Installing Raymarine SmartPilot SPX5-R + p70R on R-21EC

[baz]

Subject: Installing Raymarine SmartPilot SPX5-R + p70R on R-21EC

I had entered a fair bit of information about this Raymarine SmartPilot SPX5-R product in the following post.

http://www.tugnuts.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6431&start=30

Today, I received this Raymarine SmartPilot SPX5-R + p70R and now I'm contemplating it's installation on my new R-21EC 2016 which I should have in about a months time. I therefore thought it best to post a new thread to capture what experiences I will have installing, setting up and operating this AP.

First off, every thing I had purchased via eBay from Marine General, 1501 London Road, Duluth, MN 55812 - http://www.marinegeneral.com/ was present and in a much larger box than I had anticipated. The box measured some 22"x22"x18" presumable to accommodate the box the Raymarine SmartPilot SPX5-R kit was in, as well as the p70R box.

My first impression of the SPX5-R steering wheel drive was one of amazement..why ? Well, from the photos I had been studying of this AP kit gave me the impression the drive component was quite small dimensionally. However, this wasn't so. It's big (8" tall, 5" wide and 2" thick) and I can see why it will move the stock steering wheel out some 3 inches. It's a very solid unit, and it not only looks solid but is also quite heavy to hold. It simply feels good quality simply holding it. 🙂

The p70R Control Head also gave me a slight surprise as I thought it was a unit that stood up on the dash much like the Garmin 741XS does. In fact, it's a flush mount type. Because of this I suspect it cannot be flush mounted on the vertical dash to one side of the wheel... but dunno about this until I see the dash layout on the R-21EC. If there's insufficient space on the vertical dash I'll have to construct a holder for the p70R and mount it on top of the dashboard alongside the 741XS.

If any R-21EC owner has the Raymarine SmartPilot SPX5-R installed where was the Control Head such as the p70R located ?

As I install this Raymarine SmartPilot SPX5-R + p70R I will update this posting with my thoughts and some photos.

If any R-21EC owner has this AP already installed I'd like for them to post their experiences both good and bad... Thank you. 🙂

 

[SGIDAVE]

Hello Barry,

I have the Ev200 AP by RM which uses the same wheel drive and p70r interface. I mounted my p70r between the Garmin 720 and the STB window frame on a RAM mount. The 'r' at the end of the piece's name indicates 'rotary' which will be how you steer your 21EC thereafter. So, you'll want the p70r located in a location which is EASILY accessed. For me, that is with my right hand. The RAM mount works well because it allows movement of the display; and complete removal when I need to do major work on the dash or associated mfd/s. Just pull the N2K (Seatalkng) cable and it's free to be set aside. It has no other wires. This works better for me than a more permanent 'panel' type of mount.

And to facilitate the installation of the AP, and probably other accessories, I'd suggest you ask the factory to:

-Locate the thruster joystick control down on the console by the throttle...forward of it preferably. This would put the joystick where your hand will naturally reside rather than the unhandy location of the dash. Secondly, the dash is PRIME and PRECIOUS real estate...don't clutter it up with the joystick cuz your Garmin 741 and p70r need to live there plus whatever else you realize you need later.

-Move the fuel guage to the LEFT side of the steering wheel. Again, the factory places it on the right side of the wheel in PRIME/PRECIOUS dash board real estate. The wiper switches need to be mounted as far lateral on the right as possible SO THE OPERATOR DOESN'T HAVE TO REACH THROUGH OR CONTORT THEMSELVES around THE WHEEL TO OPERATE THE SWITCHES. I'm aware all caps is perceived as shouting but after using my 21EC for 2 years it becomes obvious there is a better way to lay things out. Anyway, put the fuel guage on the LEFT of the wheel, relocate the wiper switches to where the fuel guage is presently stuck.

These are points which illustrate the difference between "what works" and "what works WELL."

I remounted the wheel hardware such that I regained at least 2" and my wheel drive doesn't push the wheel aft much at all. The factory has posted on Tugnuts before that a sliding helm seat was standard with installation of an AP, so maybe ask if they can set you up with one of those to deal with possible loss of leg room. I'm 5' 10" and I don't have a problem, but I think the first owner of my boat moved the seat BACK an inch or two (i.e., it appears the hinges have been moved aft-ward).

Wheel hardware was remounted like this:

The steering bracket was initially mounted on the FRONT (or, AFT surface of the 'dash'), so I moved it to the forward surface of the 'dash' but then got the idea, since there is plenty of steering shaft length, to add 'shims' under the bracket's feet to cause it to be further 'set back' (or, moved forward, away from the operator). The 'shims' are scraps of 3/4" plywood. On the forward side of the 'dash' there is nice teak trim which goes around the little 'dash.' I carefully trimmed away the part of the trim where the RM wheel drive would 'hit' against it which allowed the wheel drive to sit a little further forward and out of the way.

