Damp tiller pilot

[garymalmgren]

It is pathetic that a piece of marine equipment has to be protected from the marine environment!
But, that's Raymarine for ya.

 

[Refueler]

It is pathetic that a piece of marine equipment has to be protected from the marine environment!
But, that's Raymarine for ya.

I'd love to know how many are sailing the world without problem .. no covers etc etc .. vs the number of posts decrying the units.

But then again - OP's Tillerpilot is a TP10 .... not Raymarine.........

 

[Refueler]

The covers are more like umbrellas, with the bottom open. Most come off in 2 seconds with a single Velcro strap.

I don't use the TP in the rain that much, but it is quite old (came with the boat). My last one lasted until I sold the boat, more than a decade. It got moisture inside a few times before I made a cover (similar to these but different--one piece clear vinyl with no seams). That solved it. The cover was only on when it rained.

That I can accept as it does not seal in whatever humidity etc.

 

[thinwater]

Another issue I always wonder about is the heat. Black is a good color for plastic UV protection, but not so much for the electronics inside. Once I measured the top at 155F and the bottom at 110F. With the motor running, the electronics had to be seeing 140F or so, which is pushing the limit for consumer grade electronics. Good sail balance, of course, reduces the load. The motor should not be running hard. A dark cover could make it worse. A white cover could actually make it better. Or perhaps a crewman holding a parasol.

 

[Refueler]

Another issue I always wonder about is the heat. Black is a good color for plastic UV protection, but not so much for the electronics inside. Once I measured the top at 155F and the bottom at 110F. With the motor running, the electronics had to be seeing 140F or so, which is pushing the limit for consumer grade electronics. Good sail balance, of course, reduces the load. The motor should not be running hard. A dark cover could make it worse. A white cover could actually make it better. Or perhaps a crewman holding a parasol.

Heat .... on board ship when sailing in hot climates - you soon learn to not place tools etc in the sun - but in the shade ... you soon learn from that mistake !

 

[Shaz77]

WD40 produce a spray grease. I use it a lot. Toolstation sell it

 

[wingcommander]

Another issue I always wonder about is the heat. Black is a good color for plastic UV protection, but not so much for the electronics inside. Once I measured the top at 155F and the bottom at 110F. With the motor running, the electronics had to be seeing 140F or so, which is pushing the limit for consumer grade electronics. Good sail balance, of course, reduces the load. The motor should not be running hard. A dark cover could make it worse. A white cover could actually make it better. Or perhaps a crewman holding a parasol.

The area where I sail nature provides repeated cooling with lashings of cold wet rain/seawater