Accuracy and Responsiveness
The accuracy and responsiveness with which the Advanced GPS Navigation controls your boat is highly dependent upon many variables:
- Ratio of motor thrust to boat weight. The effect of this is excessive thrust on a smaller boat can cause Advanced GPS Navigation to over correct. Not enough thrust on a large boat can cause Advanced GPS Navigation to respond slowly.
- Wind. Excessive wind and/or current can reduce Advanced GPS Navigation’s positioning accuracy.
- GPS signal strength. The greater number of GPS signal bars the greater the accuracy. As voltage at the motor lowers the GPS will become less accurate or drop out completely.
Troubleshooting
Below are troubleshooting steps for erratic steering with your Advanced GPS Navigation system.
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Load test the battery and check all connections.
A drop in voltage to the motor will cause the GPS information to be inaccurate and will cause erratic steering. -
Verify proper GPS signal.
The GPS signal strength indicator on the Advanced GPS Navigation Wireless Remote should show at least 1 bar. -
Change the AutoPilot mode.
AutoPilot has 2 modes to select from:-
Locked Heading AutoPilot
Locked Heading AutoPilot uses an internal compass to provide heading lock. When Locked Heading AutoPilot is on, it keeps the motor pointed in the same compass direction. If a manual steering correction is made, Locked Heading AutoPilot locks onto the new compass heading to which the boat was steered. This method of heading tracking does not take into account external forces such as a side wind or currents, which can allow side drift. -
Locked Course AutoPilot
Locked Course AutoPilot not only uses compass heading but also GPS data to correct for cross winds, current and other external forces to keep the boat on the intended course. When Locked Course AutoPilot is turned on, it creates a course that it will follow. When the user steers to a new heading, a new course is created. Locked Course AutoPilot will keep the boat on the course in most conditions. When very extreme conditions exist, such as very strong winds or currents, the trolling motor may not have enough power to control the boat smoothly. In these extreme cases, it may be best to use Locked Heading AutoPilot and let the boat move with the wind or current if the motor is not powerful enough to overcome it.
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Locked Heading AutoPilot
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Adjust the boat scale on the Advanced GPS Navigation Wireless remote.
Ideal installation for a trolling motor is to have the proper amount of thrust for the size of the boat. If the motor thrust is not properly matched to the boat size it can cause overshooting the Spot-Lock location. -
Keep all ferrous metallic objects away from the Advanced GPS Navigation Controller (top head)
This includes anchors, metal framework, etc which may cause interference. -
Heading Sensor Interference
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External Heading Sensor (non-QUEST motors)
The heading sensor needs to be in a place where it is not subject to magnetic interference. Ensure that the heading sensor is mounted at least 24 inches from magnetic or ferrous materials or anything that may create magnetic interference. This includes: base of the trolling motor, anchors, metal railings, speakers, radios, and trolling motor battery wires. It must be mounted on a flat, horizontal surface with the arrow on the heading sensor parallel to the boat’s keel. It should also have a line of sight to the trolling motor. -
Internal Heading Sensor (QUEST motors)
The Advanced GPS Navigation Controller (top head) needs to be away from magnetic interference. Ensure the Advanced GPS Navigation Controller (top head) is at least 24 inches from magnetic or ferrous materials or anything that may create magnetic interference. This includes: anchors, metal railings, speakers, radios, and trolling motor battery wires.
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External Heading Sensor (non-QUEST motors)
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Clean debris behind Prop
Check for weeds, fishing line, or other debris behind the prop that may restrict the movement.
