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jimbeyer · 05-12-2006, 05:53

New to Forum Autohelm help
Hi All,
I'm new to the forum and just wanted to say Hello to everyone. Also, if anyone has a board schematic for an older Autohelm 5000 or 6000 I would love to get a copy. Or, if anyone has a working control unit (5000 or 6000) they would like to sell I would be interested.
Thanks, I've enjoyed looking around the forum so far and look forward to more interaction.
-jimbo
s/v Daydreamer

btrayfors · 05-12-2006, 05:57

jimbo,

What's the problem with your 5000? I had one for many years and went through board replacements, cables, etc., so maybe I can help.

Bill

jimbeyer · 05-12-2006, 06:46

Thanks Bill,
When I power up the controller the knob (I think is was the one labeled "rudder") turns as if it is acquiring a signal or something, the red light lights up and then nothing. If I turn the rudder knob nothing moves. I removed the cover off of the drive unit and put power to the motor connections and the drive unit turned (motor works, etc.). I brought the unit to a local marine electronics repair guy and he said unless he had the schematics he couldn't do much.
-jimbo.

btrayfors · 05-12-2006, 06:58

jimbo,

One thing I'd suspect is the cabling between the control head and the motor unit. The contacts may have developed a case of surface corrosion which is blocking the feedback signal from the motor unit.

Also, I think you've seen my other post about the rudder position indicating device (tiny generator, turned by nylon gears, one of which is friction-fit to a stainless steel shaft). If this little device isn't turning, there won't be any rudder position feedback.

Sorry, I gave all my spare parts (including 3 circuit boards) away when I sold the autopilot. If I remember correctly, I did once have a problem with the circuit board which is located in the motor unit. But, for many years I didn't recognize that the main problem was with the design of the rudder feedback device itself. Once I sorted that out (by drilling a hole in the hub of the larger nylon gear and dimpling into the s/s shaft with a set screw), most of the problems disappeared.

However, this is a very iffy autopilot. If you're planning to keep the boat you may want to plan for replacing this gear sometime in the future.

Good luck,

Bill

jimbeyer · 05-12-2006, 07:07

Thanks again Bill, I checked the connections on the connecting cable one at a time and they all seemed good. I have not checked the rudder position indicator. I'll take the drive unit apart again an search for what you are talking about, I assume it is easy to find.
-jimbo

**irwinsailor** · 05-12-2006, 16:26

I have a working autohelm 6000 rotary drive unit that I will sell.

jimbeyer · 05-12-2006, 17:32

I'd like to know more, contact me off-forum at: jimbeyer@adelphia.net
thanks,
jimbo.

S/V Elusive · 06-12-2006, 12:34

I have two working 5000 units, along with the seastate compensator and the base computer (my fluxgate is what cratered and none of these older units would work with the new fluxgate). I just love planned obsolesence<sp>.

**irwinsailor** · 06-12-2006, 13:16

My old autopilot drive had new controls installed in 1999. this spring when I replaced the drive unit I just plugged it in and away I went. Was I just lucky?

S/V Elusive · 06-12-2006, 13:21

No...

My DRIVE unit was the only thing that I didn't have to replace - although RayMarine was "not sure" if it would work or not.

SkiprJohn · 30-01-2007, 18:20

Aloha Jim,
Welcome aboard!! Hope you got your auto pilot working.
Kind Regards,
JohnL

senormechanico · 30-01-2007, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbeyer

Thanks Bill,
When I power up the controller the knob (I think is was the one labeled "rudder") turns as if it is acquiring a signal or something, the red light lights up and then nothing. If I turn the rudder knob nothing moves. I removed the cover off of the drive unit and put power to the motor connections and the drive unit turned (motor works, etc.). I brought the unit to a local marine electronics repair guy and he said unless he had the schematics he couldn't do much.
-jimbo.

My old boat had a 5000, and it performed flawlessly for the 20,000 miles we cruised. What you're describing sounds perfectly normal (that's the compass setting up) but I suspect the electric clutch in the drive unit is either bad or not getting 12 volts to engage the drive motor. A bad connection from the set/duty switch is most likely. The electronics are way down on the list of culprits imho.
Keep us informed.

Steve B. 30 year electronics tech (ret'd)