Autohelm ST2000

[Georgio]

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

I need to give them a decent chance of solving the problem but if it continues to misbehave I will be returning it as not fit for purpose and buying a pilot from B&G, more expensive but hopefully much more reliable.

 

[Bodach na mara]

Regarding the comments made by Spyro and others about mobile phones, it may not be the phone to blame, but its case.

I tend to steer from a sitting position but noticed that when I stood up on the starboard, the compass card deviated but not if I stood to the port side of the wheel. It seemed to happen on some days and not others and I am ashamed that it took a while for the penny to drop. I keep my phone in my left-hand trouser pocket and the effect was only seen when I had it with me. I then tried moving the phone about near the compass with it switched on and off with no effect. Then I picked up he case, with its magnetic catch from the cockpit seat ---! Since then I have found all sorts of things that have magnets in them, like handbags, tablet covers, hands-free LED work lights, and (surprise, surprise!) a pick-up tool that I was using to fish up a nut from under the engine and got laid down on the handy flat bit near the compass while I put the cockpit floor down and then forgot.

I am also guilty of fitting a bracket to hold the hand-bearing compass on the cabin bulkhead right next to the cockpit speaker for the VHF. Yes, I did know that speakers contain large powerful magnets.

 

[Spyro]

Agree about the magnet but the phone I was using wasn't in a case.

 

[alahol2]

Agree about the magnet but the phone I was using wasn't in a case.

Yes, my tillerpilot did a sharp turn to port when I leaned over it. My (uncased) phone was in my top pocket.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

Check your pockets for loose change. Coppers these days aren't, they have a ferrous core.

 

[charles_reed]

25 years ago I had two 2000STs, which both died, one after another, after being out in some rain.
Raytheon replaced the 2nd with an early 4000ST - even flying the replacement to St Mary's - at about half the list price.
Apart from regular maintenance of the two actuators and a new display in the control head, its performed faultlessly for about 24K nautical miles.
I scarcely ever touch the tiller (singlehander) except when entering or leaving a harbour.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

25 years ago I had two 2000STs, which both died, one after another, after being out in some rain.
Raytheon replaced the 2nd with an early 4000ST - even flying the replacement to St Mary's - at about half the list price.
Apart from regular maintenance of the two actuators and a new display in the control head, its performed faultlessly for about 24K nautical miles.
I scarcely ever touch the tiller (singlehander) except when entering or leaving a harbour.

Interesting. I have owned the Autohelm with the compass rose for over 20 years. I purchased it second hand for £50. Was this the first integral Autohelm ? .

It has never let me down and earns it's keep driving a 3.5 ton boat. It does however live in a lazorette , spelling ? , in good shelter . I just shove my hand in the gap between the tiller and twiddle the rose . I even get the twiddle right when tacking most of the time. I also own a 2000 for back up but dread the day when my dear friend calls it a day and I have to work in degrees .

God bless the autohelm . The single hander's patron saint.

 

[Georgio]

I need to give them a decent chance of solving the problem but if it continues to misbehave I will be returning it as not fit for purpose and buying a pilot from B&G, more expensive but hopefully much more reliable.

Just to update in fairness to Raymarine....

Raymarine have advised that the EV sensor core in my system was faulty and is being replaced, hopefully when I refit it will be the end of my ongoing autopilot problems.