Alphatron ALPHASEAPILOT MFC User manual

ALPHASEAPILOT MFC
Autopilot
Operating manual
ALPHATRON MARINE B.V.
Schaardijk 23
3063 NH ROTTERDAM
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 0)10 – 453 4000
Fax: +31 0)10 – 452 9214
P.O. Box 210003
3001 AA ROTTERDAM
Web: www.alphatronmarine.com
Mail: [e-mail]
The information in this Manual is subject to change without notice and
does not represent a commitment on the part of ALPHATRON MARINE
B.V.
Document : Manual ALPHASEAPILOT MFC
Issue : 1.1
 ALPHATRON MARINE B.V.
Manufactured for Alphatron by Navitron Systems Ltd., Havant Hants UK

Operating manual ALPHASEAPILOT MFC Issue 1.1 Page 2 of 84
ALPHASEAPILOT MFC
NB: Whilst all efforts have een made to ensure the safety and relia ility of the
ALPHASEAPILOT Autopilot system, it should e noted that the installation of any
such system, should never e permitted to detract from the adequate provision
of sound and continuous watch keeping duties.
IMPORTANT APPLICATION & OPERATING NOTE:-
The ALPHASEAPILOT Autopilot System is Type Approved and Wheelmarked compliant
with IMO A342 (ix) as amended y MSC 64/67 Annexe 3 which is applica le to vessels up
to 30 knots (non High Speed Craft).
It is also Type Approved for high Speed Craft (HSC) compliant with ISO 16329 to provide
an overall speed application to 70 knots.
Since the Control parameters – conventional displacement vessels versus High Speed
Craft – are very different, it is essential that the correct vessel type (DISP or HSC) is
correctly entered in the Autopilot SET UP Menu during installation and cali ration (see
Section 2.16)

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ALPHASEAPILOT MFC
Section 1: Short Operating Instructions ................................................... 6
1.1 Control Unit Display Data & Initial Control Settings - Section 2.4) ..........................6
1.2 Switching to STANDBY or OFF) – Section 2.1) ......................................................7
1.3 Engaging Autopilot ON) – Section 2.2 & 2.18) ......................................................7
1.4 Adjusting Steering Performance – Section 2.19 – 2.22) .........................................8
1.5 Matching Heading Steered with Heading Set Section 2.23) ...................................10
1.6 Avoiding Unnecessary Rudder Correction Section 2.25) ........................................10
1.7 Altering to a New Heading Section 2.36) .............................................................11
1.8 Adjusting Rate of Turn using the Rudder Limit Control Section 2.31) ....................11
1.9 Programmable Automatic Rate of Turn Control Section 2.6, 2.32 & 2.33) .............12
1.10 Programmable Automatic Radius of Turn Section 2.6 & 2.34) ...............................13
1.11 Adjusting Overshoot and Undershoot Section 2.4 & 2.24) ....................................13
1.12 Using the Track Function Section 2.9 & 2.38) ......................................................14
1.13 Cancelling an Audible Alarm Section 2.8) .............................................................16
1.14 Testing Alarms Section 2.8) ................................................................................16
1.15 Keypad Turns Sections 2.11 & 2.36) ....................................................................17
1.16 The Controls Menu Section 2.4) ...........................................................................18
1.17 The Limits Menu Section 2.6) ..............................................................................19
1.18 The Remote Key Section 2.10 & 2.40) .................................................................19
1.19 The Illumination Control Section 2.5) ..................................................................19
1.20 The Cancel and Confirm Keys Section 2.13) .........................................................20
1.21 Using NT920NFU Dodge and Power Steer if fitted) ...............................................20
1.22 Using the NT990FU Power Steer if fitted) .............................................................22
1.23 Using Proprietary Power Steer and Override functions ...........................................22
Section 2: Operator Controls and Sea Trials ............................................... 23
2.1 The Autopilot Standby / OFF Key & Modes See Vessel Type p.s. 2.16) ..................26
2.2 The Autopilot ON Key Modes Rudder/Thruster) ....................................................27
2.3 The Adaptive & Non Adaptive PID) Autopilot Modes .............................................27
2.4 The CONTROLS Menu ...........................................................................................28
2.4 i) Adaptive / Non Adaptive Selection ................................................................28
2.4 ii) Rudder Control ............................................................................................28
2.4 iii) YAW Control ................................................................................................29
2.4 iv) COUNTER Control ........................................................................................29
2.4 v) Autothrust ...................................................................................................30
2.4 vi) Turn Type ROT or RAD) ..............................................................................30
2.5 The Rotary +/-) Illumination Control ...................................................................31
2.6 The LIMITS Menu .................................................................................................32
2.6 i) Rudder Limit ................................................................................................32
2.6 ii) Off Heading Alarm .......................................................................................32
2.6 iii) Course Comparator Alarm ............................................................................33
2.6 iv) Watch Alarm ................................................................................................34
2.6 v) Rate of Turn ROT) Calibration & Display °/sec or °/min) .............................34
2.6 vi) Radius of Turn RAD) Calibration ..................................................................35
2.6 vii) Dodge Angle Calibration ...............................................................................36
2.6 viii) Custom Turn Calibration ..............................................................................36
2.7 The AUTOTRIM Key Automatic Permanent Helm) .................................................37
2.8 The Alarm TEST/OFF Key ......................................................................................37
2.9 The TRACK Key ....................................................................................................38
2.10 The REMOTE Key ..................................................................................................38

