Auto pilot

[bob daily]

For those of us at the shallow end of the pond, ie: mechanical steering and not wanting to retrofit with hydraulic steering. Has any one installed a OCTOPUS-HELM Drive for the auto pilot? I'm looking for my winter project and would like to install a Garmin Reactor 40 mechanical autopilot. Due to the lack of space on board a R-21 this looked like the perfect solution. Would like to get feedback from anyone that has used this system. Thank you. Bob

 

[lproulx]

I'm confused (not an unusual situation for me) I tried looking up the Garmin autopilot and it seems that it does not come with any type of drive unit, but is intended to control hydraulic steering systems. I tried Googling Octopus helm, and got no pertinent matches.

Having said that, and this not being what you asked about nt your post, I have a 21EC with a Raymarine Smart Pilot autopilot. It works really well in the 21EC. The unique feature is that is has a mechanical drive unit that mounts on the Helm shaft that the wheel is normally attached to. The wheel is attached to a stub shaft that protrudes from the drive unit.

I think they don't make these anymore, but it's possible you could find one as old new stock somewhere. It would be worth it, because I think the options for a boat like the 21EC are very limited. The unit is quite sophisticated. It has a rudder position transducer, and there is also a commissioning routine that allows the unit to learn the boat's steering characteristics. I have pictures of the setup and would be happy to talk more about it by PM.

Larry

 

[misinger]

Call Garmin as they are very helpful over the phone.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[bob daily]

I should of been a little bit more specific, the drive unit I'm looking at is mounted behind the dash and replaces the standard manual helm. Then the Garmin auto pilot is hooked up to it! I did call Garmin and they weren't much help since it was not a Garmin product. This helm will hook up to any auto pilot via a NMEA-2000. There web site is octopusdrivers.com Bob

 

[Fisho]

My Lowrance autopilot on my 21 EC works a treat. Readily available. Very reliable and easy to fit behind dash. Designed for cable steering. Also have it connected by Bluetooth to a button controller meaning you can sit in rear of boat and steer. Following a predetermined track also good - very relaxing. See previous posts for more details.

 

[bob daily]

Fisho, from what I understand the lorance cable autopilot uses the octopus helm unit, so the information you provided is what I was looking for. I'm going with Garmin so it will tie in th my gps.
Thanks bob

 

[rdwilson]

I did this earlier this year to mine. searched around for a new old stock or used Raymarine as it would have been nice and easy but ended up going with the Octopus and Garmin mechanical setup.

Some of the main things that are nice to know before you start is that the shaft length for the Octopus is not as long as the Uflex. I couldn't find a reliable source for the 20 degree mounting adapter from Octopus so i bought a Uflex version. The Uflex mounting holes for the drive unit force you to mount the unit a tiny bit off (I think it was clockwise) buits not an issue. The Uflex 20 degree inside hole was also a tiny bit smaller so the Octopus drive unit wouldn't fit in it. i just took a stepper bit and made the whole the same size as the flush plate that the drive unit came with. The other big thing with the drive unit was dealing with the shorter shaft. I bought spacers to move the unit as far forward as possible (trying to get pics uploaded to my gallery to make this all easier to see)

Let me know if you have any other questions. Just tried to throw the main things i remember that were important down to get started.

I think the below list includes all the main things i bought to get it going.

010-00705-48 Garmin AP
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GT ... UTF8&psc=1

010-11533-00 Actuator Power Cable for GHP 12
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0047 ... UTF8&psc=1

010-11532-00 Rudder Feedback Cable for GHP 12
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0047 ... UTF8&psc=1

OCTOC15SUK27E Octopus Rudder Feed Back Potentiometer Module - Garmin, Furuno, Navman & T.M.Q. Kit
https://www.hodgesmarine.com/octoc15suk ... e--ga.html

Oc15suk08 Octopus Autopilot Drives Steering Cable Adapter Kit F/tfx Ssc62 & Uflex M66 Oc15suk08 by Octopus Autopilot Drives
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018A ... UTF8&psc=1

B0000AQQSK (might be the part number) Uflex X35 Mounting Bezel, 20° Mount / Black
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000 ... UTF8&psc=1

 

[bob daily]

Pdwilson, thank you for the information and parts list! Ill be mounting mine at the aft. Helm station that I have so will be easier and no need for spacers. I see you live down the creek from me, hopefully will see you on the water sometime. Thanks Bob