How to Install a Rudder Feedback on a Tiller Boat

[bazzer]

Does anyone have advice as to how to install a Raymarine feedback unit on a tiller sailboat?

[Jim Cate]

Bazzer,

If you want help, ya gotta give us a few clues! We need to know what sort of boat she is, and what form of tiller driven rudder you have. Otherwise, we simply can't give meaningful help.

Try harder, mate.

Cheers,

[Paul Elliott]

i.e. Is it a transom-hung rudder, or does the rudder shaft go through the hull? If a rudder shaft, is it enclosed all the way up to the tiller, or can you attach something to the shaft?

With an exposed shaft, the usual method is to clamp a bracket/arm to the shaft, and attach the sensor to the arm.

[redcobra]

Originally Posted by bazzer

Does anyone have advice as to how to install a Raymarine feedback unit on a tiller sailboat?

My first question would be, why?

On my non-tiller boat all the rudder feedback unit does is show the position of the rudder on the AutoPilot read out.

The tiller does that already.

On my tiller boat (one before this) the RM AP didn't come with a rudder feedback unit nor did it need one.

[Paul Elliott]

Many autopilots use rudder position in their control algorithm. This can provide improved performance.

[redcobra]

Originally Posted by Paul Elliott

Many autopilots use rudder position in their control algorithm. This can provide improved performance.

Granted my RayMarine Auto piliot is the model before the X-5, but I called RM and asked them if it really needed to be installed (major pain to do) and was told by their tech that it does not affect performance at all and that it is just a position indicator. I used the AP for two years without and then (mostly out of boredom and installing a new quadrant) installed it and I have not noticed any difference other than that the little indicator on the bottom of the AP gauge now moves around. (it seems to mirror the little piece of tape I put on the wheel at TDC)
For other manufacturers YMMV.

[atoll]

all ways understood that the feedback servo was so that the drive unit stopped when it reached hard over position,as well as indicating rudder position.

[David M]

They are called rudder angle indicators.

rudder angle indicator - Google Search