Hi Chuck- Thanks for the info. I got it apart after reading several posts form listers. I was presuming there were hidden screws somewhere and was not expecting a friction fit. Two of the supports were broken and I suspect that I inserted the paint scraper I used in too far and levered against them- something no one noted in their instructions for disassembly. It will be simple to bolt them back before reassembly, so no problem there. I still cannot see anything that would cause it not to release so we shall see when reassembled. I have ordered a new belt on ebay, but am thinking hard about replacing the whole wheel unit with a ST4000+ MKII or the whole pilot (Evo 100). If the new belt works, I will use it for the season and think about the other options for the spring. Dave
On Oct 2, 2013, at 8:33 PM, Chuck S <cscheaf...@comcast.net> wrote: > Hi David, > I really misread your original problem. I thought the autopilot wouldn't > engage, but your problem was it wouldn't release. That's a neat piece of > seamanship to drop sails and anchor before the race, remove the wheel drive > and restart the race. > > It must be an older model autohelm if it won't come apart like mine. > I replaced the belt on mine and it was fairly simple. > > You can try to google "how to take apart make and model". > > (If you decide to buy a new one, the below deck units are supposed to be a > lot better and well worth the extra bucks and extra work required to install.) > > Chuck > Resolute > 1990 C&C 34R > Atlantic City, NJ > From: "Chuck S" <cscheaf...@comcast.net> > To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com > Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2013 8:22:15 PM > Subject: Re: Stus-List Raymarine ST4000 autopilot problem > > It may simply be a loose belt? There is a tensioner for that if it is a 4000 > Plus. > Another bandaid fix is to shockcord the clutch lever so it can't release on > you. Check the mechanicals first. RayMarine recommends washing it out with > fresh water periodically. > > Good luck. > > Chuck > Resolute > 1990 C&C 34R > Atlantic City, NJ > From: "David Knecht" <davidakne...@gmail.com> > To: "CnC CnC discussion list" <CnC-List@cnc-list.com> > Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2013 5:52:29 PM > Subject: Stus-List Raymarine ST4000 autopilot problem > > I had a problem with my autopilot today I could use some feedback on. For > the last few weeks, the lever that engages/disengages the autopilot would > periodically release so that the autopilot ceased being able to turn the > wheel. Once engaged, it seemed to work fine, but the initial engagement > seemed to not always stay locked in. Today, as luck would have it, I was > maneuvering in the 10 minutes before that start gun, engaged the pilot to > make and adjustment forward, and could not get it to disengage. The wheel > was effectively locked so I could steer with the autopilot, but not by hand. > After futzing with it for a few minutes, (trying to not hit someone trying to > start) I gave up, lowered the sails, threw out the anchor and proceeded to > remove the unit from the wheel. We only started a few minutes late, but it > was annoying to say the least. I have brought the unit home and I can see no > way to get inside it to see if I can figure out what is going on with the > connect/disconnect lever. No disassembly instructions in the manual. Is > this a "send it back to the factory", "throw it in the trash" or other > solution? Thanks- Dave > > > David Knecht > Aries > 1990 C&C 34+ > New London, CT > > <pastedGraphic.tiff> > > > _______________________________________________ > This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album > http://www.cncphotoalbum.com > CnC-List@cnc-list.com > > _______________________________________________ > This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album > http://www.cncphotoalbum.com > CnC-List@cnc-list.com > _______________________________________________ > This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album > http://www.cncphotoalbum.com > CnC-List@cnc-list.com David Knecht, Ph.D. Professor and Head of Microscopy Facility Department of Molecular and Cell Biology U-3125 91 N. Eagleville Rd. University of Connecticut Storrs, CT 06269 860-486-2200 860-486-4331 (fax)
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