Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2015 8:04:12 GMT -5
Autopilot just keeps the TM head pointed on the heading you set it. The "older" Copilot version used a magnetic compass where the iPilot uses a solid state one. I use AP all the time. It's on constantly and works well. If I want to go "that way" I point the TM that way and it does its thing - bringing itself out of a turn as needed, etc. On thing to always make sure when pulling with your TM - ipilot, copilot or anything - make sure your outboard is straight and trimmed down so that you have a "rudder" - if it's turned you'll veere off course I just want to note that iPilot actually has 2 autopilot modes, a GPS mode and a compass mode (like the copilot). When you push the autopilot button, you get the GPS mode (N with a circle around it). If you push and hold the autopilot button for 2 seconds, you get the compass autopilot (N without a circle). This is the only feature of the i-pilot that works well for me and it is worth it's weight in gold. When I accidently have it turned off, I end up going in circles if I don't pay attention  I use the GPS version since it's easier to activate, but sometimes go to the compass version when heavy wind overcomes the GPS version. The compass version will only hold heading but not course, so you'll get blown off course but still make progress. The GPS version can get blown off course and end up trying to crab sideways back onto course. If cruise control worked, this wouldn't be an issue since the motor would just power up to compensate for the wind... But I always end up going 2.5mph if I turn on cruise control. I guess my trim tabs might be why I have good luck with cruise control and with wind? They allow me to put more of the boat in the water keeping it more stable and work as a drift sock as well. More control but less speed. |
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Post by mwardncsu on Apr 13, 2015 8:09:53 GMT -5
You also have a 101 Tm and a smaller/lighter weight boat - that may very well help. I've always felt that my 80 lb thrust and my 24' boat and all the wind resistance I have (t-top, etc) is just not the right match for the CruiseControl feature... Seems that it just takes the boat longer to get to speed and by the time it starts moving and momentum is carrying it, the iPilot is ramped the speed further up (or down), thus getting real swings in speed for CruiseControl. Had wondered if a 101 or 112 would help the issue for me. Curious though that Brian's seeing the same with the 112 - though he has a big boat as well (without the t-top).
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Apr 13, 2015 9:14:52 GMT -5
You also have a 101 Tm and a smaller/lighter weight boat - that may very well help. I've always felt that my 80 lb thrust and my 24' boat and all the wind resistance I have (t-top, etc) is just not the right match for the CruiseControl feature... Seems that it just takes the boat longer to get to speed and by the time it starts moving and momentum is carrying it, the iPilot is ramped the speed further up (or down), thus getting real swings in speed for CruiseControl. Had wondered if a 101 or 112 would help the issue for me. Curious though that Brian's seeing the same with the 112 - though he has a big boat as well (without the t-top). Mike, my boat probabably weighs in close to yours, maybe a little heavier but its lower to the water and no top. I have the 112 and it moves the boat with authority. Like I've said the cruise control and anchor lock dont work worth a used bait tank filter. I am 99.999% confident that the software guy for the ipilot has never heard of a PID loop. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2015 16:19:33 GMT -5
Follow up.
On Friday, I received a fed ex return label from MK. They swear my remote is not the problem; it's the control head. I sent them the head on Friday afternoon and received the new head today. I installed it and have never had the left/right fine control that I have now. I also walked away from my boat about 3 boat lengths and pointed the remote away from the motor. Works great.
They mentioned that the remote would sometimes not respond because it wasn't getting a signal from the head. Banging on the remote really didn't do anything, it was just persistence. Hopefully they are correct. I will keep everyone informed.
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Post by archenemy on Apr 27, 2015 16:55:21 GMT -5
I have had the 80lb on the eighteen parker and the cruise was slow to respond and ultimately overshot with too much speed. I have a 112 with a 24 (mike size) boat and the marriage seems better matched. Too much power with slow response in heavy winds = over cooked. I think they should allow you to enter boat weight and profile so the cruise and ap are matching the boat.
Sent from my XT1080 using proboards
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Apr 27, 2015 17:04:34 GMT -5
I think they should allow you to enter boat weight and profile so the cruise and ap are matching the boat. That would help, but it is pretty straightforward to design an algorithm to self-tune a control loop. |
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Post by striperjohn on Apr 27, 2015 17:40:21 GMT -5
That would work on newer designs but no way would they recall all ipilots to modify them. Their response links are slow. A test run on THT website by a Navico guy shows the exact problem Yam had.
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Gator
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Post by Gator on Apr 27, 2015 18:07:44 GMT -5
Arch makes a very good point. I have been guilty of over doing it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2015 18:42:35 GMT -5
That would work on newer designs but no way would they recall all ipilots to modify them. Their response links are slow. A test run on THT website by a Navico guy shows the exact problem Yam had. Any evidence that newer units are better? I have never sensed the response I am currently getting from any remote on any unit in the past. I'm not in the water though... Might be different. My I pilot was a 2012 model that I bought in 2013 and was still covered on the 2 year warranty. |
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2015 20:20:41 GMT -5
Water Test.
For the first time since purchasing my TM, I did not have one issue with my remote. I even sprayed it with water to simulate rain. Not one problem. I think the older heads (at least 2012) had a signal issue which made me think the remote was the issue. In fact, I am almost positive that my issue is resolved.
I also tested the Ipilot features with a keen eye. Anchor lock worked like a charm as long as I faced into either the wind or the current and hit it once I was going 0mph. Otherwise.. It was a violent mess of jerking and twisting. Just do it right and it will do you right.
Cruse control worked like a charm both going into the wind and with the wind. It just worked! I set it for 0.8 and rarely saw anything over 1.0 mph. Not sure what more I could ask for. I tested it on calm water and a decent chop. I never sensed any over or under correction. Of course, a gale force wind might change things drastically... But....
Finally... Copilot worked like it always has and I noted that when I didn't use it, I would often times be totally off course.
All I can say is that a 20 foot deep V and a 101 are a perfect match!
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I use the GPS version since it's easier to activate, but sometimes go to the compass version when heavy wind overcomes the GPS version. 
