ComNav Marine 1420 Autopilot System
Document PN 29010012 V1.3
5
Product Description
The ComNav 1420 Autopilot System has
been designed to make the advantages
of a marine autopilot available to a wide
range of vessels which need accurate
steering control, yet have only limited
space, and require easy installation and
operation.
The 1420 Autopilot contains a feature
called Ghost Rudder. Should the Rudder
Feedback ever fail, the Autopilot will use
its prior knowledge of how the rudder
moves to calculate new “virtual rudder”
positions. While the Ghost Rudder will
not allow the Autopilot to steer as well as
it can with the Rudder Feedback, it will
allow the Autopilot to be used until repairs
can be made.
The 1420 Autopilot System can steer the
vessel on a constant Heading, or along a
Course line.
The 1420 Autopilot is protected against
many mishaps, including: reverse power
connection, output circuitry overload,
computer failure, or program error.
To steer a constant Heading, the
Autopilot compares the compass
information with the Heading (Course)
that the operator has selected. If the
vessel is not on the correct Heading, the
Autopilot calculates the rudder position
which will bring the vessel onto the
correct Heading.
The 1420 Autopilot features pushbutton
steering control, course correction as
small as one degree, two independent
rudder response settings with 14
sensitivity settings in each, a navigation
interface, and watertight construction.
The Autopilot uses the vessel’s steering
system to move the rudder (or outboard
motor) to the position it calculates. The
steering system may be a hydraulic
system, or an electric motor, and
mechanical linkage. Information from the
Autopilot’s Rotary Feedback (or Outboard
Feedback) is used to calculate new
rudder positions, and to verify that the
steering system has followed the
Autopilot commands.
The Control Head can be mounted on a
panel using a supplied Clip. When
removed from the Clip, it can be used as
a portable unit.
Specifications
Voltage: 10 VDC - 40 VDC
Steering Outputs: 20 Amperes Maximum
Dimensions L x W x H or D
When steering along a Course line, the
1420 Autopilot System uses information
from the compass to monitor the vessel’s
heading. It can also use position
information received in NMEA 0183
format from a GPS receiver, a
chartplotter, or other device. Using both
of these inputs, the Autopilot calculates
the Course to Steer which will keep the
vessel on the Course line.
Control Head: 3.1 x 2.5 x 0.7 inches
(7.9 x 6.4 x 1.8 cm)
Processor: 15 X 6.3 X 2.7 inches
(38.1 x 16.0 x 6.9 cm)
Compass: 5.6 x 3.0 x 4.2 inches
(14.2 x 10.7 x 7.6 cm)
Pump: 7.5 x 4.75 x 4 inches
(19.0 x 12.2 x 10.2 cm)
