[C320-list] Help for older Autopilots

[Jeff Hare]

So, one question I have about the linear drive unit is...  How much
lock-to-lock steering do you give up with the linear drive unit?  

I *think* with the rudder centered, I have about a full turn and a half to
the left and the same to the right.

I'm curious with the linear drive what your new lock to lock turns will be?
We rely on the fact that our boat will almost pivot in its own length in
slow speed maneuvers and am interested in knowing whether we'll lose that if
we installed one on our boat.

-Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Len
Sent: Monday, August 06, 2012 1:26 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Help for older Autopilots

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"
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>