Autopilot next on the list

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1955449086...FDH+8s8PsTVFuazioG5+YW0SE=|tkp:Bk9SR_ygkcrCYQ

I paid $96.00 with shipping. shadow drive is just a flow sensor

 

Even at $135 from that link, great price, although not Garmin. List's for $420 from Garmin - https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/15515

Works for you no issues?

 

It's not a sensor it's a switch.

 

Yep… works great.

I stand corrected

 

Actually the description says “sensor switch” so I was right

 

Found mine on eBay for just that.

 

Yup, wish I could find the rest for that price. Sure the hell beats paying that inflated price!

 

Our Garmin Reactor 40 has the shadow drive (awesome) and although no wheel, we opted for the optional remote. Works very well.

 

So I wanted to get AP on my 1999 400 DA. I am getting quotes for $6000. Does this seem right? I do not have a separate power steering pump, so I would need to get one. I am mechanically incline, so I could install myself. If there's a cheaper way than the $6000, I'd love to know how.
Thanks

 

You don't need a separate power steering pump. Is your steering hydraulic? Do you add fluid at the helm? If yes, you have hydraulic steering, the "steering wheel" is the pump, and you have a hydraulic ram above the rudder shafts turning the rudders. I'm assuming you do not have outdrives. Here is the installation manual on a Garmin system for demonstration purposes:

https://static.garmin.com/pumac/Reactor_40_for_SmartPump_Install_GHC_50_EN-US.pdf

As far as the installation goes, it is not that hard. I did it with help from a buddy. Having done it once, I would tackle it myself with zero problems.

Jaybeaux

 

Thanks Jaybeaux. I have inboards and do have the power steering pump integrated into my steering wheel. But I am causing the steering fluid to be pushed to the hydraulic ram by turning the wheel. I don't see how the AP would push the fluid without me turning the wheel. I am thinking that's why a separate pump is needed.

Also, thanks for the link on installation, but it specifies a pump is needed. Am I missing something?

 

The AP systems need a pump, but they are 12V driven, not engine driven (although you can do that too). Looks like a kit is $2K for the Garmin hardware. Lines and misc. another couple hundred? $6k seems like a lot, but depends on maybe redoing the dash panel/making it look pretty.

 

Garmin pumps are $1000 plus, octopus pumps are $500, he will need rudder sensor as well and lines. I have $3300 in mine. I had 3 days of install so 24 hours at $125 per hour for another $3000. it’s really not a bad DIY job and I can prolly do it in 2 days now.

 

What is involved in adding the tee to the two hydraulic lines that already exist for the new pump?

-Kevin

 

The pump will come with 3 -5 ORB Fittings
3 hoses hook to them. 1 is a return back to the helm (center port on helm) not sure what fitting you will need as Seastar used both NPT and ORB sometimes in combination. The oth 2 lines are the steering lines the will need to be connected to the helm and your boat steering lines. It’s real simple, just look at a diagram.

 

Any ORB T is really just a 3/8 compression T that can be purchased at any hardware store. I do t recommend using brass on the Helm.

 

Would we cut into the hydraulic lines and add the tees inline or do we add the tees at the helm and run lines to the pump?

-Kevin

 

No. As others have said, you will need an additional pump.

 

Look at the Garmin website and find the diagram for the hydraulic lines and connections. It’s rather simple but, if you don’t understand it, it’s best to have a professional do it.