B7c Installation
• Determine the mounting position of the installation kit (Fig B39)
This stage of the assembly will be easier if the Type R drive unit is not connected to the
secondary steering cable at this point, as fine adjustments to the drive collar positioning
are necessary and the backdrive friction from the drive unit will make this more difficult.
Connecting the drive unit should be the final stage of the mechanical assembly.
i) The kit must be mounted to a secure and stable surface that will be able to
withstand the forces generated by the drive and the rudder.
ii) The kit has an 8.5in (216mm) stroke
and will need to be located so that the
rudder is at a 35º angle when in the
hard over position. This means the
steering cable attachment point will
typically be approx 7.4in (188mm) from
the rudder stock. Any further from the
rudder stock will reduce the amount
of rudder angle which the drive can
apply, which may adversely affect
the responsiveness of the autopilot.
Moving the mounting point closer
to the rudder stock will increase the
amount of force required to move the
rudder which may slow the lock-to-lock
time of the autopilot.
iii) The kit features a universal hub which offers 360º freedom of movement in
the horizontal plane and ±40º in the vertical plane. It can be mounted in any
orientation provided the kit is not forced beyond its rotational limits at any
point across the full steering range of the boat.
iv) The threaded guide tube offers up to ±3in (75mm) of lateral adjustment.
v) Ideally, the kit should be located so that the thrust from the steering cable is
perpendicular (ie at 90º) to the tiller at the mid-stroke position.
vi) The kit can be mounted with or without the base plate supplied.
vii) The clevis bracket can be mounted directly to the quadrant, or to a separate
tiller arm. An 0.375in (9.5mm) diameter hole will need to be drilled through
the tiller in order to attach the shoulder bolt supplied with the clevis bracket.
viii)Refer to the installation envelope diagram (Fig B40 overleaf) to ascertain the
best position for the kit.
29 of 44
Subject to change without notice
OC15269 REV F
www.octopusdrives.com
www.octopuseurope.com
Universal hub
Threaded guide tube with
±3in (75mm) of adjustment
Clevis
bracket
Baseplate
Fig B39 - Universal installation kit
