Larry,

Sounds good. That's exactly the way mine works. Motor is directly
connected to the hydraulic motor via a belt. Motor only activates
when the rudder needs to be moved and in the direction necessary.
Rudder position sensor is connected directly to the rudder control arm
so the computer knows the story. No calibration necessary other than
to adjust the linkage at installation time to know where center is.

Doug. k3qt
s/v Callista

"Larry W4CSC" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 17:37:35 -0500, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

Are you saying the the hydraulic motor on the B&G run continuously?
Is there an advantage to that? Mine just runs when the rudder moves
and is thus pretty kind to the bats.

Oh, no, not at all! As a matter of fact, IT REVERSES! Goes one way
to port and the other way to starboard. Controls are in the computer
box. There's a linear position sensor you calibrate from the helm for
hard to port/starboard and centered so the computer has a reference to
go by.

The motor doesn't run until it needs to move the rudder. It even runs
at variable speed, controlled by the computer. When it needs to move
quick, it runs hard.





Larry W4CSC

"Very funny, Scotty! Now, BEAM ME MY CLOTHES! KIRK OUT!"

No belt on this B&G. Motor's built into the end of the hydraulic
cylinder....all one unit. Take a look at:

http://www.bandg.co.uk/h2000solution...ilotdriveunits

Look down under the "new" rudder position sensor that straps to the
side of the type 1 ram drive. That's the unit wedged into the space
under the aft cabin bunks. We had a custom crank made for the rudder
post to mount it in the best position.

There is no "center" position to the linear position sensor. That's
why YOU tell the computer where center is in the commissioning setups.
You can change where "center" is by pressing a few buttons on the
panel at the helm anytime you like. The computer also "learns"
continuously the boat's characteristics and finds the exact rudder
center, itself.....doesn't make any difference where the sensor is
located, as long as it doesn't bang into its stops. Mechanical
calibration is eliminated this way and never needs repositioning.

Notice the motor on these rams are right in the end of the ram
opposite the drive rod.

This is one cool autopilot. You'd think a ghost were steering the
boat.



On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 00:09:00 -0500, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

Larry,

Sounds good. That's exactly the way mine works. Motor is directly
connected to the hydraulic motor via a belt. Motor only activates
when the rudder needs to be moved and in the direction necessary.
Rudder position sensor is connected directly to the rudder control arm
so the computer knows the story. No calibration necessary other than
to adjust the linkage at installation time to know where center is.

Doug. k3qt
s/v Callista

"Larry W4CSC" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 17:37:35 -0500, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

Are you saying the the hydraulic motor on the B&G run continuously?
Is there an advantage to that? Mine just runs when the rudder moves
and is thus pretty kind to the bats.

Oh, no, not at all! As a matter of fact, IT REVERSES! Goes one way
to port and the other way to starboard. Controls are in the computer
box. There's a linear position sensor you calibrate from the helm for
hard to port/starboard and centered so the computer has a reference to
go by.

The motor doesn't run until it needs to move the rudder. It even runs
at variable speed, controlled by the computer. When it needs to move
quick, it runs hard.





Larry W4CSC

"Very funny, Scotty! Now, BEAM ME MY CLOTHES! KIRK OUT!"





Larry W4CSC

"Very funny, Scotty! Now, BEAM ME MY CLOTHES! KIRK OUT!"

No belt on this B&G. Motor's built into the end of the hydraulic
cylinder....all one unit. Take a look at:

http://www.bandg.co.uk/h2000solution...ilotdriveunits

Look down under the "new" rudder position sensor that straps to the
side of the type 1 ram drive. That's the unit wedged into the space
under the aft cabin bunks. We had a custom crank made for the rudder
post to mount it in the best position.

There is no "center" position to the linear position sensor. That's
why YOU tell the computer where center is in the commissioning setups.
You can change where "center" is by pressing a few buttons on the
panel at the helm anytime you like. The computer also "learns"
continuously the boat's characteristics and finds the exact rudder
center, itself.....doesn't make any difference where the sensor is
located, as long as it doesn't bang into its stops. Mechanical
calibration is eliminated this way and never needs repositioning.

Notice the motor on these rams are right in the end of the ram
opposite the drive rod.

This is one cool autopilot. You'd think a ghost were steering the
boat.



On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 00:09:00 -0500, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

Larry,

Sounds good. That's exactly the way mine works. Motor is directly
connected to the hydraulic motor via a belt. Motor only activates
when the rudder needs to be moved and in the direction necessary.
Rudder position sensor is connected directly to the rudder control arm
so the computer knows the story. No calibration necessary other than
to adjust the linkage at installation time to know where center is.

