LondonRascal Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 So, a new one on me - the 'Rulan Indicator'. I've never heard of this until a video I saw showed a chap using one and a look on Google surprised me with their value. It appears you stick the indicator on the centre hub of your wheel, and using gravity and what I can only assume is witch craft (since there is no wires, batteries or senders) plots the angle the rudder has moved either to port or starboard. Usually, rudder angle indicators are not cheap, require a gauge, wiring, sender unit on tiler arm and some 12v power for good measure - so is this perhaps too good to be true? Has anyone used a Rulan Indicator before and how accurate might they be? Link: https://www.mailspeedmarine.com/rudder-position-indicator.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadScot Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 I prefer to use my eyes, Robin, when steering. A different kettle of fish if a ocean going liner ! Then yes something like that will be very handy indeed! Iain 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnks34 Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 I picked up a KUS rudder gauge and sender from ebay for about £30 if my memory serves. Granted it did come from Hong Kong but fitting was simple enough. I mounted the sender over the rudder stuck on a piece of ply and then centralised the sender arm to the rudder arm using a thin steel rod fixed into 2 thickness's of ply then I firmly araldited it to the rudder arm. Works an absolute treat, I could have drilled the rudder arm to accept the steel rod but access isnt great so I used araldite expecting it to come away at some stage, that was over 2 years ago! I replaced a steering hose recently and it was still firmly fixed in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baitrunner Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 Never seen these before - very clever indeed. I know a lot of people poo poo rudder indicators, but with a stern drive they come in very handy when reversing. Either that or I need to put a piece of tape on the steering wheel. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnks34 Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 If you steering is hydraulic like mine for some reason the tape on the wheel doesnt actually work! The taped mark soon moves away from centre for some reason! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumpy Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 Clever stuff but it'll never take over from a Turk's Head! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadScot Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 30 minutes ago, stumpy said: Clever stuff but it'll never take over from a Turk's Head! For those like me, who hadn't a clue ! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turk's_head_knot 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbo Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 I knew my woggle would come in handy! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumpy Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 Nice one Skip - now trying to work out a use for a Wood Badge on board. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baitrunner Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 Ive had a few tortoise head moments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonRascal Posted September 9, 2016 Author Share Posted September 9, 2016 I thought it may be handy when you have moored stern on, then the following morning you wonder 'is the rudder straight' and a glance down would let you know. Anyway, it would be of no use on Broad Ambition, since our wheel does not have a flat hub to stick the Rulan Indicator on to which is needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowjo Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 My wheel is three turns lock to lock! so once moored up I go full lock then back up 1 1/2 turns, I have a Turks head on the wheel problem is with three turns it can give a false straight ahead, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZimbiIV Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 It does say each turn of the wheel moves the dial 30 degrees. So 1.5 turns will show 45 degrees needing 1.5 turns back to zero the dial, I may get one for Zimbi. paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfuzz Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 I look over my shoulder at the angle of the outboard!!!!! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbo Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 3 hours ago, Wildfuzz said: I look over my shoulder at the angle of the outboard!!!!! If it's pointing right, we're going left. If it's pointing left we are going right. Up in the air, then we've hit the bank. If it's not there...someone's nicked it! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadAmbition Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 Robin - back in the restoration days in our local 'Boat Shed' a rudder indicator was discussed - I got outvoted. However as you are aware on 'B.A's helm the ammeter dial is redundant. Yes it is there and lights up but it is not wired up. This was done as we have that electronic display voltmeter / amp counter display panel that is far better. However if Vetus does a rudder angle indicator that is the same size as the other gauges . . . . . . . Griff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonRascal Posted September 10, 2016 Author Share Posted September 10, 2016 Vetus do make such a thing, but I can see why you were outvoted - the gauge alone varies from what I have found £179.00 to £240.00. Next you need the Vetus rudder position sensor and that is an additional £240.00 (its also not water tight so must not be located in a wet environment). I say leave as. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjg1677 Posted September 10, 2016 Share Posted September 10, 2016 check this out, bought one to fit to my boat, have checked it out on a test rig and it works great, just got to : a. find the steering gear and tiller arm b. figure out how to mount it. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301899136899?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT ttfn trev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnks34 Posted September 10, 2016 Share Posted September 10, 2016 Thats exactly the product I described fitting to my boat earlier in the thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadAmbition Posted September 10, 2016 Share Posted September 10, 2016 Vetus do make such a thing, but I can see why you were outvoted - the gauge alone varies from what I have found £179.00 to £240.00. Next you need the Vetus rudder position sensor and that is an additional £240.00 (its also not water tight so must not be located in a wet environment). I say leave as. So what you are saying is, We purchase and fit wi-out telling anyone? Griff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadScot Posted September 10, 2016 Share Posted September 10, 2016 Any bloke that can reverse BA through Wroxham Bridge dizny require a rudder gauge IMHO so there ! Iain 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjg1677 Posted September 10, 2016 Share Posted September 10, 2016 2 hours ago, dnks34 said: Thats exactly the product I described fitting to my boat earlier in the thread. Ahhhh ha, well done that man, given my an idea how to mount it now so thanks for that. Good value for money aint they compared to the vetus offering and the sender unit is quite substantially built. Like you I have hydraulic steering and the reason that they never quite center again is because of fluid leakage past the pump in the wheel unit, quite normal. However on my baot it is dual steer so wherever the last used helm leaves the rudder, if you use a different helm position it picks up from where the last helm left off and therefore throws a centre marker on the wheel - out straight away Turks heads were used on the sailing ships of old in the roayl navy to indicate midships position on the rudder as usually they were anything up to 15 full turns of the wheel hard over to hard over. Rulan indicators are quite simple. You have a swinging counterweight not dissimilar to a self winding watch. When you turn the wheel the counterweight alwas stays at the bottom and a clever gear rack moves the pointer accordingly, no wigglies, no electric string,no batteries - just good old newtons law....lol. here endeth the sermon sorry if I am teaching people to suck eggs.......... ttfn Trev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadAmbition Posted September 11, 2016 Share Posted September 11, 2016 Ere, Robin - I quite like the look of the KUS unit / setup. but what has got me thinking it is a stainless steel bezel. Now as you are aware the vetus units the actual bezels are 'chromed' plastic - cheap as chips and the chrome finish keeps wearing off and we have to replace the blasted things. I'm wondering if 'KUS' would supply just the bezels only and will they fit our vetus gauges? - Just a thought Griff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadAmbition Posted September 11, 2016 Share Posted September 11, 2016 And another thought our Robin, the 'KUS' gauge is the same diameter as our current gauges. Now if I was to remove the redundant ammeter and replace is with a 'Kus' rudder indicator unit - how long before 'He' noticed it? Griff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauriceMynah Posted September 11, 2016 Share Posted September 11, 2016 Arghhh, the battery is now charging at 37° to port. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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