Raymarine Autohelm ST4000+ Motor Connector

[Howler]

While troubleshooting error messages on our ST4000+, it turns out the wires connected to the wheel drive motor were hanging on by a few strands, and probably shorting out. I want to fix it but I don’t know how to attach wires to the two-pin connector that makes the link to the motor. Photos are attached. There are two hollow pins that are smaller in diameter than the 16 gauge blue and brown insulated wires that are used. The pins don’t come out and there isn’t any obvious way to reinsert wire strands. Does anybody know how to reattach the wires? Or is there some pre-connected assembly that needs to be purchased? Thanks!

[senormechanico]

I know this will start a feud, but if it happened on my boat, I'd have it fixed in five minutes with a soldering iron.

[Howler]

Definitely an option, if you have shore power.

[sagablu]

Originally Posted by Howler

Definitely an option, if you have shore power.

How about a portable soldering iron?

https://www.amazon.com/HDE-Cordless-...+iron+cordless

[Howler]

Very cool option. Still curious how this connector is supposed to work for the non-soldering crowd.

[senormechanico]

OK, you made me look!


On my 4000 (non +) the connector is exactly the same.
I took it apart to see how the wires were connected.

There is a collar and an insulating rubber boot with a couple of plastic colletts and a locking ring to make it waterproof.

They don't show in your photos.


The wires are original, smaller than 16 gauge but are blue and brown.
The wires are factory soldered, fitting inside the hollow pins.

[Howler]

The rubber boot, etc, are all the same as you describe.

So I guess that means the replacement part includes the wire pre-soldered? I don’t think I can solder it myself in this way, not to mention close quarters between the hollow pins and plastic casing that would probably melt given my lack of soldering expertise.

[Thumbs Up]

There i a trick to taking the motor off. If you don't loosen the retaining ring of the connector before you unscrew the motor, the wires will twist which is what happened to yours.

[Snowpetrel]

Hard wire it. Any connection exposed to the elements will fail pretty quick.

[Frugal]

Have had the same problem. The original fittings were not up to the job in an exposed cockpit.
My answer was to permanently solder the power leads right back to the motor.
Also when you need to replace the motor they can be found at most electronic shops (Jaycar, Altronics etc ) and the drive cog is identical to the three in the gearbox.
Hope it helps. Cheers

[Gregjo]

Hi
I have not checked Raymarine plugs but usually a thin wall tube slipped over the contact will release the pins holding the terminals into the plug, we do repairs like this all the time in the auto electrical trade.
There is a specific tool that we refer to as a ninja star the SnapOn part number is GA500A again not tested on Raymarine.

Alternatively solder the wires onto the pins, better to retain the plug methinks...

Weller portasol ( the expensive one) is a great gas iron from RSonline but in boats we use battery powered irons from Australian Rechargeable Irons they are just fantastic but quite expensive unless you are using them everyday like I do

Cheers Greg the Sparky