Autohelm 1000 User Manual

Installation and Operating Handbook

ANALOGUE

Autohelm 1000

The Autohelm 1000 is a highly developed autopilot

built to operate reliably in exposed marine

conditions. When correctly installed it will soon

ears of

The system has been designed for owner installation

and aided by the following installation guide,

fitting should prove to be a straightforward and

Cockpit and tiller configurations vary widely, and

me cases special attachments may be

necessary to effect the neatest possible

installation. The attachments available and their

applications are fully described and are stocked

are

encouraged to contact our Technical Sales

become a vital crew-member giving many y
invaluable service.

enjoyable job.

thus in so

for immediate supply when required.
In cases where special advice is needed you

Department who will be pleased to assist.

INSTALLATION

The basic actuator unit is a totally self-

contained

magnetic sensing automatic pilot. The autopilot is

ttachment

point to the yacht's structure. After connection to

the yacht's 12 volt electrical system the unit

Since the autopilot incorporates a magnetic sensing

device, it is advisable to ensure that the yacht's

ituated at least 2'6” (750mm)

The actuator pushrod attaches to the tiller via a

ended pin situated 18” (460mm) radially

distant from the rudder stock or rudder pintle

osition

ended pin must be positioned at a

radius of l8” (460mm) at 90 degrees to the axis of

rudder rotation as shown on the accompanying

The autopilot slots into the bronze mounting socket

y fixed in

position. The mounting socket should be positioned

of the cockpit centreline

to ensure that port and starboard tiller movements

are equalised. It is also important to ensure that

possible to 90 degrees to the tiller when the

mounted between the tiller and a single a

becomes operational.

steering compass is s
away to avoid deviation.

ball-

centreline.
If the rudder pivot axis is sloping, the p
of the ball-

illustration.

A provided, which should be permanantl

19” (480mm) to starboard

the unit is positioned horizontally and as near as

tiller is centralised.

4

Porthand mounting

In certain instances it may be more convenient to

mount the unit on the porthand side. The standard

the tiller and where porthand mounting is required

Porthand systems must be fitted with porthand wind

When the tiller is positioned low in the cockpit

able in height, the mounting socket

can be most conveniently positioned on the

starboard cockpit seat. The pushrod is attached to

the tiller via the standard ballpin provided which

is inserted directly into the top of the tiller.

(6mm) drilled hole and securing with a good quality

two pack epoxy adhesive such as Araldite. The

shoulder of the ballpin should be positioned ½”

(12.5mm) above the upper surface of the tiller to

The autopilot mounting socket is installed by

inserting it into a 1.2” (12.5mm) drilled hole and

permanently bonded with Araldite. It is important

to ensure that the mounting socket is securely

,

consists only of a single glass fibre skin of less

thickness than the depth of the socket it will be

necessary to provide reinforcement by bonding a

The autopilot is capable of generating very high

loads and it must be stressed that in all

cases the mounting socket should be very firmly

In some cases it may not be possible to provide a

convenient site for the mounting socket at the

of 19" (480mm). In such

cases the mounting distance can be increased in

increments of 1" (25mm) to a maximum of 6" (l5Omm)

with the use of special pushrod extensions. The

pushrod is extended by first unscrewing the pushrod

hrod extension

into position between the pushrod and the end cap.

This attachment is necessary, for example. When the

cockpit is unusually wide or when it is convenient

Extended pushrods

unit is sensed to operate on the starboard side of

a special porthand system must be ordered.

vane attachments.

Basic installation method

and is adjust

The ballpin is installed by inserting it into a ¼”

avoid fouling when the pushrod is fully retracted.

standard mounting distance

end cap and then screwing the pus

to mount the unit on the cockpit coaming.

installed. If the mounting site, for example

plywood strengthening plate to the underside.

pushrod

bonded into position.

5

Tiller attachments

er is not adjustable in height or is

positioned appreciably higher than the most

convenient site for the mounting socket. It is

often convenient to lower the ballpin underneath

the tiller. Standard tiller cranks are available in

he ballpin centre in

increments of 1” (25mm) to a maximum of 5” (125mm)

below the underside of the tiller. Since the

pushrod centreline is positioned 2” (62mm) above

the mounting socket, these attachments can cater

ing socket

and the underside of the tiller of up to a maximum

of 7" (190mm). This attachment is particularly

in the case of transom hung rudder

configurations (such as the Folkboat) where the

tiller passes over an extended counter. In such

set

will enable the unit to be neatly mounted directly

The tiller crank attachments are bolted through the

centreline of the tiller, with ¼” (6mm) diameter

nce the bolts through the neutral

bending axis, the bending strength of the tiller

will not be significantly altered. The securing

bolts should be looked into the clearance holes

through the tiller with epoxy adhesive to ensure

When the till

a range of sizes to lower t

for a vertical distance between the mount

useful-

cases a tiller crank of suitable ballpin off-

on the surface of the counter or the rear coaming.

bolts and si

that they do not work loose in operation.

6