Wheelpilot WP32 Error in Installation Instructions in Owner’s

Background Information

A discrepancy has been discovered between the
information given in the Owner’s Manual, Fig 5.12 –
Junction box wiring and information given on the
label fixed to the inside of the junction box.

Consequences of Incorrect Connection
Connection in accordance with the Owner’s Manual
would cause reverse polarity of the supply against
which Diodes D1 and D4 provide protection.
However, one or both of the diodes could be
damaged as a result and cause the pilot to become
inoperative.

Details of Discrepancy

The information given in the Owner’s Manual in
incorrect; the position of the DC supply labels,
EXTERNAL INPUTS 12v DC and 0v, has been
transposed. An extract from the manual is
reproduced above:

Solution

ADDENDUM

The Owner’s Manual will be amended at the next
reprint. Until then an addendum will be added to the
manual advising that the information given on the
junction box label is the correct version and should be
followed during installation.
A copy of the addendum is reproduced above

CP31/CX33/34/44/54

Loss of position update and water speed data from SimNet

Error report
From the field we have received reports that the
Simrad NavStation would cease to update and
supply a GPS position, or would lose e.g. water
speed update from IS15.

Loss of position
The CX44/54 NavStation would suddenly stop
updating the position on the chart and sending out
position data to other connected products. By
entering the interface setup you could see that the
Group selection was still SIMRAD, but Position
mode had changed from INTERNAL to
EXTERNAL.

Explanation
Simrad products connected via SimNet will as
standard form a Simrad Group, meaning that all
instruments will refer to same source for each
function. Simrad NavStation or Chartplotter will
automatically be the position source. However,
the position mode: INTERNAL / EXTERNAL of
the NavStation, can be controlled via commands
on the SimNet and an unintended command may
therefore force the NavStation to change position
source.

When the autopilot is switched on it draws a fairly
heavy current and the voltage drop makes the
AT44 perform a controlled reset. The reset
commands will collide with the start-up routines
within the autopilot, which, in this special
situation, will send out a new command telling the
system that it is now the position source for the
Simrad Group.

Instant remedy
Change the SimNet setting of the autopilot to
STAND-ALONE.
If the position setup of the NavStation is changed
to EXTERNAL as described, a Global reset of
SimNet should resume normal operation.
A Master Reset of the NavStation and Autopilot is
only to be applied if normal operation is not
achieved via the global SimNet reset.

Short term remedy
As underlined in the installation instructions for
SimNet, the power source to the network has to be
stable and should not be shared with power
consuming devices such as start motor, bow
thruster, autopilot, chart plotters, VHF etc..

Long term remedy
The next release of software for the autopilots is
scheduled to come within one month and will
include routines to prevent unintended change of
data sources.

Loss of water speed data from IS15/AT15
Observation: Water speed and other data from
IS15/AT15 are not updated on the NavStation, but
replaced by *** although it is shown correctly on
the instrument. The problem is presently being
analyzed and a new bulletin will follow shortly
after this one.

Regards Frank

NEW GPS ANTENNA

CP31/CX33 Chartplotters and CX34/44/54
NavStations with standard SDGPS:
All new deliveries from Factory will include the
new GPS 5 antenna and cable as standard, instead
of the GPS 4 helical type.

NB! The decision to change the standard supplied
GPS antenna is not a quality issue, so existing
stock of GPS 4 antennas cannot be exchanged to
GPS 5 or returned for credit.

CX34/44/54-D NavStations with DGPS:
All deliveries will continue to include the MGL-3
DGPS antenna as standard.
GN33 with standard SDGPS:
All deliveries will continue to include the MED
approved GPS 4 helical type antenna as standard.
GN33-D with DGPS:
All deliveries will continue to include the MGL-3
DGPS antenna as standard.

Introduction of new GPS antenna: GPS 5

GPS 5 antenna, bottom view indicating TNC
connector and three holes for deck mounting.
Mounting base for standard US 1”14 mount.
Chartplotters and NavStations
Introduction of new GPS antenna: GPS 5
Technical data for GPS 5 low profile antenna
Antenna type: Ceramic patch
Optimized for SDGPS reception
Frequency: L1 1.575 GHz
Gain: 29 dB
Power supply: 5 V
Consumption: 20 mA
Diameter: 86 mm / 3.4”
Height incl. base: 100 mm / 4”
Weight incl. base: 122 g
Connector type: TNC
Impedance: 50 Ohm

Mounting base for standard US 1”14 mount.

Mounting base for standard US 1”14 mount.

Prices for stand alone antennas as spare parts TBA
For replacement of failed or damaged GPS4 models the FM100
plug will need to be changed to TNC Type

Roblink Power Cable

From Simrad...

Dear Colleagues,

The Roblink power cable (P/N 22093587) has an adapted resistance to enhance the superimposed Roblink signal. Reports from the market tell that if a short circuit occurs in the Roblink circuit, this cable resistor heats up and destroys the cable.

Our investigation has proven infirmities with the cable and the supplied instructions. The instructions have not been adequate regarding over current protection. In addition the cable manufacturer has sent us a batch of cables with poor insulation of wires, which also may have caused a short circuit on the Roblink.

The cable has now been modified to include a fuse holder with a 1 Amp slow blow fuse in the positive (+) lead. The instructions supplied with the cable have been updated accordingly.
The IS15 General manual, the IS15 Wind manual, the IS15 Rudder manual and the manual for the IS15 Instrument as NMEA repeater will be updated successively.

Actions have been taken towards our cable manufacturer regarding insulation quality.
We regret the inconvenience this may have caused you and our customers.
Please find attached the updated instructions for the Roblink Power Cable.