Simrad GI51 User manual

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Manual
Simrad GI51
Gyro Interface
English Sw. 1.2


INSTALLATION MANUAL
20221594 / Cb iii
Installation Manual
GI51 Gyro Interface
This manual is to be used when installing the Simrad GI51
Gyro Interface.

Simrad GI51 Gyro Interface
iv 20221594 / Cb
Document revisions
Rev Date Written by Checked by Approved by
A 18.02.04 / / /
B 30.04.04 / /
C 01.09.05
Cb 02.05.06
Document history
Rev. A First issue
Rev. B Updated to include new functions. Corrections/updates added to other
pages .
Rev. C Updated for BSH approval. Applies to sw.rel. 1.2.xx.
Rev. Cb Minor corrections to text, section 1.1, 3.2 (Pendulum ferry feature) and
7.3. A5 layout
To assist us in making improvements to this manual, we would welcome
comments and constructive criticism. Please send all such - in writing to:
Simrad Egersund AS
Nyåskaien
P.O. Box 55
N-4379 Egersund, Norway
or by e-mail to:

INSTALLATION MANUAL
20221594 / Cb v
Product compliance schemes
Electronic navigation equipment on boats and ships within the European
Common marked (EC) are regulated by two main directives:
•Directive 89/336/EEC Electromagnetic Compatibility, "EMC directive"
-This directive is applicable to more or less all boats, including leisure boats.
Refer CE mark section below
•Council Directive 96/98/EC of 20 December 1996 on marine equipment,
"Marine directive" or "MED"
-This directive is valid for ships that come under international conventions
such as LL66, Colreg, Marpol, and Solas. Refer Wheelmark section below
The Marine directive requirements include the requirements of the EMC
directive, and a product which comply with the Marine directive is therefore
automatically also in compliance with EMC directive.
CE mark
The CE mark is placed on a product as the manufacturer’s visual
identifier that the product meets the requirements of relevant
European Directives. The CE mark is mandatory for a wide range of
products sold within or exported to the European market, and
applies to all Electric- and Electronic equipment.
When the equipment is tested according to the requirements in the Directive
89/336/EEC, the CE marking is applied to the units to symbolize Simrad’s
Declaration of Conformity with the directive.
The CE declaration for any CE marked unit can be obtained from your Simrad
distributor.
Wheelmark
The Wheelmark symbol (Mark of Conformity) is an accreditation
that is required for equipment placed on board ships for which
safety certificates are issued by, or on behalf of, Member States of
the European Union.
Before a wheelmark can be affixed to a product, an independent organization
appointed by a European national authority (a Notified body) has to undertake
conformity assessment, and test reports and a MED-B certificate have to be
issued. These test reports and certificates have to be kept by the manufacturer.
The manufacturer is allowed to affix the Wheelmark symbol and issue a
declaration of conformity only if the manufacturer also holds a relevant QA
certificate (MED-D).

Simrad GI51 Gyro Interface
vi 20221594 / Cb
The wheelmark shall be followed by:
-the identification number of the notified body (Det Norske Veritas = 0575)
which has performed the conformity assessment procedure
-the last two digits of the year in which the mark is affixed.
Note! When a complete system (e.g. an autopilot system) is
wheelmark approved, only the main unit(s) in the system
wears the wheelmark symbol. This to avoid the
misunderstanding that all optional units in a system retain
their wheelmark approval even if they are installed in a not
approved system. The type examination certificate (MED-
B) for the wheelmarked system lists all optional equipment
that is part of the wheelmark approval. The EC
Declaration of Conformity do also show which units that
are part of the approval.
EU’s official database (MarED Product Database) contains information about
wheelmarked equipment. This database is found on:
http://www.mared.org/
The certificates and CE declarations for any wheel marked equipment can be
obtained from your Simrad distributor.

