B&G auto Pilot?

[Makr0]

Hey Folks

I am in the process of buying a boat that comes with newer B&G gear from 2019. It has a zeus 3 plotter, 4g radar and a wind instrument.

I can’t quite figure out what components I need to setup a fully compatible autopilot...

Do I need all the things or just the ram and the computer?

Any help is appreciated.

[donradcliffe]

You will need a rudder feedback unit, the ram, a computer, and a heading input with a rate compass You can use the MFD to control the autopilot, but I would put in a standalone controller for contingencies. A remote would be nice.

[Russian007]

a bullet proof dumb high quality AP is the CPT. Took me 45 minutes to install mine. Stand alone helm mount. great support too.

[Neptune's Gear]

Originally Posted by Makr0

Hey Folks

I am in the process of buying a boat that comes with newer B&G gear from 2019. It has a zeus 3 plotter, 4g radar and a wind instrument.

I can’t quite figure out what components I need to setup a fully compatible autopilot...

Do I need all the things or just the ram and the computer?

Any help is appreciated.

The Zeus 3 is an Autopilot controller (might be switched off under features), so most common would be a triton 2 pilot system. AP Base pack (Computer, Rudder sensor, and compass) is what's needed, plus a drive unit. The Base Packs come as the NAC2 or NAC3 pack, depending on boat size. Stick with B&G or the Zeus 3 wont drive it. Oh, and the packs now come with the solid state compass, the precision 9. A lot better than the old rate compasses!
Alternatively, if its a high performance boat, an H5000 and pilot might be the go, depending on whats there now. Get advice from your local B&G dealer :-)

[Jerry Woodward]

Makr O
I have the same system and installed the NAC2 computer, precision 9 compass and rudder sensor, all connected to the N2K network. There is a description of the installation on my web site. My boat already had the drive unit. If you don't have a drive unit, then that will be an additional consideration. You would choose the NAC2 or NAC3 depending on the power consumption of your drive unit.

[Makr0]

Thanks All! Seems pretty straightforward now.

Jerry what’s your website URL?

[ohthetrees]

While correct that the Zeus can act as a controller, I recommend a stand alone controller, for two reasons.

1) If mounted above decks, when rain and spray are really bad, the Zeus touchscreen can start to have phantom touches, and ignore intended touches. I’ve had both happen. Bad when trying to make critical course adjustments.

2) The interface can be a bit confusing. When the boat was new to me, I mistakenly changed course a couple of times when I intended to zoom the map because the autopilot widget was active and had “focus” for adjustment knob.

Because of 1 and 2, I deactivated the Zeus autopilot controller on my above deck Zeus.

[s/v Jedi]

No, I would not recommend the dedicated AP controller at all!

If you only have one Zeus plotter and want a backup, then buy a multifunction Triton display plus Triton AP keypad. This gives you much more options and the small keypad can be installed exactly where you want it near the helm.

[Recy]

[QUOTE=ohthetrees;3477635]While correct that the Zeus can act as a controller, I recommend a stand alone controller, for two reasons.

1) If mounted above decks, when rain and spray are really bad, the Zeus touchscreen can start to have phantom touches, and ignore intended touches. I’ve had both happen. Bad when trying to make critical course adjustments.

On the Zeuss 3 you can lock the touch function and use the key pad.

[noelex 77]

The other option is a wireless control. We use this almost 100% of the time to change course, mode, or to engage/disingage.

[SailingPNW]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

No, I would not recommend the dedicated AP controller at all!

If you only have one Zeus plotter and want a backup, then buy a multifunction Triton display plus Triton AP keypad. This gives you much more options and the small keypad can be installed exactly where you want it near the helm.

I assume your talking about the not getting the wireless AP remote? I would agree while it might be good to have as an extra it's not a replacement for the triton2.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by SailingPNW

I assume your talking about the not getting the wireless AP remote? I would agree while it might be good to have as an extra it's not a replacement for the triton2.

I recommend against the fixed, wired, dedicated control heads for the AP. I have no experience with the wireless remote because I use wifi and the iSailor app to control the AP wirelessly.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

I recommend against the fixed, wired, dedicated control heads for the AP. I have no experience with the wireless remote because I use wifi and the iSailor app to control the AP wirelessly.

I would advance the contrary view. It’s a good idea to have a wired dedicated AP control, even if you have other more sophisticated means of control as well.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

I would advance the contrary view. It’s a good idea to have a wired dedicated AP control, even if you have other more sophisticated means of control as well.

The Triton display plus Triton AP keypad -are- wired controls and can be programmed to be dedicated if one wishes, or also view other info (like the old school control heads also did).

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Neptune's Gear

The Zeus 3 is an Autopilot controller (might be switched off under features), so most common would be a triton 2 pilot system. AP Base pack (Computer, Rudder sensor, and compass) is what's needed, plus a drive unit. The Base Packs come as the NAC2 or NAC3 pack, depending on boat size. Stick with B&G or the Zeus 3 wont drive it. Oh, and the packs now come with the solid state compass, the precision 9. A lot better than the old rate compasses!

Alternatively, if its a high performance boat, an H5000 and pilot might be the go, depending on whats there now. Get advice from your local B&G dealer :-)

Yes. You want the separate keypad if you have space, and an ordinary Triton can be used as the control head display, which is nice to have in addition to the plotter. If - again - you've got space.

You'll need a Navico (Simrad, B&G) pilot computer, but that will control most any hydraulic pump (most of them are anyway stencil branded Hypro units), and you can use either a generic N2K rudder feedback unit or a direct wired one like I have.