Location of autopilot components

Not to bust SeaStar or Garmin's bubble, but what is the inner diameter of the connectors? In any case, I think you'll be happier with the more flexible 5/16" hose. Colby
 
Good point, I’ll let you know when I get it. I would have just had everything made up locally but the only hose they had was 1/4” ID, 6,000 psi. My plan now is to make the T connections inside the starboard hatch in the Vberth. I mounted the pump in the hatch also. I’m trying to clean up the rats nest of wiring and hydraulic hose mess behind the helm somewhat. Ken
 
I’m trying to clean up the rats nest of wiring and hydraulic hose mess behind the helm somewhat.
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Ken,I did the same thing on Midnight Flyer when I installed the autopilot in her. It can be daunting! I'm currently in the process of replacing all the hose on C-Traveler. I've pulled the old and awaiting the new. Should be here sometime next week. In the process, I saved 13 of the field connectors I mentioned earlier. I was a little leary about cutting that 1000 psi 5/16" SeaStar hose earlier, but the field connections seemed to work well. And it was actually easier to install them on the newer Parker hose than the older SeaStar hose. (Apparently when the previous owner had a shop install the cockpit helm, they used Parker Hose, and the field fittings as well. I've heard Parker makes the SeaStar Hose and just prints the SeaStar name on it. However, the Parker hose seemed to be easier to install the field fittings on...) I still haven't visually seen where my restriction(s) were causing for hard steering, but guess I'll see if the new 1500 psi hose resolves that issue. Perhaps it was with some of the tee connectors that had a smaller ID. But the end connectors on the hose, be it the field fittings or originals, are also relatively small, so perhaps that might be part of the problem with all the sectional hose runs. I have Shipyard Island Marina making up the new hose for me, and they use Parker. And a little cheaper than I could find the hose anywhere else. In the end I'll have a total of 72' of hose, with 20 connectors. (10 separate hoses of various length.) With the final cost around $560. Colby
 
That is about the same cost for the Seastar/Telex kit and necessary hose pairs I ordered from WM…BOAT! I’m planning to install the shadow drive so hopefully it will all come together as some items are back ordered. Headed to Prince Rupert on May 19. 🙂
 
Regarding Garmin's Shadow Drive. I pulled mine out. While it worked on Midnight Flyer, with the stiff steering issues I've had on C-Traveler, it hasn't worked properly on this boat. But even if I get that issue resolved, I'm going to leave the Shadow Drive off. The way it works, if you have your autopilot working, if you need to steer around something in an emergency, say a floating log, or other obstruction, the shadow drive will automatically pause the a/p until you have held a straight course for a set amount of time, at which point it will reengage your autopilot in heading hold on that heading. I would prefer that the autopilot go back to the original heading or route/track course that it was following. Without the shadow drive, you can still steer around somethiing in an emergency, and until you hit the standby button, the autopilot will just continue to try and steer you back, but it won't overpower you as long as you continue to steer. So if you use the Shadow Drive, just don't forget to re-engage your course if you were on a route or track. Colby
 
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