Another Autohelm 4000 question..

[rpell1@msn.com]

After searching through all the forums, I could not find any reference to anyone having determined why the control unit does not power-up.

I've triple checked the wiring and integrity of the power source and cannot get the power head to turn on. I opened the unit, hoping to find an internal fuse....no such luck.

Has anyone had one repaired? I understand that even Raymarine cannot offer a repair service on this unit?

I am not able at this time to buy a replacement or upgrade and if given a starting point, can probably do the repair myself.

Can anyone help? :neutral:

 

[Benny]

The sad part is that without parts and manufacturers support technicians do not want to tackle repairs. Replacement control units are very hard to find and their cost is not warranted by the age and wear of the rest of the components. For a couple of a hundred dollars more you can purchase a brand new system. I know a couple of sailors that have given up and trashed the units.

 

[Terry in Naples]

autohelm 4000

Try checking ebay for parts and older units. Usually a few people upgrading and selling off older parts and units. (Ebay motors)
Terry

 

[seadaddler]

Raymarine

You said they don't service like repair them but can they just check to see if it dead or not than you know for sure the problem is the control head or not.
Nick

 

[alexco38]

Use a voltmeter to ensure 12v at the unit. There were so many devices ended in the trash because of wiring / connector corrosion. Sometimes due to corrosion, the supply voltage drops to 10.x and the unit own't power up but if you just put a meter on the terminals, it shows 12v because no current draw.

 

[packman]

You may wish to look for burned or overheated spots on the pc board, that would indicate failure of the board or specific components, unfortunately whatever chips it uses won't show any indications that they've gone south,
Good Luck

 

[redhead78]

re auto helm

You might try to power it directly off a 12v battery, eliminate bad wire, grnds,ect, you have nothing to lose....

 

[Ariel]

rpell46,

Here is the shop manual for the 4000. It has fault trees and check instructions that may help you.

http://www.ganssle.com/jack/st4000.pdf


Good luck on the fix. I kept mine running for fifteen years untill the plastic just gave up.

Dave
s/v ARIEL

 

[Allan Frey]

Thanks Dave...
for a most useful publication.

Allan

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

Re: re auto helm

Thanks, but already tried that with no luck.

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

Thanks, but I did all the hot checks right up to the connectors to the board. There's 12v all the way in.

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

The schematic might be of some help, depending how similar to the 4000. I'll have to analyze a bit.

Thanks.

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

Thanks. I already went that route, with no luck.

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

Common sense tells me the same thing. I realize I'm grasping at straws but we old timers have that "unless it's destroyed, it might be fixable", mentality.

I hear you and will probably wind up just waiting until I can buy a new one.

Thank you.

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

Re: autohelm 4000

Thanks. I am exploring that as well.

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

Re: Raymarine

Not a bad idea. John K. gave me a name at Raymarine to try. Who knows? Maybe I'll get lucky.

Thanks.

 

[DanG]

Is this the Sea Talk (ST) version of the autohelm 4000?

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

No.

 

[DanG]

Ralph,

I repair the older Autohelms. Contact me if interested.

Dan

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

Autohelm 4000

Thanks Dan,

I will most definately keep you in mind. Hopefully, I won't screw it up more than it is.

Ralph,

I repair the older Autohelms. Contact me if interested.

Dan