Nautech Autohelm 2000

[Rock Dodger]

Hello All, As a keen exponent of the Repair, Reuse, Recycle philosophy, I have decide to see if I can repair a Nautech Autohelm 2000 tiller pilot. I have checked it out and found that the faulty part is the drive motor in the ram. The brushes in the motor have failed and cannot be repaired. I checked the motor with the manufacturers and they cannot identify it as it is probably no longer manufactured by them. The "replacement" available from Raymarine, who bought out Nautech, does not fit in the ram casing as it is of a larger diameter. Do any of the kind souls on this forum know what is available as a replacement?

 

[doug748]

Just to be sure is this the model you have? :

 

[Refueler]

Nautech used standard brushed motors in their gear ....

Find the serial number / ID on the can of the motor ... this should be a generic number ...

You should be able to source a brushed motor of same ...

If you cannot find one with same ID ... then in fact electric motors are far simpler than many people realise ...

Measure can diameter / height ... shaft diameter ... what is on shaft - gear cog or ? and weight ... yes weight. That is indicator of the construction and its use... mount screw holes.

Voltage 12 - 15V ..... then check out online electric brushed motors that fit those parameters ...

 

[Rock Dodger]

Just to be sure is this the model you have? :


View attachment 157949

Hi doug748,
The tiller pilot I have looks like this:

 

[James_Calvert]

I replaced that motor on mine many years ago, when Nautech/ Autohelm still supported them.

Some time ago I picked up details of a current replacement option. Never followed through but here it is.

Mabuchi rs-555sh

On googling, still available from UK for under a tenner.

Worth a punt, but check dimensions first! And the plastic cog

 

[Rock Dodger]

I replaced that motor on mine many years ago, when Nautech/ Autohelm still supported them.

Some time ago I picked up details of a current replacement option. Never followed through but here it is.

Mabuchi rs-555sh

On googling, still available from UK for under a tenner.

Worth a punt, but check dimensions first! And the plastic cog

Many thanks James, I followed up on this and the RS555SH motor diameter is 37.5mm but the old motor and housing is 32mm. The original motor was a Maxon but even they could not identify it. Maybe obsolete a long while ago. I'll keep looking, possibly the triumph of hope over experience.

 

[Beelzebub]

Nautech also used Canon motors, if I recall correctly.

 

[Refueler]

Many thanks James, I followed up on this and the RS555SH motor diameter is 37.5mm but the old motor and housing is 32mm. The original motor was a Maxon but even they could not identify it. Maybe obsolete a long while ago. I'll keep looking, possibly the triumph of hope over experience.

As I mentioned earlier .... E-motors are simple concept = especially brushed as you have.

As long as dimensions and power specs are same it will work .... the only matter to be careful about - are the screw mount holes and placing.

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

Many thanks James, I followed up on this and the RS555SH motor diameter is 37.5mm but the old motor and housing is 32mm. The original motor was a Maxon but even they could not identify it. Maybe obsolete a long while ago. I'll keep looking, possibly the triumph of hope over experience.

Something like this any good? Do a search for 32mm 12 volt dc motor.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/QMseller-DC3-12V-1500-6000RPM-Diameter-Aircraft/dp/B085C643V2

 

[JulianPorter]

Hello All, As a keen exponent of the Repair, Reuse, Recycle philosophy, I have decide to see if I can repair a Nautech Autohelm 2000 tiller pilot. I have checked it out and found that the faulty part is the drive motor in the ram. The brushes in the motor have failed and cannot be repaired. I checked the motor with the manufacturers and they cannot identify it as it is probably no longer manufactured by them. The "replacement" available from Raymarine, who bought out Nautech, does not fit in the ram casing as it is of a larger diameter. Do any of the kind souls on this forum know what is available as a replacement?

How did you get on with this repair. I have an analogue AH2000 with the compass rose type control unit. It has a fault and I’m not sure who to approach for a repair. Any ideas?

 

[Rock Dodger]

How did you get on with this repair. I have an analogue AH2000 with the compass rose type control unit. It has a fault and I’m not sure who to approach for a repair. Any ideas?

Hi Julian, Might I suggest that if I were you, I would find someone who likes repairing electronic equipment as I am told most solid state electronics can be repaired by someone bothered to do the job, possibly with a box of transistors, relays and a tiny soldering iron in their shed. My repair did not get any further as although many helped on this forum, the various motors available were not suitable/no longer made. I may bite the bullet and buy new as the old fluxgate box is iffy as well. Not sure I want that going wrong whilst I am perched on the heads. It can easily get to the stage where you are demonstrating the law of diminishing returns with time, effort and cost outstripping the price of a new unit with all the latest technology.

That said, a neighbour of mine bought a van load of old bits and rebuilt a 1934 MG to showroom condition.

 

[JulianPorter]

Hi Julian, Might I suggest that if I were you, I would find someone who likes repairing electronic equipment as I am told most solid state electronics can be repaired by someone bothered to do the job, possibly with a box of transistors, relays and a tiny soldering iron in their shed. My repair did not get any further as although many helped on this forum, the various motors available were not suitable/no longer made. I may bite the bullet and buy new as the old fluxgate box is iffy as well. Not sure I want that going wrong whilst I am perched on the heads. It can easily get to the stage where you are demonstrating the law of diminishing returns with time, effort and cost outstripping the price of a new unit with all the latest technology.

That said, a neighbour of mine bought a van load of old bits and rebuilt a 1934 MG to showroom condition.

If I cant find someone to do the repair I shall look at solutions using Pypilot/Tinypilot or alternatively Ardupilot. There are YouTube videos about both these solutions. I would retain the ram from the original system. I went some way down the Pypilot route previously, then I came across a company who still supported the Nautech kit. Unfortunately they have stopped the support now. If I can find an electronics engineer with the interest I’ve got a very poor quality schematic from the service handbook, but that is it. Currently I’m trying not to get distracted from sailing by the desire to build my own tiller pilot.