Electronics

Catalina Direct Discussion Topics / Catalina 22 Discussion Area / Electronics / Auto Pilot Installation
 
 
Author Auto Pilot Installation
John Krezoski
Milwaukee, WI

Boat Name: Ocherus

Model/Year: C-22, 1973

Hull No. 1894

Hailing Port: Milwaukee
01/19/2004 5:14 PM Pacific Time

The Admiral gave me an Autohelm 1000 auto pilot for my birthday! Now I need to figure out how to install it. I saw Skip Meisch and Scott Sauve's excellent web page describing installation of a Simrad ST-10 [see http://slowflight.net/upgrades/ss/autopilot.html ] but I wanted to see if anyone else in the "clubhouse" has installed a tiller autopilot as I am looking for sage words of advice! For example, it looks to me like I'll need to purchase some spacer discs to make the drive arm longer (I plan to mount the drive motor on the splash combing). I'll also need to run some new, fused power cables to the installation. I'd appreciate your input.

jrk

[email protected]
Michael Smalter
Webster, NY

Boat Name: Marrakesh

Model/Year: 1986

Hull No. 13645

Hailing Port: Rochester, NY
01/19/2004 7:07 PM Pacific Time

I installed an Autohelm 800 back in 1998 or so. I love it. I have several pictures I can send you offline if you send me your email. My email is [email protected]

There is a trick to getting the autopilot level if you use the recessed hole in the top of the coaming method. Install the fixed part of the autopilot on the coaming, and use a shim between the tiller and the rudder housing to adjust the height of the tiller so that the unit is level port-to-starboard.
Russ Milham
Lake Forest Park, WA

Boat Name: Griot

Model/Year: C-22 1981

Hull No. CTYH0492M811

Hailing Port: Kenmore Air Harbor
01/20/2004 12:52 AM Pacific Time

I’ve just installed a Raymarine ST1000+ with SeaTalk remote control and NMEA GPS input (I was backordered forever on a Simrad TP10 and finally gave up on it).

I bought the unit used on eBay and it came with the removable cantilever hardware. Raytheon’s installation layout is very specific, but I lucked out and all the lengths worked out perfectly, so I didn’t have to buy any new mounting parts. The cantilever arm is mounted to the starboard-side of the cockpit right where it would stick the helmsman in the kidney – fortunately, it unthreads leaving just a low-profile flange.

I mounted the bulkhead connector inside the starboard combing pocket on the aft vertical surface. I searched for a while for 5 or 6-conductor cable, but the power needs versus the needs for NMEA and SeaTalk signals were so different that I decided to go with a 14 awg run for the power and 3-plex 18 awg for the signal run. The wiring harness is routed under the cockpit; forward and port to the battery well.

I picked up a small project box and mounted a small terminal strip on the side of it to make the power connections. I mounted a standard serial connector (for the Garmin GPS) and the SeaTalk connector (for the remote) in the face of the project box. The inline fuse for the GPS is inside the box too. I’m relying on the buss accessory fuse for circuit protection on the tiller pilot itself. The GPS connection is made using a standard Garmin serial/cigarette plug combo cable.

Lean-to has the large opening in the aft settee bench-back. The project box assembly is mounted down by the battery well just inside this opening. I also ran the remote control cable and GPS cables through the opening and mounted the remote’s holder just inside the companionway hatch on port-side of the aft cabin bulkhead. So, all of the connections are out of the weather and when the cantilever arm is removed, the small mounting flange is the only outwardly visible indication of the installation.

If you’re at all interested, I’d be happy to snap a few pictures and prop them to my webserver. Just let me know.
Dick King
Melbourne, FL

Boat Name: Twilight Zone

Model/Year: Sport/2005

Hull No. 15546

Hailing Port: Melbourne, FL
01/20/2004 3:16 PM Pacific Time

Russell - I just sold my 1000+ as I had no real need for it. (I just can't picture using the tiller pilot upwind in a race.) I would, howerver be interested in seeing pictures and a schematic of your installation. It sounds like a really neat job.
John Krezoski
Milwaukee, WI

Boat Name: Ocherus

Model/Year: C-22, 1973

Hull No. 1894

Hailing Port: Milwaukee
01/20/2004 10:52 PM Pacific Time

Thanks for the replies! I would greatly appreciate any photos, too. My e-mail is [email protected].

John K.
Erv Zimmerman
Anchor Bay Shores, Michigan

Boat Name: Adventuring

Model/Year: 1973

Hull No. 1787

Hailing Port: Anchor Bay, Lake St. Clair
01/21/2004 2:25 AM Pacific Time

If you want to post photos on the web several folks have web sites. We would be happy to host them on the Fleet 130 website at:

http://www.fleet130.org/

The rule is, if you wan't captions or accompanying text, you have to supply it. Layout suggestions are also appreciated. If they come in digital format, they usually go up within 2 or 3 days. If they come in hard copy, they may get put up by year's end!

Erv Zimmerman
Adventuring C22 #1787
http://www.fleet130.org/
http//www.crcasail.org/
Erv Zimmerman
Anchor Bay Shores, Michigan

Boat Name: Adventuring

Model/Year: 1973

Hull No. 1787

Hailing Port: Anchor Bay, Lake St. Clair
01/21/2004 2:32 AM Pacific Time

I forgot an e-mail address! (this one's difficult)

[email protected]

Erv Zimmerman
Adventuring C22 #1787
http://www.fleet130.org/
http://www.crcasair.org/

John Krezoski
Milwaukee, WI

Boat Name: Ocherus

Model/Year: C-22, 1973

Hull No. 1894

Hailing Port: Milwaukee
01/22/2004 7:43 PM Pacific Time

Dick King - I'd like to join the others and say, yes! it would be great if you could take a couple of pictures and either e-mail them or offer your web address.

John Krezoski
[email protected]
Russ Milham
Lake Forest Park, WA

Boat Name: Griot

Model/Year: C-22 1981

Hull No. CTYH0492M811

Hailing Port: Kenmore Air Harbor
01/25/2004 5:20 PM Pacific Time

Hi all, I finally got a chance to get out to the boat with camera. I made some shots of how I approached installing a tillerpilot on my C-22 and put together a quick webpage as requested.

Enjoy!

http://rilinterface.com/Leanto/tillerpilot/tillerpilot01.htm
Erv Zimmerman
Anchor Bay Shores, Michigan

Boat Name: Adventuring

Model/Year: 1973

Hull No. 1787

Hailing Port: Anchor Bay, Lake St. Clair
01/26/2004 12:54 AM Pacific Time

Michael Smalter's Autohelm photos can be found at:
http://www.fleet130.org/boatphotos/index.htm

Click on "Autohelm"

Erv Zimmerman
Adventuring C22 #1787
http://www.fleet130.org/
http://www.crcasail.org/
 
 
Electronics
Catalina Direct Discussion Topics / Catalina 22 Discussion Area / Electronics / Auto Pilot Installation