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2.11 The TURN MODE Keys ..........................................................................................39
2.11 i) The ‘U TURN’ Key ........................................................................................39
2.11 ii) The ‘NEXT COURSE’ Key ..............................................................................39
2.11 iii) The +/-1° / +/-5° Key .................................................................................40
2.12 The Rotary SET COURSE Control ...........................................................................41
2.13 The CANCEL & CONFIRM KEYS .............................................................................43
2.14 The Control Unit Start Up Display Splash Screen) ................................................44
2.15 The Control Unit Operational Display ....................................................................45
2.16 Sea Trials and Autopilot Type Selection .................................................................46
2.17 Mag/True Heading Assessment .............................................................................47
2.18 Autopilot Engagement ON) ..................................................................................47
2.19 Initial Course Keeping Performance ......................................................................48
2.20 Optimising the Rudder Control Setting ..................................................................49
2.21 Optimising the Rudder Control Band .....................................................................49
2.22 Loop Gain Calibration ...........................................................................................50
2.23 Autotrim Automatic Permanent Helm) Assessment ..............................................50
2.24 The Counter Rudder Control Setting .....................................................................53
2.25 Optimising the Yaw Control Setting .......................................................................54
2.26 STW Speed Data Input Speed through the Water) ...............................................55
2.27 SOG Speed Data Input Speed over the Ground) ..................................................55
2.28 Draft Input Laden State) .....................................................................................55
2.29 Calibration of Adaptive Steering Performance vs Speed .........................................56
2.29 i) Adaptive Calibration Input Requirements:- ...................................................56
2.29 ii) Calibration of Power Steer Override Controls vs Speed:- ...............................56
2.29 iii) To calibrate Adaptive Autopilot Steering vs Speed:- ......................................57
2.30 Calibration of Adaptive Steering Performance vs Draft ...........................................58
2.31 Setting the Rudder Limit Control ...........................................................................59
2.32 Setting Rate of Turn Control .................................................................................60
2.33 Setting Maximum Safe Rate of Turn ......................................................................61
2.34 Setting Radius of Turn ..........................................................................................62
2.35 Optimising the Off Heading & Course Comparator CCA) Alarms ............................63
2.36 Setting and Confirming New Autopilot Courses ......................................................65
2.37 Setting the Watch Alarm Period ............................................................................66
2.38 The Track Function ...............................................................................................67
2.38 i) Track Mode Display and Status Information ..................................................68
2.38 ii) Track Mode Alarms ......................................................................................69
2.38 iii) Engaging the Track Function ........................................................................69
2.39 Manual and Auto Deviation Correction ..................................................................70
2.39 i) Automatic Deviation Correction Procedure ....................................................70
2.39 ii) Manual Deviation Correction Procedure ........................................................71
2.39 iii) To Clear the Programmed Deviation Table ....................................................71
2.40 ALPHASEAPILOT MFC Second Station Control Units ...............................................72
2.41 NT920 NFU Power Steering – Refer to Section 1.21 ...............................................73
2.42 NT990 FU Power Steering – Refer to Section 1.22 .................................................73
2.43 Special Latched and Non Latched Power Steer Controls .........................................73
2.43 i) Normal proprietary Follow Up Power Steer:- .................................................73
2.43 ii) Non Latched Jog Lever Non Follow Up) Override Control:- ...........................74
2.43 iii) Latched Jog Lever NFU) Override & Resume Course Control:- ......................74
2.43 iv) To Select the Isolated Input Steering Mode:- ................................................75
2.43 v) To Calibrate Isolated Input Steering Modes against Speed:- .........................75

