Simrad autopilot installation with SD10 motor
Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 350
Forum Description: 350 Hints and Tips
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6496
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:51
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Simrad autopilot installation with SD10 motor
Posted By: coriolis2
Subject: Simrad autopilot installation with SD10 motor
Date Posted: 09 April 2012 at 19:58
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Hi all, I decided to finally install an autopilot with a (much) cheaper drive motor as the DD15. The DD15 is sold for E.2500 whereas the SD10 drive costs 'only' E.1500, this SD10 is originally designed for usage on powerboat steering and produced by Octopus Canada and produces a 160kg force on the quadrant with about 2/3 the power consumption of the DD15. Under the Simrad brand it has been modified a little and as such can be integrated in the Simrad system. I bought the whole shabang for E.2400 at Yourmarine.nl, the set consists of: -AP24 control unit -AC12 computer (12 amps) -RC42 rate compass -SD10 drive motor As the H350 has been prepared for a DD15 I had to find a way to mount the SD10 (see pictures below). Last weekend we did the inshore calibrations and trails and the whole set works perfect! Next weekend we will have real seetrails for al long weekend. As the drive has to be mounted inside I had to think of a solution for a waterthight troughwall flange. In the end it has been made for only8 Euro's  The finished waterthight flange  The finished seal mounted in the sidewall under the starboard Gasbottle bin  As I could not use the Hanse quadrant I had to make a 90' adapter  I decided to make this one from 10mm Aluminum    The adapter for the push/pull bowden cable was mounted on the aft bulkhead, the bowden cable could be connected in a 270' bent to the SD10 drive which was mounted on the bottomside of the bulkhead, this means that the whole sent can be accessed trough the manhole.  The line-up in the Octopus catalog:  So in exchange for a few (and some more) nights sleep I saved about 50% of the pre-engineered Hanse standard solution. Best regards, Rob ------------- "Coriolis" H350 #045 (ex Waarschip 570 #? 1987/1992, ex Waarschip 28LD #7 1994/2007) |
Replies:
Posted By: Swanji
Date Posted: 10 April 2012 at 07:24
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Hi Rob That is quite an installation - I know that I couldn't have done it myself - respect  We have the AP24, RC 42 set-up. I am not sure what model the drive motor is or the computer for that matter. What I can say is that the AP24 is a really powerful set of equipment if you use all of its features. I have found it to be really accurate and reliable so far. How does one link the AP24 to the chartplotter to pick up the lat/long? Also our AP24 is not picking up water temperature but does show speed and depth. Does this mean their is a problem with our Airmar sensor or are we just not hooked onto the Simnet properly. I guess the best thing to do would be to simply follow the lines? Would be easier if I had a diagram of how the whole lot fits together. Any ideas? ------------- Onwards and upwards Nidri, Levkada, Ionian, Greece Hanse 350 #7, SY Evolution, standard keel, 3YM20 sail drive, 3 cabins, cherry wood interior, teak decks, feathering prop |
Posted By: Brufan
Date Posted: 10 April 2012 at 10:46
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Swanji, As far as I know, your yacht has a DD1 drive. But when I sailed her the clutch burned out may be due to water ingress. I guess the original DD1 drive was a MK 1. Now Jefa upgrade DD1 to MK2 wich is more watertight. This is due to the Hanse set up where the drive is not fitted inside but outside. May be you yacht was upgrade to a MK2 drive during warranty period. Hope it helps. ------------- Bruno hanse 355 - 57 S/Y Spicy Ginger White hull, 2 cabins, Volvo D1-30, Selden rig, removable mainsheet track system, Simrad (now B&G)-Jefa autopilot. |
Posted By: Peter-Blake
Date Posted: 10 April 2012 at 11:09
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Very nice solution Rob! ------------- Blake 370 
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Posted By: Wild
Date Posted: 10 April 2012 at 16:36
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Hello Swanji,
if the AP 24 display shows depth and speed and no seatemp. than the SIMNET cable connection is OK.
