Thank God for the phone robot!!!

 Never thought I'd say this but "Thank God for Chat GDP!" I hooked everything up on my new AutoPilot and got nothing. The computer blinked 5 times...that was it. I asked what that meant? (ROBOT VOICE) The backbone has no power"... I re-read the manual...in an obscure corner ....there it was, the 100 and 1150 models don't power up the backbone, you must add a spur cable and wire it to a separate 12 volt source. I have had to take a crash course in hydraulics with all the various styles of fittings, Swag-lok fittings to tap into the nylon lines that run to the rudder. I built a small manifold to permit the new AutoPilot to 'T' into the system. Then added a reservoir to keep it full. Now I needed 80 bucks to buy an additional plug board because Raymarine doesn't provide enough to actually do the job. What a trip! Anyway, it fired up and demanded to be orientated. So I'll start that on Saturday. Weather is still very cool but with this out of the way, an oil change and a few odds and ends, I'm ready to start the dingy lift base. That will require some cutting.

Install AutoPilot

 AUTOHELM time! I managed to get the hydraulic pump installed along with the computer. The compass/ roll rate sensor proved to be tricky. It has to be clear of magnetic sources etc. I found a suitable place on the boats centerline, however I need to machine up a special bracket. I made the face plate for the control panel, came out nice. They include all the cables for SeaTalk ng BUT not the cable to connect another instrument...namely my Axiom chart plotter. That tiny little cable was 60 dollars! The bigger issue is the hydraulic hook up. They really leave you hanging in that department. I am building a manifold to connect the lines up. I have a couple of 3000 psi hydraulic lines ready to go. It is a matter of finding the correct fittings. 

One final note. The 42 foot sailboat I owned was renamed 'Today's Adventure'  They just made it all the way to the Dominican Republic.

There she blows!!

Finally finished !! What a hassle. The "dryer hose" that runs from the blowers to the outside vents was in bad shape. I sourced new ones, actually installing them was very hard. I wired everything up and it works. One weird thing, you HAVE to turn on blower 1 to trip all the solenoids, otherwise none will start up. I have 1 and 4 sucking air out and 2 and 3 blowing fresh air in. 

Moving on to Autopilot and dingy lift. Carpet will have to wait.