A couple of Cherubini owners had asked about mounting the Simrad autohelm. I took some pictures yesterday with my very cheap AOL camera. I'll post one here to see if it worth the effort to put them in the Photo Forum. There were basically two issues. One is the clearance between the WP30 clutch and the shift lever. I hope this picture shows that to be about one inch in the disengaged position, much more when engaged. The other was the mounting of the unit to the four-inch diameter post. I used one of those heavy rubber pipe couplers to get better grip. And it came with better hoseclamps than Simrad provided. So here goes. Oh well, it was worth a shot. Guess I should be spending the money on a camera instead of the boat. Nah.
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I tried it
i took your advice about the plumbing thing and it made some difference but because it is made of rubber my autopilot has a tendency to occilate back and forth while sitting at the dock...seems that evey variation to the position of the boat causes a variation of the flux gate compass and it shakes the whole wheel/binical assy and that just causes it to get going more. seems that a more ridgid assy is necessary to keep the flexing of the rubber from causing shaking of the pedistal and causing varaitions to the compass on the autopilot.... what settings do you have the sensitivity, yaw and sea state set to ??? chet
i took your advice about the plumbing thing and it made some difference but because it is made of rubber my autopilot has a tendency to occilate back and forth while sitting at the dock...seems that evey variation to the position of the boat causes a variation of the flux gate compass and it shakes the whole wheel/binical assy and that just causes it to get going more. seems that a more ridgid assy is necessary to keep the flexing of the rubber from causing shaking of the pedistal and causing varaitions to the compass on the autopilot.... what settings do you have the sensitivity, yaw and sea state set to ??? chet
Wandering. . .
and wondering. Mine does not do that Chet. I am wondering if you have the bands tight enough? I would have to check the manual to remember my settings, it has been three years since I touched them. But I know they are low, it does not "hunt" for example. Coming off a big direction changing wave or puff it might go thirty seconds before the correction. For two reasons, less battery use and less wear and tear.
and wondering. Mine does not do that Chet. I am wondering if you have the bands tight enough? I would have to check the manual to remember my settings, it has been three years since I touched them. But I know they are low, it does not "hunt" for example. Coming off a big direction changing wave or puff it might go thirty seconds before the correction. For two reasons, less battery use and less wear and tear.
WP30 returned for repair
I just returned my WP30 to Simrad for repair. I used it about 4 times after installation last October, and just recommissioned the boat this past week. The problem is that the motor would not engage when I put the lever down and pressed the standby/auto key. However, after a few minutes it would emit a continuous audible tone. All connections were good, the unit just went south. Simrad was puzzled and asked me to send it in for repair, since it's under a two year warranty. Have any others had a similar or other problems with this unit? Arthur
I just returned my WP30 to Simrad for repair. I used it about 4 times after installation last October, and just recommissioned the boat this past week. The problem is that the motor would not engage when I put the lever down and pressed the standby/auto key. However, after a few minutes it would emit a continuous audible tone. All connections were good, the unit just went south. Simrad was puzzled and asked me to send it in for repair, since it's under a two year warranty. Have any others had a similar or other problems with this unit? Arthur
Belt?
Did you open it up to see the condition of the belt? I think there was a Photo Forum item showing the inside workings. The lever is a simple clutch to engage the belt. If the motor is working then it would seem to be a belt problem. But if you already mailed it then . . .?
Did you open it up to see the condition of the belt? I think there was a Photo Forum item showing the inside workings. The lever is a simple clutch to engage the belt. If the motor is working then it would seem to be a belt problem. But if you already mailed it then . . .?
How old is your unit?
Arthur: How old is your unit? There was a free retro fit on some of the units. There where two minor problems. One with the belt and another with the buttons sticking. Be sure that they check out your buttons too. There have been very few problems with these units in the HOW forums.
Arthur: How old is your unit? There was a free retro fit on some of the units. There where two minor problems. One with the belt and another with the buttons sticking. Be sure that they check out your buttons too. There have been very few problems with these units in the HOW forums.
Make sure steering cables are tight...
I had a similar problem with my ST 4000 when I had it installed on my 37C. When the rudder lossens up, the cables get just a little bit of slack and the autopilot would vibrate and hunt for a neutral position which it would not find. Tightening up the slack on the steering assembly helped the problem a great deal but my loose rudder bearing could not be corrected without the fix I later implemented. When I fixed the rudder I added a below deck autopilot and it works so well I threw out the old wheel unit. I will probably buy the Simrad WP30 unit as a backup though and keep it aboard if I ever need it. I did not have much luck with the ST4000 but the truth is it was a rather old unit and I'm sure the new ones are better. Tom S/V Lite Chop
I had a similar problem with my ST 4000 when I had it installed on my 37C. When the rudder lossens up, the cables get just a little bit of slack and the autopilot would vibrate and hunt for a neutral position which it would not find. Tightening up the slack on the steering assembly helped the problem a great deal but my loose rudder bearing could not be corrected without the fix I later implemented. When I fixed the rudder I added a below deck autopilot and it works so well I threw out the old wheel unit. I will probably buy the Simrad WP30 unit as a backup though and keep it aboard if I ever need it. I did not have much luck with the ST4000 but the truth is it was a rather old unit and I'm sure the new ones are better. Tom S/V Lite Chop
WP300 Returned for Repair
The unit was a refurbished unit sold by Sailnet at the Annapolis Boat Show. I only had it since Oct 02 and assume that it was at least an 01 Model. They should have received it at Simrad by tomorrow and I'll call them to make sure they check out those two issues also. Thanks .... I miss it already.
