Autohelm ST4000 Drive Cable Schematic

[Ken Palmer]

I did a dumb thing... I was removing my wheel, and forgot to disconnect the autopilot motor (drive) cable assembly. It completely yanked out the pins from the connector on the cable. Now I have a blue and a brown wire, and don't know what holes to insert the pins to on the connector.

I suppose that I can just plug them in and try it, and it should be a 50-50 chance of getting it right. If it's wrong, then I guess it will work backwards.

I would rather know for sure, and cannot find a schematic on the Internet. Any help out there?

 

[rardiH36]

In case you don't have a installation/operations manual, just to let you know I looked at mine for you and I didn't see the information you are looking for. Since the plug/motor have matching indentations, the plug can only fit one way. So I guess that RayMarine didn't see the need to identify the respective +/-'s ...

 

[Ken Palmer]

So I guess that RayMarine didn't see the need to identify the respective +/-'s ...

Right you are. The manual has no diagram on the wiring of that cable. I did find a schematic of the control unit on-line, but didn't see the wiring to that connector. I took a voltage check across the 2 pins, and found the DC voltage to change polarity when the plus or minus was pressed on the control. That makes sense to me, having a DC motor(?) that would change direction when required. I will keep looking, then try it when this bloody rain stops!

Thanks.

 

[Ariel]

Ken,

The positive tab on the motor should be marked with a red spot. The negative tab is unmarked.

The positive wire is either red or brown, depending on the year made. The negative wire is blue.

If you connect the wires wrong it will not cause any damage, it will just run the opposite way from the command from the control box.

Dave
s/v Ariel

 

[Ken Palmer]

Problem resolved. Spent a few moments between rain drops and wired up the way I thought it came apart. There was no red dot, only the raised tab on the inside of the connector. I think it would be difficult to explain what went where without drawing a diagram. But I hit it right on the first try. My auto-pilot is now back together, turning the right way when I press the + or - button. THANKS!

 

[Ariel]

Ken,

For the next time you have a problem with the Autohelm, here is the service manual.

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

Dave
s/v Ariel

 

[Ken Palmer]

Thanks Dave... I have saved it to my laptop.

Now we can continue on our trip and hope the rain stays away for a while. One week out and rain almost every day!