Garmin REACTOR 40 Installation Instructions Manual page 3

each component and that each component is in an acceptable
location before mounting or wiring any components.
CCU Mounting and Connection Considerations
• The CCU is the primary sensor of the Reactor 40 Mechanical
autopilot system. For best performance, observe these
considerations when selecting a mounting location.
◦ A handheld compass should be used to test for magnetic
interference in the area where the CCU is to be mounted
(Testing a Location for Magnetic Interference, page
◦ The CCU should be mounted on a rigid surface for best
performance.
• Mounting screws are provided with the CCU. If you use
mounting hardware other than the provided screws, the
hardware must be quality stainless or brass material to avoid
magnetic interference with the CCU.
Test any mounting hardware with a handheld compass to
make sure no magnetic fields are present in the hardware.
• The CCU cable connects the CCU to the ECU and is 5 m
(16 ft.) long.
◦ If the CCU cannot be mounted within 5 m (16 ft.) of the
ECU, extension cables are available from your local
Garmin dealer or at www.garmin.com.
◦ This cable must not be cut.
Finding the Best Mounting Location
1
Create a list of all suitable mounting locations for the CCU.
Suitable mounting locations should not be within 60 cm (2 ft.)
of the following:
• Iron
• Magnets
• High-current wires
• Intermittently-running pumps, such as head pumps and
live well pumps
A large magnet, such as a subwoofer-speaker magnet,
should be no closer than 1.5 m (5 ft.) to any of the mounting
locations.
2
Locate the center of rotation of the boat, and measure the
distance between the center of rotation and each of the
suitable mounting locations you listed in step 1.
3 Select the location closest to the center of rotation.
If more than one location is approximately the same distance
from the center of rotation, you should select the location that
best meets these considerations.
• The best location is closest to the centerline of the boat.
• The best location is lower in the boat.
• The best location is slightly forward in the boat.
Testing a Location for Magnetic Interference
You can use a handheld compass to test a mounting location for
magnetic interference.
1
Hold a handheld compass in the CCU mounting location.
2
Move the compass six inches to the left of the location, then
six inches to the right, observe the needle, and select an
action:
• If the compass needle moves more than three degrees
during this step, magnetic interference is present. Select a
new mounting location and repeat the test.
• If the compass needle does not move, or moves less than
three degrees, proceed to the next step.
3 Repeat this process while moving the compass above and
below the mounting location.
4 Repeat this process while moving the compass in front of and
behind the mounting location.
ECU Mounting and Connection Considerations
• The ECU can be mounted on a flat surface, facing any
direction.
• Mounting screws are included with the ECU, but you may
need to provide different screws if the supplied screws are
not suitable for the mounting surface.
• The ECU must be mounted within 0.5 m (19 in.) of the drive
unit.
3).
◦ The cables connecting the ECU to the drive unit cannot be
extended.
• The ECU must be mounted in a location where it will not be
submerged or exposed to wash down.
• The ECU power cable connects to the boat battery, and it
can be extended if needed
page 4).
Drive Unit Mounting and Wiring Considerations
• If a compatible drive unit is not already installed on your boat,
the drive unit is sold separately, and must be installed by an
experienced professional in order to correctly steer your boat.
• The drive unit must be installed before the ECU is
permanently mounted.
• The cables connected to the drive unit cannot be extended.
• If you are connecting to an existing drive unit (not sold by
Garmin), a drive unit power cable (sold separately) must be
used to adapt your drive unit for use with the autopilot system
(Connecting to an Existing Drive Unit, page
◦ The drive unit power cable cannot be extended.
• If you are connecting to a solenoid drive unit, a solenoid
power cable (sold separately) must be used to adapt your
solenoid drive unit for use with the autopilot system
(Connecting to a Solenoid Drive Unit, page
◦ The solenoid power cable cannot be extended.
• If you are connecting to a drive unit not sold by Garmin, you
must also install a rudder feedback sensor, such as the
Garmin GRF ™
sensor using a rudder feedback cable (sold separately).
NOTE: The Reactor 40 Mechanical autopilot is compatible
with a typical three-terminal, potentiometer-type rudder
feedback sensor only. The system does not work with a
frequency-based rudder feedback sensor.
Shadow Drive Sensor Mounting Considerations
NOTE: The Shadow Drive sensor is a device you install in the
hydraulic steering lines of your boat. It detects when you
manually take control of the helm and suspends autopilot control
of the boat. It is an optional accessory that can be used only on
a boat with a hydraulic steering system.
• The Shadow Drive sensor must be mounted horizontally and
as level as possible, with cable ties firmly securing it in place.
• The Shadow Drive sensor must be mounted at least 305 mm
(12 in.) away from magnetic materials or devices, such as
speakers or electric motors.
• The Shadow Drive sensor should be mounted closer to the
helm than to the pump.
• The Shadow Drive sensor should be mounted lower than the
lowest helm, but higher than the pump.
• The Shadow Drive sensor must not be connected directly to
the fitting at the back of the helm. There must be a length of
hose between the fitting at the helm and the Shadow Drive
sensor.
• The Shadow Drive sensor must not be connected directly to
a hydraulic T-connector in the hydraulic line. There must be a
length of hose between a T-connector and the Shadow Drive
sensor.
(Power Cable Extensions,
10, or connect to an existing rudder-feedback
5).
5).
3