Raymarine ST2000 Display Fault

[WoodyP]

Hi,
The digital display is damaged on the tiller pilot (about 5 years old) so that only bits of each number show. The TP will hold a course, it is just that I can not check which course, so rely on the main compass. It was fine last season and has not been damaged so it seems to be an age related malaise.

The Raymarine website shows a minimum cost for repairs of £215.40, which is half the cost of a new TP. The most recent PBO showed the replacement of a digital hour meter display for a fraction of the cost so wonder if this display is obtainable and replaceable by the user.

Should I just buy a new TP and keep the old as a spare, upgrade to the 4000 unit with a separate display at circa £800, or fanny about trying to mend it. I cannot believe that the minimum charge is value for money. The last time I needed a repair, the drive unit was about £90 so was shocked at the new charging structure. The Boat is a 30 foot twin keel of heavy displacement ( at the top end of the ST2000 range). I have no experience of the 4000 unit, and wonder if it is much better ( ie water proof and robust) than the 2000 unit.
Thanks in advance for any comments.

 

[AndCur]

The same thing happened to my ST1000+ at the weekend. Have searched the web but cant find a new display unit. If i was to buy another Auto Pilot Raymarine would not be top of the list.

 

[steve28]

almost certainly an underlying problem with water getting in, lcd is very sensitive to damp.

take it apart and leave it in the sun or in an airing cupboard for a week.


the displays are the same on the tillerpilot range so if you find one scrap you could transplant it if your good at soldering. It may also mean a new case seal or buttons may need to be reglued.

Steve

 

[MASH]

My ST2000 has been soaking in a flooded boat (in Turkey) for some months. There wasn't much water inside, only a tablespoon or so but that would have made it very steamy inside. I've taken it apart (completely), cleaned the corrosion off the circuit board and it works fine! Display not affected.
Initially I thought the circuit board and motor were kaput and Raymarine said their replacement would be over half the cost of a new one. They charge about £30 to assess the unit if you send it in. They offered a new unit with the old one as part-ex for a reasonably sensible price and were very helpful. (the motor is not to be found in Europe but is available from somewhere in S America via mail order for about $12 so that must be one heck of a costly circuit board)
They screwed up when I wanted a small rubber component from the ram that was worth about 3p and said they had a minimum charge of £10. Thieves!

Overall not impressed with the crude design though mine seems to have come through a heck of an ordeal unscathed.

 

[snooks]

Hi,
The digital display is damaged on the tiller pilot (about 5 years old) so that only bits of each number show. The TP will hold a course, it is just that I can not check which course, so rely on the main compass. It was fine last season and has not been damaged so it seems to be an age related malaise.

Get a Simrad sticker, (or a bit of paper, glue and a pen. Then write Simrad on the paper)
Trim to fit over the LCD.
Stick down firmly.
Now you have a Simrad tiller pilot which don't have displays.

Use your tiller pilot as a Simrad user does: Attach, adjust using the buttons and the ships compass - which is good enough for you to steer from, then spend the money saved on beer

Alternatively save your money for the next thing that brakes, if it isn't broken, don't fix it

 

[WoodyP]

Thank you for the replies. For the time being I will take the Snooks option. It works, if imperfectly.

The final part of my question is how good are the 4000 series or the Smartpilot X5? I don't know anyone who has one, and although plenty of people bemoan the lack of waterproof ability of the ST1000 and 2000, I have heard neither good nor bad about these.
G.