Adding rudder position indicator.

[williamg]

Thanks much!

[williamg]

Got an estimate back from my dealer of $650 to install a rudder indicator. $385 of that was for the kit from Cobalt plus $35 for shipping. That seems steep given the cost of the option.

[Big Block Power]

That's seems proper to me. The last person that added it went through alot of work

[jma2@fuse.net]

Got an estimate back from my dealer of $650 to install a rudder indicator. $385 of that was for the kit from Cobalt plus $35 for shipping. That seems steep given the cost of the option.

If you know the VP part number(s), you can confirm the dealer mark-up on the price. Assuming the PN is correctly priced, that leaves $265 to install. Having recently installed it as a DYI (see my post above), the labor seems quite reasonable. Either way, I couldn't imagine not having a rudder indicator now--very useful when docking, piloting, and launching a skier.

[BobRae99]

I ordered this option for my 2019 R3. As posted on this thread, if you have 7607s, you get a 1.5" bar on the display with a small indicator block moving to left or right of the centre line. I think mine needs an adjustment though - when it is entered and I am motoring in calm water the boat is heading off to the left. Its on the dealer's "to do" list when they get the boat ready for launch this summer. Does anyone know how to adjust this?

[jma2@fuse.net]

I don't know how to adjust, but I'd put the drive visually at zero (0) degrees and check the instrument reading to confirm its accuracy/inaccuracy. If it's out of sync, then I'd make sure the boat was level, open the engine compartment, and check the position of the down-rod that connects to the cross-bar that connects to the steering arm. Theoretically if the cross-bar is level the down-rod should be perpendicular. If not then, adjust as necessary (It's self-explanatory once you look at it) and see if that works.

[Royk]

I had the dealer install the rudder indicator this winter, but when I turn left, the bar on the screen goes to right and vice versa. The dealer claims that is because I have the forward facing drive. Does anyone else have the rudder indicator on a surf boat? I have a 2018 CS23. I feel like there has to be a way to correct this. Thanks!

[akorcovelos]

They can’t really try playing that game...like they wouldn’t have told you when you ordered it “oh by the way, it will read opposite on surf models”. Someone screwd up and have a connection backwards somewhere.

[Bfun220]

Sounds to me like they may have gotten into some hippie lettuce before coming up with that one.

[rnr]

Clipped off VP connector, Deutsch added, working:

Greenhut, which kit did you order? Looking through the VP catalog with my engine serial number, it gives me 21323189 for the rudder indicator kit...but it shows with a guage too and is $673 on Wholesale Marine.

Also, did you ever get the sender mounted to the transom? Pics would be great. I have a 2018 R7 and it is EVC and Garmin Glass...so should be identical to the 2019-2020 you referenced earlier in the thread.

Thanks,

[Zuul]

I just started a DIY rudder indicator project, and though some others might find my learnings useful.

The position sensor that Volvo packages with their kits is made by VDO in Switzerland. Just search for “VDO Marine Single Station Rudder Angle Sensor” and you’ll see that they are readily available and can be had for about $100.

The connectors used on the Volvo harness are made by Aptiv (formerly Delphi) and are known as “Apex 2.8” automotive connectors. What you need is part# 54200210 which is the sealed, 2-pin, type-A, male plug. Mouser Electronics stocks everything you would need, but be aware that the housing and crimp terminals are sold separately. Chrysler vehicles are full of these connectors, so there is a chance the parts department at your local Ram/Jeep/Dodge dealer might be able to help, but I didn’t try.

What you should ALSO know about the connectors is that you already have one plugged into the harness. Volvo uses an empty housing with plastic nibs in place of the wires to seal the unused connection. All you need is 2 crimp terminals and some wire to bring it to life. You could get them from Mouser, but I THINK that some of the assorted terminal repair kits sold on Amazon have the correct parts (knock off) to do the job. I have a kit coming, and will report back on my success or failure.

The last part that you will need is a linkage. Volvo uses ball studs and snap-on ball sockets like the ones found on gas struts. The most common size for these is 10mm (diameter). You can get a Stainless ball stud with 1/4-20 thread from McMaster Carr (and probably elsewhere). That’s the size that will thread into the steering tiller of the Volvo out drive. You will just replace the bolt that secures the wire tether. The ball socket ends are even easier to come by on Amazon and at auto parts stores. They typically have M6 female thread, so just buy some M6 stainless threaded rod, and cut it to length. All that is left is to get a ball stud that works with the VDO sensor. You shouldn’t have any trouble with a little creativity. (I made my own on a lathe, so I can’t point to an off-the-shelf option.)

That’s how far I’ve gotten so far. Updates to come….

[greenhut]

Great info - thanks. My original VP part is still in the box from years ago. I was mostly concerned with placement. Please take pics when you mount!

[bruceb58]

Often, you can get these connectors with pigtails so you don't have to buy separate pins and use a crimper.


www.amazon.com/54200206-54200210-542004 ... KWMSH?th=1

[Zuul]

Often, you can get these connectors with pigtails so you don't have to buy separate pins and use a crimper.
www.amazon.com/54200206-54200210-542004 ... KWMSH?th=1

Yup. I opted for “get it by tomorrow” and I already have crimpers. I do like to avoid splices where I can, but that’s just my OCD. The generic “2.8mm” terminals worked just fine.

I added the Apex plug to my sensor, plugged it into the engine harness, and the system recognized it right away! All that was necessary was to add a rudder angle gauge to the glass cockpit display. Moving the arm by hand (test before mounting!) moved the indicator exactly as expected.

[Zuul]

I finished mounting the sensor today, and everything is working great!

The R7 has plenty of room for mounting. The bilge vent, and a couple of drain lines needed to be pulled to the side, but all it took was cutting one zip tie and adding a couple others.

I didn’t use a ball stud on the tiller, and ended up needing to fabricate a little bracket. When turned hard to port, the tiller goes under the steering actuator bracket slightly. Maybe there is enough clearance for a ball stud, but definitely not my DIY connection. If you undertake this project be sure to check this before you mount anything else, just in case.

The sensor is just a potentiometer, so there is no polarity to worry about. Rotating clockwise from center corresponds to turning to port. That means the arm should hang down. (Definitely for I/O, but I think forward drive surf models should be the same.) If you mount it with the arm pointing up, the tiller will move the sensor arm counter-clockwise when steering to port, and the display will be reversed. Again, best to check before drilling holes.

I hope this information is helpful to somebody. It’s not a hard DIY, and is WAY cheaper than buying the Volvo kit and paying your dealer to install it.

Anyway, here’s how it looks.

Before:


After: