smartpilot clutch lever

[dlewis812]

after engaging the autopilot the clutch lever will not stay in gear (flips right up once auto is engaged).

i had the marina tighten the steering a bit before moving the boat. assuming that's the cause and should be a simple adjustment?

(raymarine smartpilot -x5)


thanks

 

[Ken13559]

My old Mk2 wheel clutch used to do that. I put a bungy cord to it against the wheel pin whenever i need the clutch engaged.

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

I just resolved this issue on my boat as well. After trying ti fix the cam unsuccessfully I drilled a small hole on the outside face of the lever just big enough for Bungy hook. I then sized a Bungy so the other hook fits the shaft.

 

[dlewis812]

I just resolved this issue on my boat as well. After trying ti fix the cam unsuccessfully I drilled a small hole on the outside face of the lever just big enough for Bungy hook. I then sized a Bungy so the other hook fits the shaft.

thanks guys.. just thinking there has to be a better fix than a bungee, this is not an inexpensive item. (plus i already have too many bungee fixes on other parts of the boat!

 

[Chris Burti]

There is a tension adjustment on the cam on ours...loosen the screw, rotate the cam one slot (to starboard as I recall) and tighten the screw...should fix it if you have the adjustment.

 

[dparilla]

Next to the clutch lever is a small black knob. Loosen the hex screw in the middle of the knob about 2 turns and then turn the knob clockwise about 3 clicks. Then tighten the screw and engage the clutch. If the wheel becomes hard to steer with the clutch off, then back the knob off by 1 click or so. That little knob adjusts the tension on the internal cog belt to ensure that it engages and remains engaged with little tension on the gears when disengaged.

 

[Bob S]

D,
I had the same problem. I had to send the wheel drive back to have repaired. I think it's a design problem. Go to the Raymarine Tech Support forum and search out autopilot disengages. It's happened to a few of us lucky ones

http://raymarine.ning.com/forum/categories/autopilots/listForCategory

I have not had a chance to try it out yet, I'm still on the hard.

 

[dlewis812]

Next to the clutch lever is a small black knob. Loosen the hex screw in the middle of the knob about 2 turns and then turn the knob clockwise about 3 clicks. Then tighten the screw and engage the clutch. If the wheel becomes hard to steer with the clutch off, then back the knob off by 1 click or so. That little knob adjusts the tension on the internal cog belt to ensure that it engages and remains engaged with little tension on the gears when disengaged.

wanted to work on this last night and of course forgot i took my allen wrenches home. going back tonight just wanted to know if you recall us/metric? can always pick up a metric set to be safe but thought i'd check first!

 

[Stu Jackson]

Unless the allen screws are corroded tight, US should work on metric.

The recommendations are always to keep cleaning the wheel, but few of us do that.

Good luck, it is repairable and you most likely won't have to send it in. Do a search on ST 4000 clutch or other combinations, there's been lots written about it here, but prior advice on this thread is very, very good. Thanks, guys.

 

[dlewis812]

wanted to work on this last night and of course forgot i took my allen wrenches home. going back tonight just wanted to know if you recall us/metric? can always pick up a metric set to be safe but thought i'd check first!

looked up online, metric. answered my own question!

 

[dlewis812]

clutch good, now calibration

with the info above and a bit of adjustments did get the clutch lever all set - thanks.

once that was done realized it wasn't keeping a course so we tried to re-calibrate. couldn't get through the first steps (making the turns as instructed but nothing happened after that). highly assuming it's due to it was close to max ebb and had a strong current to deal with (hudson river)? will try tonight at slack.

 

[Mark Maulden]

I would think it would hold a course. Maybe not the correct numerical course. You might check the sensitivity/sea state adjustments. You'll also probably find that when you disengage the lever, you'll hear a grinding sound as the pilot is still trying to steer. You cannot adjust this out. To properly disengage, you need to go to stdby before flipping the lever. I've been through all this with RM. And make sure nobody has placed anything ferrous close to the compass....

 

[Ken13559]

D,
I had the same problem. I had to send the wheel drive back to have repaired. I think it's a design problem. Go to the Raymarine Tech Support forum and search out autopilot disengages. It's happened to a few of us lucky ones

http://raymarine.ning.com/forum/categories/autopilots/listForCategory

I have not had a chance to try it out yet, I'm still on the hard.

Seems there's a missing part.... perhaps a roller ring is missing. When the belt moves under tension, the roller ring spins along hence the clutch lever would stay in place.

 

[Bob S]

Ken,
I tried a few things. What happened to me in a new SPX5 install is the lever would stay engaged for maybe 5 minutes then slowly disengage. I ended up using a bungee to hold it in. I tried all the remedies form forum advise given on the Raymarine site. I was not the only person experiencing this problem. The pic I posted was from another sailor with the same issues. I tried tightening the metric allen screw and it worked for a little while but you could tell the unit was struggling and it did work for a short period but began disengaging again. I even tried using a longer screw and added a small delrin plug to extend the piece that kept popping under the sheet metal bracket causing it to disengage. Long story short, I believe the fulcrum the plastic roller is supposed to have is off. Correct me if I'm wrong but Raymarine/Flur has these made in China. The threaded hole through the plastic roller is supposed to be offset a certain distance and I think it's a defect. I sent mine back over the offseason and they repaired it. Unfortunately I'm still on the hard so I haven't been able to test it. I'd be curious if D's problem goes away just by tightening the screw. Keep us informed.
Bob

 

[Ken13559]

I doubt the problem could be solved by tightening. I've had similar problem on my ST4000MK2 wheel drive. Ended up using bungy on lever. Must be some wearing on the plastic parts. My new SPX5 has been fine so far although the wheel drive is identical to MK2. Perhaps add dry lube (McLube, Sailcote?) to between the roller ring and clutch lever to let it spin when belt is driving.
On the hard, you could simulate driving by setting to Auto and play a small magnet/metal over/near the flux gate. I'm sure the autopilot would be happy driving away on the hard.

 

[Ken13559]

I still think there's a piece missing in the wheel drive. Here's mine complete with roller ring on the clutch lever.

 

[Bob S]

Thanks for the picture. It does look different. Not sure how old yours is. Mine was new last season. It looks like the rollers are made out of a different material.

 

[dlewis812]

duh!

And make sure nobody has placed anything ferrous close to the compass....

realized the citronella candle lying next to the compass didn't help. kept telling my buddy to check for metal; only checked around the computer not the compass! needless to say now working like a charm.

for the clutch lever we spent a considerable amount of time tightening and adjusting back and forth until it would stay engaged and the steering wasn't too tight.

now the only issue is the squeaking noise when engaged. read the only way is to put water inside.

 

[Bob S]

Dlewis,

Have you had any further issues? I will report back that after returning the drive unit back to Raymarine it has worked flawlessly. I know what you mean about the noise, it drove the Admiral nuts. Now the sound is back to normal and it's not overtightened. We were out in Buzzards Bay Sunday and it was blowing as hard as I've seen it in a long time and I never had an issue disengaging. If it continues I suggest you try returning it for repair. I think they have a slew of these with the same issues.

 

[dlewis812]

hi bob,

has only disengaged once while motoring in some rough conditions (however that's when you need it most!). when time permits yes believe i might send it in. how long did that take?