What's the MK II Wheeldrive?

[Gene B. s/v Paradigm]

Bill, you mentioned the new MK II wheeldrive for the ST 4000. I have not yet installed my ST4000. How do I tell if I have the MK II? Can I trade it in for the newer one if I don't? What are the differences between the MK II and the MK I? The web link you provided, http://www.raymarine.com/recreational/products/index/autopilots/wheel/autopilot_st4000_wheel.html says that it's the latest thing, but doesn't say anything about what it is.

 

[Bill Boudreau]

Picture

There is a picture of the wheel drive at this link as well as its sales bulletins.You can also download the entire user/install instalation manual at:http://www.raymarine.com/cgi-bin/handbook.cgi?dir=Autopilots

 

[Daniel Jonas]

Bill

I think you are missing the point of the question. I visited the site in your link three times and even read both the MKII and MKI manuals, can't tell what the difference is.I think the question was, what is the difference between the MKI and MKII? This is pertinent since there is an ability to upgrade. If we upgrade, what are we upgrading?Dan Jonas (S/V Feije)

 

[Bill Boudreau]

MK2

There are three components to the ST4000 Wheel autopilot systems. The compass, control head and the wheel drive unit. The difference between the MK1 and MK2 systems is in the wheel drive. The picutre of the Mk2 on the web should look totally different from your MK1 wheel drive. Yes, it does the same thing, so it is not radically different. What would you change about something if you were designing it? It has been designed for more cost-effective maintenance and serviceability, while maintaining its reliability and performance. One of the major design changes is the use of a bearing race rather than the belt system on the MK1.I hope this helps.