Autohelm st4000 drive motor

[Guidogidday]

Hello there,
My autohelm st4000 drive motor got wet and stopped working. Not sure whether it can be fixed (rewound) but if anyone got a spare one I'd love to hear from you. Thanks!

[Capn Dan]

I should have one. Need to know if you have the black or grey drive. Contact me through CF.

[barnakiel]

Dan: is it because one of them is the GP version? Asking because used one last summer and it that had deep copperish colour. Earlier we had black ones ...

Why do the colors differer?

b.

[Capn Dan]

Not sure what the "GP" is.

The black wheels are the eariler version used on the Autohelm 4000 and early ST4000. The Grey are the newer Mark II wheel used on ST4000+ and on current models.

[barnakiel]

OK you talking wheel I see now.

I was using tiller and these too come in colors. I am not sure if the colors relate to whether the drive is plain (cheap) or Grand Prix (expensive as it is supposed to have some SS gears or something).

Apologies for messing up things.

b.

[Jim Cate]

In years past I have sourced replacement drive motors for various Autohelm pilots from... are you ready for this??... Autohelm! Models have included the 3000 belt drive unit and a ST4000 tiller drive.

They are way overpriced, but much cheaper than replacing the whole drive unit.

Cheers,

Jim

[Guidogidday]

It's a black one.

[roverhi]

I've got a 4000 Plus wheel drive unit that is surplus to me, just got rid of the wheel. Also will probably be selling an X5 core pak as I guess Raymarine doesn't sell the Grand Prix tiller pilot control arm except as a core pak, tiller drive unit, compass computer module.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by roverhi

I've got a 4000 Plus wheel drive unit that is surplus to me, just got rid of the wheel. Also will probably be selling an X5 core pak as I guess Raymarine doesn't sell the Grand Prix tiller pilot control arm except as a core pak, tiller drive unit, compass computer module.

This is also my observation. What are they going to tell me if I say I lost mine overboard? Tell me to by the whole pack?

Is the GP arm worth it? Or is it better to get 3 (or more) plain arms and go thru them?

BTW Is the GP ram black? Otherwise how do you know the arm is GP?

Asking because I have seen black, dark copperish and gray arms.

b.

[roverhi]

Haven't seen the GP arm so don't know what it looks like. It's supposed to be a lot more powerful than the standard tiller drive so assume it would be larger. I'm assuming I'll need the extra power of the GP unit as the wheel drive just didn't work with my barn door rudder and strong weather helm above 4 knots boat speed under sail. Worked great in light air and under power, however.

I assumed all I had to do was buy the GP control arm and hook it up to my X5 wheel pilot computer. I was totally surprized when my electronics supplier informed me they could only sell a GP Core Pak, not just the control arm. I've been too busy with the haulout and rebuild to check further but have no reason to doubt my supplier. They've been very good about giving me deals on everything I've bought from them. Will go directly to Raymarine, however, and get the straight skinny before I drop 1.5 boat units on a GP Core Pak.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by roverhi

Haven't seen the GP arm so don't know what it looks like. It's supposed to be a lot more powerful than the standard tiller drive so assume it would be larger. I'm assuming I'll need the extra power of the GP unit as the wheel drive just didn't work with my barn door rudder and strong weather helm above 4 knots boat speed under sail. Worked great in light air and under power, however.

I assumed all I had to do was buy the GP control arm and hook it up to my X5 wheel pilot computer. I was totally surprized when my electronics supplier informed me they could only sell a GP Core Pak, not just the control arm. I've been too busy with the haulout and rebuild to check further but have no reason to doubt my supplier. They've been very good about giving me deals on everything I've bought from them. Will go directly to Raymarine, however, and get the straight skinny before I drop 1.5 boat units on a GP Core Pak.

Nope. There is only small difference in the loaded displacement I think 6000 vs. 7500 kilograms. The power is roughly 80 Kg. The difference is said to be in the quality of internal components on the GP - more steel, less plastic.

I used the GP arm last summer and it was very deep dark color - brown/copper but definitely not black. But I am not sure if this is related to the GP or to the year of manufacturing or to entirely something else. Now in a service point I came across a gray unit ... looked very old.

Maybe a service point can sell a bare arm? I like the GP arm also because it seemed way quieter than the plain arm we tested back 2005 in NZ.

There is an internal stronger arm if your boat is to heavy for the GP.

b.

[Capn Dan]

The manual that I have indicates that the GP is rated at 20,000 lbs, the standard is 14,300 lbs. I think the motor is the same, but they add planetary gears, so it is probably longer overall. You can buy the conversion kit from Raymarine & I think that the part # is A18013. Hold on to your wallet.

www.raymarine.com/ProductDetail.aspx?SITE=1&SECTION=2&PAGE=921&PRODU CT=2622

[barnakiel]

Here:
http://www.raymarine.com/submittedfi...pilots.gif.jpg
their fully loaded data: 12000 lbs vs. 15000 lbs. The difference probably due to the units being re-rated somewhere along the way.

Dan: THX for the info on conversion part - we will probably go the 'light' way and kill the unit and then I will rewire with the conversion unit. This way at least I will know what it is like inside and why it breaks and how to fix.

Cheers,
b.

[Capn Dan]

Here is a link to the service manual:

http://www.ganssle.com/jack/st4000.pdf

Page 23 has data and yes, probably re-rated (downward). The pic shows the conversion. Good reference to have!

[barnakiel]

THX Dan!

b.