Spare autohelm 2000 solution

[Tomar]

I have an old but functional autohelm 2000 tiller pilot which I rely a lot on when sailing short handed which is always. I am starting to think that a back up option would be a wise idea but, except buying an expensive new system, I am left with the alternative option to buy a second hand replacement of the same system. I have found someone who could sell a autohelm 2000 control unit with no arm. My question is, is getting a spare control unit better than a spare arm only? Or should I get a spare of both arm and control. What’s easier to fix or more likely to break?

 

[James_Calvert]

I have an old autohelm 2000 like yours, which I've had for over 30 years.

In that time I had the control box electronic circuit board replaced once under warranty, and very many years later resoldered a dry joint in the flux gate compass. The latter is possibly the weakest part of the system. I acquired a secondhand control box as a standby in case it happened again.

The actuating arm can be dismantled and greased if it seizes up. I have done this twice. The internal motor can burn out. I have replaced this once. It gets graunchy so gives more warning of failing than the control box.

So I think a spare box is a good precaution.

 

[Habebty]

I have an old autohelm 2000 like yours, which I've had for over 30 years.

In that time I had the control box electronic circuit board replaced once under warranty, and very many years later resoldered a dry joint in the flux gate compass. The latter is possibly the weakest part of the system. I acquired a secondhand control box as a standby in case it happened again.

The actuating arm can be dismantled and greased if it seizes up. I have done this twice. The internal motor can burn out. I have replaced this once. It gets graunchy so gives more warning of failing than the control box.

So I think a spare box is a good precaution.

Bit like "Trigger's broom" then
But yes My 15 year old TP20 is about to be retired to "spare" status by a new replacement. As a single-hander, a TP gets used very heavily and whilst has never failed, I must be tempting fate soon! All I have ever needed to do is open it up every 5 years and check it looks lubed and clean inside.