[C320-list] Autopilot install

[P.F. Ross]

I am midway through the process of installing an EV-100 wheel autopilot,
very similar to the excellent recent Mainsheet article by John Ellis
(although I am adding a rudder position transducer as well).  Like others,
I studied everything I could on this amazing list as well as poring through
Raymarine manuals.

While I see the advantages of the linear drive, in my case I chose the
wheel pilot since I did not want to add the +/-35 deg rudder stops required
for the linear drive.  My measured rudder swing is +/-55 deg and I use it
all as I return dead slow to my dock near the end of a narrow canal.  While
you would prob never approach this swing in normal sailing (as noted by
others on this board), it sure makes my life easier at the end of a long
day.

This will be the first autopilot on this boat since it was previously on a
lake in IL where a/p was certainly not needed, so I am quite excited by
this new capability.

Just my $.02.

Frank Ross
Beta Wave #206
Naples, FL

On Wed, Aug 29, 2018, 5:26 PM Doug Treff <doug at treff.us> wrote:

> I installed my Autopilot sensor in the bilge, and the wheel pilot control
> is mounted on the aft wall of the cockpit locker. The wires were long
> enough to run up through the guard tubes and into the pedestal area. I
> installed the cockpit mounted control in a spot in my new Navpod.
>
> For the power wires to the control unit, be sure to use a heavy enough
> gauge of wire based on the length of the run. I believe I went up one size
> from the recommended gauge in the manual - new cabling all the way back to
> the breaker panel - and it has been great. No voltage drops.
>
> I may have photos if anyone wants to see them.
>
> --
> Doug Treff
> September Song #350 - 1996
> doug at treff.us
>
> On Tue, Aug 28, 2018, at 1:16 AM, Sara Skinner Schroeder wrote:
> > I purchased a Raymarine wheeldrive EV 100 autopilot at the boat show and
> > am considering locations for the three units.  Would love to hear where
> > others have mounted the sensor, ACU and control unit. I’ve read that the
> > sensor should be centerline and as low to the waterline as possible
> > without magnetic interference. Also, I have space on my helmstation for
> > the control unit between the knot meter and wind gauge. Would that be a
> > suitable place? Thanks!
> >
> > Sara
> > Wandering Star
> > 2000 / Hull #707
> >
> > Sent from my iPad
>