Raymarine Linear Drive Type 1 clutch slipping

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haydude

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Hello,

I have a Raymarine Linear Drive Type 1 and recently I noticed that I can grab the wheel and stop it from turning whilst the drive is engaged and turning the wheel.

Until last year it was quite impossible to do as the drive was stronger than me.

In practical terms the clutch is now slipping whilst the drive tries to turn.

Is this something that can be fixed? Is there a way to tighten the clutch?

Thank you in advance!
 
It's an electric clutch.
It is wired so that power locks the clutch and allows the autopilot to steer.
There are separate power and clutch leads from the autopilot computer. The first step is to check the connections to the clutch for corrosion and poor contact. Then measure the voltage at these terminals with the autopilot working.
 
noelex said:
It's an electric clutch.
It is wired so that power locks the clutch and allows the autopilot to steer.
There are separate power and clutch leads from the autopilot computer. The first step is to check the connections to the clutch for corrosion and poor contact. Then measure the voltage at these terminals with the autopilot working.
Click to expand...

Perhaps I haven't been clear enough. The contacts are fine, the clutch engages, but it slips.

I believe that it is a mechanical problem. Either the clutch or something moving the piston slips.
 
If the voltage for the clutch is low the clutch will engage, but slip. It could be a mechanical problem , it's been a few years since I have taken one apart, but relying on my memory I think your symptoms are more consistent with an electrical problem. The electrical side is easy to check, so that's the first thing to rule out. You can apply 12v directly to clutch and see if still slips.
They are easy to take appart, but there are a couple of hidden screws so don't force the cover off.
Good luck fixing it.
 
noelex said:
If the voltage for the clutch is low the clutch will engage, but slip. It could be a mechanical problem , it's been a few years since I have taken one apart, but relying on my memory I think your symptoms are more consistent with an electrical problem. The electrical side is easy to check, so that's the first thing to rule out. You can apply 12v directly to clutch and see if still slips.
They are easy to take appart, but there are a couple of hidden screws so don't force the cover off.
Good luck fixing it.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your help. I will check the wiring. In case I have to take it apart, can the clutch be fixed? Is there a belt? Could be a belt slipping? Do you have pictures?
 
haydude said:
Thank you for your help. I will check the wiring. In case I have to take it apart, can the clutch be fixed? Is there a belt? Could be a belt slipping? Do you have pictures?
Click to expand...

The clutch is magnetic... So it either works, or it doesn't.

How old is the drive. There is a set of plastic gears inside, ( quite tricky to replace.... Take lots of photos - there is a ridge on one side of each gear wheel which must go back with the same orientation.... Or trouble ensues).

These gears wear over time and, one day they grip, then the next day, they don't. Eventually, in heavy weather, the auto helm gives up trying and reverts to manual.

Raymarine recognised this, and supply an expensive set of metal gears as a replacement, ( or they did in 2006).

If the gears are still available, I would be inclined to get Raymarine to replace them for you, whatever the cost - it's a long story :(
 
Richard10002 said:
The clutch is magnetic... So it either works, or it doesn't.
Click to expand...

I have now removed the drive and tested it on the bench. I cannot hear grinding gears, in fact it behaves exactly as if the clutch were slipping as I suspected. If the piston is constrained the motor keeps turning free.

I managed to remove the front cap, inside there were four allen screws holding the back. I removed those too but the rear cap does not move.

I found a picture of a disassembled unit and it looks like there is a toothed belt. Perhaps the belt has gone and it slips rather than the clutch.

Here is a link (not my drive! I haven't managed to get it apart yet):
http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/d2b358697e6ad18708ebdd2320378882a6cfd6a.jpg

Please could you help with instruction on how to reach the clutch plates?
 
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haydude said:
Please could you help with instruction on how to reach the clutch plates?
Click to expand...

I cant remember, but I'm pretty sure it was one of the first things that became apparent when the cover came off. 2 discs of metal that clamped together when the clutch wires were powered.

Is this where you got the pic from?

http://catalina42discussionforum.yu...OP-Raymarine-Linear-Drive-Type-2#.T7lbkGt5mK0

It's a Type 2, but I think they are similar.

This is a thread of my problem in 2006:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-98042.html
 
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Finally

I managed to remove the back cover too now. The belt looks good. I cannot test it with the cover open, but I am sure that the clutch slips. The metal surfaces are polished and there are circular scratches.

I wonder if it could return to get a grip by making a coarse surface with a file.
 
Last edited:
Richard10002 said:
This is a thread of my problem in 2006:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-98042.html
Click to expand...

Thank you. I see that you talk about gears. Mine is a Type 1 and has a belt like the Type 2 in the link I posted above.

I suppose that Raymarine must have had two designs one with belt and one with gears. I wonder which one is the current/newer. My drive is fairly recent, but you never know if they supply something that has spent ages in a warehouse.
 
haydude said:
Thank you. I see that you talk about gears. Mine is a Type 1 and has a belt like the Type 2 in the link I posted above.

I suppose that Raymarine must have had two designs one with belt and one with gears. I wonder which one is the current/newer. My drive is fairly recent, but you never know if they supply something that has spent ages in a warehouse.
Click to expand...

IIRC the belt runs around 4 small helical gears which, in turn drive a single gear, which rotates a spiral which moves the balls along, to move the rod in and out. Whatever you do, don't dismantle it to the point where the balls can fall out - from what I was told, that's the end of the road, and it's back to Raymarine.

Somewhere in the depths of an old laptop I may have a diagram from Raymarine - if I can find it I'll post it or email it.
 
haydude said:
Hello,

I have a Raymarine Linear Drive Type 1 and recently I noticed that I can grab the wheel and stop it from turning whilst the drive is engaged and turning the wheel.

Until last year it was quite impossible to do as the drive was stronger than me.

In practical terms the clutch is now slipping whilst the drive tries to turn.

Is this something that can be fixed? Is there a way to tighten the clutch?

Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...

Quite simply, like falstaff, as you get older you are getting stronger! Next year you can do away with your winches!
 
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