Autohelm AutoPilot ?

capttb · #1 (**permalink**) 02-22-2004

My ~10 y.o. Autohelm ST4000 has quit on me, power into control head is OK, can''t seem to get power out to drive. Took everything apart (including control head) cleaned contacts etc. when I powered up again it made high pitched buzz from control head, not a good sign I know. Any advice? If I do need to replace head how compatible are new Raymarine units ? Any chance I could replace JUST the control head?

hamiam · #2 (**permalink**) 02-22-2004

I had a similiar problem with my ancient autohelm system. Called Raytheon and they were ZERO help except to say that I could purchase a refubished system at a discount price. You might take it to someone with experience with marine electronics.

Wega24 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-23-2004

cant say nothing about the original post, just had to answer to the ZERO help from Raytheon.
I do have the same experience with a ST 400 ( ? series ) log. which works exactly at 3 knots... under 3 knots it shows less and less ( you are traveling at 1 knot and it shows O...) above 3 knots it shows more and more ( going 5.5 knots it displays almost 7 knots )

After a long and tediuois email, several telephone calls, visits at the boat show booth, they finally send me a new thru hull. Of course that did not solve the problem at all . ( I had to send mine in before and was 4 weeks without any )

Lousy lousy very arrogant service ..... no more raytheon for me.

Thorsten

capttb · #4 (**permalink**) 02-24-2004

Pretty much resigned to replacement, was going to stay with Ray, maybe not have to replace fluxgate,(they have an "upgrade" kit but not much cheaper) sorry to hear of bad experiences with service. Simrad has self contained wheel pilot I have not seen, but am leaning towards just replacing with whole new ST 4000.

clayton · #5 (**permalink**) 02-25-2004

I purchased a Ray ST4000 a couple of years ago and NEVER got it to work. Replaced the compass then the control unit. The service guy said "maybe the software is wrong" What??I returned it and got a Simrad. It worked right out the box.

hamiam · #6 (**permalink**) 02-25-2004

Ive actually heard that the simrads can have problems as the noise from the motor can effect the fluxgate compass. perhaps they corrected the problem.