Reactor 40 Speed Source Fault

The warning Speed Source Fault only applies to the Reactor™ 40 autopilot systems.

This warning is sent from the CCU every 15 seconds while it detects a speed source issue while the autopilot is engaged. Often this warning is noticeable, but not so repeatedly that it renders the autopilot title banner useless. The display will blink the white text for 5 seconds, and then there will be 10 seconds of the standard green text before the white text displays again.

List of causes for this fault:

• If the autopilot is engaged

• AND the fault has not been sent in the past 15 seconds

• AND:

  • The autopilot is engaged, and the speed source has timed out

  • The autopilot is engaged, and the speed source is sending invalid data

  • The speed source is GPS, and the GPS fix has three or fewer satellites

  • The autopilot is engaged, and the speed source sends valid data that is half the minimum speed or less (does not apply to sailboats often go too slow)

  • The autopilot is engaged, and the speed source sends valid data double the maximum speed or more. Use gains indicated by the speed source signal (lower than minimum AP gains)

The autopilot uses safe (minimum) gain numbers when this fault sends. Suppose the autopilot is not acquiring the speed source; rather than using gain, the numbers determined when performing the autotune procedure will move the rudder as slowly as possible to prevent hard turns.