AUTOHELM 2000 IS IT ANY GOOD OR TO OLD???

[jerryat]

Hi!
My Autohelm 2000 is 21 years old this April and, having taken us down to and around the Med twice and on a couple of Pond circuits, is still going strong. Has never let us down, although we do have a very well balanced boat and do pay atttention to sail trim. Before the last circuit, we bought three of the latest 2000's as backups as we couldn't believe the old 'un would not pack up - but it didn't. So we only used one of the new ones for a few hours when the wind reached a steady 40+ knots (gusting higher) during one of the gales, and we wanted a quicker response time to reduce the risk of broaching.

Brilliant gear we think!

 

[charles_reed]

I'd recommend avoiding, if for serious use, any all-in-one tillerpilot.
The main reason for that is they all leak through the keypad/ram and fail due to water in the PCB.

For that reason I have a 4000ST, with a separate control head and fluxgate compass supplied with two actuators - they each last about 2 seasons before needing overhaul.
I do however do about 3500m year so each actuator gets about 8 years normal use.

The 2000 is old, if you can find one that's not been heavily used it's probably good for a little more service but I wouldn't waste my time trying to hunt one down.

The "best" tillerpilot I had, before the 4000ST was the MkII Autohelm, far better than the later Autohelms or Navicos.

 

[VicMallows]

Pleased we all seem to agree on the failure mechanism, and that actuator/control should be separate, and control inside in the relative dry. Perhaps the manufacturers would prefer we did not realise though? ... we might all still be using our original 2000s! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Vic

 

[trouville]

well im sure i want an old autohelm 2000, so if you have one ill buy it!

 

[fireball]

I've just had a look for the user manual for my ST1000 on the raymarine website - there was a link to an Autohelm 2000 tiller pilot too - I guess its the digital version .. is that what your after?

http://www.raymarine.com/raymarine/Default.asp?site=1&Section=3&Page=657&Parent=166

 

[trouville]

Its not there??? it must be to old!!! No im not after anything with push btns!!i found one on ebay i would buy that but i dont like ebay, i bought somthing and it came with spam i bought another item it dident arrive at all!!

It seems what i want may just be to old now??
The lins really great! but no its not there. the 1000 i bought became the 800 later and the list begins with the 800, in the begining there was just the 1000 and the 2000 then a 3000 for wheels.

 

[edklein]

Hi Vic,
Following your conversation about the Autopilot 2000 with interest and learned a lot about it. Can you explain to me what the purpose is of the wheel at the bottom of the control unit: off, set, 1, 2, 3 ? And what is the small 'thing' on the top of the control unit for ? In short, I do not know how the Autohelm operates. Does anybody have an operating instruction ? Tks. EdKlein

 

[trouville]

you are about find out that autohelm numbers are meeningless, when you say you have an ah2000 it depends what year it was made, even then it may not be clear which model you have you better give a discription or try to add an image
good luck

 

[edklein]

Hello Trouville,
The Autohelm 2000 I have, is mentioned earlier in the Forum. It is the one with the separate control unit. The ram on the tiller is a simple tube with no extra's on it. The control unit is round and has a compass rose with knob on the top and the tiny 'thing'. At the bottom is a small wheel with 'off','set','1','2','3' on it. How does it work ?? Can somebody help me ? Tks
EdKlein

 

[VicMallows]

Hi EdKlein,

Position 1 = 'Set' . Adjust the compass so you are mid-point between the red and green indicator lights . Note: it is possible to be 180deg out! Also use the ' thing 'on top to centre the actuator arm (ram).

Position 2 = Operating. Normal sea conditions

Position 3 = Operating. 'Rough' conditions.

In general I use 2 for harbour situations and 3 when offshore (reduces actuator response sensitivity and therefore saves power.


The other controll on the bottom is 'rudder gain'. you need to set this up to minimise 'hunting' depending on how your boat responds to rudder movement. On my Sadler 29, a setting of 2 works well.

The thing on the top is a 'dodge' button. You can use it to vear the boat to Port or STB by about 15deg. Only really of use for dodging fishing floats etc.

Not really anything else as far as operation is concerned.

Vic

 

[VicMallows]

Sorry, slight error......

Set = 'Set'
1 = Calm conditions
2 = Normal conditions
3 = 'Rough' conditions.

Vic

 

[H4B]

Re: AUTOHELM 2000

Help please

I have an autohelm 2000 could be 15+ years old, came with the boat. I have only been able to get it to work once.. I was worried about it getting enough volts ,so rewired the socket. It works OK when alongside ie I turn the control unit (compass within) and the ram moves the right way. When I go to sea and connect it up the boat just waunders off, the ram keeps opening or closes and I end up completely off course Is this an electrical supply problem or a fault with the pilot . Are 2000 generally worth repairing is it cost effective? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[edklein]

Re: AUTOHELM 2000

Hello Vic and Trouville !
Thank you very much for your help and instructions. Very much appreciated ! It is now my turn to try the autohelm. As soon as the ice is away.......... Thanks.
EdKlein

 

[trouville]

yes thats the 1985 model (that im looking for as i want to buy one!!!!)you will get all the info you need hear im sure as we have an expert who just hapens to have the same! IM LOOKING TO BUY ONE if you know one for sale?????