Anyone have info on Autopilots ?

Riptide III said:
Because, behind that is room and that is where the autopilot pump can be mounted (to the right of your leg when seated at the helm). It is a dry area. Everything close by. Short run to the helm for third hose and wire run etc. The control unit can be mounted under the companion seat. The companion seat is centerline of the boat. Close enough for the wires to reach and far enough from he pump and mechanicals. I understand a picture is worth a thousand words. I am working on my friend to get them.
Click to expand...

That's what I thought after I wrote it. I have my NMEA system back there. That's an idea I guess. Space wise it would be much easier in the engine comp for me. The pump has a nice mount right behind the versalift muffler. The run for the return would be easier, longer yes, but I wouldn't have to remove any of the lines behind the dash. That whole area is tight for me to work in. Now , yes it's a dry area but I do keep my engine compartment dry as possible. Do you think putting the ECU in the engine comp would be a problem? The manual show it there.
Untitled.png
FullSizeRender.jpg
 
It is always best to install the hydraulic pump as close to the steering actuator as possible. The ECU (Garmin) needs to be within 19 inches (if I remember correctly) of the drive pump. There should be no issues installing the ECU in the engine compartment; all of the connectors are sealed. I think you will also find those components are rated (explosion proof) for installation in a gasoline engine compartment.
The hardest part from my experiences is routing that third return hose.... I've done three of these Garmin AP installations; some are relative easy (my 52DB) but some like on my 400DA that didn't originally have an AP were a a real challenge..
 
Last edited:
It is becoming obvious there are more than one way to do it. I am describing the way I did it on my 400DA and my friend did it on his 2004 340. Mount the pump in the engine room if you wish however there is a picture in one of these two threads with the pump in the engine room not oriented correctly according to the Garmin instructions. You may want to pay attention to that.
 
Riptide III said:
Mount the pump in the engine room if you wish however there is a picture in one of these two threads with the pump in the engine room not oriented correctly according to the Garmin instructions. You may want to pay attention to that.
Click to expand...
Riptide - I think this is what you might be referencing - if so this Smartpump orientation is ok and is "horizontal". The instructions were a bit unclear to me as to what horizontal means so I verified with Garmin Tech before locating. Essentially, they don't want the motor above the hydraulic ports (vertical) as than makes the system more difficult to purge the air out. Besides their caution on vertical mounting I wouldn't mount horizontally upside down as that seems to me difficult to purge also. Their installation videos are not that good either. There were no issues purging the system on this install. All I can go by here is what the tech support said. BTW tech support for certified installers (which I'm not) is different and much better than for John Q; I was able to gain the help of a certified Garmin installer to access his sources.
IMG_1291.JPG
 
Last edited:
I think the directions are very clear. “If the pump must be mounted vertically, with the connections facing up”. Just saying.
 
Riptide III said:
I think the directions are very clear. “If the pump must be mounted vertically, with the connections facing up”. Just saying.
Click to expand...
It seems the instructions for your installation are different than what I had.... I thought these were unclear and the reason Garmin was contacted
smart.jpg
 
ttmott said:
It seems the instructions for your installation are different than what I had.... I thought these were unclear and the reason Garmin was contactedView attachment 96926
Click to expand...
First column second to the last bullet point is the one I quoted. I think it is pretty clear. Then again, I am definitely not the smartest person on this forum. Not by a long shot. I have seen some of the complex electronic stuff you have done. The fact that YOU don’t think it’s clear makes me think maybe I’m missing something. I don’t want to continue this I feel like we are married.
 
So I'm putting together my system. I bought a bunch of fittings an some valves. Also picked up some hose for the return line. How the hell do you straighten it..lol
thumbnail (3).jpg
 
Put it in a warm room? Hot water? Heat gun (careful)? Lava lake?
 
I'm going to verify with Garmin, but do you guys know off hand this... I know I need the 1.2L pump. I'm not going to use the helm monitor unit and I just bought a new Shadow drive for under $100. So it looks like I may be able to get away with this package. I know it's the wrong pump, but I was thinking of selling it for a couple bucks.
https://www.boemarine.com/garmin-compact-reactor-40-hydraulic-autopilot-starter-pack.html

Now if you look at the kit with the shadow drive it's like $600 with no pump??? ( not using the smart pump ) Why is the shadow drive $600 more!

https://www.boemarine.com/garmin-reactor-40-hydraulic-autopilot-w-o-ghc-20.html

The CCU and ECU have to be the same right?
 
ttmott said:
He is right you do need the GHC20; that is where the installer setup and tuning reside.
Click to expand...
Garmin tech says I can do everything through the chartplotter. Here is a video of someone setting up through a chartplotter..
 
mnm99 said:
Garmin tech says I can do everything through the chartplotter. Here is a video of someone setting up through a chartplotter..
Click to expand...
So, I didn't see any of those options available; very cool. I wonder of the tuning features are there also..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,117
Messages
1,426,420
Members
61,029
Latest member
Curious
Back
Top