Raymarine S1000 installation on a C-Dory 22

maryswensen

I am about to attempt the installation of a S1000 auto pilot, and am hoping that someone has already had the experience.
My major concern rests in the best placement for the pump.
Any advice will be appreciated!

Ed

sportner · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 7:18 pm Post subject:

Last year Peter (Jazzmanic) installed an S1000 on his 22' boat "C-Dancer". I am sure you can find it and others documented by using the search engine or e-mail them for help. The installation went well on our 25' boat and works as advertised but the installation may differ on your 22', good luck.

Sealife · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 7:33 pm Post subject:

The factory installed my ST6001, and with my consultation, intalled the pump out in the cockpit, in the straboard side pocket. The reason is that the pump is a bit noisy to have it in the cabin. I have been totally pleased with the installation.

Jazzmanic · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 7:56 pm Post subject:

Good memory Russ. Thumbs Up

Yes, I did install the S1000 Wireless Autopilot on our CD-22 last year. The installation went very smoothly, I followed the step-by-step instructions to the tee and took my time. Because the hydraulic hoses are short, I was required to install the pump on the inside of the helm where all the wiring is located. The only problem with that location is that the pump can get noisy at times, especially when trolling.

Just a tip: Be sure to take your time filling and bleeding the hydraulic hoses and you won't have any problems with your steering. I've read on other sites that if you don't get all the air our, it causes problems and you'll have to repeat the bleed process all over. So far so good with ours.

Raymarine did a very good job on the instructions, they even provide a CD so that you can visually see the install. Good luck on your project.

Peter
C-Dancer

maryswensen

Peter and all:

Thanks for your advice. We are about to start the installation. The placement of the pump still is not totally resolved. If we install it on the bulkhead in the berth area the hoses do take up space for sleeping. If we install it on the bulkhead in the cabin it seems to fit nicely-but will the sound be a more vexing problem?

Any last thoughts?

Thanks again!

Ed

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 8:57 am Post subject:

It probably won't matter which side of the bulkhead you mount it on as far as the loudness of the noise it makes. On my 25 it on the forward side along with all the wiring. It sounds like a miniature somewhat muted jack hammer every time it corrects its course, which is all the time. On the one hand it is somewhat distracting to be continually hearing it. On the other, you know it is working. When I asked the Raymarine people at the SBS about the constant noise issue they replied, that's what you get in a $1000 auto pilot. I suppose you could dampen the noise with some better dampening rubber washers between it and the mounts and/ or wrap the whole think in foam.

Best Day · Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 5:51 pm Post subject:

I've read on thehulltruth.com that people have wrapped the pump in foam to reduce the noise output. It seams to work well without causing any problems.

Bill

Hunkydory · Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 6:27 pm Post subject:

Like Anna Leigh says, it doesn't make much difference where you mount it for reduced noise. If I remember right it should be mounted as close as possible to the helm. Also I tried the better dampening washers and wrapping in foam. Very little noticeable reduction in noise. Its a fantastic auto pilot for the price especially considering its remote controll away from the helm use availibility. I would prefer it to be noise free, but I couldn't find anything better close to that price.

It made for a much more relaxed and enjoyable cruise on our 2nd about 2000 mile adventure on the Alaska Inland Passage compared to the first of about the same length without it.

Jay

C-Dawg · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 4:14 pm Post subject:

Of those that have installed the S1000, are you using a Raymarine chartplotter and GPS antenna? I've had th AP now for 6 months and still can't get it to work with my Furuno chartplotter. Sad

handybrat · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:45 pm Post subject:

I have my being driven by a Garmin 3010C chartplotter without problems. On the Garmin I had to go into the menu and open the NMEA so that it was outputting to the AP, maybe the same for others.

C-Hawk · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:32 pm Post subject:

flrockytop · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 1:29 am Post subject:

cemiii · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:30 pm Post subject:

I wanted to post my experience (so far) with the S1000. I've read so many good things here (except the noise) I don't want to discourage anyone, and in fact I'm still hoping my experience eventually works out ok too. So, just the facts.

I bought mine new, but online, at Boaters World and saved about $100. I installed it meticulously. I turned it on ....... no pump movement, nothing except the back light on the s100 remote (lcd did not work). Power was 12.9 v at the unit, new batteries, 2 sets on the remote. After several days of back and forth to the Raymarine tech guys and trying to troubleshoot, they said I'd have to remove the unit, repackage and send the whole unit back, preferably in original packing, to NH. I had to pay shipping and full value insurance on the brand new (not working) unit. No return authorization was offered.
14 days passed after the confirmed date of delivery to Ray in NH with no contact. I e-mailed and 2 days later, Raymarine e-mailed me that I needed to contact repairs. After about 20 minutes on hold, a repairman told me they would try to look at it either today or tomorrow and repair it (current backlog was about 2 weeks). I told them it was brand new unit and it should work out of the box or it should just be replaced. I was told no, that's not how it works, and they would call me if it couldn't be repaired. I'm hoping this all works out ok, but I have temporarily scrapped my plans on buying an expensive Ray plotter/ff. So, a couple months since original purchase, I'm just waiting. I have far too many $1000 marine paperweights already.

The real lesson learned here though, is NOT TO BUY THIS STUFF ONLINE especially since someone like Westmarine often matches online pricing and at least you have someplace to take it back.

I'm sure I'll love it when/if it ever works but so far this has been just one more frustrating marine electronics experience. Raymarine service has not been what I had hoped for. Still looking for that bulletproof Marine service provider. Maybe Furuno?

Chris

Jazzmanic · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:56 pm Post subject:

Chris,

Sorry to hear you're having so much problems with Raymarine and your S1000. I guess I was fortunate that ours was literally plug and play.

I hope the problem gets resolved soon.

flapbreaker · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:18 pm Post subject:

I think I would of contacted my credit card company and had them reverse the charges. Sorry to hear about the poor experience.