Raymarine Smartpilot S3 problem

[TQA]

It looks like my Raymarine S3 Smartpilot has bitten the dust. I gather that Raymarine do not repair them and no longer supply them.

So what to do?

Does anyone know where I might get a used unit?

Is there anyone who can repair one?

Is there a drop in replacement that uses my existing S2 linear actuator.

 

[temptress]

It looks like my Raymarine S3 Smartpilot has bitten the dust. I gather that Raymarine do not repair them and no longer supply them.

So what to do?

Does anyone know where I might get a used unit?

Is there anyone who can repair one?

Is there a drop in replacement that uses my existing S2 linear actuator.

Used units sometimes come up on e-bay. You can use the new control computer with your existing control panel and drive unit. I looked into this last year and the new computer with gyro was somewhere around GBP 2k.

 

[pvb]

I hasten to say I haven't used them, but The Service Centre is on my list of potential repairers - http://theservicecentre.eu/

Might be worth a call.

 

[TQA]

Looks like it is the computer and it seems that Raymarine UK and USA can repair some faults in the Smartpilot S3 unit.

Got to send it back and get an estimate.

 

[Tintin]

I found one reasonable on ebay recently.


My understanding is that the drive will wok with other units, but I may be wrong - ask Raymarine tech support (I say this because they said my old Autohelm 2000 tiller drive would work with it.

 

[pohopetch]

The Raymarine X-3 computer is a direct replacement for the S3 - I know because we did just that 3 years ago. It will drive exactly the same linear drive and hydraulic drives as the S3. The X-3 came out about 3 years ago and is already replaced by another model! It has exactly the same wiring connections as the S3, with the addition of NMEA 2000 and the new Raymarine Seatalk ng (which is just NMEA 2000). It still supports NMEA 0183 and the old Seatalk. The X-3 unit is physically the same size with just slightly different external styling.

I got our old S3G unit repaired (it was just the gyro add-on that was faulty and this is easily replaced) and have carried it as a spare ever since. If you are interested in purchasing the old S3G please PM me with an offer and we can discuss.

Cheers
Peter