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Windpilot PACIFIC LIGHT Manual

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PACIFIC LIGHT
PACIFIC LIGHT
PACIFIC LIGHT
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Summary of Contents for Windpilot PACIFIC LIGHT

  • Page 1 PACIFIC LIGHT Manual PACIFIC LIGHT PACIFIC LIGHT Manual Manual...
  • Page 2 If you would like confirmation that your system is properly installed and that the steering lines and so on are just right, send us a few photos of your WINDPILOT set up and ready for action. Pictures tell it like it is and make it easier for us to help you.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    1.5.5 ALIGNMENT 1.5.6 PENDULUM RUDDER LIFT-UP 1.6 THE STEERING LINES 1.6.1 GENERAL 1.6.2 THE BASICS 1.6.3 WINDPILOT SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 1.6.4 CROSSBAR 1.6.5 DEDICATED BREAK POINT FOR STEERING LINES 1.6.6 SHOULD I SPLICE THE STEERING LINES? 1.6.7 STEERING LINES AND TILLER STEERING 1.6.7.1 POSITIONING THE TILLER FITTING...
  • Page 4 1.7.3 OVERLOAD PROTECTION 1.7.4 PENDULUM RUDDER LIFT-UP 1.8 WINDPILOT AND AUTOPILOT 2.0 SAILING WITH YOUR WINDPILOT 2.1 SAILING WITH YOUR WINDPILOT: QUICK GUIDE 2.2 SAILING WITH YOUR WINDPILOT: COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE 2.2.1 SYSTEM NOT IN USE 2.2.2 PREPARING FOR USE 2.2.3 CONNECTING THE STEERING LINES 2.2.3.1 TILLER STEERING...
  • Page 5 5.2 SYSTEM PERFORMANCE IS NOT SATISFACTORY 5.2.1 POSITION OF PENDULUM RUDDER BLADE 5.2.2 STEERING LINES RIGGED INCORRECTLY 5.2.3 THE PENDULUM RUDDER IS NOT MOVING 25 DEGREES TO EACH SIDE 5.3 SYSTEM IS STICKING 5.3.1 AT THE WINDVANE 5.3.2 AT THE WINDVANE SHAFT 5.3.3 AT THE RUDDER AXLE 5.3.3.1 DISASSEMBLY PROCEDURE 5.3.3.2 ASSEMBLY PROCEDURE...

  • Page 6: Installation

    PACIFIC LIGHT 1.0 INSTALLATION 1.1 TOOLS • rule • pencil • 2.5 mm and 5 mm Allen keys (included in delivery package) • 9 mm and 10.5 mm drill bits • 10 mm, 17 mm and 19 mm ring/fork wrench/ spanner • Sikaflex sealing compound • rubber mallet • drill 1.2 INSTALLATION OPTIONS standard mounting bracket for moderately raked sterns mounting bracket with extension for extreme...

  • Page 7: Points To Consider Before Installation

    300 swings down very close to the bottom of the transom on the starboard side - check for clearance. • TIP: install the PACIFIC LIGHT first, then sort out the bathing ladder. • Tie safety lines to all components before you start. • Secure clamps 860 on the mounting bracket with tape.

  • Page 8: Bad Air And The Windvane

    • The pendulum rudder moves laterally in operation. • Turbulence caused by the main rudder does not interfere with the operation of the pendulum rudder. 1.3.4 ON LAND OR IN THE WATER? • You can fit your WINDPILOT with the boat ashore or afloat: it doesn’t really matter, as all the holes are above the waterline. • But the height above the waterline for installation is easier to find with the boat in the water.

  • Page 9: Installation: Comprehensive Guide

    1.5 INSTALLATION: COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE • Remember the five criteria. 1.5.1 HEIGHT ABOVE THE WATERLINE • The rudder shaft has been manufactured to the correct length for your boat. • The dynamic waterline should cover the rudder blade. • The rudder will project some distance above the static waterline. • Ideal installation height: bolt 435 should be about 5-10 cm/2-4 in above the static waterline. • Locate the mounting bracket on the transom at the appropriate installation height.

