Raymarine 6000 Installation Question

[Ducati]

I am having a below deck autohelm (Raymarine 6000) installed on our 36.7.

It will be done by a professional however any recommendations as to the correct method for mounting the unit down below? From what I hear, a solid reinforced base is the starting point for a correct installation.

Thanks

 

[Bill Roosa]

more info please

Is it a ram or motor or hydro unit?

 

[Bill Roosa]

Solid base

the ram and hydro units do need something solid to push against and a solid way to connect to the rudder stock. weakness in either of these areas is not recommended. also a way of disconnedting them that does not take all day is desirable as if they freeze you will be doing donuts till you can get them disconnected.
The motor unit usually get mounted in the helm station and drives the chain attached to the helm sproket and rudder cables. It would need to have a solid base also but it has an internal electric clutch that drops out once you turn the power off.

 

[sailingdog]

Ducati—

I'd point out that all being a professional really means is that the IRS knows they do it for money... it is no guarantee of quality work. I hope you have thoroughly vetted the company/individual you're hiring to do this work.

Yes, a reinforced base is a necessity to a solid autopilot installation. Proper location of the fluxgate compass, away from things that may affect it, is also key.

 

[sailingseadragon]

Below is a link detailing the installation of the Raymarine 6000 below deck Autopilot on Sea Dragon our Pearson 367...

http://www.sailingseadragon.com/AutoPilot.htm

I hope this is helpful.

Garner

 

[RichH]

Ducati—

I'd point out that all being a professional really means is that the IRS knows they do it for money... it is no guarantee of quality work. I hope you have thoroughly vetted the company/individual you're hiring to do this work.

Get a contract IN WRITING when dealing with any boating 'professionals' ..... Time of completion, final cost (within 5% of estimate), performance of unit (insuring correct installation), etc. Put your expectations .... in WRITING and have the contractor sign and return a copy when AGREEING to the terms.

Also Be especially wary of the geometrical 'integration' of the rudder sensor TO the actuator. The rudder sensor (Raymarine 6001-6002 series) also needs at least a 'moderately strong' base for its attachment (to either the quadrant or an independent 'tiller'). The rudder sensor should accurately be able to show that the rudder is 'straight'.

OTHER.
If possible and if your boats rudder/steering geometry/configuration allow ... consider the additional use of an AUXILIARY (BRONZE) tiller arm for the mounting on the linear actuator TO the rudder shaft. This way if ever your steering quadrant system ever fails/breaks, you can still easily steer the boat solely via the autopilot. Edson makes some of the finest 'auxiliary (autopilot) steering tillers' to mount to rudders shafts - expensive but allows 'in-depth' steering redundancy, especially if you plan long distance cruising. Drilling into a quadrant to affix an autopilot will/can weaken it.

 

[BobD17833]

Mounting of the drive is critical

Ducati

If it is being done by a professional they will (should) understand exactly how to mount the drive unit, it is critical to proper operation.
I'll assume it is a type 1 linear drive. ( a hydraulic will be essentially the same)

Considerations:
Your rudder post will require a rudder arm for the AP drive. (Edson)
The rudder arm will create a connection poiint 10" from the center of the rudder and on the same horizontal plane.
The drive will connect to the point when:
The rudder is in its central position.
The drive is in the center of its ram extension.
The drive ram is 90 deg. (perpendicular) to the rudder arm.
The drive is on the same horizontal plane as the rudder arm.
The drive is mounted to a shelf bracket or surface that will withstand 750lb of linear force.

Meeting all these conditions will dictate where the base of the drive is mounted.

Picture a completed installation in which a perfect rectangle on the same horizontal plane is formed by the rudder arm, the drive ram, the drive base extended and the center of the rudder extended, all when the drive is in the exact mid stroke and the rudder is in exact center position.

One variable is the rotational angle that the rudder arm is attached to the rudder post. That position will rotate the perfect rectangle, and therefor the base of the drive.

One other item is, you may have to adjust your rudder stops so that the rudder stops and not the drive ram stop the rudder in each of the hard over rudder positions.

BobD
Boston