[C38] Alpha autopilot photos
Don Strong
drstrong at ucdavis.edu
Fri Jul 27 10:08:46 EDT 2012
Max: The Alpha installation was done by Richmond Boat Works (now owned
by KKMI) for the previous owner. It was very professional and works
extremely well, when it works ---that is. The problem is that the
mechanism needs regular service. The mechanism has to be checked for
loosening bolts and set screws and it has to be greased at least once a
year. I have solved the loosing bolt and set screw problem with Loctite
(blue, not red!). However, even blue Loctite makes the thing extremely
difficult to take apart when you have to do so to fix or service
something. To access the mechanism one has to lie on ones back behind
the engine. I'm not very large and do fit. However, anyone approaching 6
ft or 200 lbs simply would not fit. Luckily my engine, the Yanmar 3GM,
is small and I can poke my feet on either side of the engine to work on
the autopilot. The restricted space back there is the only downside of
our boats, from my point of view.
D
On 7/26/12 2:09 PM, Max Soto wrote:
> Hi Don,
>
> Thanks a lot for the pics. Very interesting installation. Totally
> different from what I have seen.
> I'm going to try and fit my drive arm in that same location and see if
> it fits....
> Will let you know how it goes!
> How's NY????
>
> Regards,
> Max
>
> 2012/7/26 Don Strong <drstrong at ucdavis.edu <mailto:drstrong at ucdavis.edu>>
>
> Max: Photos of Alpha autopilot on Discreet Charm.
> http://techdiscreetcharm.blogspot.com/
> Regards, Don
>
>
>
> On 7/16/12 2:25 PM, Max Soto wrote:
>> Will do!
>> Regards, Max
>>
>> Sent from my iPod
>>
>> On Jul 16, 2012, at 11:48, Don Strong <drstrong at ucdavis.edu
>> <mailto:drstrong at ucdavis.edu>> wrote:
>>
>>> Max: I have been overwhelmed with work and personal stuff.
>>> Please send me an email about July 24 and I will get your photos.
>>> Sorry, Don
>>>
>>>
>>> On 7/9/12 5:16 PM, Max Soto wrote:
>>>> Joe, that's exactly why I want to replace it. The good thing is
>>>> that since both can work wit the same display, I can install
>>>> the wheel pilot for back up on offshore passages..
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPod
>>>>
>>>> On Jul 7, 2012, at 20:33, Joseph Launie <jlaunie at cox.net
>>>> <mailto:jlaunie at cox.net>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I had a wheel auto pilot and removed it because it added too
>>>>> much drag to the steering wheel killing any feel you might have
>>>>> On 7/7/2012 7:24 PM, Max Soto wrote:
>>>>>> Hi Don, do you have a pic that shows the below deck drive
>>>>>> unit and how is it attached??
>>>>>> Regards, max
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sent from my iPod
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Jul 6, 2012, at 13:29, Don Strong <drstrong at ucdavis.edu
>>>>>> <mailto:drstrong at ucdavis.edu>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Don has an Alpha. Its electronics and motor have worked
>>>>>>> flawlessly for 15 years, 10 years during my ownership years.
>>>>>>> This is a heavy duty, below deck machine that steers the
>>>>>>> boat extremely well to weather and a bit less well while
>>>>>>> reaching and running. The mechanics, which are part and
>>>>>>> parcel of the unique installation on Discreet Charm (and on
>>>>>>> all aftermarket installs) have failed and required my
>>>>>>> maintenance 4 times. Three times bolts backed out. I
>>>>>>> retightened and loctighted these bolts and have had no
>>>>>>> repeat failures. The fourth failure occurred recently when
>>>>>>> the heavy grease lubrication on the engaging mechanism
>>>>>>> congealed and prevented the finger from inserting into the
>>>>>>> quadrant. I removed the old grease, regreased with marine
>>>>>>> grade and had it back working flawlessly in two afternoons.
>>>>>>> The big problem with a below deck autopilot on a C38 is the
>>>>>>> same problem with everything in that tiny space. Were I a
>>>>>>> larger person I could not have repaired the autopilot. A
>>>>>>> larger person won't fit down there.
>>>>>>> Don
>>>>>>> On 7/6/12 11:22 AM, Max Soto wrote:
>>>>>>>> Larry, what kind of Autohelm do you have, wheelpilot, or
>>>>>>>> under deck piston???
