Wheelpilot rudder reference transducer

[C08]

System is SPX-5 which is ok but it struggles to respond quickly enough when its a bit rough, particularly if the sail balance is not quite right. I do not have a rudder reference transducer fitted and I am wondering whether to get one. I know little about these; do they make a deal of difference and under what conditions are they much better?

 

[prv]

System is SPX-5 which is ok but it struggles to respond quickly enough when its a bit rough, particularly if the sail balance is not quite right. I do not have a rudder reference transducer fitted and I am wondering whether to get one. I know little about these; do they make a deal of difference and under what conditions are they much better?

I'm not an expert, but I'd have thought response in bouncy conditions would be more improved by a rate gyro than by a rudder sensor. Raymarine ones are expensive; there are a set of instructions somewhere on the Web for using a generic part instead for a tenth of the cost.

I have a wheelpilot (generation before the SPX5 but very similar) which has a rudder sensor but no gyro. I plan to do the DIY mod at some point, maybe this winter, precisely to improve response speed. It means the pilot can feel the boat start to move, like a helmsman can, rather than having to wait until the compass reports several degrees off course.

Pete

 

[nigelmercier]

... there are a set of instructions somewhere on the Web for using a generic [gyro] part instead for a tenth of the cost...

If you find it, please do share.

 

[pvb]

If you find it, please do share.

Here perhaps? http://translate.google.co.uk/trans...marine+alternative&newwindow=1&safe=off&hl=en

 

[nigelmercier]

Here perhaps? http://translate.google.co.uk/trans...marine+alternative&newwindow=1&safe=off&hl=en

Thank you. There may be a project in this ...

 

[pvb]

Thank you. There may be a project in this ...

Don't you already have enough projects?

 

[BrianH]

I have a wheelpilot (generation before the SPX5 but very similar) which has a rudder sensor but no gyro. I plan to do the DIY mod at some point, maybe this winter, precisely to improve response speed. It means the pilot can feel the boat start to move, like a helmsman can, rather than having to wait until the compass reports several degrees off course.

I have the S1 SmartPilot system, which I have to have on the highest sensitivity setting to keep on course under power. Sailing she practically sails herself so much less AP intervention. I would be very interested in the gyro upgrade, so thanks pvb for the link. My present configuration is below.

 

[nigelmercier]

Don't you already have enough projects?

Yes, with very few ever finished. But this one looks relatively simple.

First I need to check that I haven't already got a gyro, my S100/300 course computer is the one area of my boat I have not fully investigated, as it is buried in an inaccessible place. Now I've got a reason ...

Thanks again for the heads-up.