Hi Bill,

From reading what they wrote it sounds as if only the corepack and 'maybe'
the control head was replaced - however the old linear actuator works with
the new X30 core - at least that is how i read it - so that would eliminate
a clutch problem in the drive - sounds like a control head or core problem
with probably just a faulty connection.

That said it would be nice to get a full and detailed explanation of how
this system is configured especially as fixing these things remotely while
second guessing is unlikely to produce the desired result.

regards

David



On 22 October 2010 02:33, Judy and Bill aboard SV BeBe <
yahoogroups@...> wrote:

Maurice & Heather,

Your problem sounds to me like you have a failing clutch in the drive unit.
When these Raymarine clutches begin to fail they will let go after working
file for hours. As the failing clutch slips, the autopilot and clutch work
harder, increasing the heat of the clutch and the drive unit...and it fails
and off course you go. The 7000 head unit should give an alarm at this
point.

The clutch can be replaced (not rebuilt). Raymarine or a Raymarine dealer
can do this for you, or you can order the clutch and give it a go.

Remember the clutch is always 12 volts. Most Raymarine computers have
either a switch that selects 12 or 24 volts for the clutch, or the later
models have a clutch fuse that is inserted into either the 12v or the 24v
slot. Unfortunately, if you select 24 volts for the clutch at the computer,
the fuse will not blow, and the clutch will work for up to 200 hours at 24
volts before becoming toast.

Hope this helps your situation.

Regards,

Bill, s/v BeBe, SM2k, #387
Currently Langkawi, Malaysia
Blog: http://www.svbebe.com

--- In amelyachtowners@... <amelyachtowners%40yahoogroups.com>,
"sy_baracca" <sy_baracca@...> wrote:

We have started having a problem with the original Autohelm ST7000

autopilot fitted to our 1991 Santorin. When sailing along it will just stop
working without any warning until such time as it veers sufficiently off
course to trigger the OFF COURSE warning. Hitting Standby and turning the
boat back onto the original course and then pressing Auto will restore it
for a time before the problem returns an hour or so later. No other error
messages come up on the display.

I know this is an old unit but we would like to keep it in good working

order as a backup to our recently installed Raymarine X30 Smartpilot which
incidently we are very pleased with.

Any ideas or suggestions welcome.

Maurice & Heather
SY Baracca
New Zealand
Santorin #41