Many of the older Autohelm Linear actuators for underdeck pilots should
be available now that Raymarine no longer supports AH5000, etc. You
might find an orphaned older type Linear type 1 drive laying around a
dealers shop that might be acquire for a 'song'. The older Linear type
1 drives do consume a lot of amps, but might be just what you are
looking for (if you have a means of controlling one). They are HUGE.
Such drives typically can handle boats up to 24000 lb.

Steve wrote:
I have a AH3000 tiller pilot that is in good working order but the linear
ram/drive is a bit light on power for my Ingrid 38 (13.5 ton). She has a
huge rudder and even if the tiller pilot can steer her, there are the
frequent occasions when the boat rolls and the tiller pushes the ram and I
can hear that little motor and gears scream as they are forced 'against
their will'. I imagine they will fail eventually.

These and other tiller pilot ratings fall far short of the need of a boat of
this displacement.

What I'm looking for is a 12 volt DC linear ram with about a 10-12 travel. I
don't care if it is marinize, I just want to experiment with some
adaptations.

I see a lot of iron gates with big cylinder but I think they are 110 AC and
too long a stroke for my needs.

I don't want to spend a fortune but perhaps a surplus one would work for
some experimentation.

I have checked a couple surplus catalogs but haven't found anything.

Anyone have any ideas on this??

Steve
s/v Good Intentions