Hi All,
I have a Raytheon Autohelm 1000 which came with the boat. I installed it but I am not getting any response from the unit. Tested it in both polarities and the cabling is getting a circuit into the unit so I am thinking the board has failed. Can these units be repaired and if so can anyone recommend a repairer in Sydney..... or is it a case of replacing it completely?
Until then, grandma is my autohelm and she is happy enough but when we are beating into it the helm can get tiring.
Cheers
Autohelm 1000:
Autohelm 1945:
It's possible that the main PCB has failed, but the most likely cause is a connection or cable fault. Have you opened it up to confirm power is getting to the PCB? If the PCB is gone, forget about repair - I priced a board for an ST2000+ and it came to not much less than a new unit shipped from the USA.
Cheers, Graeme
Fair chance it's knackered, none are particularly water proof ?? stick with the auto helm 1945 
I had one fail also and as I was cruising I just replaced it.
But an electronic wizz mate of mine fixed it when I returned home. Seems one capacitor had failed [cost $3.50] which was not the problem but the replacement of it was as the thing had been soldered together with hot air and the wiring was very fine. It took him over a day to repair which at commercial costs you might as well buy yourself a new one. 
Yep so it looks like replacement is the better option. Particularly since I don't know where I would get it fixed and its age means something else could fail the next day. Better to get a new one and get the mileage from it.
Thanks gents.
Any feedback on which is the better tiller pilot?
Seems to be only two available, Simrad and Raymarine/Raytheon.
There have been a few threads that addressed the pro's and cons of each. I currently own and have done repairs to both, happy to chat if you pm me.
Cheers, Graeme
There is another brand that looks way better and not a lot more expensive, look up pelagic autopilots
stick with the 1945 model ....... this one will keep both you and the boat on the straight and narrow !!
Select to expand quotevSandS said..
stick with the 1945 model ....... this one will keep both you and the boat on the straight and narrow !!
Nothing beats hydrolic and a remote wireless control. I remember a passage across bass strait on my last yacht trying to replace worn plastic cogs on my st4000 !
Select to expand quoteSandS said..
stick with the 1945 model ....... this one will keep both you and the boat on the straight and narrow !!
Yeah but then I get stuck making the coffees.....
Select to expand quotetroubadour said..
Any feedback on which is the better tiller pilot?
Seems to be only two available, Simrad and Raymarine/Raytheon.
I think I will just get this one. One special at WW at the moment. I am a lazy shopper.
www.whitworths.com.au/catalog/product/view/id/581/
Thanks for the feedback on the TP's. I agree the best auto pilot is the human one but there are times when single handing that it would be awesome to have a helper!! No one else to make the brews when single handed.
