Simrad SD1 Operating and maintenance instructions

INSTALLATION MANUAL
SIMRAD SD10
Sailboat Drive
20222683/A English

Simrad SD10 Sailboat Drive
ii 20222683 / A
About this document
Rev. A First issue
© 2007 Navico AS. All rights reserved.
No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced or otherwise
copied without prior permission from Navico AS.
The information contained in this document is subject to change without prior notice.
Navico AS shall not be liable for errors contained herein, or for incidental or consequential
damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this document.

Installation Manual
20222683 / A iii
Contents
1. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION..........................................................................1
2. IMPORTANT INFORMATION................................................................2
2.1 Operation...............................................................................................2
Manual Override Procedure..................................................................2
2.2 Mechanical Quick Release....................................................................2
2.3 Recommended maximum yacht displacement and length....................3
2.4 Cable .....................................................................................................3
3. INSTALLATION.........................................................................................4
3.1 Installation Planning .............................................................................4
Determine Mounting Site for Drive Unit..............................................4
Determine Mounting Site for Connection Kit ......................................5
Determine Routing Path for Steering Cable .........................................6
3.2 Installation of Drive Unit - Steering Cable & Spent Cable Tube.........7
Step 1 - Install Drive Unit.....................................................................7
Step 2 - Install Steering Cable ..............................................................8
Step 3 - Install Spent Cable Tube .........................................................9
3.3 Installation of Cable connection kit......................................................9
3.4 Installation of electrical connections ..................................................10
Cable Motor and Clutch Power Supply..............................................10
4. MECHANICAL CALIBRATION PROCEDURE.................................11
5. MAINTENANCE.......................................................................................12
6. SERVICEABLE PARTS ..........................................................................13
7. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS..........................................................14

Simrad SD10 Sailboat Drive
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System Description
20222683 / A 1
1. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
The SD10 Sailboat Drive system makes it easy and
economical to install an autopilot on small to medium size
sailboats with access to a quadrant or tiller. The drive system
is powerful and fast - capable of delivering over 180 kg/400
lbs of cable thrust, with a normal H.O. to H.O. time of 12-15
seconds.
The system comprises of a Drive Unit, a Steering Cable and a
Universal Connection Kit. The drive unit can be installed in
any convenient location. The steering cable and connection kit
transmit the steering forces to the quadrant or tiller. Standard
steering cable length is 2 m (6 feet) – other lengths available
on request. The drive unit has a drive motor and solenoid
clutch which allows hand steering when disengaged. The drive
unit also has a built in adjustable thrust limiter and an integral
rudder feedback (RFB) device.
TYPICAL RUDDER AND TILLER
STEERING CABLE
SD10 DRIVE UNIT
UNIVERSAL
CONNECTION KIT

Simrad SD10 Sailboat Drive
2 20222683 / A
2. IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Drive System will fit a large number of vessels, but please
note the following important information on operation,
installation and maintenance of the drive system.
2.1 Operation
In the event of uncontrolled automatic steering or other
emergency situations, automatic return to MANUAL steering
is provided by switching the autopilot to STBY, or by using
the Manual Override procedure.
Note ! It is strongly advised that the helmsman be formally
familiarized with this manual override procedure.
Manual Override Procedure
The helmsman can overcome the steering action of the drive
unit by exerting force on the steering wheel in the opposite
direction to the drive. With this action the drive unit thrust
limit will ‘slip’ allowing the helmsman to take control.
2.2 Mechanical Quick Release
The Cable end that attaches to the steering quadrant or Tiller
arm has a quick release pin that can be used to disengage the
cable from the main steering system therefore releasing the
Autopilot drive (see page 5).
Note ! It is very important that the helmsman is formally familiarized
with the location of this during any passage.

