mount for autohelm control box-help

[larry mace]

I need some thoughts on mounting the control box for an autohelm 3000.I would like to mount it to the stern pulpit but need some ideas on how to attach the braket. I have thought about the cockpit but do not like the cabin house location and the space from the wheel to the aft locker is somewhat tight.
larry mace
cd 33



lmace@gt.com

[Chris Reinke]

LARRY - My Autohelm control box is mounted in the cockpit just below the port locker, adjacent to the wheel. This allowed me a flat mounting surface and the wheel overhang protects the box from getting kicked or knocked. Most folks step over the seat to get around the wheel and thus over the control box. My power plug is located in the bulkhead next to the engine control panel. This configuration allows me easy access while underway and the cables are not obstructing my safe movements around the cockpit.

I need some thoughts on mounting the control box for an autohelm 3000.I would like to mount it to the stern pulpit but need some ideas on how to attach the braket. I have thought about the cockpit but do not like the cabin house location and the space from the wheel to the aft locker is somewhat tight.
larry mace
cd 33

[larry mace]

Chris- For some reason I am under the impression that the control box should be mounted fore or aft due to the compass. I guess that as long as it is a fixed mount position does not matter. Am I correct? What model do you have?
Thanks,
larry

LARRY - My Autohelm control box is mounted in the cockpit just below the port locker, adjacent to the wheel. This allowed me a flat mounting surface and the wheel overhang protects the box from getting kicked or knocked. Most folks step over the seat to get around the wheel and thus over the control box. My power plug is located in the bulkhead next to the engine control panel. This configuration allows me easy access while underway and the cables are not obstructing my safe movements around the cockpit.

I need some thoughts on mounting the control box for an autohelm 3000.I would like to mount it to the stern pulpit but need some ideas on how to attach the braket. I have thought about the cockpit but do not like the cabin house location and the space from the wheel to the aft locker is somewhat tight.
larry mace
cd 33

lmace@gt.com

[Larry DeMers]

Larry,

If you have the older 3000 (as I have), you are right..it has to be aligned with the front of the box facing forward, and 3 ft. away from any metallic material in the boat. The give-away is if this is the only unit (besides the motor drive itself), and it does not have a display, then the fluuxgate compass is located within the box..and must be mounted as described above.

Know however, that there is a newer version of the 3000, that apparently separates the fluxgate compass from the logic and display.
The remote fluxgate then is mounted facing fore-aft, while the display can be mounted off to the side, as Chris mentioned.

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

Chris- For some reason I am under the impression that the control box should be mounted fore or aft due to the compass. I guess that as long as it is a fixed mount position does not matter. Am I correct? What model do you have?
Thanks,
larry

LARRY - My Autohelm control box is mounted in the cockpit just below the port locker, adjacent to the wheel. This allowed me a flat mounting surface and the wheel overhang protects the box from getting kicked or knocked. Most folks step over the seat to get around the wheel and thus over the control box. My power plug is located in the bulkhead next to the engine control panel. This configuration allows me easy access while underway and the cables are not obstructing my safe movements around the cockpit.

I need some thoughts on mounting the control box for an autohelm 3000.I would like to mount it to the stern pulpit but need some ideas on how to attach the braket. I have thought about the cockpit but do not like the cabin house location and the space from the wheel to the aft locker is somewhat tight.
larry mace
cd 33

demers@sgi.com

[larry mace]

Larry,

I have the older version. I note that you mentioned that it must be 3 feet from metal which I did not see in the manual.Is this correct? The manual only mentioned the compass. I think this would limit my mount to below the aft locker.
Thanks,
Larry Mace


Larry,

If you have the older 3000 (as I have), you are right..it has to be aligned with the front of the box facing forward, and 3 ft. away from any metallic material in the boat. The give-away is if this is the only unit (besides the motor drive itself), and it does not have a display, then the fluuxgate compass is located within the box..and must be mounted as described above.

Know however, that there is a newer version of the 3000, that apparently separates the fluxgate compass from the logic and display.
The remote fluxgate then is mounted facing fore-aft, while the display can be mounted off to the side, as Chris mentioned.

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

Chris- For some reason I am under the impression that the control box should be mounted fore or aft due to the compass. I guess that as long as it is a fixed mount position does not matter. Am I correct? What model do you have?
Thanks,
larry

LARRY - My Autohelm control box is mounted in the cockpit just below the port locker, adjacent to the wheel. This allowed me a flat mounting surface and the wheel overhang protects the box from getting kicked or knocked. Most folks step over the seat to get around the wheel and thus over the control box. My power plug is located in the bulkhead next to the engine control panel. This configuration allows me easy access while underway and the cables are not obstructing my safe movements around the cockpit.

lmace@gt.com

[Chris]

Larry - I would suggest you contact Raytheon at www.raymarine.com to ascertain how you need to mount your specific model. They were very helpful when I was looking for guidance in mounting my radar unit.

