Rudder position sensor

[BonesD]

Howdy, I’m installing a rudder posistion sensor on the rudder radial drive an a fixed position linked with a short length of threaded rod.
Seems like I read somewhere to prevent the connecting rod from traveling over center to mount the ball link on the radial drive just a bit ahead of the sensors arm length.
Say the arm length is 6” long and centered with the rudder shaft so mount the radial drive ball just a bit further from the center of the rudder shaft?
Is this correct?
Thank you

[Rucksta]

Unless your rudder can turn 45# to port and 45# to starboard the over centre geometry does not exist.

30# + rudder angle each way is pretty normal.

[BonesD]

My rudder stops at 45 degrees both directions

[deblen]

https://pbase.com/mainecruising/rudder_position_sensor


Cheers/ Len

[BonesD]

Thanks, I read that early today, his solution is to move the pivot point closer to the rudder post but he didn’t mention how far he recommended.

[deblen]

Originally Posted by BonesD

Thanks, I read that early today, his solution is to move the pivot point closer to the rudder post but he didn’t mention how far he recommended.

The shaft of the rudder sender (RFU) should be in line with center of rudder stock.
The RFU arm should be parallel to the tiller arm/quadrant when rudder is centered & RFU is center travel. (Straight ahead both)
The distance from the shaft of the RFU to the pivot point on the RFU arm should match the distance from the center of rudder stock to point on tiller arm whre RFU link rod attaches.
All angles between these 4 points should be 90deg at straight ahead. See Diagram. The whole setup makes a rectangle.







The distance between the RFU shaft and the rudder stock is not critical.The link rod can be cut or adjusted as required.
There is no need to "offset" the RFU,if you follow these directions. / Len

[deblen]

Lots of reading https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...nt-140087.html


The above post was mostly about mounting a ram & tiller arm correctly,but the same rules apply to the rudder sender RFU.
Note that the ram &/or RFU can be mounted in any circular position about the rudder stock,as long as the 90deg rectangle is maintained.
Len

[BonesD]

That’s what my instructions say as well.
Thanks all