Installing Autohelm 1000

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Hugohove

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I've bought a used Autohelm 1000 which I'm installing in my Leisure 23. At the point 18” from the tiller pivot where the pushrod should be connected to the tiller-pin, the pushrod is about 4 inches below the tiller handle. Under normal circumstances, this could be addressed by the use of a Raymarine 4” off-set bracket. However, the Raymarine off-set brackets appear to be designed for use on a straight tiller whereas mine has a swan neck tiller and the upward sweep of the tiller means that a 4” off-set bracket won't result in a 4” offset. Additionally, the tiller pin in the bracket won't be quite vertical which, I believe, it needs to be in order to engage the push rod correctly. However, without having a bracket to hand I can't accurately visualize what it will actually look like and what the measurements will be. I expect that other owners have come across this problem and I would love to know how to solve it. Is it possible, with basic tools and skills, to make a bracket which would stand the force applied to it and, if so, what material should be used? I was thinking of trying to source a s/s bar but don't know whether it could be made to bend accurately.New tiller.jpg
 
Bugger me. Have you seen the price of the things:

http://www.mesltd.co.uk/cockpit-pilots-accessories-c-37_38_77.html

! If you do get hold of a secondhand one cheaply they can be persuaded to take up a different shape quite easily with the aid of a hammer and vice. The anodizing does not take too kindly and you had better not overdo it, esp on the tight bends, but it is what I did with a similar problem.

Probably better, and certainly cheaper, to make something yourself but it is a job which would be much easier if you have a shed and a bench. A piece of ally strap out of the boatyard skip would be ideal.
 
Get yourself a piece of aluminium or stainless 3mm x 25mm flat bar (or similar) and bend it yourself to obtain something that looks, even vaguely, like this:

autohelm.jpg


Don't worry too much about the dimensions as long as the tillerpilot is more or less horizontal. None of the measurements are critical. Even the 18" is a compromise: if less, the tiller has to work harder and if more it might take longer to correct the course.

You don't say if you also got the pin on which the ram of the thing engages. That will need to be fitted to your 'bracket' and will be something like this:

Raymarine-D014.jpg


It is simple to make, even if you only have an electric drill (used as an improvised 'lathe'), a file and some emery cloth or other abrasive.

Making a rocket will, of course, be a bit more complicated... ;)
 
Thank you all for your replies which were very helpful. I was concerned about the criticality of the measurements. I think that I'll be looking for a piece of aluminium bar.
 
Hugohove said:
However, the Raymarine off-set brackets appear to be designed for use on a straight tiller whereas mine has a swan neck tiller and the upward sweep of the tiller means that a 4” off-set bracket won't result in a 4” offset.
Click to expand...

Why not just bend the bracket? It worked for me, in a similar situation.

Hugohove said:
How would I make the pin? They are a ridiculous price!
Click to expand...

If you're thinking of using an old tillerpilot with a new pin, check the fit before committing money. Dunno about Autohelm/Raymarine, but Simrad pins (which I think are the same size as Raymarine ones) don't fit Navico tiller pilots. I think it may be a metric/imperial thing.
 
Hugohove said:
How would I make the pin? They are a ridiculous price!
Click to expand...

Weigh up the sizes and get a suitably sized stainless bolt, cut it to length and then spin it in a chuck against a file. Most difficult thing is getting to spin straight and without it flicking out of the chuck. A lathe would be best but it is even doable held in a vice with a file in your hand. None of the dimensions are critical, if your first effort does not work have another crack.

The pilot only has to rest it's weight on the pin to work ok but, but do check it does not foul on the edge of the cockpit seat as this can lift it off the pin.
 
VicS said:
what stops the ram end fitting falling off off the pin?
Click to expand...

The arm clicks on to the pin and has never fallen off although there is a small arm that swings round to hold it on,all fitted by previous owner.The op has different wooden tiller to what was originally fitted to the Leisure 23.
 
Hugohove said:
How would I make the pin? They are a ridiculous price!
Click to expand...

I have done it!
The ball on the end of the pin wants to be 1/4" diameter, so starting with a quarter inch stainless bolt and cutting the head off is how I started, followed by machining the ball shape in a lathe. If you don't have access to a lathe it could be done by putting the cut off bolt shank in a drill chuck and having at it with a selection of metal files.
 
Rum Run said:
I have done it!
The ball on the end of the pin wants to be 1/4" diameter, so starting with a quarter inch stainless bolt and cutting the head off is how I started, followed by machining the ball shape in a lathe. If you don't have access to a lathe it could be done by putting the cut off bolt shank in a drill chuck and having at it with a selection of metal files.
Click to expand...


Would this do the trick?

http://www.springfixlinkages.com/en...socket-joints/inch-ball-socket-joints/r3530-i
 
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