Autopilot rudder end stops

[Peter]

Got to fit some rudder end stops on my new autopilot. Difficult to do due to layout of rudder quadrant area. Seen a couple off photos where a wire rope strop was used as the endstop. Anyone tried this method and does it work

Peter

 

[prv]

I haven't used it, but seems simple enough. Just make sure the loose strop can't fall into any other moving parts, like in between the cable and the quadrant.

I was able to mount wooden stops for the pilot tiller to collide with.

Pete

 

[sailorman]

i have 2 x strops they work fine

 

[LadyInBed]

I cut two wooden blocks, drilled a hole through each and fitted them on the bolts on the quadrant frame.

 

[Cardo]

We don't have a quadrant, but when we recently overhauled (re-engineered) our steering system, we made our rudder stops from blocks of hard wood.

 

[Daydream believer]

I do not have a self steering like this but have seen similar queries on other forums
I often wondered why they need end stops
surely the autopilot decides where it wants to stop & if the end stops are too close the autopilot will hit the stops & stall & use current
If the autopilot has end point adjustment whereby its travel is limited by the control board then once again the end stops are irrelevant
Anyone have the time to explain!!!

 

[knuterikt]

I do not have a self steering like this but have seen similar queries on other forums
I often wondered why they need end stops
surely the autopilot decides where it wants to stop & if the end stops are too close the autopilot will hit the stops & stall & use current
If the autopilot has end point adjustment whereby its travel is limited by the control board then once again the end stops are irrelevant
Anyone have the time to explain!!!

The drive unit (actuator) does not like to be run past it's max travel (in both directions).
When steering manually the autopilot is not controlling anything so if there are no end stops the helmsman could damage the drive unit (for instance if backing hard and letting rudder go..).
The autopilot is adjusted so that under normal operation it stops "turning the wheel" before the end stops is hit, but if the rudder sensor fails the end stops will prevent the drive unit gong to far and hopefully blow a fuse..

 

[prv]

If the autopilot has end point adjustment whereby its travel is limited by the control board then once again the end stops are irrelevant

It does have software-controlled limits, so you're correct as long as the autopilot is driving. But what happens when we turn the autopilot off and put Barry the gorilla on the wheel, eh?

Pete