Garmin GHC 10 auto pilot with Raymarine drive unit

[artisanmach]

Getting ready to replace my Raymarine st5000+ auto pilot and install a Garmin GHC 10. I am going to use the Raymarine Type 1 M81130 12 VDC Drive unit. has anyone on the forum done this? and are there any problems doing so?

[artisanmach]

Sorry, it's a GHC 10 auto pilot not a GHP 12...

[Freedom45]

Yes, I have done this, no problem, works fantastic. You will have to install a rudder position sensor.

Chuck

[smac999]

the garmin pump has it's own cable which I think is a 4 wire that plugs directly into the pilot box. unlike ray which is a 2 wire (just power) which you can cut and connect.

so I'm not sure how you would do this.

[Boatguy30]

How did you make out with this? did you use a raymarine or garmin rudder sensor. I have a type one also, but no other electronics at the moment. Want the best possible controller within reason for under 2K. Have had problems with some raymarine stuff in the past,mbut drives seem good. also good luck with the S2 course computer so maybe will get a used one of those I'd not the garmin....

[smac999]

the garmin system doesn't use a rudder sensor.

[Boatguy30]

I think the garmin drive has one built in so you have to use one if using a raymarine drive. Anyway, that's what the garmin tech specs suggest.

[Freedom45]

Yes, the Garmin drive has a built in sensor, if you use the Raymarine you need to install a rudder sensor, that is what I did.

Chuck

[Boatguy30]

So you're happy with it? The one nice thing with Raymarine in the past is a lot of there stuff was interchangeable, but now with the EV it is all different. Apparently no rudder angle sensor on the EV which is nice.

[sabray]

Works fine. Garmin control head with linear raymarine drive and raymarine rudder sensor. Yes as said if your not using garmin drive you need the sensor. Mines been great except I have developed an annoying interface issue. The auto pilot compass glitches off by 15 to 30 degrees. In service 2 years just fine and now it pulls this stunt. I updated software etc.. Now I will recalibrate again. Hope that fixes it if not. Well the compass is kaput. The kid at garmin support was not well versed. So a tad disappointed. It still holds a course but the bearing line is whacked. Which can a confusing piece that mentally requires constant compensation. I absolutely hated the wire terminations on the ray marine control head. Maybe they got better. Really hope that this compass crap clears on the next calibration. Anyone else seen this?.

[Boatguy30]

Huh, 2 years seems to be about the max service life if new raymarine stuff and more alarming the time when they come out with a completely new model.

Was that full time cruising use or weekend use?

[sabray]

Weekends and summer cruising. Used almost always while sailing. Still works just the bearing line and compass heading Re off anywhere from 15 to 30 degrees. Hoping that calibration fixes it again for more then 4 hours.