[C320-list] EV-200 Installation

[Mark Cole]

Hi, Mike;

If you can get ahold of the July/August issue of Good Old Boat magazine, it includes a very good article on installing the Raymarine EV autopilot and addresses most of the questions you have below.  One issue the author of the article had was the mounting platform for the drive unit.  His original platform wasn’t strong enough and the force of the ram broke it loose.  

The rudder stock on his boat had a keyway and that is sufficient for resisting the force of the tiller arm.  If your boat is like mine (1993, hull #8), the rudder stock does not have a keyway so you will need to drill a hole through tiller arm and rudder stock.  The article suggests a 3/8” bolt!  You will need to know the diameter of the rudder stock when ordering the tiller arm.

There is a Mainsheet article on installing the EV-100, written by Chris Burti, in the Summer 2016 issue. I just checked the website, mainsheet.net <http://mainsheet.net/>, but there is a message “New site coming soon” so it doesn’t look like you can download it right now.  If you can’t find the Good Old Boat article, let me know and I can send you a copy offline.

Mark Cole
Fiddler’s Green #8

> On Nov 24, 2020, at 8:58 AM, Chris Burti <clburti at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Michael Paris <mparis495 at gmail.com>
> 
> 
> Mounting Plate bracket: Are the dimensions available?... I measured the
> space available in the aft cabin corner and modified an appropriately sized
> piece of scrap 1/8" 316 stainless plate I had leftover from making backing
> plates for an old boat. Easy project.
> 
> Edson tiller arm:
> Does it attach to the rudder post besides the clamp-like bolts?  ...
> designed for just the bolts.
> 
> Does a hole need to be drilled in the rudder post? ...I drilled one and
> installed a 5/16 316 stainless bolt for my own satisfaction.
> 
> The 10” arm is too long, what’s the best way to cut it to the necessary
> length? I used a side grinder with a cutoff wheel.
> 
> Do I need to know the exact diameter of the rudder post when ordering? yes!
> yes! yes!.. they custom bore it...use a digital caliper.
> 
> Rudder sensor: For a mounting platform, I’ve seen aluminum, starboard, and
> wood. Any advice or experience on this?
> I used a scrap piece of starboard, cut a 3-1/2" hole in the end like a
> slingshot and cut the arms to accept a stainless hose clamp. it fits nicely
> on the starboard side of the rudder tube, accepts the rudder sensor and is
> easily aligned and the pivot arm ball pin is mounted to the bronze rudder
> arm underneath the ram. 3/4" cheap discount store cutting board will work
> just fine.
> 
> Course sensor is mounted in front of the rudder post on the aft cabin
> bulkhead, ACU is mounted on the aft side of the port locker bulkhead in the
> aft locker.
> 
> I ran a dedicated power supply  line to the ACU.
> 
> I was  a bit over on the recommended angles for the ram to rudder arm
> connection, but it is a ball joint, is not binding and it works fine.
> 
> I tested all range of motion manually before firing it up the first time.
> 
> Fair Winds,
> Chris Burti
> Commitment #867
> Farmville, NC
> 
> 
> On Tue, Nov 24, 2020 at 10:23 AM Michael Paris <mparis495 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> After experiencing the usual inconsistency and problems of the wheel drive
>> system and the fact I solo sail often, I’ve convinced myself to upgrade to
>> the EV-200 linear drive system. I’ve been looking at past discussions and
>> following recent threads on the discussion board but I can’t find related
>> articles and information elsewhere on our site. I understand there was a
>> Mainsheet article a couple of years ago. Is that available?
>> 
>> I plan on doing the installation myself. I feel comfortable with the
>> wiring but I’m looking for more on the mechanical aspect of the linear
>> drive, tiller arm, rudder sensor, and rudder stops.
>> 
>> Mounting Plate bracket: Are the dimensions available?
>> 
>> Edson tiller arm:
>> Does it attach to the rudder post besides the clamp-like bolts? Does a
>> hole need to be drilled in the rudder post?
>> The 10” arm is too long, what’s the best way to cut it to the necessary
>> length?
>> Do I need to know the exact diameter of the rudder post when ordering?
>> 
>> Rudder sensor: For a mounting platform, I’ve seen aluminum, starboard, and
>> wood. Any advice or experience on this?
>> 
>> Thanks to all in advance. This site is one more thing to be grateful for.
>> 
>> Sincerely,
>> Mike P
>> #734
>> Long Beach, CA
>> 
>>