Raytheon Autopilot wheel - thinking about taking apart & servicing ST4000 wheel assembly: I recently started having some issues with auto pilot flipping off from auto to standby mode and giving me WHL error code (cant find what that is). As my unit is 18 years old, I think it is probably time to do some basic service on it. Think I need to replace the bogey wheels and drive belt.
1) Can someone advise how to open the two haves of the plastic disc assembly? I always get timid when there are no screws and bolts and just pressure points.
2). Where did you order your service replacement parts such as internal 1 inch wheels and drive belt ?
Thanks.
—
peter g
2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !. 5 th Catalina
Peter -
As far as I've been able to determine, Raymarine no longer stocks parts for this autopilot.
However, I found a company that makes the drive belt to order (and overnighted it to me when I was in the middle of vacation cruise):
Polybelt Design, Inc., 26 W. First St,Clifton, NJ 07011 USA,973-340-1390,800-859-7659
(fax) 973-340-7444 info@polybelt.com (link sends e-mail)
www.shop.polybelt.com/ (link is external)
Its their item number BAT5-750D169 ( D169 Belt for Autohelm Raymarine Autopilot ) $19.
Probably a very good idea to keep a spare one on board...
The service manual (with instructions on how to take it apart -- I've done it a couple of times but my memory is frail as how its done) is at
http://www.ganssle.com/jack/st4000.pdf
Also helps to rinse it out with fresh water once in a while.
- Matthew
Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY
Thanks Matt. Did you replace the roller wheels? On the you tube videos, this is often recommended.
peter g
2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !. 5 th Catalina
I did not, as I don't know where to get them.
Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY
I just had my St4000 wheel drive rebuilt by a fella on Ebay Had it back in just over a week!!
Recently I had to repair the ST4000 Wheel Control Disk interior roller wheels.
Three of the roller wheels was broken. I was able to remove and re-install the wheels and strenghten the remaining roller wheels.
I also replaced the drive belt as it had broken teeth and was worn out.
You can find more content and photos HERE
Sail La Vie 1999 Catalina 36 MKII, M35B-17031, Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA
About Sail La Vie
Mine failed a few years ago on my previous boat. I brought the old unit in to Raymarine in Merrimack, NH and exchanged it and a check for $150 for a reconditioned unit. Well worth giving them a call.
Cheers
Bob
Lazybones - 1999 Catalina 36 MkII, M35B, #1731
E. Greenwich, RI
You can pretty much replace the wheels by yourself in about one half hour. That's all it took me.
Raymarine autopilot wheels and other parts are available from; On the web at;
i3dgear.com: https://www.i3dgear.com/boat-parts
https://www.i3dgear.com/autobuddy
-267 Long Harbor Road, Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada, V8K ZM2 Tel; 250-537-8951
A set on new wheels are about $75.00 and are in stock. I had mine in less than a week.
Take a look at the You Tube Video on how easy it is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Lf0cg-yuG8
Bill
Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041 'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'
I think my issue was electrical. I did tear apart wheel halves, inspected bogey wheels and belt. Didn’t lube anything-it’s not recommended. Fortunately didn’t break or lose any parts. When I tried again, it worked just fine. I will take some electrical contract spray and most likely I’m done.
peter g
2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !. 5 th Catalina
Peter;
Be sure to check the connectors from your control head to your unit. I replaced my connectors with a 4 pin aircraft type connector and the reliability went way up +. The sun did quite a bit of damage
See; https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Square-Waterproof-Aviation-Connector/dp/B00W93V5D2/ref=pd_day0_23_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=J4TF7B294NR2ERXF11D6&dpID=41tGh2ngsLL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail
Bill
Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041 'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'
Peter;
Be sure to check the connectors from your control head to your unit. I replaced my connectors with a 4 pin aircraft type connector and the reliability went way up +. The sun did quite a bit of damage
See; https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Square-Waterproof-Aviation-Connector/dp/B00W93V5D2/ref=pd_day0_23_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=J4TF7B294NR2ERXF11D6&dpID=41tGh2ngsLL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail
Bill
Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041 'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'
Had a similar problem on mine. Intermittently resetting to standby with the "whl 4000" startup message. Discovered unit power supplied with inline glass fuse holder. Notorious for intermittent connections in marine conditions. Replaced with automotive push in blade type fuse to correct problem.
Paul Lipsit,
Zatarra #406
1985 C36 Mk1 S/R F/K
M-25 Universal Kubota
Port Dover, Ontario
Paul, where did you find fuse link? Fuse link is not at fuse panel or battery cluster of wires. FYI - I posted this discussion on various sites (Cruisers Forum, which by the way is excellent) and you are the only one to comment on WHL error message. Thank you..
peter g
2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !. 5 th Catalina