Backup Autopilort advice

[nfbr]

My steering and autopilot are full hydraulic - same system.

I'm installing a backup ram and pump at the moment, totally seperate.

I need a Type 3 (30A) Autopilot to power and control it.

My current Raymarine is ok, but not ideal to buy as a second system,

Any suggestions for a system that has

- Power Steering (dial) - as assuming helm will be unavailable
- Small screen (limited dash space)
- Optional remote control (raymarine remote is archaic)
- More integrated / Less separate components - Raymarine has Control, Gyro, Display, Rudder and an N2K network.
- Cost effective - hopefully it never gets used .

[Bill O]

Look at pypilot. This w/opencpn controls our AP system w/hydraulic steering. We have the hydraulic controller and have a complete electronic back up for the whole AP system (just in case).
IMO opencpn has more advanced features than Ray and if using a wifi/blue tooth based main nav. computer, one can control the AP on your phone or other devices to steer the boat.

[nfbr]

Originally Posted by Bill O

Look at pypilot. This w/opencpn controls our AP system w/hydraulic steering. We have the hydraulic controller and have a complete electronic back up for the whole AP system (just in case).
IMO opencpn has more advanced features than Ray and if using a wifi/blue tooth based main nav. computer, one can control the AP on your phone or other devices to steer the boat.

Where did you mount the Pi to get good compass signal?
Did orientation matter?

[Bill O]

We have it mounted in the aft cabin. It uses a 9 axis IMU and you do a quick sequence to initial set the IMU then mount the pi. After taking the boat out and doing a circle (360 degrees) its "calibrated", but continues to collect calibration points.
https://phoenixketch.blogspot.com/se...el/Electronics

[donradcliffe]

If it is to be an independent backup, I would recommend that it not use ANY of the components in the current Raymarine network.

The Pypilot that Bill suggested is superior to the commercial alternatives in both cost and performance. However, its weak point is that it depends on Sean. The other difference is its AI is dependent on you tweaking multiple parameters. If you are geeky like me, this is a plus.

[Bill O]

I'm with Don and like to tweak the gain parameters to see how efficient we can get the AP to run in different conditions.