Rudder sensor, plan C

[sailaway78]

Plan A for mounting the rudder sensor was to put it aft of the rudder shaft, under the helm seat. Problems were the rudder stop cables in the way, a sloping contoured hull that would make placement of the mount difficult. Plan B was to mount it under the cockpit sole, in front of the rudder shaft. The problems with this appear even larger. The side of the cockpit sole, is not quite wide enough to put the mount where it should be, without mfg. some kind of bracket. The hull contour is such that anything laid down or dropped will end up under the engine or transmission. And this is not taking into consideration the problems with getting down in there, and actually doing anything. So, I now have plan C, which is a slightly modified plan A. Am going to mount under the helm seat, aft of the rudder shaft. Will get around the rudder stop cable clearance problem by raising the rod mount on the quadrant an inch or so. Probably use a piece of dowel rod, epoxied to the quadrant for this. Mounting the sensor will be done using a piece of 4" schedule 40 PVC pipe, countoured to fit the hull shape. Then cutting a piece of 2X to fit into the PVC. The problem is the hull is sloping so much that any movement fore or aft, or port to starboard, will change the height significantly. According to the Raymarine installation instructions, the rod has to be level, +_ five degrees.By using the PVC and 2X, I can get the PVC mount close, and then adjust the final elevation by moving the piece of 2X up and down in the pipe. Locking it into proper alignment with a couple of screws through the side. Also am going to have to shorten the rudder stop cables slightly, as I believe I have more movement than the sensor will accept. This will also help solve the clearance problem. Supposed to rain all weekend, so I have a couple days to contemplate and plan the attack.

 

[higgs]

Thinking it through

It sounds like you are going about this correctly - thinking through scenarios and then implementing the installation. Each installation is different, so it is difficult to give advice based on experience. Sounds to me like you are on the right course.

 

[sailaway78]

Thanks Higgs

I have a snotty weekend to sit around and consider all the possibilities. The idea of spending the time making a custom mount to fit the hull contour under the helm seat, has much more appeal to me than fabricating a bracket, while laying on my back in the lazarette. Making a small block, to raise the rod and clear the stop cables will be a piece of cake. And I think I am going to have to shorten the cables anyway, as it appears I have more rudder movement than the sensor will accept. Also, if it ever needs any attention, it will certainly be several times more east to get to back there. And I am all for easy.

 

[RichH]

A typical easy solution

Mount the sensor inverted and bolted to the undersurface of the cockpit seating .... then simpy attach to the (extended) ruddershaft stock via an independent auxiliary tiller (Edson sells them). Drilling, etc. a quadrant involves complex angles and can possibly weakens the quadrant by drilling into it; plus, as youve already found out the trigonometry involvement to get the sensor mounted and level/parallel to the quadrant is not as easy as it looks. With an auxiliary tiller you simply move the tiller up and down on the rudder stock until you match the angle you need, etc. I mount my Autop[ilot drives AND sensors to aux. tiller arms whenever possible .... greatly simplifies the mounting agony/angst.

 

[sailaway78]

Rich H

I think I understand what your talking about, but won't work here, I don't think.The rudder stock goes into a bushing under the cockpit sole. There is very little space between the quadrant and the hull, top or bottom. And getting to it would be a genuine PITA. One of the reasons I have decided to use a piece of dowel epoxyed to the quadrant to raise the attachment point is to keep from having to drill the quadrant, as well as clearance for the rudder stop cables. As I said in the previous post, going to be snotty for the next couple of days, so I have this much time to think and contemplate plans. Thanks to all who have made suggestions. Every idea has merit, and all are valuable to me. But sort of wish for the sure fire simple installation of an auto helm 3000.

 

[Maine Sail]

Can you.

Can you get us a picture of this area and the quadrant? I've installed about 6 RPS's and each one was different. A picture may help us come up with a solution.On my current boat it's mounted upside down to the cockpit sole but on others it's been right side up. It works equally as well up side down as right side up...Here's how I did it on one boat..http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/rudder_position_sensor

 

[rlgales]

Ruber arms needed

I am going through the same process and really need rubber arms to reach where I have to install the sensor. On my 1988 Oceanis 350 there is a nice opening exposing the quadrant, most of it anyway. The problem is the clearance for the threaded rod, sensor and quadrant attachment point. No clearance above, no clearance to the front or aft. So I am going under.I fabricated a bracket (C shape)out of 1/8 x 2" aluminum that I bolted under the quadrant facing forward. I was smart enough to attach the ball for the threaded rod before I bolted the bracket to the quadrant. Seems to be secure.Next I have fabricated a bracket to bolt to a structural member below and to the side of the rudder post. My big challenge will to get the sensor lined up, parallel, perpendicular, level and bolted in place. All while I am on may knees with my head and shoulder pressed against the end of the cockpit, my hands and wrists bleeding from the rough edge of the opening, my back screaming with pain and my neighbors covering their ears.Where's Manners the Butler when you really need him?I'll post some pics later this week when I am finished.