[TG] [TG11] Smartpilot S3

[Tom - Raymarine - Moderator]

Hello unixdood,

1. Heat dissipation. If you mount the unit flat, it can't effectively dissipate heat from those big drive FETS into the back plate and then away through convection. Instead it will collect hot air in the top of the plastic case.
2. Shock and vibration tolerance. The design and testing were with the unit in the intended orientation.
3. Water ingress. These pilots as drip-protected when mounted vertically, when mounted horizontally condensation and drips from above would be likely to collect around the connector panel.
   

Tom