[C320-list] Installation of Raymarine EVO-100

[Graeme Clark]

The ram disengages with an electric clutch. It’s fail:passive , ie loss of power releases the clutch
Even when engaged it can be overpowered in an emergency (so Raymarine told me anyway) although that may damage it
It can be physically disengaged-quickly- below decks  by removing a simple R-pin and lifting the end of the ram off the tiller pin
It uses a separate filler arm attached to the rudder shaft. If your steering cables break you can thus still steer the boat using the autopilot
Steering angle is indeed slightly restricted. This makes virtually no difference going ahead but makes the boat slower to react when steering astern
HTH
Graeme 

Sent from mobile: please excuse typos etc.!


> On 6 Dec 2017, at 11:28, Scott Westwood <scottwestwood at bellsouth.net> wrote:
> 
> FWIW....
> Our 320 came without an Autohelm.  Based on the reading I did about 4 years ago (Like most things) it depends on the sailing you plan to do.
> IMHO:  If you are going to be in rougher "seas" more often, the below deck RAM "sounded" more reliable and sturdy.  If (like us) you only plan to use it occasionally and in lighter seas then wheel could be enough.
> NOTE: We had friends that complained about their wheel version dis-engaging but they/we simply used a small bungee over the engaging lever when in use and it has not dis-engaged in the 5 years of use.
> Each has pros and cons like most things.  
> One thing I thought long and hard about is a rudder sensor.  I read that it reduces the motor usage.  If the system knows the angle of the rudder the Autohelm motor won't work as hard and keeps a tighter course????  Again, no experience, just reading.
> We opted for the wheel since we rarely go out in rough seas and if/when we do go out I prefer to steer manually.  I want to feel the boat, and rough seas (for us) should be short lived.  No trips to Bahamas any time soon.  (Thinking about it in next few years though.)
> Last note:  One thing I was concerned about (that may be nothing- bow to those more experienced) is the ability to disengage the wheel autohelm vs the ability to dis-engage the Ram?  If things go south(jam??) with the Autohelm can you "easily" disengage the RAM?  (Is that even an issue??? I just don't know how it works enough to know if that is a concern or not.  
> Learn something in this forum every email it seems.  Good Stuff.
> Thanks,
> Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net H (919)-362-8538     C (919)-618-7185 
> 
>      From: Chuck Mueller <katchu at chartermi.net>
> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com 
> Sent: Tuesday, December 5, 2017 5:18 PM
> Subject: [C320-list] Installation of Raymarine EVO-100
> 
> Thanks for the quick responses from Graeme, Chris, and the e-mail from
> Warren Updike.  I love this forum! I'd like to do the under deck pilot, but
> will settle for the wheel pilot since I've had good luck with the old 4000+.
> Warren referenced some good info from MainSheet and I'll spend some time in
> the Raymarine booth at Strictly Sail next month.
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 4 Dec 2017 21:27:56 +0000
> From: Graeme Clark <cg at skyflyer.co.uk>
> To: Catalina list <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Installation of Raymarine EV-100
> Message-ID: <B40BB2E7-90D6-432E-A73D-B097B96A5BDE at skyflyer.co.uk>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset=utf-8
> 
> Chuck
> 
> Not really an answer to your question but I used to have an SPX5 wheel pilot
> and replaced it with an EV100 with below deck ram as i was fed up with the
> wheel-pilot disengaging at random times and poor coursekeeping etc.
> raymarine marketed the SPX5 as being a ?huge improvement? on the previous
> ST4000. I considered it to be no better at all, in fact a complete waste of
> money.
> 
> The EV100 with below deck ram was however a completely different kettle of
> fish. Excellent.
> 
> Its a bit pricier, mainly due to installation, but you can do a lot yourself
> (excellent help available from Jeff hare and others). the wiring up is a
> cinch -  all plug and play.
> 
> the other problem i hd with the SPX% was the motor  - whilst looking the
> same as the ST4000 -  had a much stronger magnet and affected the binnacle
> compass beyond the ability to be corrected. We had to move it around to the
> alternative position, lower down on the starboard side and that required the
> engine pod to be lowered to give clearance for the actuator lever.
> 
> Raymarine do a ST to STNG converter module to enable old and new to
> interchange information. (About $100 as I recall)
> 
> Trust me -  go the extra mile on the ram!
> 
> One small ?side benefit? is you lose the wheel pilot motor and bolt on bits
> and it then become quick and easy to remove the wheel short-term whenever
> you might want to for various reasons. 
> 
> Graeme
> U.K.
> 
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 4 Dec 2017 16:32:34 -0500
> From: Chris Burti <clburti at gmail.com>
> To: 320 <C320-List at catalina320.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Installation of Raymarine EV-100
> Message-ID:
>     <CAAAgXkzV3qqt=dWcssenxgGhoq_2TFJBDz-bWJa73x0S2PWz9w at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
> 
> Chuck,
> I did this...easy upgrade. The old wheel pilot motor and ring are identical
> to the new, so if yours are in decent shape you will have a spare and change
> out is a piece of cake. I did not need to move the pod, but I had initially
> installed my drive motor on the port side anyway.
> 
> You will need an ITC5 to convert your analog transducers to digital. I wrote
> a couple of Mainsheet articles on my conversion and then the next season,
> our subsequent upgrade to an I70 instrument and e7 plotter.
> 
> Chris Burti
> Commitment, #867
> Farmville, NC
> 
> 
>> On Mon, Dec 4, 2017 at 2:12 PM, Chuck Mueller <katchu at chartermi.net> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> I'm planning to replace my ST4000+ auto-pilot this Spring with an 
>> EV-100 auto-pilot.  I wanted to check your experiences.  In the 
>> archives, there are several who needed to move their engine pods to 
>> install the X5 system.  Is that also necessary with the EV-100?  I'm 
>> hull 676, a 2000 model manufactured in late 1999, and the wheel and 
>> pod don't have a lot of clearance.
>> 
>> Also, will I be able to plug in the old Seatalk wind module into the 
>> new auto-pilot, or is a converter required?
>> Thanks
>> Chuck Mueller
>> Northwind 676 (2000)
>> Holland, MI
>> 
>> 
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