This will make more sense when you hold your wheel drive in position on the tug's steering shaft.

I mounted the course computer on the STB wall of the portapottie cubby under the bunk. Behind the fridge will work, but getting at it for...whatever, will be more of a hassle. The fridge comes out with 4 screws and there's enough wire slack such that you can take it out of it's mounting, easily unplug the wires, then move it 'away.' It barely fits through the pilot house door, so it is logistically a hassle to put it somewhere while you fiddle behind the fridge. Your choice, but for me, I wanted easier access to the course computer.

I would mount the flux gate compass with just one or two screws, then go through the set up and sea trials. After you have convinced yourself that it wall works properly, then complete final mounting of the compass. I had to move mine after the initial sea trial but mine is the EV series pilot...I think the cylindrical-shaped black compass you have is probably less susceptible to magnetic interference than my EV series compass.

It will be a fun project. The AP is an upgrade you will use EVERY time you use your boat and it will increase your enjoyment of the trip!

dave

 

[baz]

Dave: Thanks very much for your time in replying with all the very useful info and insights.

I'm working closely with Andrew Custis as the R-21EC is being assembled. The assembly starts Aug 12th and should be completed Aug 25-31 sometime.

Andrew is very particular about where things should be located and he also likes for things to be tidy and out of sight. This is why he suggested mounting the Course Computer behind the Frig. This has been the traditional place for it when RT was able to obtain the SmartPilot and have it installed in the factory. As you say, the Frig is easily removed and I do take note that it barley fits through the Pilot House doorway to be out of the way when installing things behind it.

I will ask about having the bow thruster toggle switch placed forward of the throttle. This is where it used to be but now for some reason unknown to me it's now placed on top of the dash to the right of the Garmin MFD. I agree, I'd much rather have the p70R to the right of the Garmin MFD as I am right handed and it makes sense for the p70R to be where the thruster toggle is at this time. It would be far more visible in that location as well rather than flush mounted to left of the steering wheel.

I will ask Andrew why the thruster toggle switch was relocated from in front of the engine throttle lever to the top and right side of the Garmin MFD. Looking at the current R-21EC Virtual tour I see there's little room in front of the engine throttle lever for the thruster toggle switch. Also the 12v Cig lighter receptacle is now on the forward facing area of the throttle lever's ledge making it more accessible to the starboard V-berth area rather than being way over to stern of the Fusion radio or is that the iPod/Aux receptacle ? Also, it does seem there's room to starboard of the top mounted thruster toggle switch to allow installing the p70R there.

Andrew is very helpful and I'm sure we can work out something that's right for the customer. 😉

As an aside, do you trailer your R-21EC ? If you do what height above ground level do you have the 2" ball set to on your towing vehicle. Andrew tells it should be between 20 and 22" high. I've just had a Class III CURT hitch installed on my auto and the installers insisted on giving be a ball height of 18" as they say this is the proper height for a single axle EZ-Loader trailer. I will goto to the Kent factory next week and see how the 18" high ball works. If it's not correct the hitch installer has indicated they will simply swap out the 18" for a 20"-22" one. The height measurement is from the ground level to the top of the 2" ball.

 

[SGIDAVE]

As an aside, do you trailer your R-21EC ? If you do what height above ground level do you have the 2" ball set to on your towing vehicle. Andrew tells it should be between 20 and 22" high. I've just had a Class III CURT hitch installed on my auto and the installers insisted on giving be a ball height of 18" as they say this is the proper height for a single axle EZ-Loader trailer. I will goto to the Kent factory next week and see how the 18" high ball works. If it's not correct the hitch installer has indicated they will simply swap out the 18" for a 20"-22" one. The height measurement is from the ground level to the top of the 2" ball.

Hello Barry,

Yes, I trailer my 21EC. I've got an aluminum Float On brand single axle trailer. I tow it with a regular 1/2 ton pickup. I have the ball set at 22" to the top of the 2" ball. I would say 20-22" ball height is about right, depending upon how you have your boat sitting on the trailer.

dave

 

[baz]

I took my p70R and Course Computer down to S3 Maritime LLC next to Fishermen's Terminal today. They are a Raymarine listed systems/service/support business center. They will perform the software updates for me over next day or two. They did tell me it was better for me to have brought the items to them for software updates as in the past they have sent some of their Raymarine customer's stuff to Raymarine Service Center, 9 Townsend West, Nashua, NH 03063 for software updates and Raymarine kept the stuff for far too long which frustrated the customer(s).

