Dead Autohelm 4000

[rpell1@msn.com]

Hi all,

My Autohelm 4000 controller has called it a day and cannot be repaired. I was wondering if anyone has upgraded their controller with another model? I tried to get some answers from Raymarine, but it seems that they are only interested in selling me a new system.

Since the 4000 had a built-in flux gate, I am wondering if I can retain my ring drive and motor and simply add, say an ST6000 or such, along with an external flux gate?

Any experiences and/or ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks and Happy Sailing....

 

[Terry in Naples]

autohelm parts

ebay always has a variety of used autohelm parts. Check in ebay motors and search autohelm.. Good luck

 

[Ariel]

I replaced the dead 4000 black control box with a ST4000+ control head and separate fluxgate compass about five years ago without any problem. You will see a vast differance in performance with the new controls. The wire that now goes from the old black control box to the motor drive is the same and all you have to do is add spade connectors to the ends and plug it in. Same with the power supply. The new fluxgate compass will have to be mounted and wired of course.

Make sure you get the owner's handbook with the new control unit. You will not find all the features without the book.

Just last week we replaced the motor/wheel unit after several rebuilds. Parts for that are also no longer avaliable. The MK2 unit (the gray wheel unit) is also a "drop in" replacement. There is a slight improvement in performance over the old black wheel unit, but not like the differance in the new control head.

As Terry said there are units listed on ebay or, as we did, went to a Raymarine dealer. Their book has all the separate parts listed. Shop the dealers. They are all hungry. You may also find a complete ST4000+MK2 unit at a good price as Raymarine has now changed to the S1 wheel pilot that uses the ST system. The motor/wheel is the same on the S1 but the controls need another control unit and more dollars.

Dave
s/v Ariel

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

I replaced the dead 4000 black control box with a ST4000+ control head and separate fluxgate compass about five years ago without any problem. You will see a vast differance in performance with the new controls. The wire that now goes from the old black control box to the motor drive is the same and all you have to do is add spade connectors to the ends and plug it in. Same with the power supply. The new fluxgate compass will have to be mounted and wired of course.

Make sure you get the owner's handbook with the new control unit. You will not find all the features without the book.

Just last week we replaced the motor/wheel unit after several rebuilds. Parts for that are also no longer avaliable. The MK2 unit (the gray wheel unit) is also a "drop in" replacement. There is a slight improvement in performance over the old black wheel unit, but not like the differance in the new control head.

As Terry said there are units listed on ebay or, as we did, went to a Raymarine dealer. Their book has all the separate parts listed. Shop the dealers. They are all hungry. You may also find a complete ST4000+MK2 unit at a good price as Raymarine has now changed to the S1 wheel pilot that uses the ST system. The motor/wheel is the same on the S1 but the controls need another control unit and more dollars.

Dave
s/v Ariel

Thank you much Dave. This is exactly the advice I was looking for. Hopefully, I will find an ST4000+ before they're all "snatched-up", since almost everyone I talk to is experiencing the same problem.

Thanks again and Happy Sailing,

Ralph

 

[Bob D]

Does anyone know where to find an ST4000 control head? Mine just died and I have to rewire everything to upgrade to a model with a separate computer. I would prefer to replace the one that failed with the same model.

Bob

 

[FastOlson]

A friend of mine has been controlling his Autohelm motor drive for a decade with an AP head from Nexus, and it seems to work fine.

L