Kongsberg Simrad Robertson AP300X Series User manual

Simrad Robertson AS Telephone: [phone]
Nyåskaien Telefax: [phone]
P.O. Box 55
N-4379 Egersund, Norway
NOTE!
Simrad Robertson AS makes every effort to ensure that the information contained
within this document is correct. However, our equipment is continuously being
improved and updated, so we cannot assume liability for any errors which may
occur.
The information contained within this document remains the sole property of Simrad
Robertson AS. No part of this document may be copied or reproduced in any form or
by any means, and the information contained within is not to be passed on to a third
party, without the prior written consent of Simrad Robertson AS.
Warning
The equipment to which this manual applies must only be used for the purpose for
which it was designed. Improper use or maintenance may cause damage to the
equipment or injury to personnel. The user must be familiar with the contents of
the appropriate manuals before attempting to operate or work on the equipment.
Simrad Robertson AS disclaims any responsibility for damage or injury caused by
improper installation, use or maintenance of the equipment.

Instruction Manual
22081814H 1
Instruction Manual
This manual is intended as a reference guide for operating
and correctly installing the AP300X autopilot.
Great care has been paid to simplify operation and set-up
of the Robertson AP300X, however, an autopilot is a
complex electronic system. It is affected by sea conditions,
speed of the vessel, hull shape and size.
Please take time to read this manual to get a thorough
understanding of the operation and system components
and their relationship to a complete AP300X autopilot
system.
Other documentation materials that is included in this
manual is a warranty card. This must be filled out by the
authorized dealer that performed the installation and
mailed in to activate the warranty.

Robertson AP300X Autopilot
222081814H
Document revisions
Rev Date Written by Checked by Approved by
–08.04.1994 NG TT Th.H.
A03.05.1994 NG Th.H.
B27.09.1994 NG Th.H.
C24.11.1994 NG Th.H.
D10.02.1995 NG IK Th.H.
E06.11.1995 NG IK Th.H.
F17.01.1996 NG Th.H.
G28.08.1996 NG Th.H.
H25.02.1997 NG Th.H.
Document history
Rev. Action/Changes/References
– Original issue.
AChange of cable clamp in junction units page 71. Minor corrections in text and
displays.
B Minor corrections in text and displays. Section 1 and 3 extended. Section 4-6 added.
C Minor corrections in text page 72 and in text and diagram page 88. Table with NMEA
input-/output messages included.
D Updated spare parts list section 7.
E Page 112: Moved arrow on J3000X/J300X/J300X-40 Main PC-board to correct
EPROM. Minor corrections in text.
F Operational instructions for MSD50 installations included. Operational instructions for
dodging in NAV mode added. Minor changes in explanatory text to NAV mode
displays. Interface setup table modified. Wiring of CD100 if mounted upside down.
G R2500 substituted by R3000X on page 17, 24 and 83. Added missing words page
79. New Databox/J300X connection diagram included on page 86. Minor corrections
to other drawings on same page. IP code for J300X on page 119 corrected.
H Page 89: New cable for LF3000 included.

Instruction Manual
22081814H 3
Contents
1 GENERAL INFORMATION...........................................................................................9
1.1 Introduction............................................................................................................9
1.2 How to use this manual ......................................................................................10
1.3 System components.............................................................................................10
AP300CX Control unit.........................................................................................11
AP300PX Control Unit ........................................................................................11
AP300DLX Control Unit .....................................................................................11
J300X, J300X-40 and J3000X Junction Units......................................................12
RF300 Rudder Feedback unit .............................................................................13
RFC35 Electronic fluxgate compass...................................................................14
1.4 Optional components ..........................................................................................14
NI300X NMEA Interface Unit............................................................................14
CI300X Compass Interface..................................................................................14
Rudder" indicator.................................................................................................15
Compass" Indicator..............................................................................................15
CDI35 Course Detector Interface.......................................................................15
LF3000 Linear Feedback......................................................................................16
LFI3000 Linear Feedback Interface....................................................................16
Robnet cables........................................................................................................16
R3000X Remote Control......................................................................................17
S100 NFU steering lever......................................................................................17
S3 NFU steering lever..........................................................................................17
JP300 Jack Point....................................................................................................18
Mounting brackets...............................................................................................18
Top mount bezel...................................................................................................18
Flush mount bezel................................................................................................18
2 AP300X AUTOPILOT OPERATION...........................................................................19
2.1 Overview...............................................................................................................19
2.2 AP300X with MSD50 Stern Drive unit..............................................................21
Zero point setting.................................................................................................21
Operation ..............................................................................................................21
2.3 ON/OFF / Standby mode..................................................................................22
Follow-Up steering ..............................................................................................22

