Recently, just as I was leaving San Diego Bay, my autopilot suddently went out. I engaged the autopilot while under sail and it suddenly veered to port. I read up on all the things this could be, and as usual I had visions of expensive fixes dancing in my head. However, I noticed that the boat came with a spare belt for the autopilot, so I took the belt housing apart, took out the old belt, and slipped the new belt on. Problem solved! Woo-hoo!!!
There is one lingering problem however. The belt sometimes catches and momentarily holds onto the wheel when I make quick turns, even though the lever is disengaged and the autopilot unit is on standby. Is this typical of new belts? Does it go away after they get broken in a bit, or do I need to adjust something?
All the best--Joel S.
Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California
Joel,
I have a ST 4000+ which is a heavier, newer (still old) version of the ST 4000 which I used to have. The 4000+ has a belt tension adjustment knob on the wheel side facing the pedestal. I discovered this recently when the belt was slipping and the boat would fall off course; I tighten a little and all is well. I can't remember if the old 4000 has this; seems like there should be something. It sounds like your belt is just a little tight.
Richard
1994 C36 Tall Rig M1.5
Waukegan Harbor
Lake Michigan
Hey Richard, I think my system is older than yours because I don't see any adjustment knob on mine. Needless to say, the sudden belt grab on mine can be tad unnerving when you are trying to maneuver around the marina!
Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California
I don't know if your engagement lever has three positions but, for the longest time i thought there was something wrong with my X-5 wheel steering system until at one point i realized that there were actually three stop positions 1 to engage a middle one and one to disengage. could you be seeing something like that? the middle position had the same sort symptom that you are describing. Not sure what the middle position is for but i make sure the handle is not set to that position anymore....
Mike Hogan
s/v Ciscocat #226
Mark I XP25, std rig
[quote=JAS] ...However, I noticed that the boat came with a spare belt for the autopilot, so I took the belt housing apart, took out the old belt, and slipped the new belt on. Problem solved! ....[/quote]
Speaking of spare belts: Apparently Raymarine no longer stocks parts for this autopilot.
However, I found a company that makes them to order (and shipped it to me in a hurry while I was on a cruise and the old belt had stripped):
Polybelt Design, Inc., 26 W. First St,Clifton, NJ 07011 USA,973-340-1390,800-859-7659
(fax) 973-340-7444 info@polybelt.com
www.shop.polybelt.com/
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...
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
[quote=JAS] ...However, I noticed that the boat came with a spare belt for the autopilot, so I took the belt housing apart, took out the old belt, and slipped the new belt on. Problem solved! ....[/quote]
Speaking of spare belts: Apparently Raymarine no longer stocks parts for this autopilot.
However, I found a company that makes them to order (and shipped it to me in a hurry while I was on a cruise and the old belt had stripped):
Polybelt Design, Inc., 26 W. First St,Clifton, NJ 07011 USA,973-340-1390,800-859-7659
(fax) 973-340-7444 info@polybelt.com
www.shop.polybelt.com/
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...
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