Autohelm Windspeed Sender Question

[Rick D]

Having just returned from a two-week cruse and generating a 24-item fix-list, I'm prompted to pick some minds about one of them. My windspeed sendor has become balky. It seems as if it needs a big gust or some vibration to begin its twirl. Before I buy a replacement, I was wondering if any of you encountered a similar problem and fixed it, ie: maybe a shot of sailcoat in the bearing. Rick D.

 

[Karl]

Bad sensor

Hey Rick,That happened to me, and it was a bad sensor. The service guy suggested that I try a lubricating spray first, but it did not work.I'll look for you out on the water. I'll be that other 40.5 in Santa Monica Bay.Karl

 

[Trevor - SailboatOwners.c]

Bearing

Hi Rick It could be that the bearing needs replacement - most brands offer replacement parts.Best,Trevor

 

[Don12364]

Masthead Unit

Rick,You describe your unit as an Autohelm. Presumably it pre-dates Raytheon and later Raymarine.Earlier this season my ST 50 unit lost its cups and the vane broke up (Crows!!). Here in Raymarine's UK headquarters they advised that replacement masthead units were no longer available, but they might possibly be able to rebuild my old one.In the event I bought a service kit which contained the vane and the spinning cups - but they did not stock bearings.I obtained these from the local stockist of NMB a Japanese company.The bearing code is DD 830 ZZ which means OD 8mm, ID 3mm, width 4mm and ZZ means non-contacting shield. You will need two bearings per shaft.I did the job today and its a bit of a watchmakers task. However I succeeded and now look forward to having wind instruments again.If you decide to tackle the job yourself I would be pleased to advise on how it all comes apart and reassembly.Contact me via my e-mail ID from this site.

 

[Rich Stidger]

Donalex- GREAT INFO!!!!!!

Thanks for the information. I will make of note of this for the future.Rick- my Autohelm ST50 packed it in before my first year was up. Hunter replaced it no problem. Since then, every layup I remove the wind transducer and store it onboard. There is no use having it spin needlessly for 6 layup months. However, in your area maybe you go 12 months every year so this wouldn't apply to you.

 

[Rick D]

Donalex, You Are My Hero!

Thanks for the great info! Rick D.

 

[jim lindquist]

Not Raymarine

Our Raymarine windmachine has not worked properly since we got it. first it worked correctly but intermittently and now it indicates 180 degrees off and intermittently. Our new autohelm st4000 (4 years old) never could steer our S2C 9.2 but the old 3000 did fine. I would never by another Raymarine product. A friend has the sme to say about his depth sounder (intermittent).