Tiller Pilot project for 2002 X

[puggsy]

Hi Catigale...I also have a Simrad TP 10 [ maybe a smaller model] that I had successfully used on my old VIVACITY.
Your suggestion to use one on your has prompted me to do the same on mine. So I have rescued the TP10 off the old boat and saved it for the new. I was going to sell it on with the old boat, thinking it would not fit or could not be modified [ wheel / tiller ]

Even if it is only used to hold a steady course for a short while [ like when reefing] it will be handy.
As to your cost....cheap.
Mine set me back $au650 when the exchange rate was about 70c.
$650 divided by 70c = about $US 970.00
Are my maths correct?
Regards...puggsy

[Oskar 26M]

puggsy:
Whitworth's current price for a TP10 is AU$599, so it seems we do occasionally get some benefit from the strong Aussie dollar

I think Cat/KHE's posts refer to installation on an X, so the M's transom design could be a bit of an issue. Could it be installed internally instead of in the well?

If you do decide to install it, I will be very interested to see how it goes so please keep us posted.

[Kelly Hanson East]

It could be done internally but not sure how you would get it off in a hurry



You could mount it to the motor and use it for motor cruising of course.

[Oskar 26M]

Ahhh, of course. I hadn't thought of that

[TrueNorth]

Catingale,

Very economical auto-helm mod! When you have sufficient run time, can you provide a review of how the Simrad performs under power vs. sail.

A follow up question: if one already has a stern deck over control arms, could you mount the unit upside down from your installation and reduce height of the installed unit (including wooden blocks)?

Thanks for great photos of installation.

[DaveB]

Go out and sail the boat with winds 15-20 knots, have someone under seat at all times to disconnect steering.
I have had Raymarine st2000 on a Compac 19 and a St1000 on a Potter 19.
Quick release is a must for these systems and even with a option remote you won't find the time to push buttons in a knockdown or Jibbed.
You have to have a hand on operation and many times I had to pop the unit from the connection to take over the tiller, thats real simple if you have a stainless steel pin, the Autopilot arm sits on.
A Prudent skipper at all times will have control of his Boat, The autohelm is just a means to take off stress at the helm and still alowes the skipper to keep eyes open.
My personal feelings is..with a wheel sterring system, go with the proper system. ST1 Raymarine is now at $1100 at defenders so a few more $$$ and get it done right.
Dave

[puggsy]

A lot of thought has to go into the disconnect of this unit. The end of the drive bar has a simple shallow hole that drops over the supplied pin with knob. It just lifts off and on. I asked WHITWORTHS as to whether it had ever ' jumped off' the knob, and they assured me, no.
When it was on the VIVACITY it never did jump off.
The only trouble i had with this model was when it started to make a regular knocking sound. Turns out that a piece of HARD grease had got stuck near a drive sprocket. No more knocking after removal .
To work safely, you have to able to ' get to' the top controls. This makes the suggestions of mounting under the transom or inside the hull impracticle. Even though, controls can be left and the simple disconnect of the knob/hole arrangement frees the steering. The unit keeps on pumping even if disconnected.
Even if the steering rods are uncovered, it could be difficult to access from the console seat...getting up, lifting the seat, leaning down,
But I'm working on it...Puggsy 06

[Kelly Hanson East]

My TP worked great at sea, so this season I am getting the pin welded permanently into place on the steering linkage.

Pugsy - I have the handheld remote (comes free with the TP22) so I have cockpit steering from down below if I want, and certainly under the dodger

I will post pix after I get the linkage back this week.

[rmduthie]

I'm following your excellent 'instructions' and am nearly finished putting in a Simrad TP32. When I manually tested the set up, standing at the stern and pressing buttons, I managed to put the helm hard over to port and broke the piece of teak holding the pin! The handbook doesn't give a way of setting the parameters for the TP rod movement, so I'm wondering if the TP will simply go hard over and break the wooden pin holder whilst in use. Any way around this? Am I right in assuming that you have to disconnect the steering when the TP is in use? Is there a quick way to reconnect it?
It's July and I haven't got her into the water yet. This is definitely the last mod this year!

Capt Roy

[Catigale]

I found that on an at least, it is possible to mount the Simrad TP22 where it runs out of tillerpilot throw before you reach the helm limit - I was concerned about that same event when I mounted it.

Corrected model number to TP22

[grady]

I have the hand held remote (comes free with the TP22)

??????????

WHAT? WHERE? I just bought a TP22 and did not get a remote!

[grady]

I'm following your excellent 'instructions' and am nearly finished putting in a Simrad TP32. When I manually tested the set up, standing at the stern and pressing buttons, I managed to put the helm hard over to port and broke the piece of teak holding the pin! The handbook doesn't give a way of setting the parameters for the TP rod movement, so I'm wondering if the TP will simply go hard over and break the wooden pin holder whilst in use.

Capt Roy

For what I understand the hard stops internally are not adjustable you will need to modify your installation geometry to make the tiller pilot go full stroke before your steering.

[Catigale]

It looks like I scored a package deal on the TP22 when I bought it.

Even so, at Defender the TP22 plus remote is 650 USD, so its a pretty economical solution for an autopilot.

[rmduthie]

Hi Catigale,

Many thanks for that. I see where I went wrong. The TP body pin can go back an inch or so, and the rod pin will then be positioned to give the full extension/retraction. Maybe...
I used the existing hole for the socket in the wiring, but it wasn't high enough to be clear of the outboard end of the TP32 body. Will give it a good coat of looking at when I get back.

Capt Roy

[rmduthie]

I found that on an at least, it is possible to mount the Simrad TP22 where it runs out of tillerpilot throw before you reach the helm limit - I was concerned about that same event when I mounted it.

Corrected model number to TP22

I have to admit I'm struggling here! The three Simrad Tillerpilots (10, 22 & 32) all have the same rod extension - 254mm or 10" in old money, and the rudder bar has a travel of 175mm, so there is a 3" difference. For the life of me, I cannot see how the TP unit can be positioned so as to avoid going past the hard over position on the rudder bar, on one side or the other. How did you manage it Catigale? I'm thinking of adjusting the gain so as to avoid the problem.

Capt Roy