It’s a fair question as the wheelpilot works fine in gentle conditions. I generally sail singlehanded and sometimes in rough or breezy conditions it unlatches or partially unlatches itself. This has been quite a surprise a few times, not always a safe one. Have read that many owners rig a bungee cord to hold the latch closed. I realize it can be adjusted though the plastic bits and means of adjustment seem really Marginal to me. maybe I haven’t spent enough time playing with it. I don’t like the motor noise. (Lol) I’m hoping the drive will be faster, which would help a bit off the wind in rougher conditions, which is also when it unlatches. Again to be fair I sometimes carry quite a bit of sail, part of the fun for me. I guess in the end it doesn’t seem as bulletproof or effective as the other work or upgrades I’ve done, (which, to your point, come at a price) and I don’t quite trust it. It it fails and I’m solo that would be a real nuisance for me, and I’m progressing through longer passages in more challenging conditions as I learn. I welcome any comments or suggestions. Dave
Sent from my iPad > On Oct 12, 2019, at 6:13 PM, Paul Fountain <p...@seasource.ca> wrote: > > Dave, > > Interested why you feel the current unit needs to be replaced. We put the ray > system you have on Perception our 33-ll 3 years ago when we upgraded our > electronics so far it’s performed as well as the Navico wheel pilot it > replaced, and as Dennis has said they work well! With our short season I > could not justify the expense and effort to put in the octopus unit, which I > really wanted to use. > > Used the saved funds towards the rest of the electronics upgrade. > > Paul > From: CnC-List <cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com> on behalf of Dave S via > CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > Sent: Saturday, October 12, 2019 11:13:56 AM > To: C&c Stus List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > Cc: Dave S <syerd...@gmail.com> > Subject: Re: Stus-List Raymarine to octopus drive upgrade - UPDATE > > Had an exchange (after some effort) with the folks at octopus drives and > here’s the result: > > > >>> >>> >>> The boat is a 1985 C&c 33 mkii, and it displaces around 10,000 lbs. it is >>> currently fitted with a 2015 Raymarine ev100 wheelpilot system. This >>> system includes a control unit - the acu-100 - which can provide 7A of >>> current to a drive unit. the acu-100 has provision for a rudder position >>> sensor, but one is not currently installed. It does not have electrical >>> connections for a clutch. >>> I am not happy with the wheel drive for a variety of reasons and would like >>> to install a below-deck linear drive. >>> Unfortunately, Most larger and especially hydraulic drives require more >>> than the 7A current available from the ev-100, meaning I would have to >>> upgrade to a larger unit (acu) in addition to acquiring the drive itself >>> and hardware. >>> >>> It appears however that the octopus RS drive is designed more or less for >>> this sort of application, though I do have some questions and have been >>> unable to find consistent application information. >>> >>> -Is this drive compatible with the Raymarine system described above? >>> No it is not, I believe the EV100 does not have a solenoid/clutch output.. >>> though the 7A max is no problem the EV200 would be the minimum requirement >>> -how does the clutch engage/disengage electrically? Would assume 12v >>> either engages or disengages the clutch, and this could be accomplished >>> with a switch if necessary. >>> Engaged and disengaged by the ECU >>> Is it even necessary given the “joggle the wheel” clutch disengagement >>> feature of the RS drive? (You could have the clutch engaged by the motor >>> voltage, then disengage manually in the absence of that voltage, if I >>> understand correctly) >>> It still requires a joggle of the wheel to disengage the pin activated by >>> the solenoid >>> - is this the drive your experts would recommend for this application? Is >>> there a better option? >>> This is the preferred drive for smaller displacement sailboats due to its >>> lower amp draw and less wheel resistance compared to the hydraulic linear >>> drives >>> -Any other advice? >>> Upgrade to a EV200 or any other pilot with clutch/solenoid output >>>
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