Good Luck,
CR

I need some thoughts on mounting the control box for an autohelm 3000.I would like to mount it to the stern pulpit but need some ideas on how to attach the braket. I have thought about the cockpit but do not like the cabin house location and the space from the wheel to the aft locker is somewhat tight.
larry mace
cd 33

[Tom]

I need some thoughts on mounting the control box for an autohelm 3000.I would like to mount it to the stern pulpit but need some ideas on how to attach the braket. I have thought about the cockpit but do not like the cabin house location and the space from the wheel to the aft locker is somewhat tight.
larry mace
cd 33

Larry, Mine is mounted on the starboard side on the part of the cockpit that is the forward section of the "T". This means it is mounted at sort of a 45 degree to the lubber's line just forward of the control panel. It came that way when I bought the boat, but has always worked fine. You can see the buttons and lights standing at the helm while you watch the compass and being right handed it's easy to reach down and make corrections. I took two stainless bars and bent them to accept the unit then screwed them to the cockpit wall. The unit slides in and out easily and is stored below except when in use. I've got the older version too.



TomCambria@mindspring.com

[Michael Stephano]

Yesterday I received my ST-3000 and installed it. I mounted the control head to the right of the companion way under the dodger. I looked but did not find any info in the manual about mounting the control head and mounted it fore and aft assuming that the compass would read correctly from that position. Am I to understand that I could have mounted it port / strbd? Also as a result the power cable is woven around the cockpit when in use, and I foresee tripping problems. I mounted the drive on the port locker and because of my wheel it is on quite an angle. I think I will buid a step/box to protect it and ankles from damage. The installation was on a CD 30 Ketch. Anyone else have any input on this installation?



mundo@visi.net

[Chris Reinke (CD330 Innis]

Larry - I put your question to Ratheon's technical support team and they have replied with the following:

Quote
Dear Chris,

Thank You for your interest in the Raytheon Product line.
The Product Support Department is always here to
answer your technical questions, either through email or through
our product help line (1-800-539-5539ext 2131).

It can be mounted in any direction.

Regards,
John Wyant
Product Support Specialist

Raytheon
676 Island Pond Rd.
Manchester, NH 03109

Unquote

I hope this assists,
Chris

Larry - I would suggest you contact Raytheon at www.raymarine.com to ascertain how you need to mount your specific model. They were very helpful when I was looking for guidance in mounting my radar unit.

Good Luck,
CR

I need some thoughts on mounting the control box for an autohelm 3000.I would like to mount it to the stern pulpit but need some ideas on how to attach the braket. I have thought about the cockpit but do not like the cabin house location and the space from the wheel to the aft locker is somewhat tight.
larry mace
cd 33

chris.reinke@transamerica.com

[Bill Cahill]

Larry, My old 3000 takes the boat in circles to port. Someone down the dock commented that it had to be mounted flat (horizontal) not vertically. Mine is mounted vertically on the port side splash board. I'm unclear from your post what "box facing forwards" means. Could you please help me to understand this. I'd love to fix my autopilot.

Thanks,
Bill Cahill
CD-36 #70
Galavant
New Orleans

Larry,

If you have the older 3000 (as I have), you are right..it has to be aligned with the front of the box facing forward, and 3 ft. away from any metallic material in the boat. The give-away is if this is the only unit (besides the motor drive itself), and it does not have a display, then the fluuxgate compass is located within the box..and must be mounted as described above.

Know however, that there is a newer version of the 3000, that apparently separates the fluxgate compass from the logic and display.
The remote fluxgate then is mounted facing fore-aft, while the display can be mounted off to the side, as Chris mentioned.

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

Chris- For some reason I am under the impression that the control box should be mounted fore or aft due to the compass. I guess that as long as it is a fixed mount position does not matter. Am I correct? What model do you have?
Thanks,
larry

LARRY - My Autohelm control box is mounted in the cockpit just below the port locker, adjacent to the wheel. This allowed me a flat mounting surface and the wheel overhang protects the box from getting kicked or knocked. Most folks step over the seat to get around the wheel and thus over the control box. My power plug is located in the bulkhead next to the engine control panel. This configuration allows me easy access while underway and the cables are not obstructing my safe movements around the cockpit.

bcahill@loyno.edu