Old Autohelm ST1000 tiller pilot problem

[weaver_fish]

Just inherited an ST1000 tiller pilot with my new (to me) boat. Previous owner said it was dead. Have had it apart and power to the motor shows that the arm is still mobile. When I apply voltage to the circuitboard the lcd display remains dead but the buzzer beeps continuously.

Not sure a professional repair would be make economic sense, but has anyone any tips of what might be causing this fault? Perhaps ypu have encountered it before.

The kit looks early 90s to me perhaps, maybe later, but inside the case there is no sign of wear or corrosion so it would be great to reserruct it.

Cheers in anticipation....

 

[William_H]

The most likely fault areas are the actual printed circuit board and the solder connections of components and wires especially those that may be flexed from external pressure. A magnifying glass and soldering iron may be used to check joints and rejuvinate old solder connections.
You can use a low range multimeter to check that you can get connections across solder joints and strips of copper land. These can fail from tiny cracks across the land. It is all a bit tedious and may prove a failure but if you have it set up at home and have spare time give it a go. good luck (I mean it cos you will need it) olewill

 

[Slow_boat]

I had a problem with one I 'inherited' in that the arm wouldn't move and it bleeped continuously. It turned out that the seal around the arm was gripping it. I pulled it out by brute force and applied silicon grease and it's fixed.

Hope this is of help.

 

[morgandlm]

I was in exactly the same position when I bought my current boat two years ago. I sent the unit to Raymarine who came up with an estimate for repair, fixed it and returned it for about £45 I think. It still works fine and was a good alternative to the £200 + option of buying new. The whole repair process took about 10 days and I found their service department very helpful and easy to deal with. MIne was an ST800 so probably even older than yours? I suggest you give them a ring, discuss the symptoms and ask for their advice which I suspect will be to send it in.
Morgan

 

[weaver_fish]

Thanks for that guys - I'll post it off to Raymarine.

 

[MarkJohnson12345]

Am I right in thinking that in the old days (???) Autohelm (Raymarine) often fixed their products for free??

 

[LadyInBed]

A common cause of problems to the AH1000 are the ribbon connectors on the pcb.
Pull them out without releasing the pressure clamp.
Release pressure clamp.
Re insert ribbon cable and push down pressure clamp.
Do this a couple of times to 'clean' the connections.

 

[Rabbie]

My 1000+ was fixed free last year - it was 18 months out of guarantee. Great service from Raymarine.

 

[jerryat]

[ QUOTE ]
Am I right in thinking that in the old days (???) Autohelm (Raymarine) often fixed their products for free??

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, they did for me anyway. Rolled up to their reception one day with my 11 year old (1984) Autohelm 2000 under my arm and asked them if they could have a look at it for me as I was about to go off cruising. A chap came in a few minutes later and asked if I was in a hurry 'cos he could have a look at it right away if I cared to wait.

I did, and was provided with fresh coffee and digestives during the 3/4 hour it took. Chap came back in with the unit sparkling, having stripped it down and sorted out the problem. He wished me a safe and enjoyable trip and said there was no charge!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I must have looked even more stupid than usual with my jaw hanging slack,but, wow, what a service. Needless to say, a couple of years later before we set off on our transats etc, we bought three ST2000's as back-ups! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

So that very kind gesture paid dividends for them.

 

[Drascomber]

The symptoms you describe can also be caused by low battery volts if the motor is connected when you power the PCB so make sure you were giving it a full 12v to test before sending it off.

BTW the good Raymarine service reminds me of the opposite that I got from Simrad when my TP10 failed after just six outings. They agreed it had leaked water into its electics but as it was a year out of warranty they quoted a ludicrous repair price or a new one at a lousy discount.

I sued the chandler (it is stupid that you can't sue the manufacturer. I got my money and costs back and bought a Raymarine one.

 

[weaver_fish]

[ QUOTE ]
A common cause of problems to the AH1000 are the ribbon connectors on the pcb.
Pull them out without releasing the pressure clamp.
Release pressure clamp.
Re insert ribbon cable and push down pressure clamp.
Do this a couple of times to 'clean' the connections.

[/ QUOTE ]

Mate you are a legend! One perfectly functioning autopilot!