Moving Rudder Stop bar

[PGIJon]

I just added a Raymarine Rudder Position Sensor to my existing SPX-5 Autopilot. I did this because as Kloudie once put it, my AP tends to act as a drunken pilot in anything but the mildest of seas. (Hopefully Kloudie1 won't mind that I used the picture of his Rudder Stop for illustration purposes only... Thank You C)

As I went to commissioning I noticed that I would receive a “Failed Rudder Sensor” error when I went to starboard hard over. I was told this morning that the Sensor will stop responding if the angle of the rudder is too great. Therefore I will need to reduce the rudder angle. I plan to do this by drilling an additional hole in order to move the stop bar since I really do not want to drill in new screws below the cockpit deck sole.

On my H34 I go approximately 90% of a complete wheel turn when I turn to Port or Starboard. The RPS indicates that I am well over the 30% indicator. My question is 1) what is the minimum reasonable angle of deflection that the rudder should have for manual steering and 2) has anyone moved the rudder stop on their boats?

Thanks Jon

 

[woodster]

didn't that install manual say a max of 35 degrees each way ...if so just set it at 35 degrees in one direction and go down a measure the gap between the stop pin and the stop bar then set it 35 degrees the other way and measure again ...then move the bar forward that amount granted you had the rudder zeroed in for straight forward at the time before taking the measurements

 

[PGIJon]

Thanks for the reply Woodster... Just checked the Installation Guide (Sheet) and it didn't say anything about 35 degrees.... I'm just hoping that I can use the existing bar since I do not want to move the bolts.... I suppose I could always have a new one fabricated. Thanks! -Jon

 

[woodster]

you may be able to drill new holes in the one you have now or you may even get a bigger do-nut washer for the stop pin and do it that way all you are trying to do is close the gap so it makes no diff weather you do it with the angle iron or the stop pin by adding a larger washer

 

[Ron20324]

I put a larger size hose on the bumper post.

 

[woodster]

I put a larger size hose on the bumper post.

exactly

 

[PGIJon]

Just checked out the alignment of the Rudder Stop and it is totally askew! I'm going to have to move the bolt holes about an inch and realign it.... not quite sure how to get a square down in the aft cabin.... Any ideas????

 

[woodster]

can you set the rudder to the strait ahead position and lock in in place if so do that and the make a line from the center of the pin back to the center of the rudder shaft ...then mark the center of your stop angle and set it on that line...then measure from the rudder stop pin to each end of the angle until they read the same dimension ...that is called triangulation and make sure you keep the center of the angle on the center line of the rudder shaft while doing this and mark your holes and drill away ....make sure you double check the procedure a couple of times so you don't have an oh $#!t moment

 

[PGIJon]

Woodster, .thanks for the suggestions! Unfortunately, I didn't see your post until just now.

I was in the boat this morning and realized that if I factory reset the P70, it will show me the rudder offset. I turned the wheel 30 degrees to port and marked the stop pin location and then turn the wheel 30 degrees to starboard and marked that position. Earlier I recorded measurements for 10, 20 and 30 degrees both to P and S. Based on those readings and a bit of extrapolation I figured the offset that should be around 35 degrees. I re-drilled and mounted the stop bar in it's new location, which now looks cockeyed, but isn't (hopefully).

Everything looks good. The failed rudder error no longer kicks in when the wheel is hard over. I just hope 35 degrees (70 total) will provide enough rudder!

-Jon