Wheel autohelm for E28-2

[Steve Jerromes]

Hello Ericson Owners,
I have a E28-2 with an old Autohelm 4000 that doesn't really work anymore. So, I'm wondering what autohelms other owners are using.
Cheers

 

[peaman]

I'm not aware of any other wheel pilot comparable to Raymarine's Autohelm. A couple of years ago, I replaced my old and failing Autohelm with the latest generation. Note that the current models have a separate computer unit (ACU?) in addition to the compass, display head, and wheel actuator.

 

[Steve Jerromes]

I'm not aware of any other wheel pilot comparable to Raymarine's Autohelm. A couple of years ago, I replaced my old and failing Autohelm with the latest generation. Note that the current models have a separate computer unit (ACU?) in addition to the compass, display head, and wheel actuator.

I finally reached intelligent life at Raymarine and was told that part #T70281, EV100 wheel pilot head kit without wheel drive would work. So, I will check into that now.

 

[Dave G.]

Raymarine Ev-100 Wheel Evolution Autopilot

RAYMARINE EV100 WHEEL PILOTEV100 Wheel Evolution AutopilotFeaturesA complete autopilotinaboxEvolution Ai for superior performanceNo calibration requiredQuick and easy installationFits most types of sailboat wheelsSimple, robust clutch engagemen...

www.hodgesmarine.com

 

[Christian Williams]

Mixing parts with an old 4000? Not sure that makes sense.

The Raymarine EV-100 Dave posts above is the standard wheel pilot these days, works well.

 

[Pete the Cat]

Mixing parts with an old 4000? Not sure that makes sense.

The Raymarine EV-100 Dave posts above is the standard wheel pilot these days, works well.

It will work, but you are going to have to buy adapters or cobble a lot of cables to get the newer control head outputs to work with your motor and computer-- the new control head is not the same SeaTalk system that your old one worked with though it can be made to talk with it. The newer wheel pilot system is much more reliable than the old--I have used both for thousands of miles. If it is just your control head you need to replace, you might try buying a used one on Ebay as there are quite a few around and they either work or they don't. The belts are a PIA to keep tensioned properly as you may already be aware. I would consider a reliable autopilot a safety issue if you single hand and that would justify buying a whole new unit with head, computer, drive and sensor that comes with the system Dave referenced. Installation of the new one is simple and interfaces with all the other Raymarine instruments easily.

 

[Marlin Prowell]

I replaced a Raymarine 4000 auto helm with the EV-100 auto helm. The wheel drive is identical for both systems, and the other components are quite different. However, consider that the motor and motor drive are the parts exposed to the weather — the other units must be installed in weather protected locations. I chose to replace the previous wheel mounted components with the new replacements when installing the EV-100.

 

[Pete the Cat]

I replaced a Raymarine 4000 auto helm with the EV-100 auto helm. The wheel drive is identical for both systems, and the other components are quite different. However, consider that the motor and motor drive are the parts exposed to the weather — the other units must be installed in weather protected locations. I chose to replace the previous wheel mounted components with the new replacements when installing the EV-100.

I don't think that is correct. The Raymarine 4000 wheel drive is an open belt driven arrangement. The EV-100 is a closed linked belt. They are not the same. It may be the same motor, but the drive is different.

 

[Dave G.]

I finally reached intelligent life at Raymarine and was told that part #T70281, EV100 wheel pilot head kit without wheel drive would work

Yes technically it will drive the motor. It will only save $200ish on the cost of a complete and you will still have an old worn out drive unit ? The old 4000 units are becoming impossible to find parts for so for an extra couple hundred I would go whole hog. IMHO

 

[Loren Beach]

I wonder if Ray is referencing the older Autohelm 3000 system with the exposed drive belt? Those were, in their day, quite reliable. The 4000 model enclosed the belt in a housing that clamped to the wheel spokes.

 

[Christian Williams]

The EV-100 price shown in Post #5, $1250, is just about what I paid 12 years ago (for the SPX-5 predecessor). Amazing.

For what they do, these things can be considered disposable. Yet my EV-100, now 9 years old, has broken a clutch bracket bolt (fixed in 10 minutes) and recently needed a new belt, but otherwise refuses to die after many miles and great usefulness.

 

[Pete the Cat]

I wonder if Ray is referencing the older Autohelm 3000 system with the exposed drive belt? Those were, in their day, quite reliable. The 4000 model enclosed the belt in a housing that clamped to the wheel spokes.

I think you are right. I have them mixed up.