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Section 3: Display Messages, Alarms and Status Indicators ..................... 76
3.1 Display at Power Up .............................................................................................77
3.2 Possible Failure Messages at Power Up ..................................................................77
3.3 Operational Display Messages ...............................................................................78
3.4 Alarm Display Messages .......................................................................................80
3.4 i) Heading Sensor Fail Messages:- ...................................................................80
3.4 ii) Miscellaneous Failure Messages:- .................................................................80
3.4 iii) Speed Data Alarms:- ...................................................................................81
3.4 iv) Track Mode Data, Warnings & Alarms:- ........................................................81
3.4 v) Operational Warnings/Alarms:- ....................................................................81
3.5 Operational Status LED’s ......................................................................................81
Dimensions ALPHASEAPILOT MFC ..................................................................... 82
Connectiondiagram ALPHASEAPILOT MFC ............................................................ 83
Alphatron Agents Authorized) ........................................................................ 84

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Section 1: Short Operating Instructions
These Short Operating Instructions provide a quick reference guide to setting up and operating
the ALPHASEAPILOT MFC Autopilot. The locations in the manual where more detailed
descriptions can be found are shown against each heading in brackets, e.g. Section X.XX).
1.1 Control Unit Display Data & Initial Control Settings - ( Section 2.4 )
The ALPHASEAPILOT MFC Autopilot is Speed Adaptive and – provided it is used in adaptive
mode and calibrated for the correct vessel type DISP or HSC per 2.16) – will automatically set
its own control parameters for optimum steering performance.
Adaptive/non adaptive operation is selectable via CONTROLS key operation and entry to the
Controls Menu which is shown on the right of the main display.
Unless alternative settings have been established from experience during sea passages with the
Autopilot in operation, selection of the non adaptive mode will be necessary to enable primary
control settings YAW, RUDDER, COUNTER RUDDER) to be manually adjusted.
If conducting first time sea trials or - if unfamiliar with ALPHASEAPILOT MFC Autopilot operation
– see section 2.4.
ALPHASEAPILOT MFC

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1.2 Switching to STANDBY (or OFF) – ( Section 2.1 )
i) Use the STANDBY key to enter the STANDBY
Mode.
ii) Wait for self test to complete which will be
followed by the operational Control Unit display
screen.
In this mode, the Control Unit tracks and displays “Actual Heading”, Rate of Turn “ROT”) and
“Rudder Angle” etc. and will continue in a tracking mode until the Autopilot is engaged “ON”
key operation).
NB. The Autopilot can be switched OFF at any time by “OFF” key operation.
1.3 Engaging Autopilot (ON) – (Section 2.2 & 2.18)
The ALPHASEAPILOT MFC Autopilot can only be switched via the Standby condition thus
switching directly from OFF to ON is not possible.
To engage the Autopilot:-
i) Steady the vessel on the required heading.
ii) Use the “ON” key to engage the Autopilot.
NB. Single press of the “ON” key engages the Autopilot in Rudder control mode only, a
continuous 2 second press is Thruster mode only and a further 2 second continuous press is
Rudder AND Thruster mode.

