is it possible to adapt steering wheel autopilot to a tiller?

[alexlago]

I've got an autopilot with the piston bolted to a quadrant.

I'd like to take of the steering wheel (which is an addon by the previous owner) and reinstall the original tiller.
Though, I want to bolt the tiller to the autopilot piston .

Reason for doing that :
-cost (I don't want to buy another autopilot)
-the steering wheel autopilot is better integrated (in my view) to the cockpit, as it is close to the cockpit floor, wether a tiller AP stands across the cockpit seat.

Would that be possible? (I don't see any logical reason against that, the base of the tiller moving along a circular arc pattern just as the steering wheel quadrant)
Do you know anyone who's done that?

 

[DownWest]

As you discribe it, sounds a bit like putting the emergency tiller on with a wheel system, just you are removing the wheel and linkages.

 

[RupertW]

As you discribe it, sounds a bit like putting the emergency tiller on with a wheel system, just you are removing the wheel and linkages.

Agreed - surely you can leave the quadrant and autopilot untouched and fit the tiller above it all

 

[alexlago]

thank you guys for your answers, but the point was to get rid of the quadrant.
I thought of welding a bolt below the tiller and connecting it directly to the AP piston.

 

[knuterikt]

thank you guys for your answers, but the point was to get rid of the quadrant.
I thought of welding a bolt below the tiller and connecting it directly to the AP piston.

You could make a tiller arm for the autopilot drive to replace he steering quadrant. On many boats (mine included) there is a separate tille arm for autopilot.

But does the steering quadrant take much space when it is stripped for the linkage. or are you planning to sell the complete kit?

Mine is just clamped to the rudder shaft, drawing from https://www.jefa.com/steering/steering.htm
here https://www.jefa.com/ftp/steering/forms/Tillerarm_spec_form_v2-2.pdf

 

[Tranona]

The problem is that the ram cannot be used above deck which is why Raymarine make a waterproof ram for tiller steered boat.

However if you are keeping the ram under the deck either keep the quadrant or buy a tiller arm from Jefa to attach to the stock. This is commonly used where attachment to the quadrant is not practical. It clamps round the stock.

 

[NealB]

thank you guys for your answers, but the point was to get rid of the quadrant.
I thought of welding a bolt below the tiller and connecting it directly to the AP piston.

Why do you want to get rid of the quadrant?

Does its presence have any negative implications, other than a negligible amount of extra weight?

 

[LadyInBed]

Agreed - surely you can leave the quadrant and autopilot untouched and fit the tiller above it all

That's what I would do, you can still remove the wheel assy.

 

[alexlago]

Why do you want to get rid of the quadrant?

Does its presence have any negative implications, other than a negligible amount of extra weight?

It's just ugly, and a bit dangerous (one could stuck his foot in, or trip on it), and if I could make do without it, why use it...

 

[NealB]

It's just ugly, and a bit dangerous (one could stuck his foot in, or trip on it), and if I could make do without it, why use it...

Ok ... so it's not hidden away, underneath the cockpit sole?

 

[RupertW]

Ok ... so it's not hidden away, underneath the cockpit sole?

I'd assumed it was properly hidden too. If the previous owner was odd enough to put it above the cockpit sole then I understand the irritation and also suspect it is not a robust autopilot installation as the ram will be designed to be nice and dry.

So if it can't be moved underneath I'd think about making raising the cockpit sole there (i.e. create a shallow waterproof box above it as wide as the cockpit unless that will really get in the way or stop the drains working well.

If that isn't an option then I'd agree - dump the quadrant, and sell the autopilot as you need a waterproof one.

 

[NealB]

I'd assumed it was properly hidden too. If the previous owner was odd enough to put it above the cockpit sole then I understand the irritation and also suspect it is not a robust autopilot installation as the ram will be designed to be nice and dry.

So if it can't be moved underneath I'd think about making raising the cockpit sole there (i.e. create a shallow waterproof box above it as wide as the cockpit unless that will really get in the way or stop the drains working well.

If that isn't an option then I'd agree - dump the quadrant, and sell the autopilot as you need a waterproof one.

Those three options sound about right to me (move the quadrant to underneath the sole, or box it in in its present location or remove it and get a tiller pilot).

 

[alexlago]

I'd assumed it was properly hidden too. If the previous owner was odd enough to put it above the cockpit sole then I understand the irritation and also suspect it is not a robust autopilot installation as the ram will be designed to be nice and dry.

So if it can't be moved underneath I'd think about making raising the cockpit sole there (i.e. create a shallow waterproof box above it as wide as the cockpit unless that will really get in the way or stop the drains working well.

If that isn't an option then I'd agree - dump the quadrant, and sell the autopilot as you need a waterproof one.

yes, the quadrant is in what you describe as "a shallow box" on the cockpit floor, but yes it's not waterproof. So I mull making it waterproof with an access hatch above the quadrant .
I confirm the installer did a crappy job (i've seen the guy btw, he told me he did a "fast" job because the previous owner wanted a low price)
It's impossible to install the quadrant below the cockpit floor, the tube rudder goes up to the cockpit floor.

 

[RupertW]

yes, the quadrant is in what you describe as "a shallow box" on the cockpit floor, but yes it's not waterproof. So I mull making it waterproof with an access hatch above the quadrant .
I confirm the installer did a crappy job (i've seen the guy btw, he told me he did a "fast" job because the previous owner wanted a low price)
It's impossible to install the quadrant below the cockpit floor, the tube rudder goes up to the cockpit floor.

I suspect we all need a photo now if we are to offer even slightly useful advice because I now can't quite understand how it gets in the way if it's already boxed (unless it is the box itself which is the trip hazard and unsightly) - if it is then perhaps the most appealing (if most expensive) is the third option of get rid of it all and get a proper waterproof autohelm.

My personal definition of a good solution is one that looks as if it's always been designed that way, and a bodge rarely does.

 

[alexlago]

I suspect we all need a photo now if we are to offer even slightly useful advice because I now can't quite understand how it gets in the way if it's already boxed (unless it is the box itself which is the trip hazard and unsightly) - if it is then perhaps the most appealing (if most expensive) is the third option of get rid of it all and get a proper waterproof autohelm.

My personal definition of a good solution is one that looks as if it's always been designed that way, and a bodge rarely does.

The box is made for the steering wheel, so that's why for the moment the quadrant isn't in the way...
I can't install the tiller on the box, it wouldn't fit. So it's either I make the box watertight and keep the wheel, or I install back the tiller, but then I get rid of the box and the quadrant is in the way, as the autopilot can't be installed below deck.

 

[NealB]

The box is made for the steering wheel, so that's why for the moment the quadrant isn't in the way...
I can't install the tiller on the box, it wouldn't fit. So it's either I make the box watertight and keep the wheel, or I install back the tiller, but then I get rid of the box and the quadrant is in the way, as the autopilot can't be installed below deck.

As suggested by RupertW in post 14, a pic or two would be handy.

 

[DownWest]

Plus one for the photos:
The steering ram is waterproof, right? As the box isn't? Though it sounds as it would normally be installed below the cockpit floor.
So, extend the shaft up a bit with a sleeve to put the tiller higher and make a decent waterproof box to hide the ram and avoid the trip hazard. Changing the quadrant for a lever does not sound much of an improvement, as you need to cover the whole thing at a clearance level. Connecting the ram to the tiller also sounds a bit odd, since it just clutters up space higher up (OK on one side..but.) I am assuming the tiller would need to curve up from a low level to hand height..

Again, photos and what boat do you have?