I have a ST 4000 Auto Helm and it was working fine. Now when I ingauage the pilot and push Auto, it holds for about 5 seconds and then sends the boat into a 360. Has anyone had this problem and if so is there a fix? Thanks in advance for any comments. This is on a Hunter 31, 1986. #719 s/v Magic Wind.
Auto Helm Problems
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Mine did that once
It turned out to be a few burned out power MOSFETs in the control head. After getting no help from Autohelm, I went to Radio Shack and bought a bag of 4 for $1.99 or something like that. It turned out that two of them were burned out and so it would only turn the motor one direction and not the other. If you do not know how to solder and desolder electronic components, find a tech who does. You can check the MOSFET by using a digital multimeter and comparing the respective values on different components. There are 6 MOSFETs as I recall 4 in a bridge with the other ones as an on / off switch.
It turned out to be a few burned out power MOSFETs in the control head. After getting no help from Autohelm, I went to Radio Shack and bought a bag of 4 for $1.99 or something like that. It turned out that two of them were burned out and so it would only turn the motor one direction and not the other. If you do not know how to solder and desolder electronic components, find a tech who does. You can check the MOSFET by using a digital multimeter and comparing the respective values on different components. There are 6 MOSFETs as I recall 4 in a bridge with the other ones as an on / off switch.
Similar Problem
Mine turned out to be a short in the ground wire. When I removed the panel from the pedestal I noticed the ground wire was hanging on by one very small wire thread. The wires are very small anyway. I cut about 1 1/2" off all the wires and replaced the connectors. The connectors are also very small and only place I found them was at a sailing electronics store. Good luck! Tom s/v At Last
Mine turned out to be a short in the ground wire. When I removed the panel from the pedestal I noticed the ground wire was hanging on by one very small wire thread. The wires are very small anyway. I cut about 1 1/2" off all the wires and replaced the connectors. The connectors are also very small and only place I found them was at a sailing electronics store. Good luck! Tom s/v At Last
K
KennyH
Had this problem with a 3000
Had a problem like this on my Cheoy Lee Clipper 33 and autohelm 3000. I had moved the emergency tiller into a locker close to the autohelm unit. Large piece of steel tiller made it do strange things. Moved it back to its old location and everything worked fine again.
Had a problem like this on my Cheoy Lee Clipper 33 and autohelm 3000. I had moved the emergency tiller into a locker close to the autohelm unit. Large piece of steel tiller made it do strange things. Moved it back to its old location and everything worked fine again.
Metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor
which is a long winded way to say power transistor. If you take the control head apart, they look like a one half inch square piece of plastic with a metal tab on one end and three metal legs on the other. Since you have to ask, better find an electronics tech to unsolder the old ones, test them, and put new ones in. It is not too easy if you haven't been taught the skills. You might have to search a bit to find someone to do it, but it is better than trying to deal with the idiots at the service center. The other thing to consider is that it might not be the same problem. First, check your wiring like texastom says.
which is a long winded way to say power transistor. If you take the control head apart, they look like a one half inch square piece of plastic with a metal tab on one end and three metal legs on the other. Since you have to ask, better find an electronics tech to unsolder the old ones, test them, and put new ones in. It is not too easy if you haven't been taught the skills. You might have to search a bit to find someone to do it, but it is better than trying to deal with the idiots at the service center. The other thing to consider is that it might not be the same problem. First, check your wiring like texastom says.
Thans for the Help...
Thanks... I'll be checking the wireing first and then take it from there. I called the service center and they told me to send it up and they would check it out and if it needs a new mother board it would be $200.00 plus a $50.00 bench charge and they couldn't say if that would take care of the problem. Go figure... Once again thanks for the help...
Thanks... I'll be checking the wireing first and then take it from there. I called the service center and they told me to send it up and they would check it out and if it needs a new mother board it would be $200.00 plus a $50.00 bench charge and they couldn't say if that would take care of the problem. Go figure... Once again thanks for the help...
That sounds like the same people
I dealt with. They will probably not fix your unit at all but will send you a new one. It is too expensive (in the philosophy of the times) to fix things. It is cheaper to make new ones than to hire a guy to actually fix the broken ones. A guy who knows enough to actually make a repair would have to be paid more than some kid who just ships out a new one. My guess is that they will replace the board and charge you fifty times what it costs them to manufacture it.
I dealt with. They will probably not fix your unit at all but will send you a new one. It is too expensive (in the philosophy of the times) to fix things. It is cheaper to make new ones than to hire a guy to actually fix the broken ones. A guy who knows enough to actually make a repair would have to be paid more than some kid who just ships out a new one. My guess is that they will replace the board and charge you fifty times what it costs them to manufacture it.
B
BnBwhat @aol
Auto Helm
Look for low voltage ie. key your raido see if the auto helm then stays on course I had to bring 12 volts direct from bat. to corect the same problem. 89 Vision 32 "Chantelle"
Look for low voltage ie. key your raido see if the auto helm then stays on course I had to bring 12 volts direct from bat. to corect the same problem. 89 Vision 32 "Chantelle"
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