Raymarine EV 100 Auto Pilot Drive Connection

[Sailavie1]

Has anyone had issues with the connection of the drive unit?
My auto pilot has been kicking in and out and I traced the problem to the connection at the drive unit. Of course I started checking at the other end first. The drive connection feels a bit flimsy even though the wire is screwed on all the way. The photo shows the connection ( the white electrical tape is there for protection only, there is no damage to the cable )
Thanks

 

[DougM]

How can you be certain that there is no damage to the cable without checking continuity? Its still possible that one of the conductors has a break in it that could be hidden under its individual insulation. Its been known to happen...

 

[Sailm8]

In answer to your question, yes it does feel flimsy. My connection had to be fastened "blind" inside the pedestal. Took hours to get it connected tight.

 

[Sailavie1]

Its still possible that one of the conductors has a break in it that could be hidden under its individual insulation.

I forgot to mention that I did check the cable conductivity and both wires were OK.
Thanks

 

[Head Sail]

Mine has a rubber boot that covers the connection. Been working for 4 years without problem.

 

[jssailem]

Mine has a flimsy rubber boot that has torn. But unit works. Install Feb 2017.

 

[Calif. Ted]

If the little "ears" on the plug have been broken or damaged I'd think it may result in an unstable connection.
Raymarine A18061 Power Cable Assembly

 

[jmce1587]

Have the same issue with the rubber boot but unit still works from a power perspective. The drive unit screws into the rear ring. You may have to disassemble and try tightening the drive unit to the ring. Also, When u say “kicking in/out” are you referring to power or the lock down lever kicking in/out? If lever then try the adjustment knob. I had to replace my lever recently because the inner plastic hub was “rounded off” and the lever wouldn’t hold.

 

[Sailavie1]

So I found the problem inside the drive motor wire connection. The crimp connectors both released the wires. Can’t believe that this was not soldered. Now I have a 50/50 chance of soldering the wires to the correct post. Does anyone have access to the wiring schematic? I looked on line but did not find anything with interior drive motor wires.

 

[jssailem]

Bummer Put in wrong and the motor will turn right when you want to go left.
Is there are software setting in the install that flips the rotation when you are setting up the system Then it does not matter.

 

[twalker H260]

Not sure it’s critical. If connected wrong you should be able to swap the motor connectors at the control head to correct. (I would either document and tag the wires or correct the motor wiring during the off season down time)

 

[Sailavie1]

If connected wrong you should be able to swap the motor connectors at the control head to correct.

Unfortunately the connection can’t be switched at the motor head as there is a tab that aligns the fitting. If it’s backwards I will have to go back inside, cut and re solder the wires

 

[sesmith]

Shouldn't need to. It's in the software dock setup procedure.

 

[JMR]

I just installed the same unit on my boat. Like others, it was difficult to mount the motor to the drive ring. If by chance the drive is reversed when you do the repair, just reverse the connections at the ACU 100 and the unit will work correctly.

Shout out to the Raymarine tech staff! I had several questions during the install process and received excellent service.

 

[Ward H]

This is from the EV Wheel Install guide.

 

[DougM]

If the motor connections are reversed, as Ward’s post shows just reverse the connections at the other end.
I don’t have a wheel pilot, so I am not any kind of an expert. My autopilot is hydraulic and mounted below deck with the rudder position sensor inverted. To compensate, the wires from the rudder sensor are reversed at the course computer. Either way, the situation could apparently be resolved

 

[HMT2]

My auto pilot has been kicking in and out and I traced the problem to the connection at the drive unit.

Question for you. When it was kicking in and out did you get a message on the display unit “no drive connection”? Mine has done this a couple of times lately.

 

[Sailavie1]

uestion for you. When it was kicking in and out did you get a message on the display unit “no drive connection”? Mine has done this a couple of times lately.

Yes, that is the message I got as well. As noted above, I found my problem with the wires inside the drive motor being pulled out of the connection. They were crimped (not soldered) into the back end of the connection plug leading out of the motor. I used solder to re-connect them. I suggest you first check your connection at the ACU end as that is a much easier fix.