C 30: Installing Raymarine s 1 Autopilot Help Needed

[Hatislander]

The control unit on our Raymarine (Raytheon) 3000 recently burned out and we just purchased a Raymarine S 1 Wheel Pilot. Directions online suggest installation is simple and can be done by a 10 year old. Planning to install it today we came to a halt because the instructions for fitting the Rudder Position sensor did not make much sense when looking at the rudder controller on our Catalina 30. We would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone who has installed the S 1 Wheel Pilot and learning how and where the various parts were installed. Our boat is a 1985. Thanks.

Alternatively, please send us the recommended "10-year old" for a few days....

Steve and Toni

[camaraderie]

Steve...I'm neither a C30 owner NOR have I installed a wheelpilot but the rudder sensor IS something I've installed since it is the same on all their units.
Pictures would probably help, but very often you have to build or glass in a platform for the sensor to sit on as there is no convenient place to put it otherwise. Thus the 10 year old needs good fiberglass skills! The main things to remember are:
1. make sure the sensor arm and the spot on your quadrant or tiller arm connector are EXACTLY parallel when mounted.
2. Make sure the sensor arm height is the same or very close to the same as the quadrant height.
3. Before you cut the threaded rod to the right length...throw the WHEEL over hard to its' stop point on both sides to insure you have enough thread length to go that far! ....AND the rudder sensor does not travel more than 60 degrees off center.
As I recall...you can also mount the sensor upside down if that helps and simply swap the wires at the controller to make it read "right side up".
Based on #3...you need to carefully plan where you build your little "sensor shelf" before doing anything. Good luck!