Simrad WP30 jammed

[JerryHawkins]

I recently fitted a Simrad WP30 to my Fisher 25 and it has performed well enough, but recently when I have disengaged the clutch it has not fully release the wheel. The result has been some quite 'hairy' moments when coming into the marina only to attempt to turn the wheel and find that it is jammed! So far judicious use of throttle plus engaging and releasing the clutch a few times has freed up the wheel. I have checked the belt tensioner and it is in its most slack position. Has anybody else experienced this?

Regards, Jerry

 

[rich]

try geoff sargent@simrad.com good luck.

 

[JerryHawkins]

Thanks for the info Rich, I'll see if I can get in touch with Geoff.

 

[Plum]

Jerry, let us know how you get on. I have been having problems with a Simrad TP10 tillerpilot and e-mail replies from Geoff Sargent are a bit slow.

 

[JerryHawkins]

I've recieved a reply from Geoff this morning, not bad as I only sent him the mail yesterday! He suggests it may be a misalignment problem on installation. I've filled him in with a few more details and told him I'll check this weekend when I'm next on the boat. I'll post updates to let you know what happens.

 

[Plum]

Re: Simrad after sales service????

Then you are having more success than me. My autopilot is still under guarantee and has been exchanged once already. I sent my comments on the second autopilot to Geoff on Monday and, after reading your posting above, I have just sent a chaser e-mail. Thanks for the update.

 

[JerryHawkins]

Good service so far...

After my email back to Geoff with more details, he responded to me again within a few hours! This was his response:

Hi Jerry,

Just for info, The belt runs on a smooth surface inside the big drum,
which it slips over when the clutch is released. The only point the teeth
on the belt come into play is on the drive cog at the gearbox.

So in practice any tightness you feel is the belt and or the mechanics
rubbing.

Try loosening everything off and wonding your wheel back and forth a number
of times. You may see the drive going up and down a bit, provided the
spoke clamp allows for this, set the final position to the mid point of
the up/down travel.

The other thing to try is to tighten the belt up fully and then operate the
clutch a number of times with the wheel at different positions, then reset
the tension, this will reseat the belt.

If all else fails, then let me know.

Best Regards
Geoff Sargent
After Sales Support Manager
Simrad Navico Ltd
Tel: +44 1420 483200
Fax +44 1420 489073
email: geoff.sargent@simrad.com

I can't complain about that sort of turn-round on an email! I guess the real test will be if the unit needs to go back for inspection/repair and how long that takes. We'll have to see. I'll post more after my weekends 'trouble-shooting'.