Autohelm fitting

[towlerg]

Just bought a new Autohelm (gave up trying to get spares for old one).
Odd thing is old one was fitted port side but default is stbd. I know
it's no biggie to reverse the sence of it but why would anybody
bother? Pretty sure the Vega cockpit is symetrical, so why fit on
"wrong" side? Ideas anybody?

George Towler 1043 "Vista"

 

[pjacobs55]

George:
My old TP10 Tiller Pilot had mounting holes on both sides. The only
time this was handy was when I was over-canvased and had so much
weather helm the TP10 could not extend itself far enough. Then it
simply got switched over to the other side and re-sensed. Don't sail
like that anymore.

I have an Autohelm ST2000, mounted on the starboard side. Checking the
manual just now I see there is a provision for port side mounting.
"Reversing the operating sense:
If necessary, reverse the operating sense can be reversed as follows:
1. Press -1 and +1 together for 5 seconds.
2. The display shows the new operating sense (port or starboard) for 5
seconds, and then the autopilot reverts to normal operation."

Hmmm, I just learnt something new

As a side note: Autohelm maintains that installation dimensions are
critical. IMHO, given the variety of boats with their different tillers
and rudders, this may not be so. I moved my unit aft enough to allow
the cockpit locker lid to be opened without disengaging the Autopilot,
and it works just fine. It's the 2000 model so a little extra strain
should be OK.

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'