Autohelm ST50

[abdiel]

Hello there, I was up the mast last week end checking the head gear for the ST50, I removed the head and some thing fell to the deck. On reaching the deck I couldnt find whatever fell, can anyone tell me what it could have been. Is there possibly a washer or spacer supposed to be in the securing nut? Thanks
Abdiel

 

[SAWDOC]

Do you mean the St 50 wind instrument with the 3 cups? I have that instrument at my masthead - mast currently up but I have manual and possibly some snaps. Have you the manual ? I dont think there are good images in it from memory.

 

[earlybird]

There is an O-ring inside the nut to provide a seal between the nut and the connector block. This is normally captive around the tubular part, but if it split, it would probably fall out.

 

[abdiel]

Re:- ST50

Hi sawdoc and earlybird, yes it is the wind instrument. I have the manual but it doesnt show anything inside the nut, whatever dropped out of the nut was quite substantial,
it made quite a sound as it hit the deck. Thanks
Abdiel

 

[Cloven]

I remove mine at the end of every season & replace it in the Spring. Not aware of any part that could possibly fall out unless of course something has broken. If that is the case, it looks like you may have to source a replacement.

Refurbised wind head units are available on eBay from time to time and Stowe make a compatible unit but its not cheap.

http://www.stowemarine.com/mastheadunit.htm

Good luck.

 

[Billjratt]

Could it possibly have been bodged previously, or have you successfully removed and replaced it before? AND have you tried replacing it this time?
I've got st60 which has just a few minor differences to yours, and there's nothing in it that would clatter on the deck.
I would check everything else up there, especially shackles, clevis pins etc.

 

[Martin_J]

Are you able to post a photo of what you have got left please...

I have a spare with me now and after unscrewing (although I'd not call it a nut), the whole unit comes down in one piece. I have never seen an o-ring between the unit and the mast fitting in either of my two MastHead Units.. Do you have all the pins in place still and is the part holding the pins together still held in place with a small allen head grub screw? There are two o-rings at the top and bottom of the silver tube that holes the bearing housings.