Autohelm ST2000

Porthandbuoy

Porthandbuoy

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I've never posted a video before, so here goes. It's my new (last season) Autohelm ST 2000 doing a lovely job of steering my Nicholson 26 in a nice breeze. This autohelm replaces the old AT800 which was woefully slow and underpowered in anything other than a flat calm.


That dangly bit swinging around is the counterweight for the windvane steering, not in use.
 
AngusMcDoon said:
If you fiddle with the settings you might be able to get it to move the tiller a bit less and use less juice. But it's only a might.
Click to expand...

It did that all by itself. The vid was taken immediately after I'd done the 360 degree compass calibration and set it on course. It took a few minutes for the unit to, I assume, sort out it's gain, damping, etc. Although the ST2000 is faster and stronger than the older AT800, overall, it consumes less juice from the batteries.
 
Porthandbuoy said:
I've never posted a video before, so here goes. It's my new (last season) Autohelm ST 2000 doing a lovely job of steering my Nicholson 26 in a nice breeze. This autohelm replaces the old AT800 which was woefully slow and underpowered in anything other than a flat calm.
Click to expand...

Impressively fast compared with my old ( original type) Autohelm 1000 and with the ( even older) Seafarer Seacourse that I have sailed with quite a lot.

BUT is it mounted sufficiently far from the centre line to give you adequate movement of the tiller to starboard.
 
AngusMcDoon said:
If you fiddle with the settings you might be able to get it to move the tiller a bit less and use less juice. But it's only a might.
Click to expand...

If you've got Auto-Seastate switched on, and it sounds like the OP has, it will do as described and over a few minutes damp down the rapid course corrections in most circumstances. It really is quite nifty! You can though, as you say, also fiddle with the gain and sensitivity if it won't behave to some advantage
 
VicS said:
Impressively fast compared with my old ( original type) Autohelm 1000 and with the ( even older) Seafarer Seacourse that I have sailed with quite a lot.


BUT is it mounted sufficiently far from the centre line to give you adequate movement of the tiller to starboard.
Click to expand...


I was wondering about that too but there doesn't appear to be much weather helm. Opposite in fact.
 
No denying it's a great little autopilot, I still have a ST2000 as a backup since I installed a Raymarine Evolution pilot. Only thing to watch is how wet it gets as water ingress through the buttons is a well known issue, some have made covers but I just draped a cloth over the buttons that was wrung out occasionally - it seems just enough to stop water getting into the pilot.
 
Spyro said:
I was wondering about that too but there doesn't appear to be much weather helm. Opposite in fact.
Click to expand...

There's just the teensiest hint of weather helm. Ladybird is very light on the tiller, even in strong conditions. As for autopilot travel. There's about 1cm difference port to starboard. I couldn't be *rsed making up a new mounting block.
 
I have only used my Autohelm 3000 (wheel steering) twice, coincidentally in the same bit of water as shown in your video. On both occasions it has performed well for about 20 minutes, then it has taken it into its head to decide we were going the wrong way and put the helm full over. As it was flat calm, we were motoring at the time.
 
Georgio said:
No denying it's a great little autopilot, I still have a ST2000 as a backup since I installed a Raymarine Evolution pilot. Only thing to watch is how wet it gets as water ingress through the buttons is a well known issue, some have made covers but I just draped a cloth over the buttons that was wrung out occasionally - it seems just enough to stop water getting into the pilot.
Click to expand...

My ST 2000 is just a toy. I had the first one replaced after a month & the new one is not much better. I have now bought an evolution. 100 which i am waiting to have delivered
I know this thread is about the ST2000 but can you tell me if the evolution is better. Raymarine claim +- 2 degrees which would be better than the current +-20 degrees with the st2000( & yes I do know how to adjust it)

By the way- The sales rep on the Raymarine stand denied that there is a water problem with the ST2000. So there you have it!!!
 
Wight Dawn said:
I have only used my Autohelm 3000 (wheel steering) twice, coincidentally in the same bit of water as shown in your video. On both occasions it has performed well for about 20 minutes, then it has taken it into its head to decide we were going the wrong way and put the helm full over. As it was flat calm, we were motoring at the time.
Click to expand...
Did you go anywhere near it with a mobile phone? Mine is terrible if I do. I often forget it's in my pocket and stand or sit near it, it suddenly decides to start altering course.
 
