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TillerBuddy Horn Installation Guide
High-Intensity Wireless Navigation, towpath & Work Light
Every Tiller Should Have a Buddy by its Side
(Made by a Boater for the Boater)
The TillerBuddy Beam is a 2000lm high-intensity LED light, custom-modified with internal wireless circuitry. It is designed to give you instant, remote-controlled lighting for tunnel navigation, night mooring, and emergency signaling directly from your tiller.
1. Hardware & Features
Brightness: 2000 Lumens (High-Intensity LED).
Battery: 4400mAh USB-C Rechargeable Lithium-Ion.
Dual Mode Operation:
Remote Mode: Activated via your TillerBuddy V3 or Wearable remote.
Manual Mode: Use the physical button on the rear of the unit to cycle through Warm White, Cool White, or SOS modes for use as a standard work light.
2. Installation & Setup
Mounting: Use the integrated adjustable bracket to secure the Beam to your forward cratch, roof, or stern rail.
Orientation: Ensure the "face" of the light is angled slightly downward to avoid blinding oncoming boaters while still illuminating the canal banks.
Standby Mode: Your Beam is pre-paired to your remote and remains in a 24/7 "Always-Listening" standby state for immediate activation.
3. Power Management & Journey Prep
Understanding Standby Draw
Because the Beam must be "awake" to hear the signal from your remote, it consumes a tiny amount of power even when the LEDs are off.
Standby Duration: From a full charge, the internal battery will typically reach a low state within 3 to 4 weeks if left unused.
The Pre-Departure Check: We recommend checking your Beams as part of your standard pre-cruise routine. If the boat has been idle for more than 14 days, a "top-up" charge is advised.
BoatyBuoyBen’s Recommendation: For total reliability during night navigation or long tunnels, we recommend bringing your Beams inside to charge the night before you set off.
Pro-Tip: If you prefer to leave them mounted, a 20,000mAh USB-C Power Bank kept on board is a perfect way to charge the units in place.
4. Remote Logic (Deckhand Users)
If you are using the V3 Vertical Remote, your Beams are programmed as follows:
Button 2 (Second Down): Beam A (Typically Port/Left)
Button 3 (Third Down): Beam B (Typically Starboard/Right)
Button 1 (Top): Panic Mode (Triggers Red Flashing sequence for emergency visibility).
5. Troubleshooting
Symptom: Light does not respond to remote.
Solution: Check the battery. If it’s been mounted for 3+ weeks, the standby draw has likely depleted the cell. Charge via USB-C for 4–6 hours.
Symptom: Light works manually but not via remote.
Solution: Ensure you are within range (approx. 10–15 meters on water). Check the small LED on your remote; if it isn't lighting up, replace the CR2032 remote battery.
Symptom: Light turns on but is dim.
Solution: The battery is low. Recharge immediately to protect the Lithium cells.
⚙️ TillerBuddy Support & Contact
Hand-crafted and tested on my own narrowboat to ensure it survives the British canal environment.
Owner/Builder: Benjamin Donnaghue ("BoatyBuoyBen")
Email: info@tillerbuddy.co.uk
Phone: 07555 252025
Note: We also offer boat electrical services and PAT testing via www.boatybuoy.boats.
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