Location of autopilot components

kennharriet · Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 12:09 pm Post subject: Location of autopilot components

I just ordered a Garmin Reactor 40 auto pilot. I’m researching the installation and it seems the space available on Lochsa will make it challenging. Where are others placing the components, particularly the pump? Any pics also appreciated. Thanks in advance. Ken

DayBreak · Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 12:25 pm Post subject:

Hi Ken,

Take a look at the photos of all AP components in our photo album under Customizations and Additions. Rogers Marine in Portland did all the work and all items are installed nicely in out-of-the-way places. The Pump is located on the Starboard side, cabin / cockpit bulkhead and I cannot hear it while in use.

colbysmith · Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 12:36 pm Post subject:

Hey Ken,
Look at the embedded album of Midnight Flyer for my Garmin autopilot install on it. http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album2925&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php I placed the pump in the V-Berth, just in front of the helm bulkhead. The compass unit underneath the center dash, and the controlling head on the bulkhead just left of the helm. I put the shadow drive on the cabin wall next to the throttle. I moved this system to my 25, and installed the pump on the back bulkhead under the sink. The shadow drive is also installed on the starboard hull under the sink, but doesn't work very well, and if it did, I'd prefer the boat return to course or heading selected afterwards, so I have disabled it. (The shadow drive works when you turn the helm in an emergency, but cutting out the autopilot, but once you maintain a heading, the autopilot connects to that heading. With or without the shadow drive you can still turn the boat in an emergency, but the autopilot will continually try to correct back to the heading or course you were on until you select standby. I prefer the boat go back on selected heading or course after I steer around a log or obstruction...)Colby

kennharriet · Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 4:14 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys. Nice installs and some great ideas🙂

jkidd · Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 10:14 pm Post subject:

My pump and control is under the captains seat and the compass is in the v birth inside where the foam floatation would be. I installed a 4” deck plate to put it in there. There are pictures in my album. Oh and the shadow drive sensor is by the throttle.

SounderSolutions · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 3:30 pm Post subject: Reactor 40

I installed one recently on my TC. Best advice I have for you is to put the CCU as far forward as and as close to the waterline and centerline as possible. I put mine under the berth stbd side near centerline. The original location was on the waterline at the pivot point. Big difference in how the steering reacts compared to the more forward and centerline position.
Plan ahead to order the CCU extension cable. I was only able to get to the pivot point with the included cable length. Build from the kicker forward to make sure you have plenty of cable for the other components, steering tube to ECU, ECU to GHD, ECU to CCU and ECU to NMEA 2000.

For the throttle control, it warns you not to have any other part of the sensing wire in contact with the spark plug wire. Believe it. I thought I was far enough away from the plug and zip-tied the remaining wire to the plug wire. Causes the throttle control to fail at the most inopportune times.

Other than those lessons learned on the install, I really like the unit so far.

SounderSolutions · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 3:31 pm Post subject: Reactor 40

I installed one recently on my TC. Best advice I have for you is to put the CCU as far forward as and as close to the waterline and centerline as possible. I put mine under the berth stbd side near centerline. The original location was on the waterline at the pivot point. Big difference in how the steering reacts compared to the more forward and centerline position.
Plan ahead to order the CCU extension cable. I was only able to get to the pivot point with the included cable length. Build from the kicker forward to make sure you have plenty of cable for the other components, steering tube to ECU, ECU to GHD, ECU to CCU and ECU to NMEA 2000.

For the throttle control, it warns you not to have any other part of the sensing wire in contact with the spark plug wire. Believe it. I thought I was far enough away from the plug and zip-tied the remaining wire to the plug wire. Causes the throttle control to fail at the most inopportune times.

Other than those lessons learned on the install, I really like the unit so far.

kennharriet · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 5:01 pm Post subject:

Sounder- For clarification, I am not sure what is meant by the boats pivot point@?

itiming · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 5:10 pm Post subject:

I found these two video's helpful. Showing an install on a pilot house Parker boat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88Qy6SoNOok

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7ymEvjlIuc

Which pump did you decide on? I am also looking to add auto-pilot and wonder if the 1.2 liter pump is enough. (have twin 40 hp w an 8.34 oz SeaStar single cylinder)?

colbysmith · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 5:39 pm Post subject:

Chuck, the options with Garmin's smart pump are expensive, but well worth it. I initially had the cheapest Raymarine unit, on my 22, but that couldn't hold a course on anything but flat smooth water with no wind. The smart pump can troll backwards on a track if you want it too! Colby

kennharriet · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 6:09 pm Post subject:

Chuck, I was considering the 1.0 l pump. I talked to a couple different Garmin tech reps that recommended the 1.2 l pump that I purchased. They advised that it should do everything wanted on a 22’ slow or fast in rough water so hopefully that was a good choice.

jkidd · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 6:35 pm Post subject:

My 22 has the 1.2 liter pump I haven’t found any issues.

colbysmith · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 10:47 pm Post subject:

I just found what my first system was. It was the RayMarine ACU 100, and only had a .5L pump. That pump ended up being worthless. My guess is that the 1.2L would suffice. None the less, Garmin's Smart Pump does a great job with it's variable flow rate. Colby

SounderSolutions · Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2022 11:01 am Post subject:

kennharriet · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2022 6:37 pm Post subject:

Can any of you tell me what components you used from the pump to “
T” into the hydraulic steering tubing. I have Baystar hydraulic steering. I had some custom hose made up from the Garmin pump which is 5 ORB to a “T”. I am having trouble finding the correct compression fitting to use between the “T” and the Baystar tubing which is 3/8” OD. Any of the compression fittings I can find have a nipple in the fitting that is too large to fit inside the
Baystar tubing, even though the feral and nut fit the outside. Thanks again in advance. Ken