Alphatron Marine JRC AlphaRiverPilot MFS User Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Alphatron Marine Manuals
  4. Marine Equipment
  5. JRC AlphaRiverPilot MFS
  6. User manual

Alphatron Marine JRC AlphaRiverPilot MFS User Manual

Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
AlphaRiverPilot MFS
User Manual
www.alphatronmarine.com

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the JRC AlphaRiverPilot MFS and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Related Manuals for Alphatron Marine JRC AlphaRiverPilot MFS

Summary of Contents for Alphatron Marine JRC AlphaRiverPilot MFS

  • Page 1 AlphaRiverPilot MFS User Manual www.alphatronmarine.com...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Contents Preface ..............................4 Revision History ............................5 Glossary ..............................6 Abbreviations ............................6 Definitions ..............................7 Safety Information ..........................9 III. Warranty ............................. 10 IV. About the manual ..........................11 Intended readers ............................ 11 Manual overview ............................ 11 Introduction ............................12 AlphaRiverPilot MFS Control Unit .......................
  • Page 3 Controls and functions ........................27 4.1 Turn on ............................... 27 4.2 Turn off ............................... 27 4.3 Dimming ............................. 27 4.4 Alert handling ............................. 28 Menus ..............................31 5.1 Menu ‘Main Menu’ ..........................31 5.1.1 Ship Config ..........................32 5.1.2 Adapt Mode ..........................32 5.1.3 User Settings ...........................

  • Page 4: Preface

    Preface The Alphatron AlphaRiverPilot MFS is a ES-TRIN approved Autopilot System, designed to fit vessels of any size, including high speed crafts. It is a modern and technologically advanced digital vessel control unit that is intended to reduce the operator’s workload, increase the vessel motion efficiency and improve operational safety.

  • Page 5: Revision History

    Revision History Revision Date Description Author 10-01-2024 First issue T. de Nooijer 5 | AlphaRiverPilot MFS, MK4...

  • Page 6: Glossary

    Glossary The glossary contains a list of abbreviations and a list of definitions. Abbreviations Abbreviations as used in this manual are explained in the table below. Abbreviation Description Automatic Identification Systems AUTO Automatic (‘ROT Control mode’) Course over ground ECDIS Electronic Chart Display and Information System Follow-Up GNSS...

  • Page 7: Definitions

    Definitions The meaning of standard definitions as used in this manual are explained in the table below. Definition Description Alert Announcement of abnormal situations and conditions requiring attention. Alerts are divided in two priorities: alarms and warnings: - Alarm: An alarm is a high-priority alert. Condition requiring immediate attention and action by the captain, to maintain the safe navigation of the ship.
  • Page 8 Definition Description Main steering gear The machinery, rudder actuators, steering gear power units, if any, and ancillary equipment and the means of applying torque to the rudder stock (e.g. tiller or quadrant) necessary for effecting movement of the rudder for steering the vessel under normal service conditions.

  • Page 9: Safety Information

    Failure to comply with the precautions or with specific dangers, warnings, and cautions elsewhere in this manual violates safety standards of design, manufacture, and intended use of the equipment. ALPHATRON MARINE assumes no liability for the customer's failure to comply with these requirements.

  • Page 10: Warranty

    Otherwise, the paint and markings on the surface may get damaged. For NOTICE cleaning the surface, remove the dust and debris and wipe with a clean dry cloth. Contact the official Alphatron Marine distributor regarding the terms of the warranty. 10 | AlphaRiverPilot MFS, MK4...

  • Page 11: About The Manual

    About the manual Intended readers This manual is an operation manual for the AlphaRiverPilot MFS system. The manual is intended for users operating the system, and to inform crew personnel. Manual overview This manual has the following chapters: • Introduction contains a description of the AlphaRiverPilot MFS system. •...

  • Page 12: Introduction

    1 Introduction All Alphatron Marine Autopilots meet the rigorous and diverse demands of commercial applications from pushboats, tugs, tankers, cruise ships and many other river going, gyro based vessels. Accordingly, the Alphatron AlphaRiverPilot MFS system is a ES-TRIN Approved Autopilot System equipped with manually adjustable PID control facilities and an Adaptive mode to provide optimum steering performance in all operating conditions.