  • Page 10: What If The Bracket Is Aligned Incorrectly

    • Depending on the setting of the variable transmission, the PACIFIC LIGHT provides maximum steering line travel of between 20 and 25 cm/8 and 10 in (a feature it shares with other popular systems like the Aries and Monitor).

  • Page 11: The Basics

    • The system is sensitive in light airs but powerful in stronger wind conditions. CAUTION • Take care when setting up the steering lines between the WINDPILOT and the main rudder. Poor force transmission will seriously impair steering quality. 1.6.4 CROSSBAR • If the angle formed by the lines between the system and the first set of turning blocks on the back of the boat (seen from above) is greater than 30 degrees, performance is likely to suffer.

  • Page 12: Steering Lines And Tiller Steering

    • NOTE: it is impossible to have more leverage AND more movement at the same time! • A servo-pendulum system with automatic yaw damping like the PACIFIC LIGHT is designed to operate with an average steering line travel between the system and main rudder of 20-25 cm/8-10 in. 1.6.7.2 POSITIONING THE RING ON THE PENDULUM ARM • Moving the ring up the arm (away from the axle)

  • Page 13: Steering Lines And Wheel Steering

    This helps when you come to release or reconnect the lines (to engage or disengage the PACIFIC LIGHT). Ideally the connection should be half way between the binnacle and the pair of turning blocks at the side...

  • Page 14: Transmission Ratio

    • The block can then be used to re-tension the steering lines once the snap shackles have been reconnected prior to switching over to WINDPILOT steering. 1.6.8.5 TRANSMISSION RATIO • The wheel adaptor is designed for mechanical wheel steering systems with a range of around two and a half revolutions from stop to stop and a wheel diameter of approximately 60 cm/24 in.

  • Page 15: Hydraulic Wheel Steering

    1.6.9.2 HYDRAULIC WHEEL STEERING • Connecting the steering lines to the emergency tiller of a hydraulic steering system is pointless, as the tiller cannot possible supply enough force effectively to move the hydraulic cylinder. A bypass valve will not help either. • Good steering can only be had by this route if the transmission components of the wheel steering system are completely disconnected from the quadrant (emergency).

  • Page 16: Windpilot And Autopilot

    If a cockpit autopilot is used, it should be connected as usual to the main steering and not to the PACIFIC LIGHT. The autopilot is normally used when motoring, so there should be no problem with power consumption.

  • Page 17: Altering Course/Turning

    2.2.4 ALTERING COURSE/TURNING • Turn the windvane shaft 140 manually and refer to the degree scale on the windvane shaft. 2.2.5 FINE TRIM - TILLER STEERING • If wind/weather helm change, adjust the rudder position by changing the chain link in the tiller fitting. • The windvane should work evenly around the upright position most of the time. If it is permanently off to one side, adjust your sail trim or reef down.

  • Page 18: Setting The Windvane For Different Wind Strengths

    • If the pendulum arm reaches 25 degrees off-centre too quickly and easily, move ring 315 up the slot (longer lever). • Keep testing the settings and moving the ring up until the lateral travel of the pendulum arm begins to be limited to less than 25 degrees. • Now gradually move the ring back down the slot, testing the different settings as you go, until the pendulum arm is just able to reach the full 25 degrees of travel.

  • Page 19: Switching Back To Manual Steering

    end stops, adjust the tiller connection or wheel adaptor position until the movement is more evenly distributed. • If the windvane is permanently well over to one side, correct the course setting at the windvane shaft. • Check the degree scale. • NOTE: the reading on the scale at the windvane shaft 140 may differ slightly from the reading on your wind instrument.

  • Page 20: Caution

    Please take note of the care guidelines below. Follow them, and your WINDPILOT system should keep going indefinitely. 4.1 BEARINGS • The bearings are made from Teflon, POM and Delrin. These materials must not be oiled or greased.