Doug. k3qt
s/v Callista

"Larry W4CSC" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 17:37:35 -0500, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

Are you saying the the hydraulic motor on the B&G run continuously?
Is there an advantage to that? Mine just runs when the rudder moves
and is thus pretty kind to the bats.

Oh, no, not at all! As a matter of fact, IT REVERSES! Goes one way
to port and the other way to starboard. Controls are in the computer
box. There's a linear position sensor you calibrate from the helm for
hard to port/starboard and centered so the computer has a reference to
go by.

The motor doesn't run until it needs to move the rudder. It even runs
at variable speed, controlled by the computer. When it needs to move
quick, it runs hard.





Larry W4CSC

"Very funny, Scotty! Now, BEAM ME MY CLOTHES! KIRK OUT!"





Larry W4CSC

"Very funny, Scotty! Now, BEAM ME MY CLOTHES! KIRK OUT!"

Sweet! Mine learns the characteristics of the boat as well. It also
doesn't really care where center is in a physical sense. You just adjust
it so that it doesn't jam the stops on the position indication sender. In
5-6'+
quartering seas it steered us all the way from St. Augustine to
Port Canaveral without missing a beat. It swings the rudder from stop to
stop in just over 3 seconds. Very responsive in the worst conditions
we have been in.

Doug

"Larry W4CSC" wrote in message
...
No belt on this B&G. Motor's built into the end of the hydraulic
cylinder....all one unit. Take a look at:

http://www.bandg.co.uk/h2000solution...ilotdriveunits

Look down under the "new" rudder position sensor that straps to the
side of the type 1 ram drive. That's the unit wedged into the space
under the aft cabin bunks. We had a custom crank made for the rudder
post to mount it in the best position.

There is no "center" position to the linear position sensor. That's
why YOU tell the computer where center is in the commissioning setups.
You can change where "center" is by pressing a few buttons on the
panel at the helm anytime you like. The computer also "learns"
continuously the boat's characteristics and finds the exact rudder
center, itself.....doesn't make any difference where the sensor is
located, as long as it doesn't bang into its stops. Mechanical
calibration is eliminated this way and never needs repositioning.

Notice the motor on these rams are right in the end of the ram
opposite the drive rod.

This is one cool autopilot. You'd think a ghost were steering the
boat.



On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 00:09:00 -0500, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

Larry,

Sounds good. That's exactly the way mine works. Motor is directly
connected to the hydraulic motor via a belt. Motor only activates
when the rudder needs to be moved and in the direction necessary.
Rudder position sensor is connected directly to the rudder control arm
so the computer knows the story. No calibration necessary other than
to adjust the linkage at installation time to know where center is.

Doug. k3qt
s/v Callista

"Larry W4CSC" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 17:37:35 -0500, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

Are you saying the the hydraulic motor on the B&G run continuously?
Is there an advantage to that? Mine just runs when the rudder moves
and is thus pretty kind to the bats.

Oh, no, not at all! As a matter of fact, IT REVERSES! Goes one way
to port and the other way to starboard. Controls are in the computer
box. There's a linear position sensor you calibrate from the helm for
hard to port/starboard and centered so the computer has a reference to
go by.

The motor doesn't run until it needs to move the rudder. It even runs
at variable speed, controlled by the computer. When it needs to move
quick, it runs hard.





Larry W4CSC

"Very funny, Scotty! Now, BEAM ME MY CLOTHES! KIRK OUT!"





Larry W4CSC

"Very funny, Scotty! Now, BEAM ME MY CLOTHES! KIRK OUT!"

Sweet! Mine learns the characteristics of the boat as well. It also
doesn't really care where center is in a physical sense. You just adjust
it so that it doesn't jam the stops on the position indication sender. In
5-6'+
quartering seas it steered us all the way from St. Augustine to
Port Canaveral without missing a beat. It swings the rudder from stop to
stop in just over 3 seconds. Very responsive in the worst conditions
we have been in.

Doug

"Larry W4CSC" wrote in message
...
No belt on this B&G. Motor's built into the end of the hydraulic
cylinder....all one unit. Take a look at:

http://www.bandg.co.uk/h2000solution...ilotdriveunits

Look down under the "new" rudder position sensor that straps to the
side of the type 1 ram drive. That's the unit wedged into the space
under the aft cabin bunks. We had a custom crank made for the rudder
post to mount it in the best position.

There is no "center" position to the linear position sensor. That's
why YOU tell the computer where center is in the commissioning setups.
You can change where "center" is by pressing a few buttons on the
panel at the helm anytime you like. The computer also "learns"
continuously the boat's characteristics and finds the exact rudder
center, itself.....doesn't make any difference where the sensor is
located, as long as it doesn't bang into its stops. Mechanical
calibration is eliminated this way and never needs repositioning.