Robertson AP300X Autopilot
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Non-Follow-Up steering.....................................................................................22
NFU Steering lever...............................................................................................22
R3000X Remote Control......................................................................................24
2.4 Automatic Steering ..............................................................................................24
Dodging.................................................................................................................24
U-Turn ...................................................................................................................26
Tacking in Auto mode.........................................................................................26
2.5 Navigating with the AP300X..............................................................................27
Selecting a different Navigator ..........................................................................28
Dodging in Nav. mode........................................................................................29
2.6 Wind vane steering..............................................................................................29
Tacking in Wind mode........................................................................................31
2.7 Automatic Speed selection..................................................................................31
Manual speed selection.......................................................................................32
2.8 Multiple station system.......................................................................................32
2.9 Lock function........................................................................................................32
2.10 The User Set-up Menu.........................................................................................34
2.11 AP300DLX Main features ...................................................................................35
Availability of data sources................................................................................36
Use of external position sources ........................................................................36
2.12 Operation of Graphic Display............................................................................37
Graphic Display Setup ........................................................................................38
Plot interval...........................................................................................................39
Units and time setup............................................................................................39
Position calibration ..............................................................................................40
Automatic MAGVAR calculation......................................................................41
Manual input of MAGVAR................................................................................42
Clearing Waypoint Database..............................................................................44
Displays and menu structure.............................................................................45
INFO and POS screens........................................................................................46
Instrument displays and menu..........................................................................47
2.13 Waypoints .............................................................................................................48
Storing waypoints................................................................................................48
2.14 Routes ....................................................................................................................52
Creating a route....................................................................................................52
Correction of routes.............................................................................................54

Instruction Manual
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2.15 Navigating with the AP300DLX........................................................................54
Navigating to a Temporary waypoint ..............................................................55
Navigating to a stored waypoint.......................................................................56
Arriving at a waypoint........................................................................................57
Plotting with the AP300DLX..............................................................................58
Navigating through a route................................................................................59
Navigating using the MOB function.................................................................61
MOB (Man over Board).......................................................................................62
2.16 Glossary.................................................................................................................63
3 INSTALLATION.............................................................................................................65
3.1 General...................................................................................................................65
Installation checklist............................................................................................65
Unpacking and handling....................................................................................66
Determine system configuration........................................................................66
AP300X Basic system...........................................................................................67
AP300X multistation system with optional drive units..................................67
AP300X system with compass interface options.............................................68
AP300X system with NAV interface options...................................................68
3.2 RF300 Rudder feedback installation..................................................................69
3.3 Junction unit installation.....................................................................................70
Cable connections ................................................................................................70
Grounding and RFI..............................................................................................71
3.4 Drive unit installation..........................................................................................72
Connecting a reversible pump...........................................................................74
Connecting a hydraulic linear drive..................................................................74
Connecting a solenoid valve...............................................................................74
3.5 Control unit installation......................................................................................75
ROBNET network cables ....................................................................................79
3.6 RFC35 Fluxgate Compass installation...............................................................81
3.7 JP300 Jack Point installation ...............................................................................82
3.8 R3000X Remote Control installation .................................................................83
3.9 S3 NFU Lever installation...................................................................................83
3.10 S100 NFU Lever installation...............................................................................84
3.11 Interfacing .............................................................................................................84
Single NMEA input/output...............................................................................85
Double NMEA input/output.............................................................................85

