Autohelm 5000 Sail Questions

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Larry Long

I just inatalled a new 5000 autopilot that didn't come with a manual. I can't get the rudder position indicator to operate correctly. I know about holding down the "standby" for 14 seconds, the +1 and -1. Nothing I do after that seems to make a difference in the rudder indication. Help. Thanks in advance for any ideas.
 
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ALAN

5000 autohelm

I also installed a 5000 this year and was sent an install book but had problems with it. I called their 800 number and the support staff told me that they had upgraded the software but did not have a new book out yet. I was able to get my running without the rudder indicator but have not had time to call their support since. raytheon also has a web site where you can leave e mail
 
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Paul Bednarzyk

Autopilots

Alan & Larry, I also have a 380 and I am planning on adding an autopilot in the next few months and I am also leaning toward the 5000(rotary). Did you consider any other units and what were the factors that lead you to the decision to buy the 5000? Also what accessory kit did you buy? Any quirks or words of wisdom regarding installation? Thanks for your help in advance. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again H380 #3
 
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Larry Long

Autopilots

I'm not aware of any choices you have on the 380 other than a rotary drive Autohelm. I got on the Autohelm web page and used their autopilot selector to see what they recommended. It said the 5000 was the correct so I went to Boater's World and ordered a 5000 Sailpilot. It arrived with a linear actuator. It WOULD NOT fit!!!!! Well, maybe it would, but you would need to use a chainsaw for the installation. We called Autohelm and got were advised that we needed the type 1 (rotary) actuator. I ordered this thru Boater's World but they were back-ordered for about 6 weeks. When it finally arrived it had a galvanized sprocket and standard chain. I wanted stainless steel. I ended up driving to Alachua and picked one up at the Hunter factory. I knew it would be the right one with all of the right parts. The 5000 is what they recommend for the 380. As for my original problem with no documentation: Early, Monday morning Joe Kerr(in customer support at Hunter) FAXed me the necessary pages of the manual. I have really been happy with Hunter's response to the little things I have needed help with. I still haven't had the boat out of the slip so I can't tell you how well it works. The physical installation was pretty easy and straightforeward. Except... Remember those strings your salesman told you about that would make it easy to run additional wiring? The strings were securely taped in the wire bundles and were useless to me in running the additional power lead. The wires go through a convoluted tube below the pedestal and it looks like the factory used 5200 to seal it up. Wait 'till you try to pull your power lead thru there!! You don't really have any options. I used K-Y jelly to lubricate it and pulled back and forth enough times that it finally cleaned out a passageway big enough to pull the wire thru. I removed most of the sole so I could see where to run the wires. I can't tell you any shortcut. Running the power lead from the circuit breaker above the nav station to the inside of the steering pedestal took me more time than all of the rest of the installation combined. Good luck.
 
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Bob Knott

Autohelm 6000+ or a 380

Paul, We installed an autohelm 6000+ on our 380an it works beautifully. Heavy duty yes, but don't we all use a bigger anchor than necessary too! The piece of mind the over-sized autopilot will give you is the same as you get when ahchored out with the oversized anchor. Buy the bigger size and don't worry when 6-8 foot seas pop up because the 6000+ handles it on the 380 without a problem once you get the dampning set properly. Smmoth Sailing Bob Knott
 
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Larry Long

autopilots

I got the boat out of the slip this weekend. We sailed from Panama City to Destin and back. It was a little over a hundred miles made MUCH more enjoyable with the new 5000 plus Sailpilot. It steers better than anyone I know, doesn't get tired, and doesn't eat all of my food.
 
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