INSTALLATION MANUAL
20221594 / Cb vii
Contents
1INTRODUCTION .........................................................1
1.1 General.............................................................................1
1.2 GI51 type approvals ...........................................................1
2INSTALLATION...........................................................2
2.1 Mechanical installation ........................................................2
2.2 Cabling .............................................................................2
GI51 Block diagram.......................................................3
2.3 Dip switch settings..............................................................4
2.4 Compass selection and interface setup ..................................5
2.5 Heading offset adjustment and alignment ..............................6
2.6 Calibration of 1:1 synchro interface.......................................7
2.7 Initial heading and heading change test.................................8
2.8 S9 Steering lever................................................................8
3GI51 PCB ...................................................................9
3.1 Component location............................................................9
3.2 Terminal description .........................................................10
TB1, Power.................................................................10
TB2, Sin/Cos Out ........................................................10
TB3, Synchro In..........................................................10
TB4, NFU ...................................................................10
TB5, Step Out.............................................................10
TB6, Step In...............................................................11
TB7 and TB8, NMEA.....................................................11
TB9, RGC proprietary...................................................11
TB10, LOG .................................................................11
TB11, Radar ...............................................................11
TB12, Selector............................................................12
4PENDULUM FUNCTION KEY (OPTION)......................13
5TROUBLE SHOOTING................................................14
5.1 LED indicators..................................................................15

Simrad GI51 Gyro Interface
viii 20221594 / Cb
6SPARE PARTS...........................................................16
7TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ..................................17
7.1 Hardware ........................................................................17
7.2 Supply ............................................................................18
7.3 Interface.........................................................................18
Input.........................................................................18
Output.......................................................................19
Other serial output/input..............................................19

INSTALLATION MANUAL
20221594 / Cb 1
1INTRODUCTION
1.1 General
The GI51 is a multi purpose interface unit designed for
converting various input signals to Robnet, sin/cos, stepper
signal, NMEA 0183, and Clock Data output signals. Refer
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS, page 17.
The GI51 may be used both in a Robnet system and as a stand-
alone unit.
Note! If GI51 is used together with AP16/25 autopilots, it must be
configured as stand alone and use NMEA input. The same
applies for AP35 autopilot when used with stepper- or geared
synchro gyros.
The unit has a pendulum ferry feature that will change the
heading output by 180° on command when the unit is connected
to Robnet. If not connected to Robnet, an optional GI51 function
key is required to activate the pendulum ferry function. Refer
PENDULUM FUNCTION KEY (Option), page 13.
1.2 GI51 type approvals
The GI51 is approved as part of a wheelmarked system
according to certificates from the following Notification bodies:
Issuer: MED Product
DNV B AP50 Heading control system
BSH B AIS200 / Simrad AI80 Automatic Identification System
The certificates can be obtained from your Simrad distributor.
DNV Certificates may be downloaded from the following site:
http://exchange.dnv.com/tari/
Note! According to our Notification body (DNV) only the main unit(s)
in a wheelmarked system shall wear the wheelmark symbol.
GI51 does therefore not wear a separate wheelmark symbol, and
the unit does not retain the approval if it is installed in a not
wheelmark approved system.
For more information about product compliance schemes, refer
page v.

Simrad GI51 Gyro Interface
220221594 / Cb
2INSTALLATION
2.1 Mechanical installation
The GI51 should be mounted with regard to the environmental
protection and temperature range of the unit, and should not be
installed in area exposed for heavy vibrations.
Make allowances for working area around the unit when routing
or removing the cables.
Fasten the GI51 to the bulkhead. Refer mechanical drawing,
page 17.
2.2 Cabling
All cable conductors are terminated in screw terminals on the
GI51 pcb.
Connect equipment according to the block diagram on page 2,
and to Terminal description, page 10 onwards.
To make a good ground connection, strip about 1 cm
(0.4”) off the cable’s insulation and pull the screen
backwards to cover the insulation. Position the straps as
shown in the figure. Tighten well to make sure the screen
makes good contact.
This will also avoid vibration causing the cables to loose
connection.
Note! Be careful not to drop screen cuts over the components!