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1.4 Adjusting Steering Performance – ( Section 2.19 – 2.22 )
Manual Adjustment of Controls)
If the Autopilot has been programmed with Speed Adaptive values based on earlier sea trials or
prior seagoing operational performance – no initial adjustment will be required.
If no predetermined values have been stored, it will not be possible to enter - or operate – in
the Adaptive Mode until calibrated per Section 2.29) and manually entered operational control
settings will be required via access to the Controls Menu as follows:-
i) With the Autopilot in the “STANDBY” mode access
also available from “ON” or “Track” modes), use the
“CONTROLS” key to display the Controls Menu.
ii) Note the position of the flashing cursor over the
Controls Menu item “ADAPT ON/OFF” which should
be “OFF” in the absence of Adaptive Data. Also,
when no Speed Data is available, non Adaptive OFF)
Autopilot operation is necessary and PID Control is
required involving manual RUDDER, YAW & COUNTER
Control adjustment.
iii)
Select ADAPT “OFF” via the rotary +/-) illum.
control then note that the “CONTROLS” key is again
used to select RUDDER, YAW or COUNTER as
required) so that adjustment can be made to the
value 1 to 9) of the selected control via the rotary
+/-) illum. control.
NB. The Controls Menu display will timeout and revert to the normal operational
display if no adjustments are made for a period of 30 seconds. Re-entry to the
Controls Menu is by “CONTROLS” key operation.
Manual Adjustment of Controls:
iv)
Use the “CONTROLS” key to select “YAW” and set a
value of “1” using the rotary +/-) illum. key.
v) Use the “CONTROLS” key to select “COUNTER” and
set a value of “1” using the rotary +/-) illum. key.
The vessel should now be steady on the required heading under manual steering Autopilot
STANDBY Mode) or engaged Autopilot ON).
vi)
Check that the Autopilot is ON engaged) and note the steering performance
in terms of Understeer or Oversteer as follows:-

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vii)
Use the “CONTROLS” key to select “RUDDER” and increase or decrease the
Rudder Control value 1 to 9) using the rotary +/-) illum. key to optimise
the straight line steering performance in terms of Understeer/Oversteer.
Large deviations or protracted
periods off the Heading Set
due to
insufficient rudder application in
response to Yaw:
-
Typical stretched
‘S’ characteristic
of Understeer
Action required:
-
Increase Rudder
Control Setting.
Clockwise)
Understeer Characteristics
Oversteer Characteristics
Autopilot applying too much rudder
causing vessel ‘weave’ which may
increase to a tight ‘S’ pattern:
-
Typical tight ‘S’
characteristic of
Oversteer
Action required:
-
Reduce Rudder
Control Setting.
Anticlockwise)

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1.5 Matching Heading Steered with Heading Set ( Section 2.23 )
When the Autopilot is engaged the AUTOTRIM Automatic Permanent Helm – APH) function
continuously monitors any long-term differences between the heading set and the mean course
actually steered. Any long-term difference is automatically adjusted by the Autotrim APH)
function applying the appropriate amount of permanent helm.
To speed up this automatic APH) process: -
i) Wait for vessel to settle on steady heading.
ii)
Press the AUTOTRIM SET key.
Pressing and holding down the AUTOTRIM key for 5 seconds will switch the AUTOTRIM function
OFF as confirmed by the red corner keypad LED.
1.6 Avoiding Unnecessary Rudder Correction ( Section 2.25 )
Frequent rudder movements when the vessel is yawing either side of the set heading in a
seaway indicates that the autopilot sensitivity is set too high for the sea conditions being
experienced. This can cause premature wear of the steering gear and, whilst an automatically
adjusted feature of the full Adaptive operating mode, will require manual adjustment in the non
Adaptive PID) mode.
To manually decrease the frequency of rudder movement due to yawing: -
i) Use the “CONTROLS” key to display the controls menu.
ii) Use the “CONTROLS” key again to select “YAW” and increase the Yaw value 1 to
9) using the rotary +/-) illum. key.
The normal operational display will resume automatically after a timeout period
of 30 secs.).
NB. Don’t forget to reduce the YAW setting when yawing decreases as the vessel
moves from rougher to calmer sea conditions.