The C-Brats Forum Index
HomeForumsMy TopicsCalendarEvent SignupsMemberlistOur C-DorysThe Brat MapPhotos

Reactor 40 auto pilot -- which model works on cdory?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    The C-Brats Forum Index -> Electronics
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
wa500



Joined: 11 Oct 2020
Posts: 61
City/Region: seattle
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Horse
Photos: C-Horse
PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2023 12:13 am    Post subject: Reactor 40 auto pilot -- which model works on cdory? Reply with quote

Has anyone installed a Reactor 40 autopilot into a C-dory 22? If so, which model did you use? They make specimens from $1200 to... $4k. Is the product the same over the years if I end up with a Craigslist special?

Can the Reactor 40 control throttle/trolling speed or is that asking too much?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Avidmagnum12



Joined: 23 Mar 2013
Posts: 668
City/Region: Ocklawaha
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2011
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Otter
Photos: C-Otter
PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2023 8:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here’s the model I used on my CD 25. https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/640235/pn/010-00705-79
One of the best mods I invested in. Colby Smith installed the same one on his 22 and later in his 25. We both installed our own so it can be done if one is mechanically inclined. You do need to have hydraulic steering to start with. My previous 22 had cable steering.

I have a 9.9 kicker in addition to the main engine. We connected the two with a removable rod. That way the AP steers the kicker also. I have a wireless throttle controller for the kicker plus a remote controller for the Reactor 40.

Great for fishing.

The basic kits from Garmin do NOT come with hydraulic pumps or other parts for a complete install. You get what you pay for. I did buy mine with a rebuilt smart pump and saved a bunch of money. Also figure in that you may need a few hundred more $ for odds and ends.

Hope this helps……….

_________________
Tom and Joyce Schulke

2011 CD 25 "C-Otter" 07/2015 to present
2011 CD 25 "My Girl" 06/2015 renamed C-Otter
2004 CD 22 Commuter "Out2C" 03/10 to 06/15
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
colbysmith



Joined: 02 Oct 2011
Posts: 4523
City/Region: Madison
State or Province: WI
C-Dory Year: 2009
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Traveler
Photos: C-Traveler and Midnight-Flyer
PostPosted: Mon May 22, 2023 1:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Can the Reactor 40 control throttle/trolling speed or is that asking too much?


No. It only controls steering. However, Tom has a nice gadget on his kicker that can control it's speed with remote control. Colby
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
jkidd



Joined: 23 Oct 2006
Posts: 1609
City/Region: Northern, Utah
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Voyager
Photos: Voyager (JK)
PostPosted: Mon May 22, 2023 3:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

For throttle control for your kicker this is what I use.

https://www.controllking.com/

_________________
Jody Kidd
KE7WNG
Northern, Utah

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
C-Wolfe



Joined: 16 Sep 2020
Posts: 241
City/Region: Anchorage
State or Province: AK
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Wolfe
Photos: C-Wolfe
PostPosted: Mon May 22, 2023 5:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I install the compact reactor 40 last year, so far I'm very happy with it for the way I use it but it definitely have limitations. I do not use it for fishing but I do use it with the kicker attach to the main, It tend to oversteer at first but it seems to learn and improve after a few minutes, that is with the kicker on a bracket all the way to port going 4-5 mph. It does great with main engines in just about any situation.
_________________
Stephan B.
C-Wolfe 22 C-Dory cruiser 2020- present
No Name; Bayliner explorer 26 2012-2015
sparkle; Ericson 25 CB 2008-2012
Sculpin; Drascombe Drifter 2005-2008
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
wa500



Joined: 11 Oct 2020
Posts: 61
City/Region: seattle
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Horse
Photos: C-Horse
PostPosted: Sat May 27, 2023 12:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What about controlling the throttle on the main? Is it not possible to use the GPS speed (or water speed) to control trolling speed without manual adjustments? Or do you need to start and use the kicker for this?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jkidd



Joined: 23 Oct 2006
Posts: 1609
City/Region: Northern, Utah
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Voyager
Photos: Voyager (JK)
PostPosted: Sat May 27, 2023 2:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You can use the Control King to do it you would just need to make your own brackets to mount the servos. My new Suzuki has Troll control that lets you adjust idle speed by 100 rpm steps. You can also buy Model aircraft servos and control boards and make everything for cheap.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
wa500



Joined: 11 Oct 2020
Posts: 61
City/Region: seattle
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Horse
Photos: C-Horse
PostPosted: Sat May 27, 2023 4:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is there a way to interface that to the reactor 40? The ideal is not only to have control hopefully also from the wireless remote so I can use it as a makeshift cockpit steering station or quickly slow down for a large wake, but also, the ability to maintain a very set speed while trolling based on nema data... Be that gps or water.

My motor is an old Honda 90 so it's just mechanical controls.

The digital control sound awesome but I'm not aware of any way to electronically signal the throttle control to the motor. Seems fairly closed.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jkidd



Joined: 23 Oct 2006
Posts: 1609
City/Region: Northern, Utah
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Voyager
Photos: Voyager (JK)
PostPosted: Sat May 27, 2023 5:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Throttle and steering are two different functions so my guess is that there would be two different controls. They can be at the helm or in the cockpit and hard wired. I had a MFD display in the cockpit for a while and I decided the 22 was to small to bother with it. I stand at the doorway and can see all my displays and control the boat within one or two steps. I guess it just depends on how much your willing to spend to make it work.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    The C-Brats Forum Index -> Electronics All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
     Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum



Page generation time: 0.1128s (PHP: 81% - SQL: 19%) - SQL queries: 28 - GZIP disabled - Debug on