Auto Pilot on 2007 Hunter 45cc

[Wedgie]

Hi all, We have just lost our second auto pilot on our 2007 Hunter 45cc.
The first, we were told, had a burnt out magnetic clutch in the Lewmar motor that drives it.
The new one has never been subject to heavy going, exactly the opposite actually, and has done less than 300 sea hours.
If anyone out there has experienced the same problem I would be interested to hear the outcome.
Regards,
Mark and Helen

 

[Sailgunner]

What brand/model autopilot do you have and what are the symptoms?

 

[Wedgie]

Hi Dennis, We have a Raymarine ST290 which is powered by a Lewmar electric motor with a magnetic clutch. Cheers Mark

 

[Wedgie]

The symptoms are it just stops working for no apparent reason, not under load or extreme conditions, just cruising at about
4-5 knots. That's the type of sailing we do. No hurry

 

[Sailgunner]

You might try the Raymarine Forum. The moderators are employees and they may be able to help.
http://raymarine.ning.com/forum

 

[Wedgie]

Thanks. Will do.

You might try the Raymarine Forum. The moderators are employees and they may be able to help.
http://raymarine.ning.com/forum

 

[Wedgie]

Thanks. Will do.

 

[mz4wheeler]

The symptoms are it just stops working for no apparent reason, not under load or extreme conditions, just cruising at about 4-5 knots.

This is not enough detail. What do you mean "it just stops working"? Does the indicator go blank? Does the circuit breaker pop?

 

[Wedgie]

The pilot is a Lewmar magnetic clutch driven by a Lewmar electric motor (installed in a Lewmar pedestal) connected to a Raymarine ST290 Instrument system. The unit was built into the Hunter during construction. The way it stops is that, for some reason, the clutch burns out. There is no indicator or circuit breaker. It is connected straight to the mother board which we have had tested and has been given the okay. This is the second one that has done the same thing and we know another Hunter owner who is on his fourth. Lewmar say they cannot figure out why this is happening. We have only done about 300 hours of leisurely sailing so it hasn't been under load or overworked,

 

[S/V Talisa]

I realise that this is a (VERY) old post, but just came across it. So to help document this issue, I'm adding my 10c.

I'm on my third Lewmar motor now. Symptoms are exactly as Wedgie describes, one minute you have a perfectly operating motor, next minute not. The clutch fails to engage so there's no drive to the mamba system.

Lewmar were very good last time and replaced it with a reasonably priced one, but they wouldn't let me have it until it had been 'specially modified' at their UK factory. They claimed that they had some special mod to prevent this happening.

I must admit that I'm nervous about this, but so the modified unit has been OK.

This is clearly a design flaw on Lewmar's part. The motors are actually made by another UK company - 'Kenlowe' who normally make fans for automotive use, so maybe this was a stretch too far for them.

I'd be interested if anyone else has had this problem over the years and if you investigated adding an alternative motor / hydraulic system.

Duncan

 

[seadaddler]

Are we talking a Raymarine 4000 wheel pilot and if that is the model you are having trouble with
on Hunter 45 I think it is too light duty for that size sailboat and surprised you don’t have a below deck auto.
Maybe I am missing something here.
Nick

 

[S/V Talisa]

Nick,
No, this is a special custom fit 1/3 HP drive motor with attached clutch which is supplied by Lewmar and fits into a prepared space inside the Lewmar mamba pedestal.

Its designed as a complete steering/autopilot system by Lewmar and therefore should work absolutely 100%, but it clearly has design issues. I'm just interested to document just how many failures there have been of this motor and just how accommodating Lewmar have been in fixing this issue.

Duncan

 

[seadaddler]

Here is the system I would think you should have on a 45 sailboat but this is for my H-36 but
it is similar setup for all below deck units on larger boats.
Nick

 

[artboas]

Here is the system I would think you should have on a 45 sailboat but this is for my H-36 but
it is similar setup for all below deck units on larger boats.
Nick

Nick,
Respectfully, the 45 has a much higher end pilot with a very expensive motor / clutch device which connects directly into the steering system.
The steering is called Mamba, and is manufactured by Lewmar. Much more rugged than traditional cable steering
On my 49 I have twin helm which have linked rods which connect through bevel drives to the quadrant
One of the bevel drives has a female spline that the motor bolts directly to.
This system was originally called Whitlock steering, and Lewmar took it over.
My motor is different from the ones on the 45, but my clutch has been fine to date.
When you say a clutch “burns out”, it’s either that the coil is fried, or there is a mechanical failure in the plates.
The clutch is very simple mechanically, so I’m more inclined to think it’s a coil issue.

 

[Capt J.D.]

Duncan - S/V Talisa
I'm having the same problem with the Motor / Cluch on my Hunter 45CC.
It definitly seems to be the cluch, because the motor runs with autopilot inputs.
Did you have to ship your unit off to Kenlowe in UK or did you send it to Lewmar ?
And If I may ask, how much did it cost to repair / replace.

Thanks
James
SeaDevilThree@hotmail.com

 

[sail sfbay]

My Raymarine ST6001+ autopilot clutch failed on my 2004 Hunter 386 a year ago. Had to replace the entire type 2 hydraulic linear drive ($3000 dealer price for the drive) since spare plug in parts could not be sourced.