Notice the motor on these rams are right in the end of the ram
opposite the drive rod.

This is one cool autopilot. You'd think a ghost were steering the
boat.



On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 00:09:00 -0500, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

Larry,

Sounds good. That's exactly the way mine works. Motor is directly
connected to the hydraulic motor via a belt. Motor only activates
when the rudder needs to be moved and in the direction necessary.
Rudder position sensor is connected directly to the rudder control arm
so the computer knows the story. No calibration necessary other than
to adjust the linkage at installation time to know where center is.

Doug. k3qt
s/v Callista

"Larry W4CSC" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 17:37:35 -0500, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

Are you saying the the hydraulic motor on the B&G run continuously?
Is there an advantage to that? Mine just runs when the rudder moves
and is thus pretty kind to the bats.

Oh, no, not at all! As a matter of fact, IT REVERSES! Goes one way
to port and the other way to starboard. Controls are in the computer
box. There's a linear position sensor you calibrate from the helm for
hard to port/starboard and centered so the computer has a reference to
go by.

The motor doesn't run until it needs to move the rudder. It even runs
at variable speed, controlled by the computer. When it needs to move
quick, it runs hard.





Larry W4CSC

"Very funny, Scotty! Now, BEAM ME MY CLOTHES! KIRK OUT!"





Larry W4CSC

"Very funny, Scotty! Now, BEAM ME MY CLOTHES! KIRK OUT!"

On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 19:26:10 -0500, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

Sweet! Mine learns the characteristics of the boat as well. It also
doesn't really care where center is in a physical sense. You just adjust
it so that it doesn't jam the stops on the position indication sender. In
5-6'+
quartering seas it steered us all the way from St. Augustine to
Port Canaveral without missing a beat. It swings the rudder from stop to
stop in just over 3 seconds. Very responsive in the worst conditions
we have been in.

Doug

Sure beats those really sore arms we all had bringing Lionheart up
from Titusville in a hard following sea BY HAND. The old autopilot
stayed with the seller and we had to steer it home in heavy seas.....



Larry W4CSC

"Very funny, Scotty! Now, BEAM ME MY CLOTHES! KIRK OUT!"

On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 19:26:10 -0500, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

Sweet! Mine learns the characteristics of the boat as well. It also
doesn't really care where center is in a physical sense. You just adjust
it so that it doesn't jam the stops on the position indication sender. In
5-6'+
quartering seas it steered us all the way from St. Augustine to
Port Canaveral without missing a beat. It swings the rudder from stop to
stop in just over 3 seconds. Very responsive in the worst conditions
we have been in.

Doug

Sure beats those really sore arms we all had bringing Lionheart up
from Titusville in a hard following sea BY HAND. The old autopilot
stayed with the seller and we had to steer it home in heavy seas.....



Larry W4CSC

"Very funny, Scotty! Now, BEAM ME MY CLOTHES! KIRK OUT!"

Been there, done that! No fun!

Doug

"Larry W4CSC" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 19:26:10 -0500, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

Sweet! Mine learns the characteristics of the boat as well. It also
doesn't really care where center is in a physical sense. You just adjust
it so that it doesn't jam the stops on the position indication sender. In
5-6'+
quartering seas it steered us all the way from St. Augustine to
Port Canaveral without missing a beat. It swings the rudder from stop to
stop in just over 3 seconds. Very responsive in the worst conditions
we have been in.

Doug

Sure beats those really sore arms we all had bringing Lionheart up
from Titusville in a hard following sea BY HAND. The old autopilot
stayed with the seller and we had to steer it home in heavy seas.....



Larry W4CSC

"Very funny, Scotty! Now, BEAM ME MY CLOTHES! KIRK OUT!"

Been there, done that! No fun!

Doug

"Larry W4CSC" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 19:26:10 -0500, "Doug Dotson"
wrote:

Sweet! Mine learns the characteristics of the boat as well. It also
doesn't really care where center is in a physical sense. You just adjust
it so that it doesn't jam the stops on the position indication sender. In
5-6'+
quartering seas it steered us all the way from St. Augustine to
Port Canaveral without missing a beat. It swings the rudder from stop to
stop in just over 3 seconds. Very responsive in the worst conditions
we have been in.

Doug

Sure beats those really sore arms we all had bringing Lionheart up
from Titusville in a hard following sea BY HAND. The old autopilot
stayed with the seller and we had to steer it home in heavy seas.....



Larry W4CSC

"Very funny, Scotty! Now, BEAM ME MY CLOTHES! KIRK OUT!"