Porthandbuoy said:
I've never posted a video before, so here goes. It's my new (last season) Autohelm ST 2000 doing a lovely job of steering my Nicholson 26 in a nice breeze. This autohelm replaces the old AT800 which was woefully slow and underpowered in anything other than a flat calm.


That dangly bit swinging around is the counterweight for the windvane steering, not in use.
Click to expand...

Make sure you don't get it wet...!!

I had one that died two months after the warranty period was up. The quote at the time to repair it was more than the cost of a new one! They told me I shouldn't have allowed it to get wet.
 
My earlier autopilots like the Mini Seacourse had comedy features, probably built in by some bored smartarse on a Friday afternoon, such as shoving the tiller hard over when the voltage ran low.

It must have had some form of radar too as this usually happened when alongside big ships or Solent forts - wonder if this was the EMC vulnerability mentioned ?

The first Autohelm 2000 lasted less than 30 seconds in dry conditions before croaking, but the replacement seems a great bit of kit, far better reaction time and much more powerful than the 1000 it replaced, it's been soaked in fresh and salt water and is still fine.

So Quality Control rather than design seems a likely snag; I hope Raymarine read this thread as it's a valuable bit of customer feedback.
 
Daydream believer said:
My ST 2000 is just a toy. I had the first one replaced after a month & the new one is not much better. I have now bought an evolution. 100 which i am waiting to have delivered
I know this thread is about the ST2000 but can you tell me if the evolution is better. Raymarine claim +- 2 degrees which would be better than the current +-20 degrees with the st2000( & yes I do know how to adjust it)

By the way- The sales rep on the Raymarine stand denied that there is a water problem with the ST2000. So there you have it!!!
Click to expand...

Well I hope that your evolution pilot is better behaved than mine, I spent far too much time on the phone to their customer services/support staff, the kit is now back at Raymarine for testing because it gets confused and stops working. The ST2000, despite being under spec for my boat still works after years of abuse - that said it is starting to pull itself apart internally but that is only because it's too small for the boat in lively conditions.
 
Georgio said:
Well I hope that your evolution pilot is better behaved than mine, I spent far too much time on the phone to their customer services/support staff, the kit is now back at Raymarine for testing because it gets confused and stops working. .
Click to expand...

Oh Thanks !!--You have made a lousy day even worse !!!!!!!
What was the issue? I was told it would make the boat run on rails(+/- 2Deg) but others say it goes all over the place
At least I have an Aeries as a sailing backup.
 
Daydream believer said:
Oh Thanks !!--You have made a lousy day even worse !!!!!!!
What was the issue? I was told it would make the boat run on rails(+/- 2Deg) but others say it goes all over the place
At least I have an Aeries as a sailing backup.
Click to expand...

I have had various issues since installing, some have been ironed out or improved by tuning the system to the boat however I still have two fundamental issues to resolve.

1. sometimes it sails off course with the helm centred, it does not correct, it then tells me it's off course on the control head then the off course alarm sounds on the control head (P70) but still it does not attempts to correct the course. The only option is to switch the whole system off and on again. Putting it on standby and then auto only fixes the problem temporarily. Not great as I need a pilot I can rely on when single-handed and down below - possibly sleeping.

2. The ram does not run smoothly in and out as it should, it judders a lot when on standby and pressing +/- 1 or 10. I have a friend with an identical system and the ram runs smoothly in and out, as does the previous SPX pilot and the ST2000. This is not a problem in itself but may be contributory to 1 above if it thinks the helm is in a different position to reality.

I use a Windpilot pacific for longer trips offshore but still want/need an electric pilot.
 
The leaflet clearly says that it is a unit that will hold the boat on course even in difficult seas. So if it does not do what it is supposed to do it should be either sorted or you should have your money back.
Have you pressed raymarine on this & do they seem to be interested in solving the problem.

I ask because I had problems with my ST2000 & although they said there was no fault they changed it quickly
I rather got the " we are perfect" feeling from them
If the Evolution goes t.ts up I will be concerned
 
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