Autohelm3000 replacement recommendations?

[causeway]

A friend's Autohelm gave up the ghost while we were in Scotland. It's an old model autohelm 3000.

Its 'only' the control unit which isn't functioning so ideally it would be a direct replacement using the original motor setup.

Is this even possible? Any ideas? We were going to go down the repair route but they think the unit has has a good innings.

 

[philip_stevens]

I replaced an old AH3000 control head with a newer ST3000 control unit that has Saetalk.

If you can locate an ST3000 head, you will also need a conversion adaptor lead as the plug sizes are different.

It is also possible that an ST4000 control head would also work - again, with a adaptor lead.

 

[Avalon]

For some years I have been using a 3000 drive unit with a 4000 head. Not sure of the exact model, I think it is the ST4000+, but they work excellently together. In fact this was originally suggested to me by the Autohelm people at a Boat Show many years ago. In may ways this gives you the best of both worlds. The 3000 drive is an excellent robust unit and with the 4000 head unit I can link to my GPS as well.

 

[causeway]

So for one of these newer units they just need the control head, fluxgate compass and adaptor?
Many thanks

 

[BruceDanforth]

It might be easier to fix than you think. What are the symptoms? I had an autohelm 800(?) pack up a few years ago and it just needed new output transistors. The symptom was it would only drive in one direction. It was fixed for about a fiver.

 

[causeway]

Constantly pulls to starboard. Few degrees at a time.

 

[saxonpirate]

One on Fleabay.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/boat-auto...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2a2df16475

 

[causeway]

Looks worth a punt, would be on it like a car bonnet if I knew for sure it worked!

 

[saxonpirate]

Looks worth a punt, would be on it like a car bonnet if I knew for sure it worked!

If you know how much you'd be willing to pay tops... and take a risk, use a snipe tool like http://www.auctionstealer.co.uk/home.cfm Sign up for the free service, you get three free bids a week. Put in your price and then just leave it. If you get outbid, keep an eye out for another. Too many people get carried away in ridiculous bidding wars and end up paying way over the top for things. I always use a snipe, I win some and lose some... but I always know I'll never pay more than I think something is worth to me...

 

[causeway]

Another one I've heard of is 'goofbay'. Similar idea.

 

[single]

One on Fleabay.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/boat-auto...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2a2df16475

I would take a gamble buying that. Message the seller and see if they will do a 'buy it now'.