[C320-list] Wheel Brake

[Bruce Heyman]

The manual for my wheel mounted ST4000 states that it should never be
mechanically engaged when not using the autohelm. 
Bruce

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-List-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:C320-List-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Scott Thompson
Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2006 6:57 AM
To: C320-List
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Wheel Brake

I'm not so sure.  Have you ever seen the inside of that very expensive 
drive ring on the ST4000?  I did when mine failed.  It's not as solidly 
built as you might imagine.  I wouldn't want it subject to even minor 
constant stress or load / unload cycles when not in use.  It's not 
designed to be a wheel brake.  If my wheel brake failed, I'd think 
seriously of doing this the old fashioned way, namely by lashing the 
wheel to something.  I'll bet a piece of shock cord to two spokes around 
the bottom of the binnacle would do the trick nicely if it went through 
a small fairlead attached to the bottom of the binnacle guard.

By the way, here is a reminder that the ST4000 needs maintenance even 
though you can't find this said in any of the newer manuals.  (It is 
listed in the older ones, and I verified with a tech that the newer 
models need this just as much as the older ones.)  Maintenance is very 
easy, namely thorough rinsing of the interior of the drive wheel to keep 
the bearings clean.  Just shoot a stream of water into the crack where 
the two halves of the drive ring meet.  Mine started creaking when I 
turned the wheel on our last sail, and a bit of flushing quieted it down.


jonvez at comcast.net wrote:
> Great idea Jeff!
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Jon
> 
> -------------- Original message -------------- 
> From: "Jeffrey Hare" <catalina at thehares.com> 
> 
>> Hi, 
>>
>> If you have an ST4000 autopilot, you can save your brake by engaging the 
>> AP, and tightening the brake just a little. I'm on a river where the 
>> current reverses and this seems to easily do the job without overusing
the 
>> brake. 
>>
>> -JeffH 
>>
>> -----Original Message----- 
>> From: igrunes at comcast.net [mailto:igrunes at comcast.net] 
>> Sent: Monday, July 17, 2006 2:24 PM 
>> To: C320-List 
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Wheel Brake 
>>
>> Warren 
>> We once replaced the pads on Isle of Wight #851. 
>> The pads removed had no wear and the new pads do not holdget to the
either. 
>> When we looked at the Edson sitr it looked like a washer or two placed in

>> the locking mechanism would do the trick. 
>> We haven't done it because we don't feel like messing with removing the 
>> compass and all below it to do the adjustment. 
>> Juat replacing the pads was not the solution on #851. 
>> Irv grunes 
>>
>> -------------- Original message -------------- 
>> From: "Warren Updike" 
>>
>>> Check the Edson website for maintenance of the pedistal and controls. 
>> There is 
>>> a brake pad replacement kit if the pads are worn and not holding. First,

>> clean 
>>> the knurled brake drum of any oil deposits or other materials. If the 
>> holding 
>>> is not improved, you may need to replace the pads. 
>>>
>>> Warren & Pattie Updike 
>>> C320, #62, 1994, "Warr De Mar" 
>>> Frog Mortar Creek, Middle River 
>>> Chesapeake Bay 
>>