INSTALLATION MANUAL
20221594 / Cb 3
GI51 Block diagram
SELECTOR
RADAR
LOG
RGC
NMEA
STEP IN
STEP OUT
NFU
SYNCHRO
SIN/COS
PWR
SEL.2
SEL.3
SEL.4
SEL.1
+12V
CLK L
CLK H
DATA L
DATA H
PULSE
+12V
RX-
RX+
TX-
TX+
RX-
RX+
COM
STEP 3
STEP 2
STEP 1
STEP 3
STEP 1
STEP 2
COM
ENABLE
PORT
STBD
+12V
S3
S2
S1
R2
R1
COS
SIN
APGND
V/2
-
AP+
+
TB12
TB11
TB10
TB9
TB8
TB7
TB6
TB5
TB4
TB3
TB2
TB1
ROBNET CONNECTORS
J2
J1
GI51 PCB

Simrad GI51 Gyro Interface
420221594 / Cb
2.3 Dip switch settings
The following dip-switches have to be set correctly:
-SW1-1 and SW1-2 determine the gearing ratio for synchro
input. For 1:1 synchro or if synchro is not used, both are set
to OFF.
-SW1-3 determines the format of the clk/data heading signal
to the radar. If the unit is powered by the Robnet, the
format is set from the autopilot control unit. Hence the
switch is not used and the setting of the switch is irrelevant.
-SW1-4 is used to start a calibration (ref. section 2.6). It can
also be used for test and trouble shooting (ref. page 14).
Five seconds after setting the switch to ON, the heading at
all outputs will jump in circles in a sequence of 45° each 10
sec.
Note! Before activating heading jumps, make sure it will not cause any
harm (ship running on automatic pilot etc).
-SW2-1 set to OFF gives NMEA and Robnet speed output
from the pulse log input. If set to ON, speed will be taken
from the longitudinal water speed field of VBW (1.priority)
or VHW (2.priority) of the NMEA input.
-SW2-2 is used for 1:1 synchro to determine the internal
gain for high voltage 50-110V ref., 20-90V L/L or low
voltage, 26V ref., 11.8V L/L synchros. OFF sets the gain
for high voltage level, ON sets the gain for low voltage
level.
All switches are factory set to OFF.
For location of the dip-switches, refer to Component location,
page 9.

INSTALLATION MANUAL
20221594 / Cb 5
Position/Function
Switch no. OFF ON
SW1-1 Synchro 1:1 Synchro 90:1
SW1-2 Synchro 1:1 Synchro 360:1
SW1-3 Simrad clk/data
(Stand-alone)
Furuno clk/data
(Stand-alone)
SW1
1234
SW1-4 Calibration Heading test
Position/Function
Switch no. OFF ON
SW2-1 Pulse log NMEA log
SW2-2 Others 26V Ref., 11.8V L/L
SW2-3 Spare Spare
2143
SW2
SW2-4 Spare Spare
2.4 Compass selection and interface setup
As several compasses may be connected to GI51 at the same
time, one of these has to be defined as source for the heading
output on the Robnet, NMEA, step, radar and sin/cos port.
When GI51 is connected to a Simrad autopilot via Robnet,
compass signal type has to be set at installation in the autopilot
interface menu. Steering and monitor compass is then selected in
the user setup menu (refer autopilot manual).
As stand alone unit, the compass in use is automatically selected
at power-on in the following order:
Synchro (1st priority) →Step →RGC →NMEA

Simrad GI51 Gyro Interface
620221594 / Cb
2.5 Heading offset adjustment and alignment
For a synchro type gyro compass, offset adjustment is normally
done once during installation. Before making a correction, make
sure that offset is not caused by wires connected in the wrong
order (ref. section 2.7).
When connected to a Simrad autopilot via Robnet, offset
adjustment is done in the autopilot Seatrial menu. When
connected to a Seatex AI80, offset adjustment is done at the
operator panel. For stand alone unit, offset is adjusted as
described further down.
A gyro compass with step or geared synchro will require heading
alignment after power-on and after a fault on the compass signal
to GI51.
When connected to a Simrad autopilot via Robnet or Seatex AI80,
alignment is prompted for on the display of the operator panel.
Note! Before alignment is commenced, there will be no NMEA HDT
output (only proprietary NMEA data).
As stand alone unit both installation offset and alignment can be
done either by proprietary NMEA data (ref page 19) or by an
external switch connected between SEL 3 and +12V terminals on
TB12.
+12V
SEL.1
SEL.3
SEL.2
SEL.4
SELECTOR
TB12
The switch must be a potentional free pulse type. When pressing
and holding the switch, the heading will increase or decrease,
depending of last direction control.
The heading will increase in a slow rate for the first 3 degrees,
but change to high rate for as long as the switch is depressed. By
making a quick double press and keep the last press, the
direction is reversed and started with low rate. Single presses on
the switch changes the heading by one tenth of a degree.
The switch should be mounted in a location for convenient operation.
Note! Make sure that the switch is mounted on a protected area to
avoid unintended operation that may give large heading
changes!

