Simrad WP-10 Wheelpilots

[S/Y Storm]

Wounder if anyone have some expirience with Simrads WP10 weelpilot.
Thinking about buying one, and would be gratefull for some +/-.

thanks
aksel

[GordMay]

I thought the Simrad WP10 was discontinued, in favour of the WP32 (with Remote).
I’ve heard of the occasional problem with the belt sticking, even though the clutch was disengaged.

[Lynx]

Make sure your wheel is big enough so that it does not overlap.

[S/Y Storm]

Hey Sonny
sue it is WP30, and not 32?? Are selling?? maybee I'm buying! Any price on it.
Aksel

[CSY Man]

I thought the Simrad WP10 was discontinued, in favour of the WP32 (with Remote).
I’ve heard of the occasional problem with the belt sticking, even though the clutch was disengaged.

Got the WP-32 with remote on my boat.

Very happy with the unit, 1000 times better than the old CPT wheel pilot.

Have seen the occasional belt sticking, but no big deal: Just shake the wheel or the clutch and it is free.

Also have it hooked up to a chart plotter for electronic navigation. Works great in that mode as well.

All good stuff, but would not cross an ocean with this kind of autopilot..It is not flimsy, but still light-weight and perhaps vulnerable to abuse and heavy loads.

( I am right on the limit of size/displacement for the WP-32...They limit the boats to 20,000 lbs and 39' if memory serves right...The Ray wheel pilot says 18,500 lbs meh thinks..The Ray is also more expensive and more work to install)

[Soling42]

Here's a thought
I've gotten two brand new wp32s in the last week that failed to rotate freely with the clutch disengaged. They are the latest revision and IMHO I don't think a belt jamming at an inopprotune time is acceptable for new product.

I suspect the (high bias, very tight) belt may retain a memory when it sits on the smaller motor shaft, combined with the release on the redesigned clutch having a very short throw, barely giving the belt any slack. The casting on the inside of the wheel ring is rather coarse along with a few screws dragging on its interior compiling the issue. All fixable I suppose but you decide if it's worth the "try".

PS Simrad is also holding a $1300 CC credit for up to 6wks for my cross shipped defective replacement that they recieved and confirmed defective. "It can take 4wks in accounting" I've been told(never mind that the second one is defective too).

Nearly done trying with Simrad, Michael

[Soling42]

After my earlier problem with my first wp being defective, simrad was very reponsive. They've expidited my refund and been very helpful correcting my issues. Setup and fine tuning the second one has brought a nice change to the journey. Good luck with your choice.
Michael

[Doghouse]

SWMBO loves the WP32. It was much easier to install than the raymarine, and much less expensive. I had to tune the response down manually as the automatic mode does not get used to the bay chop we have around here so it was tick left, tick right, tick left, tick right....

[CSY Man]

I suspect the (high bias, very tight) belt may retain a memory when it sits on the smaller motor shaft, combined with the release on the redesigned clutch having a very short throw, barely giving the belt any slack. The casting on the inside of the wheel ring is rather coarse along with a few screws dragging on its interior compiling the issue. All fixable I suppose but you decide if it's worth the "try".

Also had problems with the WP32 the last few days:

We sailed over to the Bahamas and halfway across the Gulfstream the WP started making expensive noises so I disconnected the clutch to investigate and hand steer. The wheel was jammed and I broke it loose to regain control of the boat. Then the black wheel on the WP32 came apart with little parts and pieces flying around the cockpit....Not good.

We steered the old fashioned way for the remainder of the journey and after a few days at anchor I took the WP apart: Found the problem: Inside the black wheel "cover" there is a plastic "slot" or groove for the belt. (Lets call it the big wheel as opposed to the little wheel that attaches to the motor. ) The big wheel was cracked 90 degrees to the travel of the belt. The crack was about an 1/8" wide. Enough so that the belt snagged and got stuck on the sides.
I filled in the crack with Marine-Tex and sanded smooth after it cured.
Then used dry Teflon Lube on the belt and the big wheel.
Put the thing together and it works better than new, smooth running and no sticking or jamming tendensies.
Also did a fresh adjustment of the belt, but need to get a new belt as the old one shows wear and tear after snagging on the crack.

The above fix should solve similar problems and should last a long time.
(Crossing my fingers here...)

[Doghouse]

Well I think i had the same problem as you. Just 2 mths ago, the wheel locked up and would not move. It was not hard to "break" the wheel free. But I called simrad and they replaced it. I figured less than 1 year it should not have problems.

You should call them and let them know what you found. The WP32 is no longer being sold, but they say they have about 10 years of replacement parts.

[CSY Man]

Okay Mr. Doghouse:

Yeah, I will call them Simrad folks, but have not gotten around to it yet.
(1 month left of the 2 year warranty)

I will call tomorrow the day...

That being said, I think my repair will last a long time..Better the devil ya know.

[Phinze]

Originally Posted by Sonny

The price should read including shipping and insurance.

Do you still have your Simrad autopilot for sale ?

Please reply at peterhinzer@hotmail.com

Peter

[Maddog]

I've got the WP-10 and it works great. Just had it overhauled last spring. They have an upgrade for the gears and belt. $250 and it is good as new.

[Phinze]

I,m still interested in this autopilot,I'm new in this forum, please tell me as to how go about, buying this autopilot from Madoc,
Thank you,
Peter Hinzer
Peterhinzer@hotmail.com

[Sonny]

Hi Peter,

The Autopilot has been sold.

Sorry for the delay in answering.