Rudder position sensor and Raymarine Evolution EV-100 Autopilot Question

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Monheganlover

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Apr 6, 2013
161
Catalina 310 Annapolis
A friend and I are half-way through installing a new Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Autopilot to replace my 20+ year old Raymarine ST4000+ autopilot unit that was installed by the original owner of my Catalina 310. A rudder position sensor from the old ST4000+ unit is installed currently. However, a rudder position sensor was not included with the EV-100 package. I read a reference or two online that said the new EV-100 unit does not need the rudder position sensor as the EV-100 system's gyro compass provides sufficient accuracy. Has anyone else installed an EV-100 without a rudder position sensor and, if so, are you finding it works well for you?

I am also wondering if I could connect the existing rudder position sensor to the Sea Talk backbone I am installing for the new EV-100 unit? If so, would it be worth doing? The manual for the older ST4000+ said it used SeaTalk but, I presume a much earlier version so I don't know if the EV-100 is backwards compatible.

Thanks for any help/suggestions.
 
Tom J

Tom J

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Sep 30, 2008
2,319
Catalina 310 Quincy, MA
I have the original Raymarine wheel auto pilot that came with the C310. It does not have a rudder reference. It seems to work fine without it. The unit applies rudder corrections in increments, and then seems to watch for the resulting change in heading before adding more corrections. I think a rudder reference would be useful to the human pilot, but I have gotten by with marking the king post on the wheel.
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,746
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
I have the EV100 working with out a rudder reference. That said I understand that it works even better if your give it the rudder reference signal. I would try to hook up an old unit to the new unit and see what happens. If not a good fit, then remove it. It is free and does not owe you anything.
 
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BigEasy

BigEasy

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Jun 21, 2004
2,765
Beneteau 343 Slidell, LA
Monheganlover said:
I am also wondering if I could connect the existing rudder position sensor to the Sea Talk backbone I am installing for the new EV-100 unit? If so, would it be worth doing? The manual for the older ST4000+ said it used SeaTalk but, I presume a much earlier version so I don't know if the EV-100 is backwards compatible.
Thanks for any help/suggestions.
Click to expand
Installed an EV100 wheelpilot two years ago. Mainesail says that he wouldn't install a Raymarine autopilot without the rudder position sensor; it makes a difference. His advice is gospel in my opinion.
The sensor leads (2) plug into the EV100 computer module.
Check the Raymarine technical archives, there is a test that you can perform with a volt/ohm meter to confirm that your sensor is operational.
 
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jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
BigEasy said:
The sensor leads (2) plug into the EV100 computer module.
Click to expand
The rudder reference has a 4 wire interface. It's not Seatalk or any other standard protocol, it's just the potentiometer leads, I imagine.
 
Ward H

Ward H

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Nov 7, 2011
3,774
Catalina 30 Mk II Cedar Creek, Bayville NJ
I installed my EV-100 system without a rudder reference and I'm very happy with it's performance. I can only imagine the improvement a rudder sensor would provide.
The install would be very difficult on a MKII or III C30 due to lack of space so I haven't tried it.
Per the manuals I have for the ACU and iTC5 they both will accept rudder reference connections.
The purpose of the iTC5 is to put transducer data on the SeaTalkng network so that sounds like a solution for you.
 
stephen_i_w

stephen_i_w

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Aug 21, 2019
163
Catalina 315 18 Grosse Pointe Park, MI
I have never seen a comparison of a EV-100 performance with and without a rudder sensor. I did contact Raymarine with this question, the technician I spoke to did not seem to be sure that a rudder sensor would help. I have read in these forums posts by people with rudder sensors having the same complaints about their EV-100 performance as those without them. From all this I have to think that, opinions of "experts" aside, there is no reason to believe that a rudder sensor will improve the performance of a EV-100 system.

Of course, if adding a rudder sensor is merely a matter of hooking up some wires, I agree that it makes sense to do it. I would be personally interested in with and without comparisons.
 
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M

Monheganlover

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Apr 6, 2013
161
Catalina 310 Annapolis
I don't know if maybe mine was mounted as an option when the boat was bought new and the ST4000+ system was installed. the rudder position sensor suits on a wooden block that appears professionally glassed in. So, I do hope it works.
 
rpwillia

rpwillia

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Sep 29, 2008
1,936
Catalina 310 #185 Quantico
I have the ST1 with the rudder sensor and it works fine. Since you already have the rudder sensor installed why not hook it up and try it. I have an ST50 wire remote that works just great with the ST60. From what I understand the design for the Raymarine autopilots has not changed in 30 years and all the parts are modular enough they can work together. The worst thing that will happen is you get an error.
 
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CowboyWay

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Apr 19, 2020
69
Catalina 310 Kenosha, WI
I would really be interested in a picture of how and where specifically you installed the Raymarine rudder reference sensor? It seems one would have to fiberglass in some material to mount the sensor from what I've seen.

where to mount it?
1694059726557.png
 
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JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,744
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
You should install the Rudder Sensor on the Bottom of your Steering Quadrant.

But it must be calibrated so it does not force your AP against your Rudder Stop or you will trip your breakers.

Jim...

PS: I do have pictures but my boat has a bigger Quadrant. PM me if you want to know more.
 
Tally Ho

Tally Ho

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Jan 7, 2011
5,446
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
The rudder sensor could be mounted on the radial, which is what I did…I don’t have a photo with the mount, but they’re a few flat spots and holes in my radial. I bolted a small block of wood on the radial, and mounted the “stud” for the rudder sensor. Then I mounted the base and arm to a block that was nearby.

The rudder sensor doesn’t exert any significant force on the radial which is why I contend you can mount it on the radial. You could not/should not mount an AP drive arm on the radial.

IMG_0706.jpeg
 
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rpwillia

rpwillia

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Sep 29, 2008
1,936
Catalina 310 #185 Quantico
I would attach the rudder sensor as it cannot hurt and in certain seas should help with performance. i recall reading that in the Raymarine documentation. Plus, when I am racing, it is useful to see how much rudder I have on so I can instruct my trimmers on the sheets to avoid weather helm. I cannot tell a lie and have to state this was not my idea, but PaulJ's on this very forum who gave me the plans. The bracket is made out of scrap plywood all cut and glued together. I used some kind of strap as a hinge to hold it in place while I got the big steel hose clamp on it to secure it in place. It has been working faithfully like this for about 18 years.
 

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C

CowboyWay

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Apr 19, 2020
69
Catalina 310 Kenosha, WI
Interesting mount option. I didn't think to mount it lower like that. How did you secure the base to the fiberglass? Epoxy?
 
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