[Rhodes22-list] Auto Helm

Wed Jan 14 21:06:58 EST 2004

Bryan,

Yeah, I just came in from snowblowing and shoveling myself.  Quite a
workout!

Like many things nautical, there is more than one way to mount a Tillerpilot
on a Rhodes 22 and each method involves tradeoffs.  I choose the pedestal
mount on top of the gunnel & top-mounted pin connection on the tiller.  The
other popular option is to use the bracket that hangs below the tiller &
mount the Tillerpilot onto the side of the gunnel.  The pin connection on
the tiller is much less intrusive than than the bracket when you are not
using the autopilot.  The underhanging bracket will always be a leg scraper
for the helmsman.  In addition, there will have to be a teak or plastic
block mounted on the side of the gunnel for attaching the other end of the
servo.  The side of the gunnel is pretty prime backrest real estate for the
helmsman in that area of the cockpit & I didn't want the block of wood
poking me in the back.  In contrast, the pedestal mount will fit between
your legs if you want to sit up on the gunnel.  OK, you can't sit on it with
either of your butt cheeks; but, solving this problem involves only moving a
few inches fore or aft.  In addition, you must also make provision for the
servo's electrical connection.  I used a bulkhead mount multipin connector
mounted on top of the gunnel a few inches from the pedestal mount.  This
connector has a screw-on weather cap permanently attached via a chain.

Good luck.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium

----- Original Message -----
From: "bchilds1" <bchilds1 at peoplepc.com>
To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 10:57 PM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Auto Helm

