Odd autopilot failure

[TxCoastSailor]

My Raymarine type 1 linear drive failed while out for a day sail. When I took it apart I found that one of the four permanent magnets in the motor had separated from the wall of the motor and magnetically attached to the rotor. The attached photos show the empty space where the magnet should be and resulting scraping on the rotor. I epoxied the magnet back in place, reassembled the unit and took it out for a test. All is good!

[sy_gilana]

Nice fix. The position is critical. That problem us usually cause by a shock-load, like dropping it.

[Neptune's Gear]

Actually this issue is not uncommon. You did what a service shop would do, so well done!

[Hard Rock Candy]

I'm a garage saler. I've bought 5 electric trolling motors in the last two years for less than 5 dollars a piece. Because I knew that the magnets had fallen off from the feel of turning the prop. People do not treat them easy. I am presently building myself a small catamaran houseboat to fish from and I am going to run it from electric motors. these small electric motors will work for thrusters. Mac