I purchased an Autopilot (ST4000+ from Raytheon) as one of my first marine projects and am having second thoughts. I have run the electric 14AWG/2 insulated and the Fluxgate wire to the console of my H320. However, it looks like I need to pick up a bulkhead adapter (D136) to get this work with a console instead of the normal Edson pedestal. I also ran short with the fluxgate wire. Lastly, I got this nice looking NavPod thing to mount the control head, but it has a sold T fitting and it will not go on what little pedestal guard I have to clamp on to. Questions: A) Any idea where I can come up with this bulhead mount and I guess a SeaTalk connector? I checked with some of the on-line dealers and could not find this listed. B) Any ideas on how to determine where to cut the whole for the pin/mount assy? Or the drive system for that matter. Does one just line it up by sight? C) I have a chartplotter on the console and that takes up the whole console (Already moved the Tach). Anybody know of a rail mount that will work the NavPod or some other contraption for the control head. Doubt I would want it very far from the console, correct? D) Can you extend the Fluxgate wire without causing problems? I am just about 5 - 10 feet short. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Frustrated...
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
D
Debra B
Older 4000 wheel pilot
I didn't install this, but The control head mounts on the side of cockpit in such a way that I can remove it when not it use -- an attached bracket. The pin connector for the control is just next to the bracket. The wheel drive has to be in a spot dictated by the size of the drive wheel. Not sure about the fluxgate wire. Check with Raytheon Marine. The seatalk should be easier. Try Sailnet, and also call. They are in St. Pete (more or less -- their other name is JSI or Johnson Sailing) and have some great people working there, and should be able to help. I have seen seatalk cables through either BoatUS or WestMarine. The catalogs often have more information and are worth getting. --- I am installing all Seatalk instruments and have been looking for a lot of this too. Good luck
I didn't install this, but The control head mounts on the side of cockpit in such a way that I can remove it when not it use -- an attached bracket. The pin connector for the control is just next to the bracket. The wheel drive has to be in a spot dictated by the size of the drive wheel. Not sure about the fluxgate wire. Check with Raytheon Marine. The seatalk should be easier. Try Sailnet, and also call. They are in St. Pete (more or less -- their other name is JSI or Johnson Sailing) and have some great people working there, and should be able to help. I have seen seatalk cables through either BoatUS or WestMarine. The catalogs often have more information and are worth getting. --- I am installing all Seatalk instruments and have been looking for a lot of this too. Good luck
D
Debra B
Try Defender too
They do sell the Seatalk cables (the connector should be built into the control head.) Are you looking for a seatalk-to-NMEA converter? Raytheon makes one that will also talk to a PC. Good Luck
They do sell the Seatalk cables (the connector should be built into the control head.) Are you looking for a seatalk-to-NMEA converter? Raytheon makes one that will also talk to a PC. Good Luck
D
Dick Shock
Not that bad!
I instaled the Autohelm 4000 two years ago and it worked fine. I have a Merriman pedestal and guard. I mounted an Edson single instrument pod on the guard. I ran the 14 Gage wire from the braker panel, up the pedestal to the base of the guard. I drilled a hole in the pedistal where the guard attaches. Raytheon recomends that the fluxgate compass be mounted as low as possible and on the centerline of the boat away from the engine. I ran the lead from the compass up to the pedestal then ran both wires up the guard and out another hole where I clamped the Pod arm to the guard. This Pod had a chrome, cast, split mounting arm that the pod mounted to. I also brought the wheel connections back to the guard and then I ran all wires through the guard, through the arm to the pod and mounted the Autohelm 4000 to the Pod. Away it went and it worked fine. Since then, I drilled out a hole in the side of the Pod for the remote connector and mounted it. The remote runs Sea Talk protocol so I called Ratheon in New Hampshire and ordered a 1 meter connection cable. $33 dollars! But I did not want to take chances. I also ran the NMEA interface to my Chart plotter and get the way points displayed on the Autohelm. Now the bad news. Some where along the way I must have skinned a wire or misconnected something because the Autohelm now just puts the boat into a tight turn to the port. Never got a chance to trouble shoot it before I took the boat out for the winter. That will be my first project this year. Good Luck
I instaled the Autohelm 4000 two years ago and it worked fine. I have a Merriman pedestal and guard. I mounted an Edson single instrument pod on the guard. I ran the 14 Gage wire from the braker panel, up the pedestal to the base of the guard. I drilled a hole in the pedistal where the guard attaches. Raytheon recomends that the fluxgate compass be mounted as low as possible and on the centerline of the boat away from the engine. I ran the lead from the compass up to the pedestal then ran both wires up the guard and out another hole where I clamped the Pod arm to the guard. This Pod had a chrome, cast, split mounting arm that the pod mounted to. I also brought the wheel connections back to the guard and then I ran all wires through the guard, through the arm to the pod and mounted the Autohelm 4000 to the Pod. Away it went and it worked fine. Since then, I drilled out a hole in the side of the Pod for the remote connector and mounted it. The remote runs Sea Talk protocol so I called Ratheon in New Hampshire and ordered a 1 meter connection cable. $33 dollars! But I did not want to take chances. I also ran the NMEA interface to my Chart plotter and get the way points displayed on the Autohelm. Now the bad news. Some where along the way I must have skinned a wire or misconnected something because the Autohelm now just puts the boat into a tight turn to the port. Never got a chance to trouble shoot it before I took the boat out for the winter. That will be my first project this year. Good Luck
Dick, that's shocking.
Dick: Check out the archives. There were some others who have had the exact same problem with these units. Can't remember if the refridg. was cycling or something else.
Dick: Check out the archives. There were some others who have had the exact same problem with these units. Can't remember if the refridg. was cycling or something else.
M
Mulf
About the bulkhead adapter...
I installed the 4000+ on my H29.5. I bought the bulkhead mount but never used it. I think it's in my parts box at the boat, but I wont be down there til after April 15 to look. That mount is really huge, and it would have had to be cut way down to fit between the wheel and the face of the console. I ended up simply drillinq a hole in the face of the console and using a bolt whose head fit closely in the slot on the autopilot ring, and then a nut and washer on the outside and on the inside of the console to hold the bolt in place. There is so little clearance you don't even see the bolt unless you know to look for it. It works perfectly. If you end up deciding you really want the bracket and can wait, e-mail me at mulf@aol.com and give me a way to get in touch with you after the 15th.
I installed the 4000+ on my H29.5. I bought the bulkhead mount but never used it. I think it's in my parts box at the boat, but I wont be down there til after April 15 to look. That mount is really huge, and it would have had to be cut way down to fit between the wheel and the face of the console. I ended up simply drillinq a hole in the face of the console and using a bolt whose head fit closely in the slot on the autopilot ring, and then a nut and washer on the outside and on the inside of the console to hold the bolt in place. There is so little clearance you don't even see the bolt unless you know to look for it. It works perfectly. If you end up deciding you really want the bracket and can wait, e-mail me at mulf@aol.com and give me a way to get in touch with you after the 15th.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.