Autohelm 4000 control unit with loose parts

n0w0rries · #1 (**permalink**) 03-02-2011

Buying a Catalina 34--previous owners says the autohelm doesn't work--there are loose parts rattling around in it.

So I've taken it apart and here's what I got:

Autohelm 4000 parts by No Worries 29, on Flickr

The loose parts are a screw, a nut, a lead weight that has a hole for the nut, and a couple of plastic parts.

Any idea how to reassemble this? I can't figure out where it goes.

Faster · #2 (**permalink**) 03-02-2011

Which module is that? I don't recognize it from our old ST-4000.

n0w0rries · #3 (**permalink**) 03-02-2011

It's a 4000, not ST 4000. It has the fluxgate compass in the control unit (you can see it in the picture). I'm thinking the pieces might be part of the fluxgate, but I can't for the life of me figure it out. Seems like if I assemble it with the plastic tube part it's too long, and if I assemble it without it the screw is too long.

Here's a picture of the face

CaptainDan99 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-02-2011

First, be very careful with the ribbon cable that goes to the fluxgate. It should not be twisted . The small black disk goes on top of the compass. The long screw goes down through this disk.

Next, on the underside of the compass goes the black plastic cylinder. It fits snug into the compass. The lead weight fits into the black cylinder and the nut fits into the base of the lead weight.

Use a little lock tight on the nut.

Send a pm with email if you need a pic.

n0w0rries · #5 (**permalink**) 03-02-2011

Did I get it right?

IMG_0680 by No Worries 29, on Flickr

CaptainDan99 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-02-2011

Yes, but it looks like the ribbon cable is twisted.

n0w0rries · #7 (**permalink**) 03-02-2011

How about now? Looks like I was half a turn off before

IMG_0681 by No Worries 29, on Flickr

CaptainDan99 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-02-2011

No. The ribbon on the compass should be closest to the back cover. Rotate the compass 180. Now the ribbon cable should go to the socket with no twists.

n0w0rries · #9 (**permalink**) 03-03-2011

Yep that did it. Thanks for squaring me away. Is it normal that if you tilt the box you can hear the weight hitting the side of the control box?

CaptainDan99 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-03-2011

yes, the knocking is normal. Let me know if you have problems with it once you get it hooked up.