Hydraulic Drive (EV-200) Install on H34?

[artboas]

I’ve looked at the drawings and watched the video. I echo concerns that there isn’t room for the linear drive. As well, the drive must be in a dry location.
As well, you wouid need a rudder reference.
I think you need a different plan.

Ok, I’ve looked at this a bit more, and think I have the only viable solution for you,
What you want is the rotary drive, which has an output shaft with a chain gear on it.
You will need a properly sized flat chain gear, with the same pitch as the gear on the rotary drive.
What you will do is drill 3 (or 4) holes in the flat gear, and drill & tap corrrsponding holes in the rudder arm. You will now have a chain gear mounted on top of the rudder shaft.
On the port side of the floor well (about 1/2 way up) you’ll drill 2 holes.
In the port cockpit locker is where the rotary drive goes.
When you do the install, mount the drive on threaded posts. That way you can adjust its mounting base height exactly to take the exact amount of slack out of the chain required.
Some notes.
You will definitely need the gear and chain to be stainless.
You will need to figure out the size of the gear through calculating the hard over times from the drive. The way you’ll get this is from motor rotation speed, and work backwards. Raymarine can give you the rpm on the drive.
You may choose to replace the gear that comes on the drive with a different size depending on calculations
As the holes on the side wall will be well above the floor, you shouldn’t get any water through the holes.
The rudder reference is waterproof. There is plenty of left over room in the floor space to mount it.
I really think, with the setup you have, that this is your only option for an inboard pilot.

 

[Mike Oldak]

All this because RM downsized the power of the wheel drive motor????.

 

[kappykaplan]

All this because RM downsized the power of the wheel drive motor????.

Yes, and added more "protection" so you can't overstress the motor. That made it quite worthless on my boat except in the lightest airs.

 

[artboas]

Yes, and added more "protection" so you can't overstress the motor. That made it quite worthless on my boat except in the lightest airs.

The issue with wheel pilot on a 34 foot boat is also lack of rudder feedback. This is somewhat essential
On another point…
The acu 100 is not rated for linear or rotary drive. You need the act 200. This is according to Raymarine .
I would carefully review the drive install before buying gear. I’m confident the linear drive won’t fit, but that it’s likely the rotary will.
Suggest you do a mock up first, and make sure there is room, etc.

 

[Mike Oldak]

The issue with wheel pilot on a 34 foot boat is also lack of rudder feedback. This is somewhat essential

Not sure what you mean, I've had an old RM auto pilot with a wheel drive on my H34 for probably 20 years with a rudder position sensor.

 

[artboas]

Not sure what you mean, I've had an old RM auto pilot with a wheel drive on my H34 for probably 20 years with a rudder position sensor.

My understanding was the wheel pilot didn’t have a RR, and know 2 owners who upgraded. Having said that,, if I’m incorrect, then I’ll accept that

 

[Mike Oldak]

My understanding was the wheel pilot didn’t have a RR, and know 2 owners who upgraded. Having said that,, if I’m incorrect, then I’ll accept that

I will admit that for probably 15+ of those years I didn't have the rudder sensor installed and not sure I really noticed any difference. But we're just day sailors most of the time.

 

[Tally Ho]

I bought a new, old stock RM ST6001+ Auto pilot, which was an upgrade from my old ST4000+. The ST6001 came with a rudder sensor, that my ST4000 did not have.

My problem with my old ST4000 was that the belt seemed to slip at times in heavy seas, and the clutch would pop open at times when the wheel was turning back and forth in rolling seas. I did replace the belt, but that didnt seem to help much.

The new unit certainly seems to steer better, hold course even in strong winds, and the clutch stays locked even when the wheel turns furiously in rolling seas.

My 32-footer weighs about 13,000 pounds loaded. I don’t know what RM did with the lastest EV100, but I am pretty happy with the 6001+. I would love to have a below-deck drive, but for now, the wheel pilot does the trick for me.

Greg

 

[jssailem]

I have the EV100on my boat (since 2016). The RR was an option. I did not install the rudder reference unit. The unit works well. Under power and and moderate seas the unit maintains a straight line. Under sail it keeps the boat on a set bearing when sail se trimmed and balanced.

In following 3-4 foot seas the wheel pilot was stressed and a little slow to react to the waves pushing against the rudder and boats hull.

I understand the new EV100 sensor computer preforms better than the flux compass computer in previous systems.

@Tally Ho prepared a video and information about a replacement motor that I have used to refurbish my unit and prepare it for service.

 

[artboas]

I have the EV100on my boat (since 2016). The RR was an option. I did not install the rudder reference unit. The unit works well. Under power and and moderate seas the unit maintains a straight line. Under sail it keeps the boat on a set bearing when sail se trimmed and balanced.

In following 3-4 foot seas the wheel pilot was stressed and a little slow to react to the waves pushing against the rudder and boats hull.

I understand the new EV100 sensor computer preforms better than the flux compass computer in previous systems.

@Tally Ho prepared a video and information about a replacement motor that I have used to refurbish my unit and prepare it for service.

The EV-1 is a world apart from the original flux gate compass. The EV-1 is actually the whole brains of the autopilot. The ACU box is simply a motor driver.
Raymarine includes a RR with the ACU 200 & ACU 400. They state that it’s not “essential” for their lower pilots, but it definitely helps your steering to have it. The EV-1 records vessel response based on motor activity, and stores these results as performance plots.
Under “nominal” conditions this could be ok in smaller boats, but it’s still a compromise. If you watch your own hand steering when you get into dodgy seas, etc. you’ll notice that your setting is reactionary to the conditions.
What the RR does is minimize over-steering, or continual corrections. In addition to keeping a better course,, its much lower battery drain.
As well, on a wheel pilot, this is kinder to the motor mechanics.
Correctly stated above, the 4000 did not have RR input, but all subsequent control heads had this capability.

 

[markymac1961]

Thanks everyone for the input and suggestions.
This really is an amazing group and makes me glad I just bought the 'Hunter from Downunter' (see what I did there?)
So my plan is to wait until I hear back from Raymarine Aus as I've sent them all the floor pan specs and vid I posted here. They are closed over the Christmas / NY break and re-open next week.
The other system I've enquired about through a local distributor is the Edson (Thank you to whomever posted here with that suggestion.) It looks like at some stage they had an AP kit specifically adapted for the H340 which might be a good choice for ease of install/working properly.
Does anyone have one of these on board? Would love to know thoughts and experience with it. I've never heard of the 'Edson' brand. It might be a US thing? Anyway... the local agent is making enquiries on my behalf so we'll see how that plays out.
I will keep y'aaall posted. (I tried to sound a bit mid west there haha)
Thanks again everyone and Happy New Year to you and yours - Mark Mac

 

[Mike Oldak]

I was wrong!! I said my first RM AP used the RR. I forgot that I had installed it when I installed the EV100 not the older RM autopilot. The EV200 also came with a RR. I think the old and newer RRs should be the same.

 

[kappykaplan]

I will keep y'aaall posted. (I tried to sound a bit mid west there haha)

It's more of a southern thing, y'all!

 

[markymac1961]

It's more of a southern thing, y'all!

Oops! That's why us Aussies shouldn't try to take off American Accents. I shall definately reference a lower Lat next time cheers for the heads up mate. MM

 

[kappykaplan]

cheers for the heads up mate.

De nada