Robertson AP300X Autopilot
622081814H
Databox/J3000X...................................................................................................85
Databox/J300X.....................................................................................................86
Radar Clock/Data................................................................................................86
DATALINE Instrument installation..................................................................86
External Alarm .....................................................................................................87
NI300X NMEA Interface Unit............................................................................87
LF3000 Linear Feedback......................................................................................88
CI300X Analogue Interface Unit........................................................................90
CD100 Course Detector.......................................................................................92
CDI35 Interface.....................................................................................................92
3.12 Software Setup Procedure...................................................................................93
Description of Installation Settings....................................................................93
Installation Settings Menu..................................................................................94
Language selection...............................................................................................95
Dockside settings .................................................................................................95
Drive unit voltage selection................................................................................97
Rudder Feedback Calibration.............................................................................97
Automatic Rudder Test.......................................................................................98
Transition Speed...................................................................................................99
Master Reset........................................................................................................100
Interface Settings................................................................................................100
Output signal setup ...........................................................................................103
3.13 Sea Trial...............................................................................................................103
Rudder zero adjust.............................................................................................104
Compass calibration ..........................................................................................104
Compass Offset ..................................................................................................105
Automatic tuning...............................................................................................106
View parameters ................................................................................................107
Manual parameter adjust..................................................................................107
Final sea trial.......................................................................................................109
Providing user training.....................................................................................109
4 MAINTENANCE...........................................................................................................111
4.1 Control unit.........................................................................................................111
4.2 Junction Unit.......................................................................................................111
4.3 Rudder Feedback ...............................................................................................111

Instruction Manual
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4.4 Compass..............................................................................................................111
4.5 Drive unit ............................................................................................................111
4.6 Exchange of EPROMS .......................................................................................112
5 TROUBLE SHOOTING...............................................................................................114
5.1 Alarms .................................................................................................................114
NMEA Test......................................................................................................................117
5.3 System Data Menu.............................................................................................118
6 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ..............................................................................119
6.1 AP300X Autopilot System ................................................................................119
6.2 Control Units (AP300CX, AP300PX, AP300DLX)..........................................120
6.3 Junction units......................................................................................................120
6.4 RFC35 Fluxgate compass ..................................................................................121
6.5 CDI35 Course Detector Interface.....................................................................121
6.6 RF300 Rudder Feedback....................................................................................122
6.7 CI300X Compass Interface................................................................................122
6.8 NI300X NMEA Interface...................................................................................122
6.9 LF3000 Linear Feedback....................................................................................123
6.10 LFI3000 Feedback Interface ..............................................................................123
7 AP300X AUTOPILOT SPARE PARTS LIST............................................................125

Robertson AP300X Autopilot
822081814H

General Information
22081814H 9
1 GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 Introduction
Congratulations on the purchase of your new Robertson AP300X
autopilot system and thank you for selecting what we feel is the most
advanced autopilot system available on the market today.
Simrad Robertson AS is located in Egersund on the south/west coast
of Norway. The company's involvement in autopilots began in 1953
with equipment for the North Sea fishing fleet. Today Simrad
Robertson AS manufactures a complete range of autopilots for all types
of vessels, from pleasure boats up to advanced steering systems for
merchant marine vessels. Professional mariners around the world
acknowledge that the Robertson name is synonymous with the
absolute best in autopilot technology.
The AP300X series from Robertson represents yet another step forward
in autopilot technology with the intent to provide power and sailing
boats from 30 to 80 feet with a host of new features. The system can be
expanded and enhanced with a selection of options and accessories.
The brain in the AP300X autopilot series is the single "intelligent"
junction unit that communicates with all other system modules on the
ROBNET network. The ROBNET has been developed to establish a
reliable digital communication and power distribution network
between the units in the system. The ROBNET simplifies installation
and enables the AP300X system to be easily expanded at any time.
Three different models of control units are available. All of them may
be used as part of a stand alone autopilot system or as a full function
control unit in a multiple station installation. Any combination of
control units up to a total of 7 may be used in one installation.
All AP300X systems include Nav. interface as standard with
NMEA0183 input and output. The NMEA interface allows a
navigation receiver or position sensor to provide input to the AP300X
system. All equipment connected to the ROBNET network can access
the input data. In addition the NMEA output provides heading,
rudder angle and other data depending on the autopilot configuration
and the equipment that may be connected to the NMEA input. The
optional NI300X Interface (expansion) Unit can expand the number of
NMEA input/output ports, which allows a multiple number of
peripheral navigation equipment to be interfaced.
The time proven experience of the Robertson engineers and the
computer power in the AP300X system has made it possible to
automate and simplify the setup and installation procedures. One
important feature is the capability to set up automatically the steering
parameters and select the scaling factor for speed and hull type; power
(planing or displacement) or sail. Proportional rate output commands
and an adaptive sea state filter contribute to enhanced steering
performance in any sea condition.

