course.

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3.5 Cable installation:
Check the cable diagram for proper cable installation. When no other specifics are known use
cables with a minimum thickness of 0,5mm2. Cables need to be shielded and will have a flexible
core.
Always try to avoid laying cables over long stretches nearby other high power (high
current)cables.
3.6 Connecting:
The auto pilot system need to be installed according to the connecting diagram.
3.7 Grounding:
All hardware parts of this system need to be grounded. Make sure to ground the shield webbing
of the used cables on both ends too, also connect the non-used cable wires (on just one end) to
ground.
The processor unit, gyro and ROT/RUDDER Display need to be grounded to the ship’s hull using
at least a 2,5mm2 diam. cable. This need to be done using the shortest possible length of cable
from the unit to the hull.
3.8 Connecting power:
De BASICTRIPLEPILOT needs to be connected to a power supply, of 18VDC to 31VDC, capable
of delivering at least 10 Ah.
The power supply to the pilot, Rudder display and ROT display are separately to be installed.
Each to its own circuit breaker.
3.9 Servo unit:
If the pilot is connected to a servo unit (electrical steering system), then the connections to
valves and feedback module will be unnecessary.
3.10 Commisioning.
Connecting the power and valves to the auto pilot is a job reserved only to an installer/service
engineer of the Alphatron Marine team or someone with the proper training and certification by
Alphatron. This person also need to for fill all requirements implemented by CCR regulations.
Improper installation will void any warranty and cause damage to the auto pilot.
After proper installation the auto pilot system need to be commissioned/ fine-tuned. Get in
contact with Alphatron to schedule this work.
Prober adjusting procedure starts with tuning the system while docked. The second part of
proper adjusting procedure involves a trail sail in open water. It does not matter whether the
ship is loaded with cargo or not.
For Pusher boats with barges the trail sail WILL involve both sailing with and without the barge.
Rudder motion speed: When black/white valves are involved we recommend to set the full
motion time of the rudder blade moving from max. port to max starboard on to approx. 16
seconds.
This will enable a correct setup for the auto pilot. Proportional valves don’t pose any problems
for correct rudder motion speed setup.
Proper setup procedure: check the technical manual.

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4Controlling the BASICTRIPLEPILOT
This chapter deals with explaining the controls of the BASICTRIPLEPILOT.
Display unit
4.1 Push buttons
Operating the auto pilot system is done by means of using the push buttons on the displays and
moving the steering lever on the control unit.
4.1.1 BASICTRIPLEPILOT, turning on/off.
Turning on: push “on/off” button briefly.
Turning off: push “on/off button for longer period.
4.1.2 BASICTRIPLEPILOT, dimming lights
Turn the “dim” button repeatedly to use the dimming cycle from minimal to maximal.
4.1.3 BASICTRIPLEPILOT, test functions
Located on the display unit is a “test” button for activating testing the alarms and correct
working of the gyro.
During testing the indicator will swing as far as the (yellow) “t” marking on the ROT. The true
rotation speed during the test needs to be 0 degrees/minute. In case no (yellow) “t”marking is
available, the indicator will swing to 1/3 of the complete scale. For example to 30 degrees if a
90 degrees indicator is used.
During operational modes: “Auto” and “Compass” the test function is blocked to prevent
unwanted rudder movements.