Hydraulic Autopilot Install Question

[funjohnson]

I'm planning on installing a new hydraulic below deck autopilot this winter to replace my ageing Raymarine wheel pilot. Every pump manufactures instruction manual I've read is for existing hydraulic steering, and not for mechanical systems like the Edson on my boat. Having never played with hydraulics before, I'm not too sure on what I need.

I'm looking at an Octopus pump 1012, and Teleflex cylinder with a 9" stroke. Besides hydraulic lines, what else do I need for this system? I think I can add a 1/4" reservoirs to the top of the valve set, but do I need a solenoid? What does the solenoid do?

Also, I need a 9" stroke for my system, but can get a good price on a unit with 11" stroke. Can I just run the cylinder with a 11" stroke (and larger pump) and limit its length with the Simrad computer?

Thanks,

Matt

[Faster]

Are you installing the ram on an existing quadrant? or adding an arm to the rudder stock for it? In either case if you have room to extend the effective length of the 'arm' then an 11" stroke might be made to do the same number of degrees rotation that the 9" would ..

Not a hydraulic expert at all, but I understand links and levers... the solenoid might operate a balancing valve so you can overcome the ram in order to steer manually. Without it you'd be fighting the ram which really wouldn't want to move.

If there's rudder travel feedback in the system you may well be able to limit the stroke of the ram that way too...

[funjohnson]

Faster,

I'm adding a custom tiller arm to the rudder stock. I can extend the length of the arm, but then I run into a clearance issue with the LPG storage lazarette. It's pretty tight around the quadrant.

Oh yeah, I will have rudder feedback. I have searched about every available marine site, but cannot find the solenoid valves. Any ideas where to buy one?

[Faster]

From the Octopus site this seems to be the configuration you need... there's a good description in the top paragraph. They should be able to provide one...

Canada Metal - Octopus Hydraulic Linear Actuator

Good luck!

[funjohnson]

Awesome Faster! That is exactly the info I was looking for. Now I just need to find where I can buy the solenoid by itself.

[btrayfors]

I installed a complete W-H autopilot on my boat a few years ago.

On these two pages are all of the component parts of that system. Click twice on each pic for full resolution.

May give you a few ideas.

New W-H P-3C Autopilot

New W-H P-3C Autopilot

Good luck,

Bill

[funjohnson]

Thanks for the photos Bill. I just sent a request for more info from Octopus... I'll see where they say I can buy the bypass valve.