Garmin Compact Reactor 40 Hydraulic Autopilot, NMEA 2000, 11.5-30V

Overview

The Garmin Compact Reactor 40 Hydraulic Autopilot is a below-deck hydraulic autopilot package that uses a solid-state 9-axis AHRS and a 1.0 L pump to keep the boat on course without you riding the wheel all day. It runs on 10V to 20V power and outputs on NMEA 2000 for control and heading data sharing.

It is intended for hydraulic steering systems with a steering cylinder up to 10 cubic inches, and it can be controlled from a compatible Garmin chartplotter or from a dedicated GHC helm control, depending on the configuration. The CCU measures 4.3 in x 4.4 in x 1.9 in, and the pump measures 6.6 in x 3.9 in x 3.3 in, which helps when you are planning space under the helm or in a console.

This setup makes sense when you want steady course keeping at moderate to high cruising speeds on a small outboard boat, and you want the autopilot tied into the same network as your Garmin navigation electronics.

Key features

• Hydraulic autopilot corepack with a 1.0 L pump for steering cylinders up to 10 cubic inches
• Solid-state 9-axis AHRS for flexible CCU mounting when space is limited
• 10V to 20V power input and NMEA 2000 output for networked integration
• Control from a compatible Garmin chartplotter and support for up to three GHC helm control units on the same system
• Shadow Drive option on select configurations to disengage the autopilot when the helm is turned and re-engage on a steady course
• GHC 50 option adds a 5 in WVGA touchscreen autopilot display at the helm
• GHC 20 option adds a 4 in color display with a wide 170° viewing angle and a glass-bonded lens that helps prevent fogging

Variants

This autopilot pack is offered in multiple configurations based on the included helm control and whether Shadow Drive is included.

The Compact Reactor 40 hydraulic core components stay consistent across the range; what changes is the included autopilot instrument (GHC 50, GHC 20, or none) and the presence of Shadow Drive.

• 010-02794-07: Includes the GHC 50 autopilot instrument. This adds a dedicated 5 in touchscreen at the helm for quick heading changes and mode control.
• 010-02794-08: Includes the GHC 50 autopilot instrument and Shadow Drive. Shadow Drive lets you take over by turning the wheel, then the autopilot re-engages once the boat is held on a steady course.
• 010-00705-07: Includes the GHC 20 autopilot instrument. This adds a 4 in color display with a wide viewing angle that stays readable from different positions at the helm.
• 010-00705-08: Includes the GHC 20 autopilot instrument and Shadow Drive. This keeps the same GHC 20 helm control and adds the wheel-turn override behavior from Shadow Drive.
• 010-00705-06: No autopilot instrument included. Control is handled from a compatible Garmin chartplotter, and a GHC helm control can be added later if you want a dedicated display.

What's included

• Reactor 40 CCU (Course Computer Unit)
• ECU (Electronic Control Unit)
• 1.0 L hydraulic pump
• ECU power cable
• Interconnect cable
• Buzzer
• NMEA 2000 drop cables (2 meters)
• NMEA 2000 power cable
• NMEA 2000 T-connectors
• Male and female terminators
• Documentation

Installation and setup

The CCU and ECU typically mount below deck, out of spray and away from equipment that can cause magnetic interference. For best results, mount the pump within 6 ft of the steering cylinder, and bleed the steering circuit thoroughly after plumbing.

Commissioning and calibration set up the heading sensor and steering response so the autopilot can make smooth corrections as conditions change.

Network and helm control

Compact Reactor 40 communicates over NMEA 2000, so it can share heading information with other devices on the network and take control commands from the helm. You can run it from your compatible Garmin chartplotter screen, from the included GHC control head when selected, or from optional remote control accessories.

When paired with compatible Garmin radar and a chartplotter, shared autopilot heading data can support features such as MARPA and chart overlay on the display.

Compatibility notes

This package is intended for hydraulically steered boats with a steering cylinder up to 10 cubic inches. It is not recommended for power assist steering installs, engines above 150 horsepower, or boats with more than 12 degrees of deadrise.

It is also not recommended for fishing applications that require holding heading while trolling at low speeds or operating in rough waters, where more steering authority is typically needed.

Use on board

This setup is a good match for small center consoles, bay boats, and runabouts with hydraulic steering where you spend time cruising and want the boat to hold a steady heading while you manage lines, watch traffic, or make chartplotter changes. On a long run, it also helps cut down on fatigue when the wheel needs constant small corrections.

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