  • Page 13: Alphariverpilot Mfs Control Unit

    2 AlphaRiverPilot MFS Control Unit The Alphatron AlphaRiverPilot Control Unit has a touch screen display, 3 buttons at the top, 180 degrees tiller handle, and a ON/OFF button. The touch screen display and buttons show information such as the mode, profile, setpoint, feedback, steering direction, settings and alerts.
  • Page 14 All information, menus and functions are shown in English by default, but Dutch and German language can be selected in the MFS menu. 14 | AlphaRiverPilot MFS, MK4...
  • Page 15 Number Description Text in the 3 buttons depend on configurations and chosen language. The text “MAN” can be replaced by “FAST” mode, this mode is used to show a second pump is enabled for faster rudder movement. Currently on AUTO mode (indicated with green selection). A mode can be selected by pressing the white text.
  • Page 16 MENU Button to enter the menu options. If nothing is done in the user menu, the normal screen will return after 60 seconds. Service menu always stays open. Green ON indication. Always visible when the pilot is turned on. ON/OFF button. Like other MF products, this button shuts the MFS device down after 2 seconds. Note: a hard push is required to activate.

  • Page 17: Operating Modes

    3 Operating modes Introduction The AlphaRiverPilot MFS system is comprehensively equipped with alarm mechanisms that continuously monitor the operational integrity of a wide range of functions from gyro input data to steering gear response. Alarms and warnings are displayed on the AlphaRiverPilot MFS Control Unit. An Alert symbol will be shown, accompanied with or without an audible signal (see Chapter 4.4).
  • Page 18 STANDBY Standby mode. The AlphaRiverPilot does not steer. MANUAL The vessel can be hand steered using the tiller. Hand steering is typically used (Follow Up) when the vessel is maneuvering, and and navigating in restricted waters, channels, and areas with traffic density. AUTO The Pilot steers the vessel to the asked tiller position shown on the MFS Tiller Unit and will try to keep the ship on this course with the help of the gyrotol...

  • Page 19: Standby

    STANDBY The standby mode can be triggered in two ways: • By an external contact/switch/button connected to the pilot. Often this is an integrated contact from the main steering gear. • By the user. This screen can be activated by pressing the mode again that is already selected green.

  • Page 20: Auto

    For more information, please contact Alphatron Marine Inland department. AUTO The well-known Auto mode, or Autopilot. - Rate of Turn feedback graph bar with 30, 90, or 300 degrees scaling.

  • Page 21: Trim

    3.4.2 Trim The trim setting is used for when the ship is not sailing straight. When the ship seems to be continuously return to this offset, trim can be used to put the ship onto a straight trajectory again. A maximum of 10 degrees for both portside and starboard is allowed.

  • Page 22: Compass

    COMPASS The 4 digits displayed in degrees shows the setpoint that can be set with the tiller or the four arrow buttons that can be accessed by long-pressing the control button, left of the DIM – button. The small arrow buttons allow for finetuning with 0.1 degree steps.

  • Page 23: Track

    TRACK The Trackpilot is now semi-integrated into the autopilot. Allowing the user to control the track line, readout information and receive alerts. A scale in meters is shown for information about the current position of the ship in green and the offset to the original line in red.

  • Page 24: Switching Between More Than 3 Modes

    Switching between more than 3 modes When more than 3 modes are enabled during installation, the user can change the third button to another mode not yet visible or active. By holding down the third mode button for more than 3 seconds, a popup window will appear with the other available modes to choose from.

  • Page 25: Profiles

    Profiles Like the previous autopilot model, it is possible to setup different profiles. This pilot supports up to 3 profiles. The following settings are unique to each profile: - Settings RUDDER, TRIM, DAMPING and SENS. - Different autopilot steering settings such as empty cargo, fully loaded, pushbarge with- and without bare.

  • Page 26: Adaptive Pilot

    3.11 Adaptive Pilot This is a new functionality in the autopilot. When enabled, the pilot becomes self-learning and can self-adjust the settings for steering behavior. - RUDDER: the autopilot will use the change in speed of the gyrotol to estimate the amount of rudder needed.

  • Page 27: Controls And Functions

    MFS is operated, it will supersede the current blue MFS dimming values. It is also possible to connect the Alphatron Marine MFS/M/L -line to the pilot, allowing central dimming control on the green MFS Control Unit. 27 | AlphaRiverPilot MFS, MK4...

  • Page 28: Alert Handling

    Alert handling When an alert is activated, the corresponding alert icon will be showed to the operator. The alert icon will be shown in the upper left corner of the display with the corresponding optic and acoustic signals: Pressing the icon Will show the Alert message Pressing again...
  • Page 29 In case of multiple active alerts, the alert icon only shows the highest priority alert. But when acknowledging the alerts, the user can see the active alerts one by one. If the alerts have not been acknowledged, but are also not active anymore, a “V” mark will appear. Tapping the alert message bar will remove the alert.
  • Page 30 The following alert indicators are applicable: Symbol Symbol Audible signal Status Priority behaviour Three long audible Alarm active, signals, Flashing High repeated within every acknowledged 10 s Alarm active, Flashing Silent silenced Two short audible signal, Warnings active, Flashing repeated within every 5 min or replaced by acknowledged an alarm...