INSTALLATION MANUAL
20221594 / Cb 7
2.6 Calibrationof 1:1 synchro interface
Compasses using geared synchro do not need any calibration.
For compasses with1:1 synchro, GI51 is factory calibrated for:
-26V 400Hz ref. voltage, 11.8V L/L type synchro signal
(used by S.G. Brown model A,B,M,S, Meridian, SGB-100,
Robertson SKR82)
-90V 400Hz ref. voltage 70V L/L used by Simrad RGC50
and RGC10
The factory calibration is selected by dip switch SW2-2 (refer
section 2.3).
If components of the GI51 synchro interface or the flash memory
are replaced by repair, calibration is necessary. This requires a
full turn of the synchro shaft. For a compass that can be slewed,
or a ship in water where it can make a full turn, calibration may
be done on-site. Otherwise it has to be done in a workshop.
Calibration requires a 360° turn of the compass synchro within
30 minutes and can be started as follows:
-If connected to a Simrad autopilot via Robnet, calibration is
started from the autopilot Seatrial menu
-If you have access to a computer with appropriate NMEA
interface, calibration may be performed with proprietary
sentences as listed in page 19
-By flipping the dip switch SW1-4 ON/OFF
During calibration, the green CPU Running LED will flash at
appr. 4 Hz which is 4 times the normal rate.

Simrad GI51 Gyro Interface
820221594 / Cb
2.7 Initial heading and heading change test
If the heading read-out from GI51 has a fixed offset or is not
following the synchro signal from the gyro compass correctly,
this section gives you some guidelines to locate the fault. First of
all make sure that the dip switches are set correctly for gearing
and synchro voltage (ref. page 4).
Recommended action
Problem 1:1 synchro Geared synchro
Compass and GI51 output
is counting in opposite
direction
Interchange S1 and S3.
For a compass that can be slewed (compass card
turned), S1 - S3 can be located as follows: slew the
compass to 000°, disconnect S1 - S2 - S3. The 2 wires
between which approx. 0 V AC is measured are S1 - S3.
Compass differs
approximately 120° or
240° from GI51 output
Move S1 to S2, S2 to S3 and S3 to
S1.
Compass differs
approximately 180° from
GI51 output
Interchange R1 and R2.
Compass differs
approximately +/-60° from
GI51 output
Corrected by a combination of
swapping R1 and R2 for 180° shift
and different sequence of S1 – S2 –
S3 connections for 120° shift to
obtain the required 60° correction
(180° – 120°). Note that swapping
two phases only gives change of
direction!
Constant difference of
some degrees between
compass and GI51 output
for all headings
Adjust offset as described in sec 2.5.
2.8 S9 Steering lever
The S9 Steering Lever can be added to an autopilot system to
provide remote non-follow up steering capability. The S9 is
designed to be mounted in weather exposed locations. If it is
installed in such location, it is recommended to insure that the
cable entry glands are properly tightened. In addition silicone
sealant should be added around cable to ensure water protection.
As the mode selection by the Enable signal is based on a pulse, it
is recommended that only one S9 lever is used. This because the
mode selection switch is fixed levels, not pulsed. If several NFU
levers are required, the S35 lever is recommended.

