ST 4000 problems

[Songbird3]

Hi All ! first post for me. Well recently & unfortunately I experienced a lightning strike which fried some of my electronics....bummer.... in regard to my ST4000 all components are powered up however when command from STBY to AUTO motor does not drive when moving 10+ 0r 10- .
Any suggestions where to start ?

Cheers
John

 

[BigEasy]

Replace the entire pilot now while you have an open insurance claim.

 

[dLj]

Replace the entire pilot now while you have an open insurance claim.

+1

dj

 

[Songbird3]

Replace the entire pilot now while you have an open insurance claim.

Hi mate - yeah thanks that would be an obvious however unfortunately as it is a Trimaran and almost 40 yo near impossible to get insurance....... if I did find insurance I'm sure replacement would be cheaper than the premium...... its a bummer thats why im trying to work through best I can . Cheers !

 

[Tally Ho]

Hi All ! first post for me. Well recently & unfortunately I experienced a lightning strike which fried some of my electronics....bummer.... in regard to my ST4000 all components are powered up however when command from STBY to AUTO motor does not drive when moving 10+ 0r 10- .
Any suggestions where to start ?

Cheers
John

Bummer.

Does the display screen on the control head come on? Is there A fuse somewhere in the system that is blown?

You can apply 12 volts to the motor unit directly and see if the motor is OK…but probably the control head circuitry is damaged.

You might be able to find a used one on EBay.

Greg

 

[BigEasy]

... its a bummer thats why im trying to work through best I can . Cheers !

As you know, there are many problems with wiring & circuit boards that occur from lightening strikes. Unless you have the expertise to troubleshoot & repair circuits & electronic boards, it’s going to be tuff going. Hope it works out for you.

 

[dLj]

You could try some troubleshooting but honestly, you would likely be better off replacing your autopilot. Lightening strikes can create electrical gremlins that can appear at the most inopportune time. Even if you think you have it fixed - it may not be.

But in the spirit of trying the troubleshooting path - need a lot more info. That unit, the ST4000, I'm pretty sure has several components. The control panel, labeled ST4000. Then there is the course computer - need to know which one. There is the flux gate compass - if that's fried - kiss it good bye. Then you have the actuator and possibly a rudder position sensor. Need to know all those.

dj

p.s. actually, as I'm thinking about it - is the ST4000 that wheel drive unit where the plastic gears break often?

 

[jssailem]

Welcome to the forum John. Greg is onto the correct track.

To start you need to identify the modules affected by the incident. Here is the service manual.

 

[Mac Smith]

I still have the ST 4000 and the +10 or -10 do not work unless underway, SO if you're testing at anchor or the dock, you may just need to go sailing.

 

[Get EDucated]

Hi All ! first post for me. Well recently & unfortunately I experienced a lightning strike which fried some of my electronics....bummer.... in regard to my ST4000 all components are powered up however when command from STBY to AUTO motor does not drive when moving 10+ 0r 10- .
Any suggestions where to start ?

Cheers
John

I currently have an ST-4000. This past season it has started acting up. I spoke to Ray Marine about it. (They are just around the corner from where I live). They put it this way: "The unit is 20 years old. We would recommend not investing any money into it. You should replace it." So, that is what I will be doing.
If you are interested, you can have my ST-4000 when I remove it. Just pay any shipping and packaging required. Just one thing, the boat is in winter storage and I am in New England. It may be a while before I get a chance to remove it.

 

[higgs]

After a lightning strike no electronics can be considered reliable. They all need to be replaced.