Autohelm 2000

[KREW2]

Does anyone know if it is easy to remove the back from one? looks like its just 6 screws.
This model
http://forum.amicidellavela.it/uploaded/rapone/20111117185039__pilota.JPG

It works well, but it seems to have something making a clunking noise inside the control box.

 

[pvb]

It works well, but it seems to have something making a clunking noise inside the control box.

Leave it alone! The control box has a gimballed fluxgate compass inside - that's what's making the clunking noise.

 

[KREW2]

Leave it alone! The control box has a gimballed fluxgate compass inside - that's what's making the clunking noise.

Ta, that's what I thought it might be. This one is new to me, but I can't remember the one on my previous boat having this rattly sound. I am loathed to open it, but it definitely feels as if something has worked loose inside.

 

[rhumlady]

Mine is the same. Best just leave it alone as getting it repaired will be about impossible.

 

[chewi]

Mine is the same. Best just leave it alone as getting it repaired will be about impossible.

Not so in my view. It is v likely to be the fluxgate rattling around. An autohelm with a u/s compass is useless anyway, so whats the risk? The sooner its attended to the less likely the compass itself will be wrecked.

I had similar with one and all that was up with it was that one of the plastic moulded mounts for the compass was broken off. Araldite sorted it 5 yrs ago and its still going.

Even so I think raymarines website quotes fixed prices for service & return of these, and they are good pilots

 

[pvb]

Not so in my view. It is v likely to be the fluxgate rattling around. An autohelm with a u/s compass is useless anyway, so whats the risk? The sooner its attended to the less likely the compass itself will be wrecked.

I had similar with one and all that was up with it was that one of the plastic moulded mounts for the compass was broken off. Araldite sorted it 5 yrs ago and its still going.

But the OP did say "It works well...", so I'd be surprised if the compass mount had broken.

 

[KREW2]

Thanks for the replies.
I did open it very carefully, and it is indeed the gimballed compass making the noise. It all looks, and feels firmly fixed in place. The lower end of the pendulum piece has a rubber "O" ring on it. This knocks on the casing with a fore and aft "to and froing" movement.
I assume this is meant to happen, and the "O" ring is there to act as a damper.