Raymarine Autohelm 100 course computer replacement

[Shuggy]

I have a Raymarine Autohelm 100 course computer attached to an ST7000 display/control head on the chart table with a repeater in the cockpit. Course computer is attached to a modified Neco drive unit (the original 1971 model) and all has worked on and off over the last 5 years. I've had the course computer repaired twice now but it's gone again.

My options are either (i) to buy a service exchange 100 course computer from eBay and hope I have more success this time, or (ii) fit a more modern (but probably second hand) course computer and display/control head as I believe the ST7000 won't work with anything more modern.

£200 for a service exchange type 100 or £££s for a second hand set-up such as an SX10 and suitable display/control unit.

A few questions:

1. Has anyone done this - and do you have any pointers as to the most cost-effective replacement?
2. If I do go for a newer model will I have to junk my 100-compatible repeater unit in the cockpit? As above my ST7000 is on the chart table although junking it and living only with a cockpit display would not be the end of the world.
3. Would I need to modify any wiring from the course computer to the display/control head (and repeater if compatible)?

Thanks in advance for any help. Boat is a 1970s 43 footer so probably equivalent to a 35 footer today and is very well balanced - don't know if that makes a difference when it comes to course computer selection.

Shuggy

 

[Elessar]

I have a Raymarine Autohelm 100 course computer attached to an ST7000 display/control head on the chart table with a repeater in the cockpit. Course computer is attached to a modified Neco drive unit (the original 1971 model) and all has worked on and off over the last 5 years. I've had the course computer repaired twice now but it's gone again.

My options are either (i) to buy a service exchange 100 course computer from eBay and hope I have more success this time, or (ii) fit a more modern (but probably second hand) course computer and display/control head as I believe the ST7000 won't work with anything more modern.

£200 for a service exchange type 100 or £££s for a second hand set-up such as an SX10 and suitable display/control unit.

A few questions:

1. Has anyone done this - and do you have any pointers as to the most cost-effective replacement?
2. If I do go for a newer model will I have to junk my 100-compatible repeater unit in the cockpit? As above my ST7000 is on the chart table although junking it and living only with a cockpit display would not be the end of the world.
3. Would I need to modify any wiring from the course computer to the display/control head (and repeater if compatible)?

Thanks in advance for any help. Boat is a 1970s 43 footer so probably equivalent to a 35 footer today and is very well balanced - don't know if that makes a difference when it comes to course computer selection.

Shuggy

I don't know, but with the lack of info this may be better info than none.

I have a 100 computer with a modern head and the latest gen plotter. The 100 uses standard sea talk to communicate with the control head and my system works. Therefore unless you get the very latest gen head which only talks by the new high speed sea talk, I reckon it will all work fine. All the ST60 series use old seatalk AFAIK. Also...... My 100 packed up and I got another from ebay very cheaply.
As for wiring, they changed the connectors on seatalk a while back, from a round to a flat, but you just cut the wire and connect red to red, yellow to yellow and connect the screens with any in line connector. Easy.

 

[Shuggy]

Thanks - sounds like my best option (or at least the best one for my wallet) is to pick up a newly fixed type 100.

 

[Seven Spades]

I have a Raymarine Smartpilot. It was absolutely useless, the thing would wander all over the place. then I bit the bullet and have a gyro fitted. ow it is rock steady, absolutely brilliant. I will never understand why they ever sold them without gyro's. So if you buy a smart pilot make sure it has a gyro as fitting a gyro is expensive.

 

[sailorman]

I have a Raymarine Smartpilot. It was absolutely useless, the thing would wander all over the place. then I bit the bullet and have a gyro fitted. ow it is rock steady, absolutely brilliant. I will never understand why they ever sold them without gyro's. So if you buy a smart pilot make sure it has a gyro as fitting a gyro is expensive.

you have just answered your own question

 

[geem]

I don't know, but with the lack of info this may be better info than none.

I have a 100 computer with a modern head and the latest gen plotter. The 100 uses standard sea talk to communicate with the control head and my system works. Therefore unless you get the very latest gen head which only talks by the new high speed sea talk, I reckon it will all work fine. All the ST60 series use old seatalk AFAIK. Also...... My 100 packed up and I got another from ebay very cheaply.
As for wiring, they changed the connectors on seatalk a while back, from a round to a flat, but you just cut the wire and connect red to red, yellow to yellow and connect the screens with any in line connector. Easy.

I have a 24v Neco drive unit grafted onto a multitude of Raymarine kit. My course computer is equipped with gyro and fast heading sensor. I have two control heads. It works very well.