Important Information
20222683 / A 3
2.3 Recommended maximum yacht
displacement and length
The SD10 Sailboat Drive is designed to produce a maximum
cable push/pull of 180 kg/400 lbs, which requires a peak
power of 90 watts. This makes the unit capable of handling the
vast majority of sailboats up to 6500 kg / 14300 lbs
displacement fully laden and 11 m / 37 ft length.
Note ! Fully Laden = The displacement of the yacht including all
added accessories and crew. Any attempt to ignore this fact
may reduce the autopilot performance and overload the unit.
2.4 Cable
The cable is an accessory item which should be replaced at
regular intervals as required. Note that incorrect installation,
high torques or lack of maintenance will affect the life of the
cable. Follow the maintenance recommendation and normal
replacement will be required after 150-200 hours of use or
every two seasons. For extensive cruising and long passage
making we recommend that a spare cable is kept onboard.

Simrad SD10 Sailboat Drive
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3. INSTALLATION
3.1 Installation Planning
When planning an installation, it is recommended that you
follow 3 steps:
•Determine mounting site for the drive unit.
•Determine mounting site for the connection kit.
•Determine routing path for the steering cable.
Determine Mounting Site for Drive Unit
The mounting site should provide adequate
space to accommodate the drive envelope
including the entry and exit points for the
steering cable. The drive can be mounted at
any angle. See detailed graphics of drive
envelope (left) and mounting samples
below. Note that no access for maintenance
purposes is required.
The selection of the steering cable entry/exit port does not have a preference. To
provide more flexibility for routing the steering cable, the entry/exit port
arrangement can be reversed. If ports are reversed, the steering direction will
also be reversed. The Simrad autopilot software will automatically compensate
for this.
TYPICAL VERTICAL
MOUNT
REVERSIBLE CABLE
ENTRY-EXIT
225mm
150mm
150mm
TYPICAL HORIZONTAL
MOUNT
REVERSIBLE CABLE
ENTRY-EXIT

Installation
20222683 / A 5
Determine Mounting Site for Connection
Kit
The Universal Connection Kit must be mounted to stable hull
structure. Any orientation is acceptable as long as the HO
positions do not force the connection kit beyond its rotation
limits. Ideally the connection kit should be mounted so that the
thrust from the steering cable is tangential to the tiller arc at
mid stroke. It is acceptable to mount the connection kit
without using the base plate provided adequate support is
available for the hub. The clevis bracket can be mounted to a
separate tiller arm or directly to the quadrant if a suitable site
is available.
Connection Kit Installation
THREADED GUIDE TUBE
(+/- 3 inches of adjustment)
CLEVIS BRACKET
UNIVERSAL HUB
(360 degree freedom about vertical axis
+/- 40 degrees from horizontal plane)
STEERING CABLE
BASE PLATE
CAN BE MOUNTED IN ANY
ORIENTATION
(hub can be installed directly onto
suitable structure without use of
base plate)
QUICK RELEASE
HAIR PIN
GREASE NIPPLE

Simrad SD10 Sailboat Drive
6 20222683 / A
Determine Routing Path for Steering
Cable
After the locations for the Connection Kit and Drive Unit have
been established, the routing of the Steering Cable must be
determined.
The cable routing should take into consideration the extreme
movements of the steering mechanism during HO to HO
steering. Care should be taken to maximize the bend radius
and to avoid more than one bend. If more than one bend is
required, bends should not be smaller than the minimum bend
radius (6”) and the total angle of all bends combined be no
larger than 270 degrees. See drawing below showing preferred
routing and bend definition.
Steering Cable length supplied with system is 6 feet (2
metres). Other lengths are available on request.
Preferred Cable Routing
Determine Length of Custom Steering Cable
If suitable site for drive unit based on a 6 foot steering cable is
not available. A custom cable length may be considered.
Use a length of rope or electrical cable to simulate the routing,
then measure the total length required. See graphic of cable
length definition.
‘A’ DIMENSION
MID STROKE
150 mm MIN
RADIUS
‘B’ DIMENSION
SPENT CABLE TUBE