Auto Pilot Part I

     Something I think any boat needs, especially one where you may spend long hours on "slow" straight runs, like we did on our 9 hour trip from Tarpon Springs/Anclote Key to Crystal River.  An Auto Pilot, even my wife agreed after spending a couple hours at the wheel.  It was 1 turn North of Anclote & 1 to the East approaching Crystal River 1A and nine hours of mostly open water, perfect scenario for auto steering.



    This entry "Auto Pilot Part I" is be about the installation of the Electronics portion of the Auto Pilot. "Auto Pilot Part II" is about the Pump, Hydraulic Hoses & Rudder Sensor installation.
        
    This boat had virtually no electronics on it when I bought it.  The previous owner used an ipad & Navionics software. While it worked for them, I wanted to expand what I could do with the boat.  I started by installing a Simrad GO9 (prior to our maiden voyage, see "Today is the Day" blog entry) on the upper station. I chose that because I could use an ipad, tablet or phone down below in the cabin via the WiFi capabilities of the Simrad GO9 as a "second station" without having to buy 2 units.  Simrad makes units that will network together but they are much more expensive and since we have an ipad & phones, we felt it would work out great.

    I did a little research to see how other Camano Owner's installed their systems or had existing Auto Pilots.  I was able to talk to a guy from Texas who installed his unit & he helped alot. I was also able to find a few photos of folks that had installed the Raymarine Evolution (same unit I bought), this was equally helpful. 

    The first task was to mount each piece of equipment.  First the p70Rs Pilot Controller. What sucks is I had to buy 2 control heads, 1 for the upper station & 1 for the lower.  I guess I didn't have to but I wanted the ability to use the auto pilot from above or below.  I found some remote control units but none that seemed to work with the newer units.  For both the lower & the upper stations I made a Starboard back board to cover up the "Sins of the Past" (old electronics cut outs).




    I installed a 5 Way Connector at each location.  The lower station had the 12 Volt power supply, while the upper station had the GPS Connection to it.

Lower Station Backbone & SeaTalk Cables


Upper Station Backbone & SeaTalk Connections


"T-Connection" to ACU


    Next was the ACU unit. I decided the best place to mount it was under the step in the Galley/Hall (an idea I got from another owner). From there all of the connections could be made in the area behind the cabinet in the head (picture above) & still provide an easy way to route the power, pump & rudder sensor.  The nice thing about the Camano is there is virtually no space that cannot be accessed.


    The EV1 Sensor.  This location I also copied from a Camano owner that posted a picture on the Pacific Owner's site.  I really like this location.  It is almost dead center of the boat, was out of the way, and it allowed an easy wire run of the Spur Cable & I could see the power light on the sensor.  Of course the cable provided was way too short so I ordered a longer cable.  I routed the cable in the groove/space between the windows and the helm station.  

    With the main components mounted (except the pump), I was able to complete the wiring & accessory installations.  

     I installed a 30 Amp breaker at the panel and 8 AWG power wire to the ACU.  This was the size called for in the instructions by calculating the wire runs, but the power connection block would not take that size wire.  I had to modify the wire.  In hindsight I think that a #10 or even a #12 would have been OK.  One thing I like is that the connection blocks can be removed so you can make connections easier.


     In preparation for the pump, I pulled a #12 wire from the Lazarette (future pump location) to the ACU.  At the same time I pulled the wire from the Rudder Sensor to the ACU.

    All the connections are complete & the unit appears to be working fine.  I cannot calibrate or test it yet until I finish the Pump & Rudder Sensor installation.  All most there!

    See Auto Pilot Part II for the final portion of the installation.



 

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