Raymarine Wheel pilot - jumping out of engagement

[Halo]

In relatively rough conditions my wheel pilot jumps into neutral and makes a whirring sound.
Has anyone else had this problem and if so is therer an easy solution ?

 

[prv]

Has anyone else had this problem

Everyone else has had this problem (everyone with a Raymarine wheelpilot, anyway).

Standard "solution" is a lanyard attached to the binnacle with a loop on the end, which you hook over the lever.

Adjusting the belt tension may also help.

Personally I solved it by upgrading to a below-decks ram.

Pete

 

[Halo]

Thanks Pete
That makes me feel better
I had made up an "elastic band" from self amalgamating tape and hooked that over the lever in rough weather and wondered if I was missing something or being a prat
Martin

 

[slipknot]

+1. Bungee.

 

[wully1]

If it is like my old one then it will slowly get worse until it jumps out even in flat calm motoring.

I got rid of it and fitted a below deck system which was the good advice I got from here.

 

[prv]

If it is like my old one then it will slowly get worse until it jumps out even in flat calm motoring.

Was that even after adjusting the belt tension?

Pete

 

[jwilson]

Everyone else has had this problem (everyone with a Raymarine wheelpilot, anyway).

Standard "solution" is a lanyard attached to the binnacle with a loop on the end, which you hook over the lever.

Adjusting the belt tension may also help.

Personally I solved it by upgrading to a below-decks ram.

Pete

I agree - everyone has the same problem. There is another older thread on this problem at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?365655-Raymarine-Wheel-Pilot - on it last year I posted the info below:

Both of mine went back to Raymarine for the same problem whilst they were in warranty. The other problem they suffer is the clutch lever disengaging itself, which is why many boats have a bit of shockcord tied on to hold the lever in position. After the warranty expired I took them to bits, cleaned thoroughly, put a new belt in if needed, and reassembled with a trace of McLube dry lubricant inside the plastic rollers. The manual says not to lubricate them, but I find it greatly helps avoid the self-declutching issue. I would not use oil though.

The tension adjustment is the big plastic nut - loosen an allen key in the middle and you can turn it slightly by hand - no need for a spanner if it is a Mk II - don't know about the older ones. This may well fix your problem - for a while.

Why do I have two - one to take to bits and one to have fitted. It's a five minute job to remove and refit mine, but can take much longer to clean up and adjust till working properly. They are pretty horribly made.

 

[wully1]

Was that even after adjusting the belt tension?

Pete

I think that it was fully adjusted...it was a very old unit.

No regrets about fitting the Type 1 drive.......so far.