Robertson AP300X Autopilot
10 22081814H
1.2 How to use this manual
This manual is intended as a reference guide for operating, installing
and maintaining the AP300X series of autopilots. Great care has been
paid to simplify operation and set-up of the Robertson AP300X,
however, an autopilot is a complex electronic system. It is affected by
sea conditions, speed of the vessel, hull shape and size.
Please take time to read this manual to get a thorough understanding
of the operation and system components and their relationship to a
complete AP300X autopilot system.
Other documentation materials that is provided with your system
include a warranty card. This must be filled out by the authorized
dealer that performed the installation and mailed in to activate the
warranty.
1.3 System components
A basic AP300X autopilot system consists of: Control Unit(s), Junction
Unit, Rudder Feedback Unit, Electronic Fluxgate Compass and Drive
Unit.
RFC35
ELECTRONIC
FLUXGATE
COMPASS
REVERSIBLE
PUMP
RF300
RUDDER
FEEDBACK
JUNCTION
UNIT
AP300DLX
CONTROL
UNIT AP300PX
CONTROL UNIT
AP300CX
CONTROL UNIT
7 m (23')
15 m (49')
ROBNET Network Cable
Other cable
10 m (33')
15 m (49')
7 m (23')
MAINS POWER SUPPLY
12/24/32 VDC

General Information
22081814H 11
AP300CX Control unit
A compact autopilot control for
p
anel, bulkhead or bracket
mounting. Large LCD display
for readout of auto
p
ilot data
and rotary course selector. It has
three Robnet connectors for
s
y
stem inte
r
- connection and
expansion.
Weight: 0,4 kg (0,9 lbs)
AP300PX Control Unit
Portable control unit with 7 m
(20 ft.) of cable. It has all the
same auto
p
ilot functions as
AP300CX, and can be used as
a hand held autopilot or be
mounted in a fixed, bracket
mount.
Weight: 0,4 kg (0,9 lbs)
AP300DLX Control Unit
Control unit with all autopilot
function controls and
ROBNET connectors arranged
as on AP300CX. It has an
additional graphic display and
a built in navigation computer
capable of storing waypoints
and route planning.
Weight 0,6 kg (1,3 lbs.)
Other features of the AP300DLX:
•7 different instrument displays with calibration capabilities
•Interface to "black-box" GPS

Robertson AP300X Autopilot
12 22081814H
•Plot function
•Full feature demo and training software
•100 waypoints and 20 routes memory capacity
J300X, J300X-40 and J3000X Junction Units
The junction unit is the central unit in the AP300X autopilot system. It
contains the steering computer, interface circuits to all system
components and drive circuits for the drive unit motor and clutch.
Three models, J300X, J300X-40 and J3000X are available.
Junction unit comparison chart:
J3000X J300X (J300X-40)
AP300X autopilot models CX,, PX,, DLX CX,, PX,, DLX
Supply voltage 10-28 V 10-40 V
Motor current (continuous/peak) 6/10 A 10/20A (20/40A)
Number of control units 2 7
NMEA ports 1 2
Solenoid output x x
Input for NFU control x x
External alarm x
Radar clock/data interface x
J
300X
J
3000X
Wei
g
ht: 1
,
3k
g
(
2
,
9 lbs.
)
J
300X-40
Weight: 2,8kg (6,2 lbs.)

