Anybody ever put an autopilot on a 240? I'm looking at the ST1000 - it seems worth the price for a singlehanded sailor, but, do they actually work? Any idea how much juice they need? Thanks for any insight. Drew
- Status
Here are installation details
This was my major spring '04 project. Didn't get to sail with it too much this year, but when I did have it out it was too cool. Still need to work out the auto-tack feature so it doesn't hit the endpoints. I think that's a gain adjustment or two.
This was my major spring '04 project. Didn't get to sail with it too much this year, but when I did have it out it was too cool. Still need to work out the auto-tack feature so it doesn't hit the endpoints. I think that's a gain adjustment or two.
Hey Mike
Thanks for the info. What kind of battery set up do you have? Does the autopilot suck a lot of juice?
Thanks for the info. What kind of battery set up do you have? Does the autopilot suck a lot of juice?
ST-1000
Drew, I have used a ST-1000 on my MacGregor 26D for several years. It works well except in gusty winds and following seas. The belt failed recently and it was easy to replace. Tricky getting parts, though. Current draw is minimal; depends on how much work it has to do. I couple mine to either a laptop or GPS so it follows routes, which is great. It comes with a remote with a long wire and that's handy when alone. The best deal I found was through Sailnet.com. For the price, I recommend it. David Hoch S/V Abundance
Drew, I have used a ST-1000 on my MacGregor 26D for several years. It works well except in gusty winds and following seas. The belt failed recently and it was easy to replace. Tricky getting parts, though. Current draw is minimal; depends on how much work it has to do. I couple mine to either a laptop or GPS so it follows routes, which is great. It comes with a remote with a long wire and that's handy when alone. The best deal I found was through Sailnet.com. For the price, I recommend it. David Hoch S/V Abundance
Battery Life
I have one Group size 24 deep cycle battery with an estimated 70-85 amp-hour capacity. I think that's a 20-hr. rate so you could pull between 3.5 to 4.25 amps for 20 hours. The ST1000 spec for current consumption is 0.04A to 0.09A in standby, without and with lighting, and 0.5A to 1.5 in Auto mode, depending on boat trim, helm load and sailing conditions. One bulb on one cabin light is probably more of a load. I would guess about 100 hours of operation on this battery, typically, with no other current draw, and then of course you would have a pretty well drained battery. I have a Honda 9.9 which outputs up to 12A so if I motor 1/2 to 1 hour a day it should recharge from a full day's operation. I'm not worried about the battery too much but I might add a second just to run all the other stuff. David H - could you tell us where to get replacement belts? I would like to get a couple of spares.
I have one Group size 24 deep cycle battery with an estimated 70-85 amp-hour capacity. I think that's a 20-hr. rate so you could pull between 3.5 to 4.25 amps for 20 hours. The ST1000 spec for current consumption is 0.04A to 0.09A in standby, without and with lighting, and 0.5A to 1.5 in Auto mode, depending on boat trim, helm load and sailing conditions. One bulb on one cabin light is probably more of a load. I would guess about 100 hours of operation on this battery, typically, with no other current draw, and then of course you would have a pretty well drained battery. I have a Honda 9.9 which outputs up to 12A so if I motor 1/2 to 1 hour a day it should recharge from a full day's operation. I'm not worried about the battery too much but I might add a second just to run all the other stuff. David H - could you tell us where to get replacement belts? I would like to get a couple of spares.
- Status