[C320-list] Help for older Autopilots

[Len]

A bit of history - my original ST4000 was balky - Catalina replaced it -
2nd ST4000 no better - Catalina replaced it with S1 which works fine (about
5 years). Wanted folding wheel, so just received Raymarine M81130 Type 1
Linear Drive and Lewmar 89700408 40" Folding Wheel Kit (come with extra hub
we need for C320 straight shaft).  Bought both online at HodgesMarine.com
after checking prices.

My electronics installer says we'll use my boat's existing S1 electronics
with linear drive. (don't  know whether ST4000 electronics would work with
linear drive).   Also had to buy Edson tiller arm that connects linear
drive to rudder post. Edson is boring 10" bronze tiller arm to fit 320
Edson rudder post.
Will install soon as I receive from Edson this week.

Len Krane
AQUA5, 2006 #1070

On Mon, Aug 6, 2012 at 9:47 AM, Scott Thompson <surprise at thompson87.com>wrote:

> Details please! I have the ST4000+ but have never been completely happy
> with it. Won't steer a straight line even after tweaking all settings. It
> consistently steers 100 yards starboard XTE, which has almost taken me
> aground on occasion, and lately I'm getting fault codes ("Sea Talk
> Failure") on the control head and it doesn't work at all. I've tried
> checking connections at the head to no avail.) All this has led me to start
> contemplating an upgrade, and I would love to have one that is protected
> from the elements.
>
> Scott Thompson
> Surprise, 653
>
> On 8/5/2012 2:17 PM, Len wrote:
>
>>
>> I'm replacing my S1 wheel pilot with Raymarine below-deck linear drive,
>> which attaches directly to the rudder post - and replacing my 40" wheel
>> with Lewmar folding 40" leather-wrapped wheel - added safety feature is if
>> your wheel mechanism faults, you can still steer with the autopilot!
>>   Linear drive uses same electronics as S1.
>>
>> Len Krane
>> AQUA5
>> Marina del Rey
>>
>> On Sun, Aug 5, 2012 at 8:19 AM, Jim Sweet<jamesweet at frontiernet.**net<jamesweet at frontiernet.net>>
>>  wrote:
>>
>>  I found out about Dan about 3 days after I had purchased a new SX5 to
>>> replace the old ST4000 whose control head had crapped out.  Sold him the
>>> old unit and was very pleased with the transaction.  He is the only one
>>> that I have found that will even work with you on the older Raymarine
>>> instruments and wheel pilots.  Highly recommend at least contacting him
>>> with any problems you might have.
>>> The new wheel pilot is vastly superior to the older unit, ie, it works!
>>> Never could get the ST4000 to really function properly (like the one I
>>> had
>>> on our older Pearson 332) and the new unit has performed flawlessly in
>>> some
>>> pretty trying conditions without the crazy ivans and the other issues
>>> with
>>> the ST4000.
>>>
>>> Jim Sweet
>>> TGIF (Thank God It Floats) 901
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Warren Updike"<wupdike at hotmail.com>
>>> To:<C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>>> Sent: Sunday, August 05, 2012 11:11 AM
>>> Subject: [C320-list] Help for older Autopilots
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>   I realize we shouldn't use this list for hyping vendors, so consider
>>> this
>>>
>>>> more of a help for owners of older autopilots and instruments that
>>>> Raymarine
>>>> will no longer repair.  Dan Gerhardt [C250 at mydurango.net] a retired
>>>> geologist in Durango, CO, may be able to repair your Raymarine /
>>>> Autohelm
>>>> /
>>>> Raytheon autopilot.  He also does some work on the ST50s, but they are
>>>> usually just as cheep to buy used as repair.  If he can't repair it, he
>>>> may
>>>> offer to buy it for parts.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> An while I'm at it, I had an occasion to obtain a newer wheel pilot
>>>> (just
>>>> the wheel stuff, not the control head.)  My impression is that it works
>>>> much
>>>> better with my old electronics than did the original wheel stuff.  The
>>>> synchronous motor seems bigger, heavier duty, and responds well (better)
>>>> to
>>>> the ST4000+ controller.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Warren&  Pattie Updike
>>>>
>>>> 1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>