  • Page 21: Cleaning

    4.2 CLEANING • Clean the system with fresh water and rinse thoroughly. • TIP: thoroughly soak your PACIFIC LIGHT in salt water (15 minutes should be long enough) at twilight on a damp evening and then rinse with fresh water. • This applies equally to the rest of the boat. Salt crystals and sunlight soon take the gloss off any shiny surface, but a thorough soak and rinse at the end of every long trip will keep your boat looking its best.

  • Page 22: Cast And Tubular Components

    4.5 CAST AND TUBULAR COMPONENTS • All the cast and tubular components in the system have been treated with lanolin before assembly and will come apart again readily even after prolonged operation. • Wax the tubular components occasionally. 4.6 LANOLIN • Lanolin has been applied to all screwed or bolted joints to prevent electrolytic reactions. • Lanolin works equally well on all the other screws and bolts on the boat (and also makes a good hand creme!).

  • Page 23: Troubleshooting

    5.0 TROUBLESHOOTING 5.1 SYSTEM IS TURNING THE WRONG WAY • The steering lines are connected wrongly to the wheel adaptor. See 1.6.8.2 Rigging the Steering lines. 5.2 SYSTEM PERFORMANCE IS NOT SATISFACTORY • Is the pendulum rudder positioned correctly? See 1.7 The Pendulum Rudder. Alternatively, is the… 5.2.1 POSITION OF PENDULUM RUDDER BLADE • If the pendulum rudder blade is too far aft, the balance proportion will be too small and the system will only be able to steer at relatively low speeds.

  • Page 24: At The Windvane Shaft

    5.3.2 AT THE WINDVANE SHAFT • If the windvane shaft will not turn easily (for course adjustment) even when adjustment lever 205 is released, remove locking screw 206/207 and raise the windvane shaft. • Apply WD-40 or Teflon spray and reassemble, taking care to ensure that bearing 141/142 is properly positioned. • Tighten locking screw 206/207 until it stops and then loosen it slightly so that the windvane shaft can turn freely.

  • Page 25: The Rudder Blade Is Vibrating

    • 6 mm marine plywood is ideal for making replacement windvanes (see “Adjusting the Windvane for Different Wind Strengths” in the Sailing with Your WINDPILOT section. • The pendulum rudder blade may be replaced with a simple wooden plank (approx. 120 x 900 x 20 mm). Even a completely unprofiled piece of wood will work on a temporary basis.

  • Page 26: Overview Of The Part Numbers In The Parts Lists

    Overview of the part numbers in the parts lists Part name System Part numbers Accessories 000 - 099 Tiller adaptor Light/Pacific 000 - 019 Wheel adaptor Pacific 020 - 059 Crossbar assembly Light 060 - 069 Crossbar assembly Pacific 070 - 089 Windvane as far as the push rod Light/Pacific/Plus...
  • Page 27 45x80x130 AlMg5 Spacer piece 25x77 Aluminium Crossbar 25x600 Aluminium Eye bolt M8x20 Stainless steel Turning block Stainless steel Parts list Pacific Light Part no. Name Dimensions (mm) Material Windvane 900x190x6 Plywood Windvane bracket AlMg5 Clamp Stainless steel Washer Stainless steel...
  • Page 28 Part no. Name Dimensions (mm) Material Pendulum arm AlMg5 Stud bolt M10x12 hex head Stainless steel Bearing collar Delrin Socket head cap screw M10x45 hex head Stainless steel Sleeve Delrin Pinion gear Bronze Flange sleeve Delrin Pendulum arm bolt Aluminium Bearing washer Delrin Ring nut...

  • Page 35: Mounting Options F

    MOUNTING OPTIONS F 0 - 1...

  • Page 37: Wrong Perfect

    WRONG PERFECT...

  • Page 38: Line Transfer

    LINE TRANSFER...

  • Page 42: Catamarans

    CATAMARANS...

  • Page 43: Stern Ladder

    STERN LADDER...
  • Page 46 WINDPILOT ...because the wind steers better Bandwirkerstr 39 - 41 22041 Hamburg Germany tel: +49 40 652 52 44 fax: +49 40 68 65 15 email: peter@windpilot.com www.windpilot.com...

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