Raymarine ST 1000 Tillerpilot limit switch

[garymalmgren]

My Raymarine ST 1000 Tillerpilot self-destructed at both ends of the stroke, so I made up a limit switch system,
The idea was to make a drop in unit, so there is no need to drill. solder or make other alterations to the original unit and casing.
Here are two videos of the design and build process and also of the fitting process.
I installed a limit switch system into a new ST 1000 tiller pilot for a friend.
He is a professional photographer and recorded the process.
Gary

 

[iamtjc]

That looks a competent job.
I took a slightly different approach modding my old AH800



I went for a lightweight approach.
A light carbon fibre tube is held in the plastic part of a chocolate block with the metal guts removed.
Into each end is epoxied a stainless steel wire springs that catch the sliding part of the actuator.
Being springs they can cope with any run-on after power is cut.
The return springing is simply the springiness of the microswitches.

The baseplate is aluminium. A previous 3d printed version distorted when the unit got hot in the sun

I 3d printed a 2 part piece that clamps onto the rod and operates the microswitches. The second part of it goes under the baseplate which stops the rod rotating.
After adjustments were done, I glued it in place on the rod.
There are 3 diodes in parallel just because I didn't have any chunky enough.

It has been working a treat now for a few months. Time will tell how it stands up to use but the forces on it are tiny so I'm hopeful.

 

[Refueler]

I applaud and commend the work of guys who solve what manufacturers miss.

But I have to say that I have both AH1000 and AH800 ..... and neither have failed after hitting end stops often after **** knows how many years since new ....

 

[garymalmgren]

Very nice one Ian.
I searched for every option on the web and saw some,,,, dodgy set ups.

Being springs they can cope with any run-on after power is cut.
That is especially important as she seems to get up a fair bit of speed at the end of a long stroke.

All the best

gary

 

[garymalmgren]

Hi refueler.
Not sure if Autohelms are still available.
I had one 40 years ago and had no trouble.
It is amazing the Raymarine still selling the ST series after all these years without fixing such an apparent fault.

gary

 

[Refueler]

Hi refueler.
Not sure if Autohelms are still available.
I had one 40 years ago and had no trouble.
It is amazing the Raymarine still selling the ST series after all these years without fixing such an apparent fault.

gary

AH (Nautech) was bought out by Raymarine and as you know - provided the base models for all RM Tiller Pilots .... ST1000 through to ST2000+

Only AH TP's now for sale are 2nd hand .....

I did have the Z100 radio Interface ... but it never worked properly ... converted NMEA to pulse to control the TP ... other people I knew who had one - they were unsuccessful as well with it.

Would the fault be one that the later ST series may have created ?

 

[jamie N]

I fitted one of these into the power circuit. It's been 100% reliable, very easy to do & doesn't require opening up a sealed unit.