Autohelm 3000/4000 advice needed

[boatclassic]

I've collected lots of bits and pieces over the years and now I have to install an autopilot.Looking through my treasure trove I've found an old style Autohelm 3000 which has the cylindrical control head with the fluxgate built in and an ST4000 control head +a separate fluxgate.I would like to use the drive motor and ring from the 3000 plugged into the ST4000 head.I cant see any reason why it won't work,but I thought I'd put it to this forum to see if I get any feedback before I wire it all up.I would appreciate any advice.

[Benny]

Try the raymarine website - contact their tech reps by phone or email and they should help. Good luck - I have an st 4000 - new but don't know if the control head would interface with the 3000 motor.

[boatclassic]

Thanks Benny I will contact them.I thought I would give the forum a try first.Companies are usually a little wary of folks canabalising their products.

[Evan]

Both the 3000 and 4000 drives are just electric motors. i.e. just 2 wires, and have pretty similar belt diameters. Adjusting the gain on the control head will probably be required to get the best performance out of it. I'd give it a try.

[boatclassic]

Thanks Evan.Thats what I assumed too.Just wanted assurance from somebody else.

[PBzeer]

If it doesn't work for you, I have a ST4000 I just took off and replaced with a S1. Also, the manual that goes with it.

[boatclassic]

Thanks John,It will be a while before I get this together but I'll keep it in mind.

[Talbot]

I have heard of this being done, but somw versions of the old analogue 3000 drive have a strange wiring system to the motor. That motor was not very good anyway!

The latest motors for the 3000 (no longer made, but some still available from Raymarine), appear to be more powerful than that on the 4000 system - but I suspect may not be! In any case, the ease of use of the 4000 would make it my choice between the two of them!

[boatclassic]

Thanks Talbot, What I have in mind,if it works,is to use what I have for the moment and keep an eye open for a good deal on a 4000 drive motor and ring at a later date.

[Talbot]

I have seen 4000 brains on offer second hand/ but never the ring/motor combo.

[boatclassic]

They have come up a few times on ebay but,if it is possible,I want to try with what I've got.I'm working on a tight budget and there are enough other holes for the money to disappear into.