Autohelm 4000

[rpell1@msn.com]

Hi everyone,

My Cat 30 came with an Autohelm 4000 unit that works MOST of the time.

However, the control unit plug is not complete. The locking collar is missing and I find that the plug backs out occassionally causing the unit to "lose it's way".

I have tried the usual internet sites, eBay, Raymarine, Go2, Catalina direct, etc., looking for parts with no luck.

Does anyone know where I might find a source for parts for this obsolete unit? Since I recently bought this boat, I won't be able to sink, (not a good word), any more bucks into her without my other half "skinning" me alive.....at least for now.

Thanks for your help,

Ralph

 

[Tim R.]

I just replaced my Autohelm ST4000 wheel drive with the S1 which uses the MK II wheel drive. The connector appeared to be identical. If you call Raymarine, they can confirm this and you could buy it from them.

Just for the record, do not rely on the parts section of Raymarine's website. You have to call them if you want accurate information.

 

[sailaway78]

To add

to Tims post. I also belileve that the plugs are the same. If so you will probably only need the cable from control head to the motor. Should be relatively inexpensive. Also, not only do you want to call them, not look on the website, you may need to call more than once. I have found that most of their guys are pretty good, a few are very good, and a couple of them do not know come here from sickum.

 

[SoSound]

If the unit is an ST4000 wheel drive, then the part that you're looking for is listed, but not illustrated, in the installation guide for the ST4000 under previous products - or something similar.

The Raymarine part number is A18061, and I just bought one last week from a dealer in Seattle. The dealer locater on the RM site will help "some" if you check for the meaning of the different icons to find dealers who may have larger inventories.

Here's what my part looked like before replacement.

Dave

 

[yugnoir]

I just got the 5amp 3pin connector the manufacturer told me I needed.... but why is there only two wires for the 3 pins? How do you know which goes where, is polarity of importance here.

 

[Stu Jackson]

.... but why is there only two wires for the 3 pins? How do you know which goes where, is polarity of importance here.

Because the third pin is used for Seatalk comms. Read the manuals, which are online. My ST3000 has the same three prong plug, but you use only two for the power + and -. And yes, polarity IS important.

 

[C&C30]

I just got the 5amp 3pin connector the manufacturer told me I needed.... but why is there only two wires for the 3 pins? How do you know which goes where, is polarity of importance here.

Looking for the same connector, is it available from Raymarine or someone else?

 

[SoSound]

What I purchased was the entire cable assembly with connector. As far as I know the connector is not readily available as a part itself. I found a dealer who had the cable assembly in stock. Any RM dealer should be able to order it for you, I think the cost was about $40. If you are looking for a specific part (for a model other than the ST4000) I was able to find the part number by reviewing the PDF version of the installation manual for my model on the support section of the RM web site.

Dave