Autohelm 1000 not working

[bobg]

I bought an old Autohelm 1000 off the things for sale forum last year and I tried to fit it last weekend. Power is coming to the socket (tested) in the cockpit and I have been told that if I plug in the lead and turn the red compass rose on top of it, the push rod should come in and out. Nothing happens. Before I bin it and buy a new one, am I missing a trick? If it helps, on the red compass wheel is the word nautech.

 

[Ecosse120]

No mine worked like that, might be worth removing plug and trying with out it. Before you bin it I sold a couple of old spare/repairs on e-bay or put it on the forum.

 

[VicS]

No tricks to miss with one of those. You have definitely got the polarity right? Check it.

You have switched it on with the rotary switch at the opposite end to the compass rose? Set it to calm or rough! (The jack socket on the side is for an optional windvane and should have a plastic plug in it to keep water out)

If you do get some life out of it I have the operating instructions if needed.

Nautec were the original manufacturers of Autohelms.

The book says do not dismantle the case as a special tool is need to set the "feed back" during reassembly but if it wont work you've got nothing to lose.

A useful bit of kit if you get it to work but the modern ones are technically superior.

 

[cliff]

Is there an "Auto/Standby" switch/button?
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[PembrokeshirePromise]

Maybe obvious - but I had the wheel version of this - and the cable had a habit of coming loose inside the plug - I don't know what sort of plug you have fitted (mine was a sod to get off) - but I'd certainly check that (as a last resort cutting plug off and testing on cable directly prior to binning it)

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
Is there an "Auto/Standby" switch/button?

[/ QUOTE ] No just the knob with the compass rose and the "off", "calm", "rough", "vane" switch

 

[Topcat47]

If you connect the electrics the wrong way round, it'll not work. As VicS said, try reversing the polarity. According to my manual, incorrect polarity won't damage the unit, but it will lie dormant.

 

[cliff]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Is there an "Auto/Standby" switch/button?

[/ QUOTE ] No just the knob with the compass rose and the "off", "calm", "rough", "vane" switch

[/ QUOTE ]Oooh, a bit primative then - must be one of the real early units. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[Dipper]

[ QUOTE ]
The book says do not dismantle the case as a special tool is need to set the "feed back" during reassembly but if it wont work you've got nothing to lose

[/ QUOTE ]

I find anything that says 'Do not dismantle - no user serviceable parts inside' a challenge!

One of these (Autohelm 1000 with Nautech on the compass rose) came with my boat. Although the electrics seemed to work, the internal strings had broken. Of course these can only be fitted by the factory using an appropriate jig to get all the tensions correct. Another challenge! I replaced the string with whipping twine and after a couple of attempts got the tension just right so it didn't slip. It is still going strong after 10 years. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bobg]

No. The black dial just says Vane Rough Calm Off

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Is there an "Auto/Standby" switch/button?

[/ QUOTE ] No just the knob with the compass rose and the "off", "calm", "rough", "vane" switch

[/ QUOTE ]Oooh, a bit primative then - must be one of the real early units. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
--------------------

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

[/ QUOTE ]

And usually easier to use without having a degree in Rocket Science ... plus usually easier to fix as well.

/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
As VicS said, try reversing the polarity

[/ QUOTE ] I very definitely did not say that. I said, "Check it". The leads are colour coded brown for positive and blue for negative and the polarity of the supply at the socket can be checked with a multimeter. You are correct though that reverse polarity will not damage the unit but I can vouch for the fact that a supply voltage too far in excess of 12v will. That may be the reason that the instructions say not to power it from a battery charger.

Yes Cliff these models date from the 1970s and perhaps into the early 1980s

 

[Topcat47]

Looking at the colour coding of the wires is OK if the unit has the original cables, and if the shipboard plug is wired the right way round. My Autohelm handbook says the correct colour code (brown and blue) but doesn't say which is +ve.

 

[bobg]

Thanks guys. It is sorted. I switched the two power lines around, plugged in and it works. That saved me buying a new Raymarine 1000. Incidentally, the cheapest price for one of those I found was £240 plus postage from www.raydirect.co.uk. The dearest quote was £296.

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks guys. It is sorted. I switched the two power lines around, plugged in and it works. That saved me buying a new Raymarine 1000. Incidentally, the cheapest price for one of those I found was £240 plus postage from www.raydirect.co.uk. The dearest quote was £296.

[/ QUOTE ]

There yer go then ... Old but good !!

/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[mbrumwel]

Just saw your comments about disassembling the Autohelm 1000. I have one that has started acting strangely after working well for many years. Nothing internal was broken until I got the case partly opened up only to have the contacts from the main switch fall out. Now I can't tell where the contacts are supposed to be positioned and I can't get the case completely open to work on it. How does the compass rose knob come off? I'm leery of breaking anything. I have the installation manual but it doesn't help. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ardenfour]

rotary switch available from Maplins. Compass rose has a cross head screw in the centre of the knob - you either have to peel off the sticker or push screwdriver through the centre to access the screwhead...

 

[Dipper]

Cor! This is an old thread but the subject still comes up from time to time. It is Practical Boat Owner so we like to try to mend things. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

If I remember correctly, the metal plate with the compass rose print on it is glued onto the rotary knob and there is a screw underneath to remove the knob. The glue is quite soft (non-setting) so just gently lever the rose off with a small screwdriver. Mark the position first if you want it to bear any relation to the course you are steering although you can always take it off and reposition it if you find it is wrong.

 

[hightech]

Pick the middle out of the switch and use a pair of long nosed pliers to undo the nut underneath.

If the switch is not broken and you have all the bits, then you can probably rebuild it. Takes a bit of thought but not impossible. Alternatively a new switch and solder it in.