Dometic Seastar Smartstick Autopilot Rudder Reference Installation Instructions

Installation procedure

1. Remove the nuts and washers (item 1 and 2) from the steering cylinder rod. Discard washers (item 2) as they will not be used in the SmartStick installation.
2. Install brackets (item 3) onto the ends of the cylinder support rod. Re-install the nuts (item 1) and torque to 33 in/lbs (3.82 Nm).
3. Install the sensor (item 4) behind the brackets as shown in figures A and B.
4. Mount the magnet (item 5) to the center of the cylinder body with the arrow pointed in the same direction as the arrow on the sensor.
5. Turn steering cylinder so that the magnet arrow and the sensor decal arrow are nearest each other.
6. Without changing the position along the length of the cylinder, rotate the magnet on the cylinder so that arrows on sensor and magnet are as closely lined up as possible.
7. Install band clamps onto rubber bracket after positioning onto barrel, as per figure 1. Each clamp will fit into a recessed gap on either side of magnet. Tighten band clamps to 10 in/lbs to secure rubber bracket in position.
8. Connect Rudder Reference to autopilot as per autopilot installation instructions. Refer to Table 1 to ensure correct application.
9. Move the steering cylinder from hard over to hard over to confirm that the autopilot receives a signal from the sensor at ALL cylinder positions.
10. Install strain relief (item 6).
11. Using an assistant, turn steering wheel hard-over to hard-over while inspecting for interference of the SmartStick with any other object. Check steering in all engine trim/tilt ranges and throughout the entire steering arc. Any interference must be corrected prior to use.

NOTICE! Correct installation of magnet is important to the overall operation of autopilot.

NOTICE! Do not distort the rubber magnet housing or over-torque the band clamps while tightening.

NOTICE! Failure to install the strain relief may result in irreparable damage to the sensor.

Diagrams and Notes

Figure 1: Band Clamps installation.

Figure 2: Sensor mounting behind bracket.

Figure 3: Autopilot connection wiring.

Table 1: Model Number, Color Coding (RED, BLACK, WHITE) for Power, Ground, and Signal, and Voltage/Frequency ranges for different autopilot systems (AR502, AR502RM, AR50251).

NOTICE! If the SmartStick bracket does not fit around the steering cylinder bracket contact Dometic for replacement brackets.

NOTICE! Do not install the sensor in front of the mounting bracket. Doing so will result in interference with the steering cylinder (refer to figure 2). Be sure to check for interference at all engine positions before proceeding.

NOTICE! The SmartStick rudder reference unit may require an HC5358-3 cylinder when installed on Evinrude or Yamaha 4-Stroke engines.

NOTICE! The sensor (item 4) may be mounted in an inverted/flipped position to allow the cable to exit on the port side. In either case arrow A must point in the same direction as arrow B (on the decal of the sensor).

WARNING! Using an assistant, turn steering wheel hard over to hard over and check for interference of the SmartStick with any other object. Confirm that the engine can be steered, unrestricted throughout its steering articulation and in all trim/tilt angles. Failure to check for interference and unrestricted operation may lead to irreparable damage to the SmartStick or cylinder leading to loss of steering control. Loss of steering control may result in unpredictable boat behavior, resulting in property damage, personal injury and/or death.

NOTICE! If interference occurs, check fit with other holes.