After Dealer Autopilot Configuration...

K

Kaptajnen

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 28, 2018
Messages
258
Fluid Motion Model
C-302 C
Vessel Name
Akvavit
Our R31-SE is equipped with a Garmin GPSMAP 7616xsv Chartplotter, a REACTOR 40 Autopilot and a GHC 20. All software updated to latest version.

Yesterday we performed the Dealer Autopilot Configuration.

After that, the STANDBY screen showed a small “icon” in the top right corner of the screen and a new item”DIRECTION” on the menu. (See below photo).

I lined up the boat with the magenta line of a route and clicked on the DIRECTION button- then pressed ENGAGE.

That made the boat do a 180 degree turn! I can only guess that it somehow followed the Magnetic device hidden in a compartment in the cave. According to the GARMEN User Manual I should select RADAR Settings > Communications > Preferred Sources in order to switch from Magnetic to GPS but that setting was not available.

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
It sounds like you enabled "Direction Control" and then told the boat to follow a heading in reverse?:
https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp ... 44820.html

Direction Control
Direction control informs the autopilot which direction the boat is moving (forward or reverse) using the helm control.
Click to expand...

When you hit "DIRECTION", I'm guessing the little icon showed up which told the autopilot that the boat is moving backwards. Not entirely sure if the autopilot is designed to keep heading in reverse... but perhaps when you then hit "ENGAGE", it then turned the boat around to try to follow the route backwards?

I'd suggest just disabling Direction Control if it's not something you intend to use (I didn't even know this existed but I won't be enabling it!)

Select Menu > Setup > User Autopilot Setup > Direction Control.
Select Disabled. (I'm guessing here that this is what it'll say since the directions are for how to Enable it)
https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp ... 345D0.html

edit: if above has nothing to do with your issue, hope you figure it out! I too have been startled by autopilot spinning boat around unexpectedly in a tight channel (never did figure out what had happened and it hasn't happened since) and other times making sharp turns to get "back" to the route so curious to hear how yours resolves!
 
Kaptajnen":1yw0hhna said:
Our R31-SE is equipped with a Garmin GPSMAP 7616xsv Chartplotter, a REACTOR 40 Autopilot and a GHC 20. All software updated to latest version.

Yesterday we performed the Dealer Autopilot Configuration.

After that, the STANDBY screen showed a small “icon” in the top right corner of the screen and a new item”DIRECTION” on the menu. (See below photo).

I lined up the boat with the magenta line of a route and clicked on the DIRECTION button- then pressed ENGAGE.

That made the boat do a 180 degree turn! I can only guess that it somehow followed the Magnetic device hidden in a compartment in the cave. According to the GARMEN User Manual I should select RADAR Settings > Communications > Preferred Sources in order to switch from Magnetic to GPS but that setting was not available.

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Hello,

The "preferred source" should be the GPS for the plotter. On the AP screen goto settings, preferred sources, select GPS and then select the 76 series plotter. If you are still having issues feel free to email me and I could help out more if needed.

Thanks,
Kevin Lamont
 
I have no experience with your particular setup, but the display in the photograph shows “185°T” which indicates the autopilot compass is set to TRUE vs. MAGNETIC. That’s not going to cause a heading reversal, but if your chartplotter is set to MAGNETIC, it will cause issues because of the 15°-16° magnetic variation in the PNW.
 
CaspersCruiser":33rxsvw4 said:
I have no experience with your particular setup, but the display in the photograph shows “185°T” which indicates the autopilot compass is set to TRUE vs. MAGNETIC. That’s not going to cause a heading reversal, but if your chartplotter is set to MAGNETIC, it will cause issues because of the 15°-16° magnetic variation in the PNW.
Click to expand...

The chartplotter is also set to TRUE, but I just realized looking at the photo that what I called an “Icon” is actually a small arrow indication the direction the boat will travel in when the “engage” button is pushed. The default setting of the arrow in straight ahead, but my pushing the “direction” button on the display caused the 180 degree turn. MY BAD!

In the default position the “Icon” displays the normal yellow round light when the Autopilot is in STBY.

Lesson learned: Don’t push buttons if you don’t want surprises from the AP!

Seriously, why doesn’t Garmin cover this issue in their documentation?
 
CaspersCruiser":3u4sghk7 said:
I have no experience with your particular setup, but the display in the photograph shows “185°T” which indicates the autopilot compass is set to TRUE vs. MAGNETIC. That’s not going to cause a heading reversal, but if your chartplotter is set to MAGNETIC, it will cause issues because of the 15°-16° magnetic variation in the PNW.
Click to expand...

I was also wondering about that "T" in the photo. Couldn't figure it out. Thanks for sharing that bit of knowledge!


Kaptajnen":3u4sghk7 said:
The chartplotter is also set to TRUE, but I just realized looking at the photo that what I called an “Icon” is actually a small arrow indication the direction the boat will travel in when the “engage” button is pushed. The default setting of the arrow in straight ahead, but my pushing the “direction” button on the display caused the 180 degree turn. MY BAD!

Lesson learned: Keep my fingers from pushing buttons and get a new pair of glasses.

Seriously, why doesn’t Garmin cover this issue in their documentation?
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure you can disable it if you never intend to use it to per instructions in my post above.

I was wondering about that icon when I first saw your picture as I don't have a "DIRECTION" button on my GHC 20 screens and found the "Direction Control" info in Garmin's documentation for the GHC20 manual online:
https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp ... BF25F.html

Glad to hear you figured out the issue!
 
Thanks!

“Direction Control” now DISABLED!
New glasses no longer needed and AP now “immune” from busy fingers accidentally pushing DIRECTION.
 
Rant on:

IMO the entire Garmin marine electronics system, particularly the autopilot, is unnecessarily complicated and very difficult for the average non-IT Joe to use. I’m a boomer. While I can use a cellphone and use computers every day at home and work, I am not of the generation to which such activities come naturally.

I have been trying for over a month now to get my autopilot to do anything more than hold a heading. I’m not stupid. I have an advanced (non-IT) professional degree. It annoys the h*ll out of me that to use these systems I have to download and install software updates regularly, properly configure all of the settings on all of the devices and remember dozens of little details to make the damn things work properly.

I understand that to boat and cruise safely requires a certain degree of intellectual energy, but really...

Rant off.
 
The final touch per Garmin support: And it solved my conundrum!

——————————————- QUOTE ———————-
You would want to start by making sure your software is up to date. Here is our FAQ that details how to do this - Garmin Marine Device Software Updates. You'll also need to make sure that the 7616 has autopilot enabled:

From the Home screen go to Settings
System
Station Information
Set Auto Pilot Enabled to Yes
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

  • Tugnuts.com is the community hub for Ranger Tug, Cutwater, and Solara owners. Since its inception in 2008, the Tugnuts forum has grown into an active and thriving community of more than 9,000 members. It serves as both a meeting place for the best boating community online, and an invaluable archive of information.

  • User menu
Back
Top