[C320-list] ST4000 Autopilot with Lewmar Folding Wheel

[Steve Robertson]

Dean,

I have the same setup as you. I took the existing ST4000 brackets and
attacked them with a Dremel tool. Ground down the inside of the brackets
until they fit the larger spokes of the folding wheel. The brackets still
have plenty of plastic material and the fit is perfect. Also had to
recalibrate the Autopilot since the wheel spokes are not aligned the same
as the original wheel (the manual gives directions). Hope this helps.

Steve Robertson
Blue Heron #330

On Mon, Jun 8, 2020 at 12:47 PM Dean Vermeire <dean at vermeire.us> wrote:

> Hey all,
>
> I finally have our 2001 C320 back in the water after a year and a half.
> We couldn't launch last year due to flooding.
>
> Anyway, I have the original ST4000 autopilot, but I have upgraded my
> wheel to the Lewmar folding wheel.  Everything works fine, except that
> the wheel tends to pull the ST4000 wheel drive apart.
>
> Since the spokes are larger on the Lewmar wheel than the original, and
> they are swept back a bit, I had to change the brackets that go around
> the spokes to a larger size.  However, the brackets tend to pull the
> drive unit apart.  I currently just have some rolled up black tape
> stuffed between the spoke and the drive unit, but need a better solution.
>
> Have any of you run into this?  If so, how did you solve it more elegantly.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dean Vermeire
>
> Moonstruck II, #847
>
>
>