[C320-list] ST4000 Autopilot with Lewmar Folding Wheel

[Dean Vermeire]

Thank you Steve, Joe, and Mark for the replies.  I'm not sure why my 
setup is causing an issue, but I have some good information for trying 
things a little differently.  I did buy new brackets (pricey little 
things!), so I have a variety of sizes to try.  It might be that the 
originals just ground out a little will be better.

Thanks,

Dean

On 6/9/2020 9:35 AM, Steve Robertson wrote:
> 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
>>
>>
>>