INSTALLATION MANUAL
20221594 / Cb 9
3GI51 PCB
3.1 Component location
Step 3
STEP INSELECTOR
SEL.2
SEL.4
SEL.3
LOG
+12V
RADAR
Clk H
+12V
SEL.1
Clk L
Data H
Data L
Pulse
NMEA
RGC
TX+
RX+
RX-
TX-
RX+
RX-
Com
CPU
RUNNING
OK
POWER
Port
STEP OUT
Step 3
Step 1
Step 2
Com
Step 1
Step 2
Enable
NFU SYNCHRO
+12V
Stbd
S3
S2
S1
R2
R1
PWR
SIN/COS
Cos
Sin
APGND
V/2
AP+
-
+
J1
J2
CONNECTORS
SW2
SW1
PLUG
FUNCTION KEY
PROGRAM /
FAULT
SYNCHRO
SPEED LOG
(PULSE)
CLK
RADAR
RGC RX
RX
NMEA
TX
NMEA
IN
STEP
STEP
OUT
LED
F1

Simrad GI51 Gyro Interface
10 20221594 / Cb
3.2 Terminal description
TB1, Power
PWR
-
+
Used for power connection when GI51 is not powered by
Robnet.
When power is connected to TB1 in a Robnet system, GI51
will continue to output gyro heading even if the autopilot is
turned OFF.
TB2, Sin/Cos Out
SIN/COS
Cos
Sin
APGND
V/2
AP+
Used for heading output to certain models of Simrad
autopilots (AP200 series, AP45, AP9).
TB3, Synchro In
R2
SYNCHRO
S2
S3
S1
R1
Used for connecting gyro compasses with synchro output.
Refer Dip switch settings, page 4 for signal specification.
TB4, NFU
Enable
Port
Stbd
+12V
NFU
Used for connecting a remote Non Follow Up lever. Rudder
command or course change will be sent to the autopilot via
Robnet.
Simrad S9 lever also enables remote auto/NFU mode
switching.
TB5, Step Out
Step 2
Step 3
Step 1
STEP OUT
Com
Used for operating heading repeaters with step input.
Note! Step signals only for electronic interface, not for step motors!
See TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS, page 17.

INSTALLATION MANUAL
20221594 / Cb 11
TB6, Step In
STEP IN
Com
Step 3
Step 2
Step 1
Used when connecting a gyro compass with stepper output.
TB7 and TB8, NMEA
NMEA
TX+
TX-
RX+
RX-
NMEA signals from compass or speed log with serial output
should be connected to RX- and RX+. Refer Dip switch
settings for speed, page 4.
Output heading from active steering compass and speed from
log in the GI51 is available on TX- and TX+.
TB9, RGC proprietary
RX-
RX+
RGC
Used for reading serial data (9600 baud) from gyro compass
(RGC11, RGC12).
TB10, LOG
Pulse
+12V
LOG
Used for connecting speed log with 200p/NM. Refer Dip
switch settings, page 4.
TB11, Radar
Data L
RADAR
Clk L
Clk H
Data H
Data and Clock output signal to Radar.
Simrad or Furuno format is selected via Robnet, or set by dip
switch SW1 if GI51 not is connected to Robnet. Refer Dip
switch settings, page 4.

Simrad GI51 Gyro Interface
12 20221594 / Cb
TB12, Selector
SEL.4
SEL.2
SEL.3
SEL.1
SELECTOR
+12V
The selector lines option on TB12 are used both for heading
offset adjustment and for the optional pendulum function key
as described below.
Heading offset adjustment and alignment
Offset of initial heading will be required when a step or geared
synchro is connected in a stand-alone system. The function is
obtained by connecting a potential free pulse switch between
the +12V and SEL.3 terminals on TB12. When pressing and
holding the switch, the heading will increase or decrease,
depending of last direction control. Refer page 9.
Pendulum ferry feature
Based on reading an external potential free switch connected
to this terminal, GI51 will change the heading output 180° for
both the selected steering and monitor compass connected to
GI51 or the NMEA or HS-port of the autopilot J50 Junction
Unit.
The switch is connected between +12V and SEL.4.
Note! This function will not apply for the rate compass RFC35R and
RC25 and compasses connected to the NI300X autopilot
interface.
Note! Pendulum function key as described in section 4 may be
required.
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