>>>>>>>> Max
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPod
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Jul 6, 2012, at 10:00, "Larry Malmberg"
>>>>>>>> <Larrypi at roadrunner.com <mailto:Larrypi at roadrunner.com>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Right on Chuck, we would not have touched anything on
>>>>>>>>> Hassle absent the unfortunate fire in 2010. Given the
>>>>>>>>> circumstances of the fire, purchase back at salvage we
>>>>>>>>> upgraded almost all of Hassle's systems and are still fine
>>>>>>>>> tuning them. On another note, our instruments were
>>>>>>>>> changed from Raymarine to Nexus and of course they have
>>>>>>>>> different languages, our auto helm is still Raymarine and
>>>>>>>>> I would like to get the auto helm integrated to our
>>>>>>>>> system. Anyone have experience converting Sea Talk
>>>>>>>>> Raymarine's proprietary language to NEMA? Any advice
>>>>>>>>> would be appreciated. I would like to be able to plot a
>>>>>>>>> route on our Garmin Chart Plotter and have the auto helm
>>>>>>>>> follow the route.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Best regards,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Larry Malmberg
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> 7231 Boulder Avenue Suite 507
>>>>>>>>> Highland, CA 92346 PI 15211
>>>>>>>>> Telephone 909-208-1847 <tel:909-208-1847>
>>>>>>>>> FAX 909-991-7568 <tel:909-991-7568>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> E Mail Larrypi at roadrunner.com <mailto:Larrypi at roadrunner.com>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss
>>>>>>>>> slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret
>>>>>>>>> anything that made you smile..
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> "The American Indians found out what happens when you
>>>>>>>>> don't control
>>>>>>>>> immigration"
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of
>>>>>>>>> arriving safely in
>>>>>>>>> a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in
>>>>>>>>> broadside,
>>>>>>>>> thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly
>>>>>>>>> proclaiming; WOW-- What a
>>>>>>>>> Ride!"
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic message, including
>>>>>>>>> any attachments,
>>>>>>>>> is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may
>>>>>>>>> contain
>>>>>>>>> confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized
>>>>>>>>> review, copying,
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>>>>>>>>> contents of this
>>>>>>>>> message/information is prohibited by federal law. Attempts
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>>>>>>>>> message are in violation of Title 18 USC 2511(1) of the
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>>>>>>>>> please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all
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>>>>>>>>> original message.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>>> *From:* listserve-bounces at catalina38.org
>>>>>>>>> <mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org>
>>>>>>>>> [mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] *On Behalf Of
>>>>>>>>> *Charles
>>>>>>>>> *Sent:* Friday, July 06, 2012 8:30 AM
>>>>>>>>> *To:* Catalina 38 Listserve
>>>>>>>>> *Subject:* Re: [C38] up-grading electrical system
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Hmmm....
>>>>>>>>> This sounds like a lot of the "sage" advice I get from
>>>>>>>>> other sailors from time to time. Some of it is great! And
>>>>>>>>> others.... well, we all have to sound like experts! After
>>>>>>>>> all, how can you be a Captain and not be an expert?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> And if you alternator by some crazy circumstance actually
>>>>>>>>> "fell off," the bolt in your block would not fall out (it
>>>>>>>>> is screwed in tight holding your alternator). And! you
>>>>>>>>> would surely notice all the racket of your alternator
>>>>>>>>> bouncing around in the engine compartment way before you
>>>>>>>>> ran out of engine oil!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> While I was in San Francisco with Anders, I had a
>>>>>>>>> discussion with a fellow at hospital who is buying a 38
>>>>>>>>> foot bayliner power boat. Two engines and 13,000 pounds.
>>>>>>>>> What was his experience afloat? NONE! Had he even owned
>>>>>>>>> another boat? NO! But, rest assured that the guy selling
>>>>>>>>> it has promised to tell him everything he needs to know to
>>>>>>>>> run this thing! He is a very nice person and I am sure he
>>>>>>>>> will be an expert Captain once someone shows him where the
>>>>>>>>> ignition switch is!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> That is why I listen to Steve S., Tom T. and the rest of
>>>>>>>>> you guys who have time on task and the grace to share it!