I think the tempsensor is broken in the AIRMAR COMBI truehull device.We have get a new one in warranty after 2 year from Airmar with out any problem.It seems they know about this problem. ------------- Wild and Wet Belgium 545e#268 |
Posted By: coriolis2
Date Posted: 10 April 2012 at 17:03
Swanji, I have a Standard Horizon hooked up with an AT10 Simrad NMEA converter. I'd just daisy chained the autopilot to the Simnet and everything works. Didn't check the temperature indication but is too cold anayway. I do agree that if the Simnet is transmitting (other) data in can be only the sensor, I heard that these sensors do have a habbit of failing. ------------- "Coriolis" H350 #045 (ex Waarschip 570 #? 1987/1992, ex Waarschip 28LD #7 1994/2007) |
Posted By: Swanji
Date Posted: 12 April 2012 at 07:55
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Hi Rob Thanks for this diagram - it is really helpful. The daisy chaining is quite straight forward. What isn't so clear - at least to me - is the wiring back to the chartplotter. It seems that all instruments need to be connected to the Simnet via the green NMEA wire taken from the negative and that they all need to be connected to an in and an out port whether on Acc1 or Acc 2. When we decide to move our chartplotter to the binnacle, I may need some more advice  ------------- Onwards and upwards Nidri, Levkada, Ionian, Greece Hanse 350 #7, SY Evolution, standard keel, 3YM20 sail drive, 3 cabins, cherry wood interior, teak decks, feathering prop |
Posted By: Eduard
Date Posted: 15 April 2012 at 14:43
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Via this link: http://www.octopusmarine.ca/content/products-and-services/documents/RSdrivePBOAug10printcopy.pdf" rel="nofollow - http://www.octopusmarine.ca/content/products-and-services/documents/RSdrivePBOAug10printcopy.pdf
you can read a PBO article on the installation of a (kind of) SD 10 drive on a 31 ft yacht.
Rob, it would be good if you inform us about your experiences with this ap drive. ------------- Ed sy "Nimby" Hanse 342 #611 (2007); white hull, (one) wheel steering, Selden mast & boom, furlex 200S, deep draught, two cabins, traveller in cockpit, DSC VHF, inboard ap, B&G Zeus + Triton (2x) |
Posted By: coriolis2
Date Posted: 16 April 2012 at 16:48
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Ed, thePBO article triggered me to buy the Octopus drive, or SD10 as sold (since a while) by Simrad. The two are the same, appart from the rudder feedback which when sold as Simrad SD10 is plug and play and when bought as Octopus drive must be ordered for the applied autopilot computer. This weekend made a 60NM trip from Delfzijl to Norderney with on our way back Northerley winds 5-6B with sometimes breaking waves. I did not dare to put the pilot on during that trip as the adaptive rear- and sideview cam is still not plugged in the Autopilot yet . On our way to Norderney we had to tack most of the way with moderate winds and I must say the pilot is steering and tacking perfectly under windvane control, it reacts on every wind shift.One of the crew made some films on the way back, I'll post them as soon as I have them. Best regards, Rob ------------- "Coriolis" H350 #045 (ex Waarschip 570 #? 1987/1992, ex Waarschip 28LD #7 1994/2007) |
Posted By: coriolis2
Date Posted: 27 August 2013 at 12:41
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Ed, 1.5 years later... Sailed about 2500NM since then. Used the SD10 a lot and the whole bunch is still outperforming my expectations!
Now thinking about a sabatical (1 year round trip Atlantic) in 2015/16 thus I'm discussing a windpilot now, will almost certain be a Bouvaan (Dutch DYI product in full 316).
http://www.hollandwindvane.com/self-steering/index.htm" rel="nofollow - http://www.hollandwindvane.com/self-steering/index.htm
Best regards, Rob ------------- "Coriolis" H350 #045 (ex Waarschip 570 #? 1987/1992, ex Waarschip 28LD #7 1994/2007) |
Posted By: coriolis2
Date Posted: 29 September 2013 at 09:32
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Promised to link the film; http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U7kvsMMinHU&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DU7kvsMMinHU >8 knots average (including tide for a part) ------------- "Coriolis" H350 #045 (ex Waarschip 570 #? 1987/1992, ex Waarschip 28LD #7 1994/2007) |
Posted By: sdaniel
Date Posted: 03 September 2018 at 03:13
| Rob, this was a very helpful post. I am looking to install the SD10 on my 350. Quick questions on the location of the drive unit. I see cable length is 2m, did you shorten the cable for the install on the rear bulk head? Do you have a photo showing the drive unit location? My rear bulk head appears to be 18mm marine ply, has the adapter mounting been ok on this substrated given 180kg loading? Much appreciated |
Posted By: SailCS33
Date Posted: 06 December 2023 at 18:37
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Hi, fellow Hanse Sailors! I found this trying to find how to install SD10 on my 320. This is very helpful! Can @coriolis2 please let me know how is the SD10 keeping up with the following seas? is it fast enough? ------------- H320 "Curacao", Hull #085, 2008 |
Posted By: coriolis2
Date Posted: 13 February 2024 at 16:45
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Hi, yes it is doing ok, sailed from Horta to Falmouth in 2017, the pilot was doing ok voor 3/4 of the route with avr 3.5m seas and max 7Bft. Hower the last 1/4 I had to use the windvane as the slip-clutch of the SD10 started to slip, this was however easily fixed in Falmouth, cause was missing Loctite on the screws, which was mentioned on the drawings. As I sail solo a lot I use it on every trip voor the last 10+ years. Regards, Rob ------------- "Coriolis" H350 #045 (ex Waarschip 570 #? 1987/1992, ex Waarschip 28LD #7 1994/2007) |