Raymarine Wheel Pilot Installation

[so40gtb]

I've embarked on what will probably be a month-long project to install a Raymarine wheel pilot (aka Autohelm) on our '01 SO34.2.

The fluxgate compass, wheel drive, and controller were all mounted with no significant issues.

It appears that the best strategy for installing the rudder position sensor is to remove the limit plate from the quadrant, fit the sensor connection pin thereto and reinstall, while attaching the sensor upside down to the surface surrounding the rudder post, i.e., where the emergency tiller can be attached. Not having attempted this yet, I do wonder if my personal dimensions are small enough to accomplish it.

Has anyone on the forum attempted or completed a DIY installation of this system? Am I on the right track regarding the rudder position sensor?

-- Karl

[Anwen (Deep Joy)]

I fitted a rudder position sensor to my SO32 last year. I took a similar approach, and attached the sensor upside down to the underside of the cockpit sole. I had to fabricate an aluminium bracket to set the sensor on, as otherwise it would have been too high.

I removed the cast quadrant from the rudder post and drilled and tapped it to take the pin. It was then quite straightforward to cut the threaded rod to length, fit the ball joints and connect everything up.

The rudder sensor doesn't mind which way up it is - you can change the input to the autohelm head by swapping the wires from the sensor around so that the rudder direction is correct.

[so40gtb]

Well, the ordeal of physical installation is now over and I'm now into calibration, performance tweaking, and such.

I mounted the rudder position sensor upside down, 165 mm to port of the rudderpost centerline, under the deck step wood surrounding the emergency tiller connection access port. Having done this, I would recommend a lesser separation, say, 140 to 150 mm, as the surface was not flat below. I marked the hole positions and drilled them from above, as there's no good way to do this from below, and filled the holes at deck level with teak-toned plastic filler. Putting in the screws from below was surprisingly easy, once the engine air intake hose and aft bulkhead cover were removed.

The worst part of installing the connecting pin on the steering quadrant limit arm was drilling and tapping the 6 mm of galvanized steel. Two drills and taps later, it was done, somewhat imperfectly. One should probably use a new tap for each hole and be extremely careful not to apply excess torque.

On my SO34.2, there was no need to shim anything.

I did take pictures of the installation in case anyone is interested.

[sarsid]

Hi Karl,
Im interested in the photo's of your rudder sensor positioning if you have time to forward them to me. Space seems at a premium for  fitting the actual sensor on my 34.2 and need some help.
Thanks in advance and keep sailing.
Regards,
Sid