Autopilot quandary

[Cardo]

Ok, here goes...
In our ongoing revamp of our steering system, I have now been told we may have slightly more budget to make an extra improvement. I've been hoping to replace our ageing Simrad/Robertson AP22/J3000X autopilot to something with a Raymarine brain to match the rest of our boat electronics.

The current autopilot drives a _very_ old and _very_ big Neco motor that drives a chain that in turn drives one of the helms. Whilst it works great, it drinks amps like they're going out of fashion. It's also somewhat of a clunky setup.

So, I'm wondering whether I'd be able to replace the motor with a hydraulic pump and have this running off the Simrad/Robertson brains.

I was looking at something like this:
http://www.raymarine.com/view/?id=579
Either the Type 0.5 or 1?

I figure this would later allow me to easily replace the brains with a full Raymarine kit.

If this is possible, and it's simply a case of swapping out the existing motor for one of these jobbies and hooking up the wires the right way round, which of the units would one recommend?
Our cylinder is a Vetus MTC72 with 146cc of travel, so is within, though at the top end, of the 0.5.

 

[Sarnia]

Ok, here goes...
In our ongoing revamp of our steering system, I have now been told we may have slightly more budget to make an extra improvement. I've been hoping to replace our ageing Simrad/Robertson AP22/J3000X autopilot to something with a Raymarine brain to match the rest of our boat electronics.

The current autopilot drives a _very_ old and _very_ big Neco motor that drives a chain that in turn drives one of the helms. Whilst it works great, it drinks amps like they're going out of fashion. It's also somewhat of a clunky setup.

So, I'm wondering whether I'd be able to replace the motor with a hydraulic pump and have this running off the Simrad/Robertson brains.

I was looking at something like this:
http://www.raymarine.com/view/?id=579
Either the Type 0.5 or 1?

I figure this would later allow me to easily replace the brains with a full Raymarine kit.

If this is possible, and it's simply a case of swapping out the existing motor for one of these jobbies and hooking up the wires the right way round, which of the units would one recommend?
Our cylinder is a Vetus MTC72 with 146cc of travel, so is within, though at the top end, of the 0.5.

In the last 12 months I have replaced my old Neco with an AP22 and J3000x brain, plus rudder sender and fluxgate compass, I am absolutely delighted with the results, it runs a large series/shunt motor which was the only part of the old Neco setup I retained in my Nic 38.
My main challenge was learning how to get the motor to understand the signals from the AP22, but with the help of an Italian physics lectures in Rome (he is a member here) who speaks perfect English and with his technical expertise, a couple of new relays and we were in business.
Far from being clunky, the switch over to autopilot is silky smooth, no deviation from the heading already on, it is a little heavy on amps but is budgeted in my power usage/supple and large battery banks.
I realise this may not be helpful in what you are looking for, but just thought I would give my experience with an AP22.
Good luck

 

[yoda]

The size of pump will be governed by the 'brains' you choose as the current output capacity of the brains is different for each unit. That said the type 1 is i believe compatible with most of the units. I do have a type one pump, unused, in the shed which I would be willing to part with for a reasonable offer. PM me if you want as i fitted a hydraulic self steering system to my boat (cable wheel steering) last year.

Yoda

 

[Danbury]

The size of pump will be governed by the 'brains' you choose as the current output capacity of the brains is different for each unit. That said the type 1 is i believe compatible with most of the units. I do have a type one pump, unused, in the shed which I would be willing to part with for a reasonable offer. PM me if you want as i fitted a hydraulic self steering system to my boat (cable wheel steering) last year.

Yoda

Is that the Raymarine Type 1 ? 80-230 cc capacity ? 12 v ?

 

[rogerthebodger]

I also have the same simrad autopilot and I have a reversing gear pump which includes pilot operated check valves to prevent reversing when hand steering.

like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SIMRAD-RP...at_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item2587d5640c

Others may do if the spec is similar.

"The size of pump will be governed by the 'brains'"

No the size of pump is determined by the size of the cylinders. The speed of rudder movement if too slow of too fast could effect the ability to hold a cause correctly.

 

[Cardo]

So...
If I get a Raymarine type 1 pump, would it work?

 

[yoda]

So...
If I get a Raymarine type 1 pump, would it work?

See PM

 

[Cardo]

See PM

Noted.

Seeing as the Simar RPU80 -
http://www.simrad-yachting.com/en-US/Products/Autopilots/Drive-Units/RPU80-Drive-Unit-en-us.aspx
is pretty similar to the Raymarine Type 1, am I right in assuming it should all work ok?

 

[Graham_Wright]

Sent pm.