Raymarine EV-100 Wheel Pilot -Mac26X

[Starscream]

I just bought my own Christmas present.

I have to track down whoever posted about the sale at Defender right now to thank him for posting that the EV-100 wheel pilot is on sale for $999.99 at Defender until this Friday, Dec 11, 2020. The EV-100 wheel pilot would cost just over $2,400.00 CDN after shipment if I bought it locally in Canada, so even with the exchange rate this is a great deal. Total cost including shipping to Canada was $1,099.06 USD. With the exchange rate and import duties due I figure it will come out to about $1,600.00 CDN. So, whoever posted that, thanks again for saving me $800!

I was waiting for Vic's sub-$600 autopilot because I wanted to support that development, but I can wait no more.

I added on the Bulkhead Pedestal Fitting Kit, which is a separate part number (Defender part #251805) but included in the price I listed above. I'm not 100% sure why that part doesn't come with the autopilot, and maybe it does but I just didn't realize it, but for the extra $30 I figured I might as well have it on hand.

I spoke to someone at Defender to get the fitting kit added on to the order after I placed it. She was super...answered the phone right away and added the part number so easily. She told me that they have about 350 of the EV100's on backorder now because of this promotion: if you want one you have until this Friday to get it at this price.
https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=3661070
https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=1801371

I will document the installation in April.

[C Buchs]

I would love to see your documentation! I'm planning to install one, but a new motor is going on this year.

Jeff

[Starscream]

Total cost came out to $1,518.31 CDN including shipment, taxes, import duties, the pedestal mounting kit, and a sun-cover for the diplay. I'm quite happy with that.

[ris]

You will really like that Wheel Pilot. It is money well spent. We would not have done a 2nd loop without one. The day we left Crystal River Florida heading for Tarpon Springs was a water like glass day. We were offshore about 5 miles = 5 or 6 ft deep at 1 foot of depth per mile, the water was crystal clear and we set the pilot and just stood on the cabin top looking down into the water at all the fish, eels, crabs,ect for over an hour. It was magical. Our boat has 1inch stainless rails 3 feet tall on the cabin top to hold onto.

Richard

[Starscream]

UPS arrived just in time for Christmas with the EV-100. I couldn't wait until tomorrow so I had a look.

First of all, I don't need the sun cover I purchased separately since the control head already comes with one, so I coulda saved $20 there. But I do need the addtional pedestal mount kit that I ordered, because the one that comes with the EV-100 is designed for a pole-mounted wheel, and the X is a box-mounted wheel.

Instructions look complicated, since they are written for all possible options and combinations of equipment. As far as I can tell at this point, I'll need two power connections: one for the ACU and one for the SeaTalk backbone. I'll have to delve more deeply into it, but one complaint that I already have is that the kit comes with three separate installation manuals: one for the motor/wheel unit, one for the Control head, and one for the ACU/Sensor Core. So one has to cobble bits and pieces together for oneself.

The kit comes with a separate batch of Seatalk cables, but the manual does say that the EV-100 ACU doesn't provide power to the backbone, and that a separate power supply is required. The Seatalk cables include one that has a three-conductor setup: Red/Black/Bare with a white Seatalk connector on one end and just stripped wire on the other. I am guessing that this is the backbone power supply but there isn't a good wiring diagram to show this.

So I'll need some additional materials: 10 gauge wire, a 10 amp inline fuse for the ACU, and another fuse of a yet unknown size for the backbone. And an on/off switch of some kind; maybe I'll put another fuse panel on the starboard side of the boat, but space to put all these things is becoming hard to find.

[Chinook]

As Richard says, you'll love that wheel pilot. One challenge with installation involves mounting the donut shaped drive unit. It's designed to clamp onto your steering wheel spokes. If your steering wheel is close to the same diameter as the one on my X, it's uncomfortably close to the diameter of that drive unit. This prevents your fingers from grasping the steering wheel as you're accustomed to. Some folks have addressed this problem by installing a larger steering wheel. I didn't like this solution, since the aisleway in the cockpit is already tight as is. Moving past the pedestal and steering wheel is awkward enough without having to contend with a larger steering wheel. I came up with another solution. I bought a white lexan type plastic cutting board at my local Safeway store. The thing is very nearly 1/2 inch thick. I was able to use a band saw to cut out a set of shims which could be clamped onto the steering wheel spokes and beneath the mounting brackets for the drive unit. This gives me ample finger room for grasping the wheel. I used a belt sander to shape them a bit, so they fit the drive unit cover snugly. I had to purchase a set of longer stainless bolts, since the bolts which accompany the unit couldn't reach, with the shims in place.

[Starscream]

Thanks for that advice. Good to know in advance.

Don't know if i follow exactly what you did, but maybe it will become apparent to me when the thing is in front of me.

Now I'm considering this option: https://www.amazon.com/Polar-Snow-Produ ... nob&sr=8-3

[Chinook]

I'll try to post a picture of the wheel install tomorrow.

[Chinook]

Here's a picture of my autopilot drive wheel installation. The white shim between the drive unit cover and the steering wheel spoke bracket provides a comfortable space for fingers when grasping the steering wheel.

[Neo]

Is the Wheel pilot drive the Raymarine ST4000 Mk2 ??

Some people say the operational noise drives em crazy

[Starscream]

Thanks for that, Mike, it's very clear in my mind now. I think I'll try something similar.

Neo, its the Raymarine EV-100 with the P70S control head.

[Neo]

Neo, its the Raymarine EV-100 with the P70S control head.

No sorry I'm asking about the Helm Wheeldrive unit alone ... it has a model number of it's own?

[Starscream]

Neo, its the Raymarine EV-100 with the P70S control head.

No sorry I'm asking about the Helm Wheeldrive unit alone ... it has a model number of it's own?

Oh, right, so it does. Yes, it's the ST4000MK2. Also with an EV1 Sensor Core.

[Neo]

Thank you for confirming that

[Starscream]

Sewing machine is put away so I thought I'd get a head start on documenting the install.

Step 1: Drill four holes in the plastic cover, at the locations marked for a 5-spoke wheel. A hand-held dry-fit confirmed that the four holes for the 5 spoke wheel are in the correct position, but I'll confirm physically later. Raymarine includes the 6mm drill bit, and with a backer board for drilling the drilled holes look factory-made after cleanup.


Step 2: climb on boat, remove the plastic center cap, and spray the nut with deep-creep. The center cap is held in place by a tiny flathead screw, or key, which was easy to loosen.


Step 4: try to remove the nut...it's a big 15/16" nylock nut. Simple...almost no effort with a long ratchet.

Step 5: pull the wheel. Manually. Forget it. Not gonna budge an inch. Step 5.1: order a three-jaw wheel puller set on Amazon; will be here on Wednesday.


I'm a little worried about where the pedestal bracket will go: I've got "stuff" on the pedestal including a 12V outlet, horn button, and the tach. Updates after the wheel is removed.