[C320-list] Raymarine EV-200 Autopilot upgrade project

[Graeme Clark]

Danny

I am about to do the same install

My understanding from the installation instructions is that the purpose of the rudder stops is to stop the linear drive from bottoming out at each extent of its movement

Are you sure this isn't happening as if so I think it can seriously damage the drive

If your drive attaches closer to the axis of rotation than the way It's been done before, that may account for it of course as that would require less extension to make the same angle change

If so I'd be interested to know how far out your drive is attached as I may do the same

Thanks

Graeme
Jaskar #366, 1996

Sent from mobile: please excuse typos etc.!


> On 16 Dec 2015, at 17:03, danny jensen <danny at jensenshouse.com> wrote:
> 
> PROJECT
> 
> I just finished the my hull #972 Catalina 320 autopilot upgrade from a
> wheel based autopilot to a Raymarine EV-200 autopilot using a tiller based
> Type 1 linear drive.  The autopilot is integrated with the Raymarine e7
> MFD. I used a boat electronics guy to do the install
> 
> 
> 
> INSTALLATION
> 
> The install took a bunch of time about 38 hours of a paid installers time.
> I used Jeff Hare’s detailed instructions (also thanks to Allen Field for
> sharing his design with Jeff). It was interesting how at first, my
> installer was not excited about installing the tiller arm forward. Then he
> wanted to take up the entire starboard locker. I insisted to Jeff's/Allen's
> design and in the end, he thought the design was the best possible choice.
> I did however, deviate by with the rudder tracking sensor. I'll post
> pictures on the C320 site. Jeff was currently working on a rudder stop but
> I used the factory rudder stop unchanged.  I talked to Reid at Edson and
> ordered the tiller and he said the linear drive needed to be in the middle
> of the tiller arm not on the top. This mounting is not feasible according
> to Jeff and I agree. My install did drill a hole through the rudder post
> pinning the tiller arm to the rudder as recommended by Edson. Jeff used
> another method on his install. I copied Jeff's backing plates sandwiching
> the aft cabin bulkhead.
> 
> 
> 
> PERFORMANCE
> 
> The interesting thing was I lost no turning radius. We used my existing
> cable stop setting. The installer said he just finished another Catalina
> and he said that boat lost some turning radius due to the way they had
> rigged the rudder stop from the factory.
> 
> 
> 
> Jeff was right about the wheel feeling a bit stiff now because it pushes
> against the linear drive motor. It is not so bad but it is not a light
> touch.
> 
> 
> 
> Wow. The auto pilot is really smooth and turns on a dime and rolls out to
> course perfectly. I've only driven in flat water so far. The wheel does not
> move much and it does not over correct like the old wheel steering.
> 
> 
> 
> COST
> 
> The total cost of the project with install was $6,920. It was $1,500 more
> than I thought mainly because of install labor. It was very expensive and
> hard to justify but I single hand a bunch in heavy seas so I think I’ll use
> my boat more and will be willing to take longer trips. My boats electronics
> guy says the wheel type auto pilots usually last only 10 years as most and
> the replacement cost is about $3,000 so you are paying about 2 x the
> replacement cost of the wheel based system for the linear drive... And you
> will be replacing your autopilot on your schedule not your boats schedule.
> The old auto pilots are now out of production I guess? ... It is expensive.
> Not doubt about it.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Description
> 
> vendor
> 
> pn
> 
> price
> 
> EV-200 ACU-200,p70R Sail Pack
> 
> raymarine
> 
> T70155
> 
> 1666
> 
> anchorexpress
> 
> Type 1 linear Drive
> 
> raymarine
> 
> M81130
> 
> 1496
> 
> hodges
> 
> rudder stop
> 
> edson
> 
> 862-WIRE (I did not need)
> 
> 0
> 
> Tiller Arm 2.86 pinned
> 
> edson
> 
> 926-10-610-MKII
> 
> 449
> 
> Linear Drive backing plate
> 
> custom
> 
> 2 ss backing plates
> 
> 450
> 
> Rudder position sensor mounting
> 
> ss bracket
> 
> 100
> 
> raymarine backbone cables T's
> 
> interface with e7 chart plotter
> 
> 189
> 
> 38 hours labor
> 
> 2570
> 
>   6,920.00
> 
> 
> Danny Jensen
> #972