> Roger,
>
> Thanks.  I have reviewed the owners manual and it has all the sketches to
> explain the correct installation.  Now I understand your instructions.
>
> Just shoveled 11 inch of snow in the driveway and I am out of breath.
> Fortunately it was the powder kind.
>
> Thanks again.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Roger Pihlaja <cen09402 at centurytel.net>
> To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 3:33 AM
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Auto Helm
>
>
> > Hi Byran,
> >
> > In the FAQ re my installation of the Autohelm ST1000+ Tillerpilot on
> Dynamic
> > Equilibrium, it was assumed that the reader would already have the
> Autohelm
> > installation instruction manual.  This installation manual is pretty
well
> > written & there are plenty of explanations, photos, & diagrams
explaining
> > the various installation options, including the type of installation
> > required for a Rhodes 22.  Without the ST1000+ installation manual, you
> are
> > going to be lost trying to figure out the installation.  The parts list
in
> > the FAQ gives the Autohelm P/N's and quantities required to complete the
> > installation.  These pieces/parts are listed separately because they are
> NOT
> > included in the standard ST1000+ package.
> >
> > The reason for the pedestal mount is because the port & starboard side
> > gunnels are not at the same vertical height as the tiller.  In order for
> the
> > Tillerpilot to work properly, when the rudder is pointed amidships, the
> > Tillerpilot servo must be mounted perpendicular to the tiller in both
the
> > horizontal and vertical planes.  The pedestal mount raises up the bottom
> of
> > the Tillerpilot's servo push/pull rod to just above the top of the
tiller
> so
> > that the two pieces can be joined with a quick-disconnect pin.  If this
> > proper geometric relationship is not established during the
installation;
> > then, the rudder movement vs. servo movement relationship will not be as
> the
> > Tillerpilot's controller is programmed to expect.  The effect upon the
> > Tillerpilot's ability to steer the boat will be unpredictable.
> >
> > I now have several seasons of use on my ST1000+ Tillerpilot on Dynamic
> > Equilibrium.  The system has been bulletproof.  It has plenty of power &
> is
> > sufficiently quick responding to hold a set course at least as well as a
> > human helmsman.  Like any autopilot, it has the most trouble holding the
> set
> > course on a run or a broad reach in a following sea.  However, such
> > conditions are challenging for a human helmsman as well.  Also, the
> > autopilot does not have any way of assessing wind shifts or wave
patterns.
> > In my experience, a sharp crew, actively sailing the boat, will average
> 15 -
> > 25% greater speed over the autopilot by taking advantage of headers and
> > lifts and wave opportunities for surfing.  But, for getting from point A
> to
> > point B with a minimum of attention, the ST1000+ Tillerpilot on a Rhodes
> 22
> > works great!  If you specified a bigger autopilot, all you would do is
add
> > weight, cost, and power consumption to your installation without any
> > significant benefits in terms of reliablity or performance.
> >
> > Unfortunately, Dynamic Equilibrium is stored away for the winter in a
> place
> > where I cannot easily take photos of the autopilot installation.  If,
> after
> > reading the Autohelm manual, you still have specific questions; then,
> > contact me & I will try to help you.
> >
> > Roger Pihlaja
> > S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "bchilds1" <bchilds1 at peoplepc.com>
> > To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 9:05 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Auto Helm
> >
> >
> > > I would love to see the picture because I am having difficulty
figuring
> > out
> > > the installation from Roger's instructions.
> > > Is it a digital picture you can send?
> > >
> > > I want to be ready to make this installation because I am thinking of
> > > trailering down to the Keys and celebrating my retirement in the warm
> > > climate.
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Eaton, Gil <GEaton at IKON.com>
> > > To: 'The Rhodes 22 mail list' <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > > Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 5:23 AM
> > > Subject: RE: [Rhodes22-list] Auto Helm
> > >
> > >
> > > > Hi Bryan,
> > > > I have a picture of the Raymarine TP1000+ mounted on Closing Time.
> > > > I used Roger's instructions, shaded the installation a bit to clear
> the
> > > > captain's chair and the hiking stick retainer, so it's somewhat less
> > than
> > > > the recommended 18 inches (as I remember).  I think Sailnet had a
good
> > > deal
> > > > on it, included the remote for less than 400 bucks.  The parts came
> from
> > > > Defender (I think), installed it over a year ago.
> > > > Good Luck,
> > > > gil
> > > >
> > > > Gil Eaton
> > > > S/V Closing Time
> > > > Spring Cove Marina
> > > > Rock Hall, MD
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
> > > > [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org]On Behalf Of bchilds1
> > > > Sent: Monday, January 12, 2004 11:44 PM
> > > > To: The Rhodes 22 mail list
> > > > Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Auto Helm
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Thanks. I did not acquire that information from looking at the on
line
> > > > catalog from sailnet.  I thought that they all had a digital
readout.
> > My
> > > > boat is all shrink rapped sitting in the harbor parking lot here is
> > > > Michigan.  I don't want to disturbed the nice cover but I am trying
to
> > > plan
> > > > for a quick installation of an autohelm.  One end would I need to be
> > > secured
> > > > to the tiller and the other on the deck.  In the information
published
> > by
> > > > Roger Pihlaja, he indicates a 3 inch pedestal mount (I am assuming
> that
> > > this
> > > > is for the deck, but why would it need to come up 3 inches off the
> deck)
> > > and
> > > > 2  five inch pushrod extensions (I am assuming that this is adding
> > length
> > > to
> > > > the unit so that it can attach to the tiller.  Some guidance  in
your
> > > > installation would be appreciated.
> > > >
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: Michael Meltzer <mjm at michaelmeltzer.com>
> > > > To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > > > Sent: Monday, January 12, 2004 5:10 PM
> > > > Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Auto Helm
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > yes have both, the problem with the tp20 is that it does not have
a
> > > > digital readout, kinds of point the boat than lock it in.. I
> > > > > almost had my head handed to me coming in short handed at night,
> > > running
> > > > a bouty line, it was taking to long with the tp20 to set
> > > > > up the next leg and I was never sure what cource was set. get the
> > > > Autoheml.
> > > > >
> > > > > MJM
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > > From: "bchilds1" <bchilds1 at peoplepc.com>
> > > > > To: <Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > > > > Sent: Monday, January 12, 2004 10:31 PM
> > > > > Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Auto Helm
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Since I am about to retire I have spent some time studying up on
the
> > > > addition of an auto helm. I plan to do more single handed
> > > > > cruising.  I have reviewed the information collected on the
Rhodes22
> > FAQ
> > > > page but have some additional questions for the experts out
> > > > > there. I see that many have used the Raymarine or Raytheon auto
> helm.
> > > Does
> > > > anyone have experience with the Simrad TP20 auto helm?
> > > > > For about the same money as the ST1000 it has a little more thrust
> > (154#
> > > > vs 125#)
> > > > >
> > > > > Also, does anyone have some pictures of the installation, mainly
at
> > the
> > > > deck attachment.  I plan to install it myself since I have
> > > > > experience with fiberglass, etc and feel comfortable with the
> > > > installation.
> > > > >
> > > > >  Bryan
> > > > > "Escape"
> > > > >  Rhodes 22
> > > > > __________________________________________________
> > > > > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > __________________________________________________
> > > > > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > __________________________________________________
> > > > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > --
> > > ----
> > >
> > >
> > > > Name: tp1k.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 219183 bytes Desc: not
available
> > > > Url:
> > >
http://www.rhodes22.org/pipermail/rhodes22-list/attch/200401/13/tp1k.jpg
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > --
> > > ----
> > >
> > >
> > > > __________________________________________________
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> > >
> > > __________________________________________________
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> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> >
>
> __________________________________________________
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