Replacement four pin plug and socket for an old Autohelm 4000 control unit?

[NealB]

The pins on the externally mounted Autohelm 4000 connector plug have had a good innings, but should now be replaced.

I naively thought it'd just be a case of ordering new online, and swapping old for new.

Hmmmm ...... not surprisingly, perhaps, the original ones seem to be no longer available.

Can anyone suggest a possible source for some suitably weather-, and saltwater-, proof replacements, please?

I can't find any pics., but can get some tomorrow, if that helps narrow things down a little.

 

[PaulRainbow]

The pins on the externally mounted Autohelm 4000 connector plug have had a good innings, but should now be replaced.

I naively thought it'd just be a case of ordering new online, and swapping old for new.

Hmmmm ...... not surprisingly, perhaps, the original ones seem to be no longer available.

Can anyone suggest a possible source for some suitably weather-, and saltwater-, proof replacements, please?

I can't find any pics., but can get some tomorrow, if that helps narrow things down a little.

Take a look at Bulgin Buccaneer Neil. For instance Bulgin Buccaneer 4 Pin Low Profile Socket and Cap (BDP4S)

 

[NealB]

Thanks Paul ....... you seem to know what you're talking about.

Neal

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thanks Paul ....... you seem to know what you're talking about.

Neal

Just making it up as i go Neal

 

[MontyMariner]

Look around for other suppliers, they are a marine retailer, so the prices are high!
eg not Bulgin but this is for the plug and socket - Amazon.co.uk

 

[PaulRainbow]

Look around for other suppliers, they are a marine retailer, so the prices are high!
eg not Bulgin but this is for the plug and socket - Amazon.co.uk

You get what you pay for.

 

[NealB]

Look around for other suppliers, they are a marine retailer, so the prices are high!
eg not Bulgin but this is for the plug and socket - Amazon.co.uk

Thanks, Monty!

I saw those yesterday.

They seem to be made to the same spec. as the Bulgin, IP68 - rated, but I wondered how the big steel locking handle would stand up to a salt-water environment.

If it lasted ten years, I think I'd be happy enough.

 

[chris-s]

The pins on the externally mounted Autohelm 4000 connector plug have had a good innings, but should now be replaced.

I naively thought it'd just be a case of ordering new online, and swapping old for new.

Hmmmm ...... not surprisingly, perhaps, the original ones seem to be no longer available.

Can anyone suggest a possible source for some suitably weather-, and saltwater-, proof replacements, please?

I can't find any pics., but can get some tomorrow, if that helps narrow things down a little.

If you can find a pic then I might have one or two you can have since I stripped an old autopilot down a while back.

 

[KompetentKrew]

Bulgin have been around a long time and are very reputable. They also make smaller connectors now, and smaller diameter ones that they also call "Buccaneer" but it's almost an unofficial standard to use the old Buccaneers (as posted by @PaulRainbow) for tiller pilots. The threads are a little fine, so they are prone to getting cross-threaded if you're not careful.

The ones that @MontyMariner linked are made by a Chinese company called CNlinko and are cheaper - you can also get them on AliExpress and eBay (Ali might be cheapest?). 12voltPlanet also stock them. I haven't used these but I like the look of their YM series - they would seem to solve the misthreading problem as they have thick plastic where the "thread" engages and only turn a quarter turn.

Power Connector Manufacturer

 

[sailoppopotamus]

For what it's worth, Raymarine uses some off-brand "Bulgin" connectors in their ST2000+ which are notorious for corroding. This happened to mine as well, and the tiller pilot stopped working towards the end of last season. I now spent the money to replace the plug and socket with actual Bulgin products, which I hope will prove more reliable.

 

[NealB]

If you can find a pic then I might have one or two you can have since I stripped an old autopilot down a while back.

Thanks Chris.



That's the only pic I've found.

It does, vaguely, show the plug part (hmmmm .... or is that the socket? I thought a plug was a male part, that goes into the socket).

It's about 75mm long, from the plastic nut at the end where the cable enters the body (just out the bottom of that pic), to the end of the bit with the four holes that mate with the prongs in the socket.

I should be able to get more pics tomorrow.

 

[chris-s]

Two sockets of they are of any use, no plugs tho.



If they are of any use then pm me your address and I will stick them in the post.

 

[MontyMariner]

I haven't used these but I like the look of their YM series

They look quite robust.

 

[NealB]

Two sockets of they are of any use, no plugs tho.

View attachment 190951

If they are of any use then pm me your address and I will stick them in the post.

Thanks again, Chris ........ that's really much appreciated, but I think I'd better lash out the £15 or £38 to get both plugs and sockets.

 

[NealB]

To close the loop ....

I've just ordered a Bulgin Buccaneer 4 pin low profile socket and the matching plug, as in the link (but, yes, with 4 pins).

Thanks for all the replies: heartwarming and helpful.

Of course, I chose the Bulgin brand on entirely rational grounds:

1) I prefer simple screwed wire connections to solder, out in the cockpit

2) As a teenager, I used to crew on a lovely YW Buccaneer, so the product name appeals

Bulgin Plug & Low Flange Socket Kit | Standard Buccaneer | Index Marine