hans
New member
We have a Lewmar direct drive (mod DU 130 12v) autopilot connected to our Whitlock Cobra rod & pinion steering system. Boat is a 10 tonne Koopmans 39. Unit is mounted by previous owner, maybe 20 years ago? Limited use by us as we have a windvane for offshore work.
The unit is controlled by a B & G NAC 3 and works satisfactorily. It does however make an annoying «clanking» noise when at anchor in any swell (autopilot off). The short arm on the unit has a few mms free play, and the noise appears to come when the short arm reaches end of its few mms of travel. Locking the wheel does not help as there still is some movement in the system in even the smallest swell.
A couple of years ago I had the unit opened by a machine shop, and they told us this we had to live with as this is how the unit is designed. Noise appears to have increased since then, and I now have the unit in the cockpit and have started dismantling. From the peek I have had so far (one bolt still stuck) it seems to be a very sturdy and primitive system where it is hard to see that any «wear and tear» could cause increasing play in the arm.
I am uncertain how wise it is to dismantlig it any further for fear of doing irrepairable damage. A new unit cost in excess of 5000 pounds, and I do not want to spend that kind of money unless we can be certain the new unit will be quiet at anchor. Maybe the «slack» in the short arm is a necessary feature? I have tried to contact Mr Mogridge at Whitlock winch servicing but suspect this is outside what they usually deal with.
Does anybody have any experience with the Lewmar direct drive autopilot and could shed some light on our issue?
Direct Drives | Lewmar
The unit is controlled by a B & G NAC 3 and works satisfactorily. It does however make an annoying «clanking» noise when at anchor in any swell (autopilot off). The short arm on the unit has a few mms free play, and the noise appears to come when the short arm reaches end of its few mms of travel. Locking the wheel does not help as there still is some movement in the system in even the smallest swell.
A couple of years ago I had the unit opened by a machine shop, and they told us this we had to live with as this is how the unit is designed. Noise appears to have increased since then, and I now have the unit in the cockpit and have started dismantling. From the peek I have had so far (one bolt still stuck) it seems to be a very sturdy and primitive system where it is hard to see that any «wear and tear» could cause increasing play in the arm.
I am uncertain how wise it is to dismantlig it any further for fear of doing irrepairable damage. A new unit cost in excess of 5000 pounds, and I do not want to spend that kind of money unless we can be certain the new unit will be quiet at anchor. Maybe the «slack» in the short arm is a necessary feature? I have tried to contact Mr Mogridge at Whitlock winch servicing but suspect this is outside what they usually deal with.
Does anybody have any experience with the Lewmar direct drive autopilot and could shed some light on our issue?
Direct Drives | Lewmar