One can send stuff to Raymarine Service Center and they will perform the software updates for free but you have to pay the round trip S&H.

So with these updates to latest software version I should be all ready to install the SmartPilot SPX5-R & p70R.

The latest software version for the p70R is v2.17. Currently, my p70R is at v1.06.... so quite a difference.

BTW... I've exchanged the hitch's 2" ball from being 18" to 21" above ground level. 🙂

 

[baz]

I had my p70R and X5 Course Computer updated with latest software at my local Raymarine S3 Maritime, LLC service center here in Seattle.

The technician stated in a note left for me...

• Course Computer updated to v3.05 and Boot Loader 1.01
  p70R updated to v2.17

 

[baz]

I went down to the Ranger Tug Kent factory to take photos of our new Laxey R-21EC (Ranger Gray) being assembled.

The interior hull and basic Pilot House stuff was nicely exposed for me taking photos of things that eventually will be hidden or almost hidden when the Pilot House top is attached.

Some points I observed...

1) Thruster toggle is on the shelf immeditaley astern of the engine throttle lever.
2) Sink faucet folds flat and is a much more modern design.
3) The Garmin 741XS MFD takes up most of the width of the helm shelf.
4) BTW... Wires do actually run down inside the 'stripper pole'... :lol:
5) Fuel vent hose is traditionally taped to the top of the fuel tank as it traverses across from port to starboard. Andrew stated this was incorrect and should be untaped and shorten so that the hose makes a gentle climb up from port side of the fuel tank to the starboard vent... will be taken care of.
6) Discussed where to place the Raymarine SmartPilot's p70R Control Head... we decided on moving the searchlight controller from its starboard position to the same spot on the port side, and this will allow space to flush mount the p70R. This is a great location, easy to reach and will have a great viewing angle.
7) I didn't realize the holding tank was located centrally and immediately behind the Marine Head. The earlier display providing holding tank fill level is no longer installed due to Ranger changing vendors. I guess lifting the port side V-berth cushion will be my way of checking the level... much like I had to do on my R-25 (Classic) via opening the engine hatch and rocking the boat. 😉
8) I decided I need the sliding helm seat as my right knee was touching the wheel and there's little room to move my right knee further to starboard because the shelf with engine throttle stops this movement. This also means I will be sitting some 3" higher up as the seat has to be high enough to clear the shelf behind it.
9) The radar dome is much larger than I had envisioned... Andrew mentioned it had a range of some 36 miles.
10) The Ranger Gray is awesome BTW. 😀
11) I didn't realize the hull bow's portion is simulated planking. 😱
12) The swim platform and it's attachment to the transom is solid and overall VERY sturdy.
13) We chatted about how the Raymarine SmartPilot will be installed etc. Being at the factory and actually having the SmartPilot kit with me, and discussing all the install details it made a lot of sense to simply have Ranger install it all for me as part of the assembly/build. The Course Computer will be installed on starboard side of the V-berth's storage space. Factory will glue a board in there for the Course Computer to mount. This is much better than having it behind the refrigerator and much easier to access for any maintenance such as software upgrades. The Fluxgate Compass will be located on the boat's centerline as low as is possible on backside of the Marine Head's bulkhead; that is, between the bulkhead and the holding tank. The p70R will be located where the current starboard side search light controller is. The search light controller will be relocated to the port side in same position as it was on starboard side. Ranger has installed many of these SmartPilots so I feel well taken care of and expect a professional and tidy install.
14) With Kenny looking on, I practiced some hooking up to a new R-21EC on a trailer in the parking lot to checkout my hitch assembly's tow ball height (21" from ground level to top of the ball), wiring and how well my Volvo handled pulling and maneuvering the EZ-Loader trailer... BTW... awesome looking trailer and well built.
15) Checking the EZ-Loader trailer with an R-21EC on it I see no issues with a Marina slipping the launch sling straps under the hull.
16) Discussed delivery options with Kenny and we agreed to meet up at the Port of Edmonds Aug 19th for the "Factory Experience". If it's relatively calm I will calibrate the Fluxgate Compass during this 'experience' 😎

My 1st mate Gill was with me and she liked all aspects of this Ranger Gray R-21EC.

Boat's name and registration numbers should get applied by end of this week.

The only thing left to learn about is the best practices for launching and retrieving the R-21EC at the boat launch ramp(s). Kenny indicated for him the best approach was placing the trailer into the water up to the leading edge of the front bunks, grab a line and float the boat out gradually as there will be some friction remaining between the front bunks and the hull. Using this procedure means my auto's rear wheels will not be in the water...