Raymarine/Autohelm Autopilot - "Drive Stop"!

[Tam_Hazan]

Raymarine/Autohelm Autopilot - \"Drive Stop\"!

Had a problem with our Rotary Drive (Type 1 12v) on the autopilot. It had an insiduous habit of drifting off heading without the alarm going off immediately. The message that came up eventually in the display was DRIVE STOP.

Having contacted the very helpful Raymarine technical line by e-mail [USA?], we received a spot-on diagnosis and instructions on how to solve problem on a temporary basis ["hit chrome band smartly with mallet - frees the brushes in the motor and moves from dead spot"].

Sending the drive back to Raymarine seems a bit expensive, so has anyone repaired one of these units themselves? Or know of a reputable small electronics company that could effect the repair?

Tam

 

[Victorious]

Re: Raymarine/Autohelm Autopilot - \"Drive Stop\"!

Raymarine are in portsmouth,
They serviced my very old Autohelm 2000.
Did a very good job and the bill was less than the estimate!

 

[bdsweeting]

Re: Raymarine/Autohelm Autopilot - \"Drive Stop\"!

Where abouts is local to you ?

 

[hightech]

Re: Raymarine/Autohelm Autopilot - \"Drive Stop\"!

Depending on which motor the unit has in it, they either had internal or external brushes. The extrenal ones can be unscrewed and then the brushes checked for length and replaced if required. While you have the brushes out, clean the commutator and brush slots with emery cloth and alcohol.

The internal brush version sometimes had a nice cover place that you can remove and do basically the same cleaning job.

Then there are the close brush versions which entail a lot of stripping down and usually wrecking in the process to get into them.

A local motor rewinder will be able to do all this for you, try "Squalking Rages" for ones in your area.

PM if you want any more help.

 

[Tam_Hazan]

Re: Raymarine/Autohelm Autopilot - \"Drive Stop\"!

Thanks - most useful answer!