Race Master User Guide
Race Master EMC Conformance All Tacktick equipment is designed to the best industry standards for use in the recreational marine environment. The design and manufacture of Tacktick equipment conforms to the appropriate Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standards. Correct installation is required to ensure that performance is not compromised. Important Due to the wireless communication systems used in Micronet instruments they are only recommended for use on boats up to 18 metres (60 ft.
Contents 1 2 3 Information 2 1.1 Key Features - 2 Basic Operation 3 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 3 3 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 Display Information Switching the System On and Off Information Display Panes Power Management and Battery Life Sleep Mode Backlighting Keylock Audible Signals Safety and Disposal - Racing Functions 6 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.
Race Master 1 Introduction 1.1 Key Features Your Race Master provides a unique combination of features: Viewable from both sides of the boat Two LCD displays mounted at an angle to permit viewing from either side of the boat. Solar Power The Race Master is powered for life by the environment. Although feature packed and highly visible in all conditions, current demand is so low, and the supply so efficient, that the solar-powered display is self sufficient.
Basic Operation 2. Basic Operation 2.1 Display Information 2.2 Switching the System On and Off To switch your Race Master on or off, press Switch on 2.3 for 2 seconds. Switch off Information Display Panes Top Pane Heading is permanently displayed in the top pane. Bottom Pane There are three Functions; The button scrolls through the Functions. See sections 3 and 4 for operating details. Race Timer (TMR), a countdown timer and elapsed time clock..
Race Master 2.4 Power Management and Battery Life What makes your Race Master possible is Tacktick’s revolutionary approach to power management. By reducing the amount of power being used by the electronics and maximizing the potential of the sun to provide power, the Race Master is capable of virtually perpetual operation. Power status is indicated by two icons on the display: Battery Level and Charge Rate Used together these icons will show the condition of the power supply.
Basic Operation 2.5 Sleep Mode If there is no change in heading registered on the system for a period of ten minutes your Race Master will switch off to conserve power. 2.6 Backlighting At any stage of the display’s operation, press and hold for 2 seconds to access the lighting control. Pressing and will scroll through the options OFF, 1, 2 and 3 whilst changing the backlighting.
Race Master 3 Racing Functions 3.1 Some definitions and terminology True Wind Direction (TWD), the current actual direction of the wind over the water, expressed as a compass heading. If the boat is head to wind, the TWD is the same as the heading of the boat. Mean Wind Direction (MWD), the average of the True Wind Direction over a sufficiently long period to even out any regular periodic changes in the wind direction.
Racing Functions Optimise wind shifts Your Race Master is the ultimate wind shift indicator, giving you precise, clear numerical and graphical readouts. Before the race, you program the Mean Wind Direction (MWD) and the Tack Angle (TAK) into the Race Master (see section 3.3). During the race, you get an instant visual display of: Your heading as a large stable digital number (the upper display).
Race Master 3.3 Before the Race Programme the Mean Wind Direction (MWD) and Tack Angle (TAK), capture the Line Bias (LiNE) and set the Race Timer (TMR). To set the Mean Wind Direction (MWD) and Tack Angle (TAK) in “Single Button” mode Go to the Wind Shift (WND) page. Sail upwind for several minutes to determine your average close hauled heading on each tack. Press and hold . Rotating lines will appear on the display. Steer your average close hauled course on either tack.
Racing Functions If the wind is coming from the starboard side, the line is starboard biased. If the wind is coming from the port side, the line is port biased. To set the Start Timer Go to the Race Timer (TMR) page. Press for 1 second, the last start countdown value is shown, flashing. If required adjust the countdown value using and . Press to exit edit mode and prepare for countdown. At the first “gun” press to start the countdown. The timer will sound a single beep at the end of each minute.
Race Master 3.4 During the Race Sailing upwind Tack when headed to keep the boat sailing on the lifted tack. The bar graph indicates the Wind Shift in 2.5 degree steps from a central zero. Bar Graph above the centre line indicates a lift, Bar Graph below the centre line indicates a header. When the Wind Shift (WND) page is selected, Wind Shift is shown as a + (lifted) or – (headed) value in the lower pane.
Advanced Operation 4 Advanced Operation To set the Mean Wind Direction (MWD) and Tack Angle (TAK) by sailing closehauled 1 Go to the Wind Shift (WND) page. 2. Sail upwind for several minutes to determine your average close hauled heading on each tack. 3. Steer your average close hauled heading on either tack. 4 Press , the display will beep twice and “TAC NOW” will show for two seconds. 5 Tack and sail your average close hauled heading on the new tack.
