[C320-list] Questions about LPG tank refill, and removing the wheel

[Jeff Hare]

Hi,

Allan's correct.  Only the drive motor wiring plug needs to be disconnected.  

1. There's a rubber boot on the cable to the autopilot motor that you peel back carefully and that reveals a push/twist/pull type of 2 pin connector to the drive motor. Careful, this is the worst connector ever designed and it's neither very strong nor marine rated. Also, this rubber boot might be difficult to find replacements for. RayMarine/Flir probably has a part number and price though...

 2. Engage the autopilot with the lever before you attempt to remove the wheel is a good practice.  Keeps the motor from sliding around and banging into something when you remove the wheel.

3. Remove the nut from the wheel. If you can't pull the wheel straight off, then it's probably just a little stuck.  Use an inexpensive gear puller to break it free. Edson sells a nice large nut for removing by hand as a part of the rail mount wheel kit.

4. Clean the shaft, and the inside the wheel hub until it's free of any corrosion. There is a keyway slot on the shaft.  I used LocTite to keep the key in the slot, that way I can remove the wheel, hang it on the rail and not worry about losing the key. 

5. You can remove the AP cover and clean the gears and belt inside. Check the condition of the gears and the tension clutch. Only once did I have to remove it and clean/adjust it because it was slipping under way.

6. When reinstalling the wheel, note that the large gray PIN attached to the pedestal will need to be aligned with the hole on the gray autopilot ring.  Don't try to force the wheel back on without aligning that pin or you'll likely damage the AP drive unit.

7. Finally, if you do upgrade to the large knurled handwheel nut from Edson, here's a tip.  Take Loctite blue and coat all the threads of either the nut or the threaded part of the shaft. Let it dry.  Then you can spin on the nut and it will be far less likely to loosen up under way.  For me, it's an old habit to test that wheel nut tightness regularly when steering.  They have a habit of loosening up and could fall off and slide out the back of the boat.

Good luck, hopefully this helps some.
-Jeff




-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Allan S Field
Sent: Wednesday, May 4, 2016 11:08 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Questions about LPG tank refill, and removing the wheel

Dean - I don't think that's correct that you must remove the autopilot from the wheel in order to get the wheel off.  Forward of the steering wheel and part of the autopilot wheel is the motor.  Simply unplugging the cable from the forward part of the motor is all that is needed.  

Brad - I am not sure what you mean by "service the autopilot."  My memory of the thing (I converted to an under-deck linear drive a few years back so could be wrong) is that there really isn't anything owner-serviceable in the autopilot wheel.  I believe that someone on the list (maybe Warren Updike?) has had some success in the past sending the wheel autopilot out to a guy out west (Denver?) who can sometimes fix these things.   

To take the steering wheel off, first back-off the large nut (probably an Edson nut) from the aft end of the hub.  Removing the wheel then becomes a matter of jiggling and pulling aft as the key prevents the wheel from coming off easily.  The wheel should also be in the 12 o'clock position when removing to lessen the risk of losing the key. 

Allan S. Field
Sea Shadow - #808
Columbia, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Dean
Sent: Wednesday, May 4, 2016 10:56 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Questions about LPG tank refill, and removing the wheel

Brad,

Assuming you have a wheel-attached autopilot, you need to detach the autopilot from the spokes of the wheel before removing the wheel.  This may be obvious, but it wasn't really stated before.

Dean Vermeire
Moonstruck II (#847)

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Chris Burti
Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2016 9:23 AM
To: 320
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Questions about LPG tank refill, and removing the wheel

Brad,
The tank connector is a slip joint, it will free up as soon as you loosen the nut...remember gas connectors are reversed thread, leftie/tightie and rightie/loosie....While you have the tank out flush the vent drain thoroughly and make sure water isn't trapped in an inadvertent P-trap created by a sag in the line. If so, it will prevent its proper function by blocking any escaped gas from venting.


As to the Wheel, loosen the nut a could of turns and rap it smartly with a soft mallet while pulling on the wheel, it should free right up. An extra set of hands pull on both side of the wheel helps a lot.

Chris Burti,
Commitment, #867
North Carolina

Chris Burti
Farmville, NC


On Tue, May 3, 2016 at 11:10 PM, Brad <bkuether at comcast.net> wrote:

> Hey everyone,
>
> Its been a while since I have been on the list, some things going on 
> that have taken me away from sailing.  I think I sailed twice last 
> fall, and the boat came out in late November.
>
> This year I have vowed to be more active on the list and find more 
> time to sail as well…..
>
> Anyway,
>
> I was working some spring commissioning items, and I have two items 
> that I cannot figure out on my 2004 320.
>
> First, how in the world do you get the propane tank disconnected so it 
> can be refilled?  If you spin everything at the refill point, the 
> gauge and regulator will just hit the tank and keep it from spinning.
> And really that is the only way it can be refilled…..  Really confused 
> on this one……
>
> Second, for the life of me I cannot figure out how to take the wheel 
> off, in order to service the autopilot.  I don’t know if it is stuck, 
> or I am just not approaching it correctly.
>
> If anyone can give me some ideas of how to approach these, I would 
> greatly appreciate it!
>
> Thanks,
>
> -Brad Kuether
> SV Independence
> Middle River, MD
>
>
>
>
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>
>