Autohelm ST4000 Autopilot disengages

[mariog]

I have changed the belt on my Autohelm ST4000 Autopilot as it was broken, but now after fitting a new one every now and done the locking lever disengages. any advice as to what might be the cause and any remedy is highly appreciated.

 

[Aja]

There should be a tensioning screw on the autohelm. Isuspect in the past the rension has been increased as the old belt got progressively worn. With the new belt in place the tension is too great for the clutch lever and will not engage properly. Try slacken the tension a bit

Donald

 

[mariog]

can you please advise me where the screw is located? thanks

 

[Aja]

Maybe Confused

It's a knurled plastic knob on the same face as the clutch handle and motor tube.


"Adjusting the clutch
You need to adjust the clutch if the drive belt slips in Auto mode or
drags in Standby mode. In normal use, you can tell if the clutch is
slipping if the motor operates but the drive does not turn the wheel.
To adjust the clutch, first make sure that the autopilot is in Standby
mode and the clutch is disengaged. Then:
1. Use a 3 mm allen key (supplied) to loosen the clutch knob screw
about 2 turns anti-clockwise.
2. Turn the clutch knob either 4 clicks clockwise to tighten the
clutch, or 4 clicks anti-clockwise to loosen the clutch.
3. Use the allen key to re-tighten the clutch knob screw.
4. Check that the wheel still moves freely with the clutch off.
Note: If the wheel does not move freely, reduce the clutch tension by
turning the clutch knob 2 clicks anti-clockwise and check again
5. Check the drive’s operation with the clutch engaged.
This procedure is usually sufficient to correct a slipping or dragging
drive belt. In some cases, however, you may need to repeat the steps
to adjust the clutch further."

 

[mariog]

thanks for the info I will go down to the boat and look for the adjuster as I never noticed it. One thing I want to point out is that it's not that the drive belt is slipping but the lever actually moves out of its enaged position (horizontal position) to the standby position (vertical) but if I keep the lever pressed it works OK no slip no nothing. will keep you posted how it went.

 

[alan]

On the Mk2 it is as described by the above post (I have one in the garage, so it was easy to check). However, on the Mk 1 I don't remember seeing any adjuster (don't have a Mk 1 anymore so cannot check).

You may also want to check the clutch lever itself, as it is 'held' engaged by a little plastic bump on the autopilot body; perhaps the lever has moved on the spindle and is not tight enough to the body?

Alan.

 

[Danny]

I have a Mk1 which had this problem in spades when I bought the boat. I initially had to hold the lever in the engaged position with a lacky band. I took it all apart and found that there's a pin which goes through the lever and spindle to locate the lever in the correct attitude to the tensioning cam. This had broken and the lever had moved a few degrees on the spindle. Got a new lever/cam part and all was OK. Fixed the old one so now have a spare.

 

[mariog]

I have found the adjusting screw but I don't think the problem is here as if I hold the lever down it works OK, I think mine is the older type. Can Please Danny eloborate more on the broken pin please and how to fix it?

 

[jimi]

I also have this problem and solved it by fitting a little bungee loop to go over the lever to hold it in place.

 

[actionoptics]

Mariog. We had exactly the same problem so yesterday I took the auto pilot off the wheel and saw that the locking lever was moving on its 'D' shaped shaft. When the pin was driven out, it was found to be in three pieces. We fitted a new 'pin' ( a piece of the same size drill bit ) and reassembled. The locking lever now stays in place.