Autohelm (Raymarine) Log Impeller

J

JamesS

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My ST50 log impeller is about 7 years old and has been fine to date. However, despite cleaning it is inclined to stop without reason until it is either jerked back into life or spun by hand to get it going again.

Anyone with similar problems?

Can the bearing on the impeller wear out?

Any comments welcome.

Cheers.



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They do get weeded up and it only takes a little to stop it spinning.

Finding a ferry wake to jump soon after leaving port CAN be fun!

Have you anti-fouled the spinner? Some say NEVER but I have found that it always benefits and if you apply it sparingly with a tiny brush there is little of no affect by way of solvent damage. When the antifoul is well dry be sure to rattle the spinner around to free off any paint that has gotten on to the spindle. It needs to spin completely freely and even rattle when you flick it with your finger or it won't work when back in the water. There will only be too much wear if the spinner ends touch the body of the sender unit. New impellor spinners are relatively cheap to buy but on three boats over thirty years I've never needed to chang one due to wear.

Steve Cronin

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I had to replace mine about 2 years ago as whatever I did it didn't work. Got another from Fox's on a sale or return basis to check it and it worked with the new one. BUT it was completely different and entailed replacing the housing as well!(done against the piles over a tide) but it did have the internal flaps which limit the water ingress when you remove it afloat.

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... :-) /forums/images/icons/smile.gif
 
I have a bronze Autohelm fitting for my log/depth with plastic paddlewheel insert. Not that usual but Autohelm do not recommend their standard paddlewheel on a wooden boat (danger of cracking due to expansion of the wood. The bronze affair comes with it's own separate instructions (well it costs enough) in which it says "The water lubricated paddlewheel bearings have a life of up to 5 years on low-speed vessels (less than 10 kns [that's me]) and 1 year on high speed vessels". The paddlewheel looks like any other so I suppose this life can be expected on the standard kit. My brochure tells me that a replacement paddlewheel kit is available which comprises a new paddlewheel, shaft and O rings. If your bearing (fancy name for the pin if you ask me) is worn it will be more prone to fouling etc.

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The ST30 impellors don't have the flap, the ST50 & 60 do have it.

It is always a good replacement as it makes cleaning less messy.

Steve Cronin

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Try calling the fount of all Autohelm knowledge, Dave Wellcome, on 02392 693 611, extension 1614.

He's a senior dvelopment engineer for Raymarine, knows their products inside out, and has helped many forum readers.

<hr width=100% size=1>Piers du Pré
http://www.dupre.co.uk
 
I had an ST60 log fitted last year. The instructions recommend anti fouling the impeller. I didn't and it got fouled . I will this year.

<hr width=100% size=1>L.A.R.Ferguson
 
I find that rotating then transducer in it's tube often helps.
Loosen the securing nut by only a turn or so - no water should enter the hull when you do this. Turn the sensor throught 180 degrees and back again whilst motoring along. The variety of water flows this produces around the paddle wheel often frees it up. You might need to try this a couple of times to get it working.

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