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Author Topic:   Autopilot help

Jessielove posted 09-25-2012 06:08 PM ET (US)
First of all, please excuse me if I am not using the correct terminology with my questions; I don’t have a lot of knowledge with boat steering systems. I am considering the installation of a Garmin GHP 10 autopilot to compliment a Garmin 4208 chartplotter and radar already installed on ’89 whaler 27 with twin Evinrude 225 FICHT.
1) Am I correct to assume all the following constitute an unbalanced steering system: single outboard with one cylinder, twin outboard with one cylinder and a tie bar to second engine, and twin outboard with twin cylinders both mounted in the “same direction”?
2) Am I also correct to assume the following constitutes a balanced system: twin outboards with twin cylinders mounted opposing each other? (I believe this is the setup I am working with)
3) For the purpose of the above described balanced system, how do I determine or calculate the capacity of a balanced twin cylinder steering system? Is it just the fluid capacity at the helm, or do I need to include the capacity of one/both cylinder(s)?
4) Can anyone inform me of the standard steering system likely to be on this ’89 whaler 27 and how to confirm that it is the original and not an updated helm?
I need to correctly identify the installed steering system and determine the total system capacity to determine which pump I will need to purchase. The Garmin GHP10 core pack #010-00705-00 can be paired with a 1.2L pump or a 2.0L pump. Apparently there are some engine hp restrictions also, but at this point a Garmin technician is telling me I need to confirm the helm type and capacity first. Based on all the variables the tech suggests I may need to upgrade to the costlier GHP20, I’m hoping this is not the case as there is $1000 difference between the two units.

jimh posted 09-26-2012 12:58 AM ET (US)
Center-mount hydraulic actuators are balanced; side-mount hydraulic actuators are not balanced, but if two side-mount actuators are used mounted in opposing directions they will act as a balanced actuator.
jimh posted 09-26-2012 01:05 AM ET (US)
GARMIN has just announced a new auto-pilot product. You may want to wait for it to come to market. See
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/003258.html
Jessielove posted 09-26-2012 05:23 PM ET (US)
Using Jim's terminology, I believe this boat has a balanced system consisting of two opposing side-mount actuators.
I assume I need to look at the helm and/or actuators, so how exactly do I determine the brand, type, and capacity for the purpose of autopilot installation? Do I have to take into account the helm and actuator capacity? Do I need to figure in line capacity? Any thoughts you can offer which will help me more intelligently interact with the Garmin rep would be greatly appreciated.
jimh posted 09-26-2012 06:02 PM ET (US)
The term balance refers to the symmetry of the motion of the actuator in either direction for a particular amount of fluid pumped into the actuator. Some actuators are asymmetrical, that is, they move more in one direction than another, owing to a difference in the volume of cylinders. Typically the center mount actuators are symmetrical or balanced; they move the same amount in either direction for the same amount of fluid pumped into them. The side mount actuators are asymmetrical or unbalanced.

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Author	Topic: Autopilot help
Jessielove	posted 09-25-2012 06:08 PM ET (US) First of all, please excuse me if I am not using the correct terminology with my questions; I don’t have a lot of knowledge with boat steering systems. I am considering the installation of a Garmin GHP 10 autopilot to compliment a Garmin 4208 chartplotter and radar already installed on ’89 whaler 27 with twin Evinrude 225 FICHT. 1) Am I correct to assume all the following constitute an unbalanced steering system: single outboard with one cylinder, twin outboard with one cylinder and a tie bar to second engine, and twin outboard with twin cylinders both mounted in the “same direction”? 2) Am I also correct to assume the following constitutes a balanced system: twin outboards with twin cylinders mounted opposing each other? (I believe this is the setup I am working with) 3) For the purpose of the above described balanced system, how do I determine or calculate the capacity of a balanced twin cylinder steering system? Is it just the fluid capacity at the helm, or do I need to include the capacity of one/both cylinder(s)? 4) Can anyone inform me of the standard steering system likely to be on this ’89 whaler 27 and how to confirm that it is the original and not an updated helm? I need to correctly identify the installed steering system and determine the total system capacity to determine which pump I will need to purchase. The Garmin GHP10 core pack #010-00705-00 can be paired with a 1.2L pump or a 2.0L pump. Apparently there are some engine hp restrictions also, but at this point a Garmin technician is telling me I need to confirm the helm type and capacity first. Based on all the variables the tech suggests I may need to upgrade to the costlier GHP20, I’m hoping this is not the case as there is $1000 difference between the two units.
jimh	posted 09-26-2012 12:58 AM ET (US) Center-mount hydraulic actuators are balanced; side-mount hydraulic actuators are not balanced, but if two side-mount actuators are used mounted in opposing directions they will act as a balanced actuator.
jimh	posted 09-26-2012 01:05 AM ET (US) GARMIN has just announced a new auto-pilot product. You may want to wait for it to come to market. See http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum6/HTML/003258.html
Jessielove	posted 09-26-2012 05:23 PM ET (US) Using Jim's terminology, I believe this boat has a balanced system consisting of two opposing side-mount actuators. I assume I need to look at the helm and/or actuators, so how exactly do I determine the brand, type, and capacity for the purpose of autopilot installation? Do I have to take into account the helm and actuator capacity? Do I need to figure in line capacity? Any thoughts you can offer which will help me more intelligently interact with the Garmin rep would be greatly appreciated.
jimh	posted 09-26-2012 06:02 PM ET (US) The term balance refers to the symmetry of the motion of the actuator in either direction for a particular amount of fluid pumped into the actuator. Some actuators are asymmetrical, that is, they move more in one direction than another, owing to a difference in the volume of cylinders. Typically the center mount actuators are symmetrical or balanced; they move the same amount in either direction for the same amount of fluid pumped into them. The side mount actuators are asymmetrical or unbalanced.