Tiller pilot - junk 'er and start new or?

Drinky Crow

Drinky Crow

.
Dec 7, 2018
233
C&C 27 Mk V Vancouver
TP32 of unknown provenance. Came used w/boat in '19.
Ram does the herky jerky when actuating to the point it jumps off the tiller pin.
Obviously sails need to be balanced but in gusty conditions upwind the ram will go hard over in a gust to keep the boat from heading up but instead of easing back as the boat comes back down it stays hard over and spins the boat 360deg. This is not a winning formula when racing single-handed!
Something the layman might fix (mechanical) or software/circuitry issue?
I understand no parts are available from Navico which bought out Simrad some time ago..
 
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Timm R Oday25

Timm R Oday25

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Mar 2, 2019
578
Oday 25 Milwaukee
On our tiller pilot .SimRad 10 , there are several adjustments that can be made . Some of them are , how much should the arm move , how soon from being of course . If the arm travels smoothley , find a manual before getting a new one .It took awhile before we got to a compromise of how often and how much to correct before the tiller behaved the way I had hoped .
 
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mermike

mermike

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Nov 21, 2012
722
Yamaha 33 Port Ludlow, WA
I'm on my second Raymarine ST2000 in 6 years. I would try something different next time, if you are considering alternatives. The mechanism works fine, but it doesn't hold a heading without constant adjustment, the heading on the unit and chartplotter are consistently off by 10-15° no matter how many times I calibrate it, and it sometimes loses its mind when I tell it to navigate to a waypoint. It still beats hand-steering but less and less every day.
 
garymalmgren

garymalmgren

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May 29, 2018
575
Canel 25 foot Shiogama, japan
RE; Tiller pilot - junk 'er and start new or?

Your decision on that will depend on what you find inside .
As Richard 19068 has suggested, it is time to disassemble and check whats happening inside.

The Simrad TP series is basically a rebranded Navico tillerpilot.
Here is the manual.

The TP 32 is the most powerful of the range, at 187 pounds thrust.
The cases and internal structure is the same for all of the TP series.
High thrust equals higher loads on internal components.
Internal damage will result in "Ram does the herky jerky when actuating to the point it jumps off the tiller pin. "

Simrad supply almost no parts , even the casing seal is not available.
They will say , "send it in and we will look at it."
And you can guess what their recommendation will be,

This is what a damaged Raymarine ST tillerpilot looks like on the inside.
 
Drinky Crow

Drinky Crow

.
Dec 7, 2018
233
C&C 27 Mk V Vancouver
All true, Gary. Thanks, didn't know about the one size fits all re: the casings.
I threw in the towel and ordered a new TP22. Still higher thrust rating than I need for my 4400# MORC racer/cruiser but the TP10 doesn't NMEA.
Upgraded my very dated VHF to one with AIS at the same time.
 
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kappykaplan

kappykaplan

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May 1, 2011
4,930
Pearson 37 Lusby MD
Drinky Crow said:
I threw in the towel and ordered a new TP22. Still higher thrust rating than I need for my 4400# MORC racer/cruiser but the TP10 doesn't NMEA.
Upgraded my very dated VHF to one with AIS at the same time.
Click to expand
Sounds like a great plan! Please keep us apprised of your progress with these upgrades. :beer:
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,949
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Your boat will thank you as you install the Boat Bling for this season. :beer:
 
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