Race Master To correct the Mean Wind Direction (MWD) by going head to wind. For Wind Shift to work correctly, you must ensure that the tack angle is captured using one of the methods described above. 1 Go to the Wind Shift (WND) page. 2 Take the boat head to wind. 3 Press and hold for 2 seconds, rotating lines are shown 4 Press and hold again for 1 second, the Mean Wind Direction (MWD) popup is displayed. If necessary, adjust the captured value using and . 12 www.tacktick.
Setup and Calibration 5 Setup and Calibration 5.1 Setup and Calibration Organisation Setup is organised into Chapters, each comprising a number of Pages. Setup pages use both the top and bottom panes of the display. The diagram shows the layout of the available chapters and pages. For a full description of each setup page refer to section 5.4. 5.
Race Master 5.3 Editing Setup Data Parameter values may be one of three types: A user editable numeric value (for example, the magnetic variation may have the value 03 degrees). To edit a numeric parameter value: Press . The value data will begin to flash. Use and to adjust the value. Press again to set the new value. A list of options (for example, the heading response parameter may have the values SLO , mED or FASt). To select a parameter option from a list: Press .
Setup and Calibration Magnetic Variation Allows manual entry of local magnetic variation. A value between W90 degrees and E90 degrees. Heading Format The system can be configured to show heading information in either MAG (Magnetic) or TRU (True) format. Magnetic Variation must be set to enable True display format (see section above). A True Heading is indicated by the TRUE icon in the upper pane; the absence of this icon indicates a Magnetic heading.
Race Master Display Contrast Adjusts the viewing angle of the LCD display to improve visibility under varied mounting possibilities. Available values are: 1 - 7 default 4. Demonstration Mode Allows the display to show information for demonstration purposes only. The Race Master will return to default OFF on power down. Factory Reset Returns all the calibration setting to the factory default values. Pressing starts a three second countdown, at the end of which all values are returned to their defaults.
Calibration 6 Calibration Once the Race Master has been installed on the vessel and Auto Networking has been completed it is necessary to calibrate the compass. It is not safe to use the Race Master for navigational purposes until calibration has been carried out correctly. To compensate for deviation caused by magnetic objects on the boat, it is necessary to carry out a deviation correction turn. The compass reading may be set to the correct heading.
Race Master 7 Installation Warning: The Race Master must be mounted within 20 degrees of the vertical to permit correct functioning of the integrated compass sensor. Ideally, the display should be mounted at or below eye height; if this is not possible it may be necessary to adjust the display contrast to optimise visibility (see page 16). Select a mounting location that is as far as possible from magnetic objects that might interfere with the compass sensor.
Maintenance and Fault Finding 8 Maintenance and Fault Finding 8.1 Care and Maintenance All Micronet products are totally sealed against water and are not serviceable. Any attempt to take a Micronet product apart will invalidate the warranty. The battery may only be replaced by a person trained and approved for this purpose. To clean, use only a damp, soft cloth. No detergents, solvents or abrasives should be used.
Race Master Specifications Height of digits: 27mm (upper pane), 18mm (lower pane) Backlighting: 3 levels with daylight shutoff System-wide or local control Power: Solar Powered 300 hrs autonomy by day, 7 nights at brightest backlighting, 20 nights at economy backlighting without charge Units of display: Boat Speed (knots, kilometres per hour, statute miles per hour) Distance (nautical miles, statute miles, kilometres) Depth (metres, feet, fathoms) Wind Speed (knots, metres per second, Beaufort) Weight: 435
Warranty Information Warranty Information General All Tacktick products are designed and built to standards suitable for use in a harsh marine environment. If the products are installed correctly and operated as described in the user guides they will provide long and reliable service. For information and assistance Tacktick operates a network of international distributors. Limited Warranty The warranty covers repair or replacement of parts due to faulty manufacturing.
Race Master Alternatively, if the product is being used away from the country of purchase, it may be returned to the national distributor, or one of its approved dealers, in the country where it is being used. In this case valid claims will cover parts only. Labour, handling costs and return shipping will be invoiced to the sender. Disclaimer Tacktick products should only be considered an aid to navigation and common sense must be applied at all time when navigating at sea.