  • Page 31: Menus

    5 Menus The AlphaRiverPilot MFS has generic and advanced settings. All users are authorized to use the generic settings. Only a commissioning engineer has access to the advanced settings (ADV SET and PILOT SET button), which are only needed during commissioning or troubleshooting. All menu items are explained in the following subsections.

  • Page 32: Ship Config

    Menu Item Description SHIP CONFIG Profile selection for autopilot. ADAPT MODE Menu to turn the adaptive mode on or off. USER SET → TOUCH CAL To calibrate the touch screen. USER SET → CLEAN MODE To clean the surface of the touch screen without accidentally activating a function.

  • Page 33: User Settings

    5.1.3 User Settings This is a submenu for extra settings. Touch screen calibration 5.1.3.1 Calibrate the screen by performing the following procedure: 1. Press the CONFIRM CALIBRATE THE TOUCH SCREEN button. The calibration screen appears with text requesting to touch the four numbered reference points that appear on the screen.

  • Page 34: Display Cleaning

    calibration procedure. Display cleaning 5.1.3.2 The purpose of the Clean Mode feature is to clean the surface of the touch screen without accidentally activating a function. When the Clean mode is started, the touch screen will be deactivated for 60 seconds. Within this period the instrument will remain functional, but it is not operable.

  • Page 35: Date Time

    1. Press the + or – button to select the desired LANGUAGE value. Three different languages can be selected, Dutch, English or German. NOTE: the language can only be changed on the green MFS. Other MFS Tiller units will also change language.

  • Page 36: About

    About 5.1.3.5 The About screen contains the versions of the MFS Tiller and RiverPilot software and when it was built. It also provides extra information for the service engineer to troubleshoot the system. MF ver.: = the installed MFS software on the tiller unit MF bld: = creation date of the MFS software on the tiller unit BL ver.: = the installed bootloader version on the tiller unit MF bld: = creation date of the bootloader version on the tiller unit...

  • Page 37: Lock Screen

    Lock Screen 5.1.3.6 The MFS has the option to prevent user interaction with the screen, with exception of the 3 modes buttons at the top as these are always available for safety. This could prove useful when steering the autopilot and the user accidentally touches the settings on the screen. The button to un/lock the screen is located on the bottom right of the screen.

  • Page 38: Adv Set

    5.1.4 Adv Set To change Advanced settings of the MFS Control Unit. Only a commissioning engineer has access to the Advanced settings, which are only needed during commissioning or troubleshooting. 5.1.5 Remote Access This menu option is used by the operator to allow external access to the AlphaRiverPilot MFS system. Another name would be the “firewall”.

  • Page 39: Appendices

    Appendices 39 | AlphaRiverPilot MFS, MK4...

  • Page 40: Appendix A: Specification - Alphariverpilot Mfs

    Appendix A: Specification - AlphaRiverPilot MFS Power Supply Voltage: 18V – 32VDC Only AlphaRiverPilot: 150mA AlphaRiverPilot + 1 MFS: 325mA AlphaRiverPilot + 2 MFS: 550mA AlphaRiverPilot + 3 MFS: 775mA AlphaRiverPilot + 4 MFS: AlphaRiverPilot + 4 MFS + valves: 40 | AlphaRiverPilot MFS, MK4...

  • Page 41: Appendix B: Mechanical Drawings - Alphariverpilot Mfs

    Appendix B: Mechanical drawings - AlphaRiverPilot MFS 41 | AlphaRiverPilot MFS, MK4...
  • Page 42 (2 needed) 42 | AlphaRiverPilot MFS, MK4...

  • Page 43: Appendix C: Alphariverpilot Mfs Mode Buttons + Profile Name Table

    Appendix C: AlphaRiverPilot MFS Mode buttons + Profile name table ENGLISH [EN] GERMAN [DE] DUTCH [NL] FAST FLOTT SNEL FAST SCHNEL SNEL AUTO AUTO AUTO PILOT PILOT PILOOT COMP KOMP KOMP COMP2 KOMP2 KOMP2 COMP-R KOMP-R KOMP-R TRACK TRACK TRACK SLOW LANGSAM LANGZAAM...

  • Page 44: Appendix D: Alphatron Mfs Alerts

    Voltage level for power supply 2 is incorrect. Please check the external SUPPLY ALARM fuse. INTERNAL PILOT POWER Voltage level is incorrect. Please contact Alphatron Marine. VOLTAGES ALARM RUDDER POWER SUPPLY Voltage level for power supply 3 is incorrect. Please check the external ALARM fuse.
  • Page 45 ROT MISMATCH Indicates that the digital gyro is running on a different range, please WARNING contact Alphatron Marine. TRACKPILOT NOT READY Shown when switching to track mode, but the system is not ready. Please check the settings of the trackpilot.

Table of Contents