[C320-list] ST 4000 autohelm problem

[crashley at gte.net]

I don't leave the clutch engaged. The rotation at turn on still happens.

CRA
Rosebud #882

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Warren Updike" <wupdike at hotmail.com>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:47 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] ST 4000 autohelm problem


> Interestingly, the reason the ST4000 servo motor runs on power-up is to 
> insure that the position of the belt is changed to prevent a memory of 
> position.
>
> If the wheel break was on at power-up AND the clutch was engaged, the 
> motor would not turn creating a large power draw that could cause a 
> breaker trip or something like that.  I never leave my autopilot clutch 
> engaged when not in use.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <crashley at gte.net>
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Sent: Saturday, May 17, 2008 9:27 AM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] ST 4000 autohelm problem
>
>
>> Gene,
>>
>> When my ST4000 autopilot first powers up it attempts to rotate the wheel 
>> a 1/4 turn or so. I think this is some sort of self test or indication 
>> that the unit is on. Could be related.
>>
>> CRA
>> Rosebud #882
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Gene Musante" <gmusante at msn.com>
>> To: "Catalina, 320 intl" <c320-list at catalina320.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, May 17, 2008 4:04 AM
>> Subject: [C320-list] ST 4000 autohelm problem
>>
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I mounted up my boat's wheel for the season and connected the servo motor 
>> to it's electrical connection on the pedistal.  When I switched the power 
>> on, my power kept switching off and on at about a 1 second frequency on 
>> the autohelm display and my tri-data display.  My GPS, which is connected 
>> to the same power feed was having the same problem.  I disconnected the 
>> servo motor electrical connector, and the power came on and stayed on.
>>
>> My hunch is that the servo motor may be defective, but it was working 
>> fine in the fall before I dismounted the wheel, which I store inside the 
>> boat. I am going to dismount the wheel and re-assemble the whole works to 
>> see if this could have been caused by a mechanical problem.  I forgot 
>> that the wheel lock was on when I first switched on the power which may 
>> have caused the problem initially.
>>
>> Has anybody seen this problem on their boat?Gene Musante  617-755-0680 
>> gmusante at msn.comAFFINITY Hull #68
>>
>>
>>
>
>