General Information
22081814H 13
RF300 Rudder Feedback unit
Rudder feedback unit with transmission link and 10 m (30 feet) of
cable. Transforms the angular travel of the rudder to a digital signal
read by the autopilot steering computer.
Weight: 0,5 kg (1,1 lbs)

Robertson AP300X Autopilot
14 22081814H
RFC35 Electronic fluxgate compass
A new compact heading sensor from Robertson with 15 m (45 feet) of
cable. The direction of the earth's magnetic field is sensed by a floating
ring core in a fluxgate coil and transformed to a digital signal read by
the autopilot steering computer.
1.4 Optional components
NI300X NMEA Interface Unit
This unit has 4 NMEA I/O
ports for communication to
other systems, and a selectable
heading out
p
ut for radars
(Anritzu or Furuno). Includes
two ROBNET connectors for
connection to the AP300X
system.
Weight: 0,9 kg (2,0 lbs)
CI300X Compass Interface
Optional unit for interface to foreign fluxgate compasses, windvane
systems with analog output and NFU levers. Input for Robertson gyro
compass type RGC50, RGC10 and RGC11. Same dimensions and
weight as NI300X.
Weight: 0,9 kg (2,0 lbs)

General Information
22081814H 15
Rudder" indicator
110mm
110mm
17mm 18mm
50mm Dia.
Dataline
Light
Function
A Robertson Dataline instrument that can be connected directly to one
of the AP300X NMEA outputs. Analogue display of boat's rudder
angle.
Compass" Indicator
A 12 V Dataline instrument that displays the boats heading on both
digital and analogue format. Can be connected directly to NMEA
output on the junction unit.
Dimensions and weight as for "Rudder" Indicator.
CDI35 Course Detector Interface
Interface unit to connect autopilot to a magnetic compass with CD100
Course Detector. Provides exitation current for CD100 and converts the
analogue sin/cos signal to digital format for the autopilot steering
computer.
Weight: 0,9 kg (2,0 lbs)
Weight: 0,2 kg (0,4 lbs)

Robertson AP300X Autopilot
16 22081814H
LF3000 Linear Feedback
Linear feedback unit for boats with outboard engine. Transforms the
linear movement to an analogue signal. Supplied with 8,5 m cable and
mounting clamps.
LFI3000 Linear Feedback Interface
Interface unit for LF3000 Linear Feedback. Converts the analogue
LF3000 signal to the standard digital feedback signal for the autopilot
steering computer.
Robnet cables
Standard Robnet cable (15 m) with one male plug.
7m(23')
Standard Robnet cable (7 m) with two male connectors.
15m(46')
Standard Robnet cable (15 m) with two male connectors.
10 m(33')
Robnet extension cable (10 m) with male and female connector.
Weight: 0,7 kg (1,6 lbs)
Weight: 0,8 kg (1,8 lbs)

General Information
22081814H 17
R3000X Remote Control
A small handheld remote control with two
p
ush buttons for
p
ower steering or course
selection (port and starboard) and one
p
ush button with built-in lighted indicato
r
for mode selection.
Weight: 0,4 kg (0,9 lbs.)
S100 NFU steering lever
40 (1,45")
120(4,75")
Panel cut out: Ø22mm
Designed for in-door console mount. The
lever has s
p
ring loaded return to
mid-position.
Weight: 0,2 kg (0,4 lbs.)
S3 NFU steering lever
105 (4.1")
83 (3..3")
111 (4.4")
132 (5.2")
205 (8.1")
Designed for in-door
bulkhead mount and
made of shock resistant
polyxymethylene. The
lever has spring loaded
return to mid-position.
Weight: 0,5 kg (0,9 lbs.)

Robertson AP300X Autopilot
18 22081814H
JP300 Jack Point
Jack point for remote connection of
AP300PX. Robnet male connector
and 0.5 m cable with female
connector for dais
y
chain
connection.
Mounting brackets
Optional mounting bracket for
AP300CX and AP300DLX.
Top mount bezel
Optional bezel for panel
top mount of AP300CX Optional bezel for panel top mount of AP300DLX.
Flush mount bezel
Optional bezel for panel
flush mount of AP300CX Optional bezel for panel flush mount of AP300DLX.