The unit was a refurbished unit sold by Sailnet at the Annapolis Boat Show. I only had it since Oct 02 and assume that it was at least an 01 Model. They should have received it at Simrad by tomorrow and I'll call them to make sure they check out those two issues also. Thanks .... I miss it already.
another return
well i too am returning my NEW in feb 03 wp30 to simrad in daina fl. got if from defender at the miami boat show.. seems that the belt hangs up in the disengaged position and will not let me move the wheel. the person i talked to seemed to know of the problem because when i asked if i could adjust something he said "no we know about what is happening so just send it back and we will make it right....i hope so as i will be leaving in 3 weeks for the Bahamas and the main reason i purchaced it was for the trip...this was a NEW unit not refurb...not a happy camper i am...Harriet's Chariot
well i too am returning my NEW in feb 03 wp30 to simrad in daina fl. got if from defender at the miami boat show.. seems that the belt hangs up in the disengaged position and will not let me move the wheel. the person i talked to seemed to know of the problem because when i asked if i could adjust something he said "no we know about what is happening so just send it back and we will make it right....i hope so as i will be leaving in 3 weeks for the Bahamas and the main reason i purchaced it was for the trip...this was a NEW unit not refurb...not a happy camper i am...Harriet's Chariot
The ST 4000
is the only unit I have had personal experience with but I notice a lot of recent complaints about the WP 30. For those that have had both units whicht do you prefer?
is the only unit I have had personal experience with but I notice a lot of recent complaints about the WP 30. For those that have had both units whicht do you prefer?
Simrad.
Having watched the autohelm debates here on HOW for at least five years is my only claim to experience. There are far more tales of woe with the Raytheon, now Raymarine 4000. But this is possibly for two reasons. One, there are far more 4000's out there. And two, I think people tend to overload the 4000's, put them on boats that they cannot handle. I bought the Simrad based on it's capacity and the fact that there is no fluxgate compass to deal with. This will be my fourth season and it has worked all the time every time. From these recent postings it seems there have been some quality control problems.
Having watched the autohelm debates here on HOW for at least five years is my only claim to experience. There are far more tales of woe with the Raytheon, now Raymarine 4000. But this is possibly for two reasons. One, there are far more 4000's out there. And two, I think people tend to overload the 4000's, put them on boats that they cannot handle. I bought the Simrad based on it's capacity and the fact that there is no fluxgate compass to deal with. This will be my fourth season and it has worked all the time every time. From these recent postings it seems there have been some quality control problems.
hey, I have had mine for almost a year, ...
and have had no problems. Love the unit, seems the tack is a bit off, but I'm going to be connecting the GPS and Wind instrument to mine this summer, when ever it stops raining on my days off..... Has anyone had success with those connections to the WP-30
and have had no problems. Love the unit, seems the tack is a bit off, but I'm going to be connecting the GPS and Wind instrument to mine this summer, when ever it stops raining on my days off..... Has anyone had success with those connections to the WP-30
WP30 Replaced by Simrad
Simrad left me a message today saying that they are going to replace the unit and that I should have it back this week. They just received it on the 30th and today is the 5th. So far great service .... I probably just got a lemon. Thanks for the responses.
Simrad left me a message today saying that they are going to replace the unit and that I should have it back this week. They just received it on the 30th and today is the 5th. So far great service .... I probably just got a lemon. Thanks for the responses.
mine is back
just got my wp30 back from service by simrad...less than one week turnaround but it is still a new unit and i didn't think i would have it repaired this soon...they had to replace the part #wppk10 drive ring (no charge but the list price was $226)... unit seems to not have a binding problem that it did when i got it at the miami show...will reinstall it this week and let you know how it works...2 weeks and i am off to the bahamas and i NEED this to work for the trip..good service but shoddy quality control...note..when i spoke to the guy in ft lauderdale and explained my problem he seemed to know exactly what i was explaning so maybe this is an on going problem...fwiw chet p
just got my wp30 back from service by simrad...less than one week turnaround but it is still a new unit and i didn't think i would have it repaired this soon...they had to replace the part #wppk10 drive ring (no charge but the list price was $226)... unit seems to not have a binding problem that it did when i got it at the miami show...will reinstall it this week and let you know how it works...2 weeks and i am off to the bahamas and i NEED this to work for the trip..good service but shoddy quality control...note..when i spoke to the guy in ft lauderdale and explained my problem he seemed to know exactly what i was explaning so maybe this is an on going problem...fwiw chet p
Ok Chet... the setup is very...
important. Calibrating your internal Fluxgate compass has to be done correctly for it to function properly. Also, if you change the way you store "metalic things" in and around the unit it can throw off your fluxgate. So, cell phone within a few inches of the unit may affect it. Also, storing an AC unit in a locker near it will throw it off since the A/C has alot of magnetic parts inside. But set it up according to instructions and it will be great. Good luck. David Underwood
important. Calibrating your internal Fluxgate compass has to be done correctly for it to function properly. Also, if you change the way you store "metalic things" in and around the unit it can throw off your fluxgate. So, cell phone within a few inches of the unit may affect it. Also, storing an AC unit in a locker near it will throw it off since the A/C has alot of magnetic parts inside. But set it up according to instructions and it will be great. Good luck. David Underwood
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