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Chuck Finn
>>>>>>>>> Mighty Quinn #114
>>>>>>>>> Great Lakes
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On 7/6/2012 11:18 AM, Steve Smolinske wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> The engine wouldn’t loose all of its oil, you would
>>>>>>>>>> realize first that your alternator was off, there is a
>>>>>>>>>> small weep hole in the block that the bolt on the bracket
>>>>>>>>>> seals.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *From:*listserve-bounces at catalina38.org
>>>>>>>>>> <mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org>
>>>>>>>>>> [mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] *On Behalf Of
>>>>>>>>>> *1derful at comcast.net <mailto:1derful at comcast.net>
>>>>>>>>>> *Sent:* Thursday, July 05, 2012 8:38 PM
>>>>>>>>>> *To:* Larrypi at roadrunner.com
>>>>>>>>>> <mailto:Larrypi at roadrunner.com>; Catalina 38 Listserve
>>>>>>>>>> *Subject:* Re: [C38] up-grading electrical system
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I don't have any problems.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> My engine starts after 10 seconds of glow plug.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> He is a "fellow sailor" (not selling anything) whom I
>>>>>>>>>> rafter up with this weekend. He just made a number of
>>>>>>>>>> suggestions to improve boat. He said there is a web site
>>>>>>>>>> for Catalina that tells what upgrades are recommend.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> He mentioned something about a post-market support for
>>>>>>>>>> the alternator which is supposed to prevent it from
>>>>>>>>>> falling off which "would cause engine to lose all its oil."
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I believe in "If its not broken....don't fix it."
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I have gotten into trouble fixing things that work
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Thanks for your response.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Patrick
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *From: *"Larry Malmberg" <Larrypi at roadrunner.com
>>>>>>>>>> <mailto:Larrypi at roadrunner.com>>
>>>>>>>>>> *To: *"Catalina 38 Listserve" <listserve at catalina38.org
>>>>>>>>>> <mailto:listserve at catalina38.org>>
>>>>>>>>>> *Sent: *Thursday, July 5, 2012 6:41:34 PM
>>>>>>>>>> *Subject: *Re: [C38] up-grading electrical system
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Patrick, I can only suppose that he will do the work and
>>>>>>>>>> bill you for it? If you don't have charging problems, if
>>>>>>>>>> everything seems to be working OK my opinion is don't
>>>>>>>>>> mess with it.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Best regards,
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Larry Malmberg
>>>>>>>>>> Team Hassle
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *From:*listserve-bounces at catalina38.org
>>>>>>>>>> <mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org>
>>>>>>>>>> [mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org]
>>>>>>>>>> <mailto:[mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org]> *On
>>>>>>>>>> Behalf Of *1derful at comcast.net <mailto:1derful at comcast.net>
>>>>>>>>>> *Sent:* Thursday, July 05, 2012 5:51 PM
>>>>>>>>>> *To:* Catalina
>>>>>>>>>> *Subject:* [C38] up-grading electrical system
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I met a fellow this weekend who recommended upgrading my
>>>>>>>>>> "elcetrical harness"? to one with more amps. He said the
>>>>>>>>>> batteries would charge better.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Is that worth while?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> My boat spends most of its life tied into shore power.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Patrick
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> Listserve mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> Listserve at catalina38.org <mailto:Listserve at catalina38.org>
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>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> No virus found in this message.
>>>>>>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com>
>>>>>>>>>> Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2437/5112 - Release
>>>>>>>>>> Date: 07/05/12
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> Listserve mailing list
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>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> Listserve mailing list
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>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> Donald R. Strong
>>>>>>> Professor
>>>>>>> Dept. of Evolution and Ecology
>>>>>>> University of California, Davis 95616
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> Listserve mailing list
>>>>>>> Listserve at catalina38.org <mailto:Listserve at catalina38.org>
>>>>>>> http://catalina38.org/mailman/listinfo/listserve_catalina38.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> Listserve mailing list
>>>>>> Listserve at catalina38.org <mailto:Listserve at catalina38.org>
>>>>>> http://catalina38.org/mailman/listinfo/listserve_catalina38.org
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Listserve mailing list
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>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Listserve mailing list
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>>>
>>> --
>>> Donald R. Strong
>>> Professor
>>> Dept. of Evolution and Ecology
>>> University of California, Davis 95616
>>>
>>>
>
> --
> Donald R. Strong
> Professor
> Dept. of Evolution and Ecology
> University of California, Davis 95616
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Max Soto
> C38 #198 ESTANCIA
> Puntarenas, Costa Rica
--
Donald R. Strong
Professor
Dept. of Evolution and Ecology
University of California, Davis 95616
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