Auto helm type 100 12v

S

steve jones

Member
Joined
20 Jan 2015
Messages
33
Visit site
Sailing from Edinburgh to Inverness last week our autopilot packed in.

The clutch still engages but the drive motor doesn't come on.

I disconnected the motor wires from the type 100 12v course computer and connected them to a 12v supply. The motor drives in either direction.

I engaged autopilot and metered the output from the computer while dialling in a big change of course. The meter read zero so I'm thinking its a computer problem.

Anyone know anything about this. Does the computer have any protection for the motor circuit?
Can it be fixed or refurbished or can it be replaced by an identical or similar vintage device?

Any advice would be very welcome.
 
Is the input at the course computer ok? Mine has thick cables going to it, which supply the power for the motor to the course computer (red arrow) and from there to the motor when it decides so (green arrow). These are separate from the feed that supplies the course computer itself (a type 300, which I believe has the same case and connectors), which gets its power over Seatalk1 (either blue arrow).

As these big wires have a separate fuse and are switched by a relais behind the DC panel (powered by the instrument switch), do check there is 12V arriving at the motor block of the course computer - it may be either the fuse has blown or the relais has failed.

type300.jpg
 
Yngmar said:
... these big wires have a separate fuse and are switched by a relais behind the DC panel (powered by the instrument switch) ...
Click to expand...
Interesting. I considered fitting a relay in the drive circuit, but discovered it took no current when the instruments were off. I think the breaker is rated at 20A.

I see you have the dreaded mains flex. Not really a problem, but it annoys me.
 
nigelmercier said:
Interesting. I considered fitting a relay in the drive circuit, but discovered it took no current when the instruments were off. I think the breaker is rated at 20A.

I see you have the dreaded mains flex. Not really a problem, but it annoys me.
Click to expand...
Yngmar said:
Is the input at the course computer ok? Mine has thick cables going to it, which supply the power for the motor to the course computer (red arrow) and from there to the motor when it decides so (green arrow). These are separate from the feed that supplies the course computer itself (a type 300, which I believe has the same case and connectors), which gets its power over Seatalk1 (either blue arrow).

As these big wires have a separate fuse and are switched by a relais behind the DC panel (powered by the instrument switch), do check there is 12V arriving at the motor block of the course computer - it may be either the fuse has blown or the relais has failed.

type300.jpg
Click to expand...
Hi, i know this quote is a long time ago but i have troubles with getting the +wire ( your red arrow) back into place how do i put it into place and secure it, i put it back but cannot secure it again , it falls out, thank you in advance. Paul from the netherlands
 
Paulusw said:
Hi, i know this quote is a long time ago but i have troubles with getting the +wire
Click to expand...
For the smaller wires you push on the plastic tab at the top of each connector which opens the hole for the wire. May assume a similar arrangement for the larger wires ?
 
You jam a suitably size screwdriver in the top hole to release the spring, hold it in place while sliding the wire into the bottom hole. Release screwdriver once wire is in place. Crimping on some bootlace terminals makes the job much easier, but it can be done without.
 
Yngmar said:
You jam a suitably size screwdriver in the top hole to release the spring, hold it in place while sliding the wire into the bottom hole. Release screwdriver once wire is in place. Crimping on some bootlace terminals makes the job much easier, but it can be done without.
Click to expand...
Thank you for this tip, i tried that but will try again tomorrow ?
 
Yngmar said:
You jam a suitably size screwdriver in the top hole to release the spring, hold it in place while sliding the wire into the bottom hole. Release screwdriver once wire is in place. Crimping on some bootlace terminals makes the job much easier, but it can be done without.
Click to expand...
Most manufacturers of cage clamp or spring terminals do not recommend that bootlace ferrules are used fir cable connections.

We never used them in control panel manufacture other than when screw terminals were used.

The main reason given is the hardness of bootlace causes point contact in a cage
clamp terminal. This will lead to higher resistance. In higher power applications this could cause terminals to over heat.
We actually tested out this using an infra red camera and even on a 10 amp load could observe a significant temperature difference on a 2.5 mm cage clamp terminal fitted with a bootlace ferrule as opposed to a directly connected trirated cable..

How many amps does your autopilot draw?
 
TSB240 said:
Most manufacturers of cage clamp or spring terminals do not recommend that bootlace ferrules are used fir cable connections.

We never used them in control panel manufacture other than when screw terminals were used.

The main reason given is the hardness of bootlace causes point contact in a cage
clamp terminal. This will lead to higher resistance. In higher power applications this could cause terminals to over heat.
We actually tested out this using an infra red camera and even on a 10 amp load could observe a significant temperature difference on a 2.5 mm cage clamp terminal fitted with a bootlace ferrule as opposed to a directly connected trirated cable..

How many amps does your autopilot draw?
Click to expand...
Hi, its 5 amp, by the way i’am struggling with the course comp autohelm ST6000 and ST50 wind, they suddenly stopped totaly yesterday, checked 12v and fuse at the coursecomputer , ok ! Seatalk 12v from coursecomp to wind ok! Still nothing on windscreen and autohelm control screen , i am done, surch for a whole day, maybe someone any idea, sorry for my english i am from holland lying with my boat in laspalmas, thank you in advance
Paul
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top