Thats just lousey design, the rod could go right through the unit, out the other end and the unit could be filled with Nitrogen!

Or there could be a bladder that accomodates that air movement.

And Im sure there are many other alternatives, they just aren't trying, don't live in the real world and have not really thought through what they are doing!

No they just take us for a ride- rip us off and when there's a problem its all our fault!

Just like Austin Rover circa 1975!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm partially in agreement with both camps here Norman and David.

The best solution to this would be that companies who make the tiller pilots which fail due to water ingress should not try and sell them to 'wet boat' owners.  Manufacturers should openly admit that they should not get wet.  In other words they are not really fit for the purpose to which I have been led to believe they are advertised for.

I will probably take up Raymarines offer of a refurbished ram that has a seperate electics/electronic control pad that i can position on the cockpit bulkhead or somewhere out of the wet to try and solve the problem. The Monitor does most of the hard work when out at sea anyway.

I would also like to add that Raymarine have been very positive over my problem and have been outstanding in their customer care by calling me up and discussing the problem and being very quick in their responses etc.

p.s. to all recipients of the posting reminder...... let themainsail.com know you care about it surviving.

ta, Scotty

Well I now have 2 x buggered autiopilots, the Raymaine goes crazy every time the boat heels and iusists on doing 90 degree course changes, the Mavico has grinding from the worm gear!

More investigation for me before I throw good money after bad!

My Raymarine ST2000 did the 90deg' turn thing and it required a new compass.

If the warranty is finished I would suggest  that you open it up and play a hair dryer on its innerds for an hour, then put it in the airing cupbard for a week before trying it again.

I'll give it a try, the problem is that one of the nasty aluminium screws they use has burred onver so I now have an engineering job just to get the thing apart again.

Years ago Brookes & Gatehouse always recommended giving the insides(circuit boards & everything) a good hose down with WD40 every year and I rather think these units will benefit from that treatment as well!

So onmce the damnedscrew is out a goiod dry and then WD40 will be generously applied.

Hi David, 

I hesitate to use WD40 on my ST2000. Once totally dry as above, I would lubricate gears / moving parts, but stay clear of excess fluid getting onto the band drive. 

I think I will open mine up next month when ashore and do this anyway, and possibly put some silica gel sachets inside to help absorb any damp.  

When reassembling the case, silicon grease on the seal and slide may help and on the top of the steel rod which fixes onto the side of the boat. Where this swivels at the point of entry into the case, is a weak spot for water ingress.  Push the grease up into this area.

To carefully drill off the head of your duff screw may be enough, then when the case is apart the stud that is left may unscew with some pliers etc.

cheers,

Hi David, 

I hesitate to use WD40 on my ST2000. Once totally dry as above, I would lubricate gears / moving parts, but stay clear of excess fluid getting onto the band drive. 

I think I will open mine up next month when ashore and do this anyway, and possibly put some silica gel sachets inside to help absorb any damp.  

When reassembling the case, silicon grease on the seal that goes all the way round the case join, and grease on the slide may help. Also on the top of the steel rod which fixes onto the side of the boat. Where this swivels at the point of entry into the case, is a weak spot for water ingress.  Push the grease up into this area.

To carefully drill off the head of your duff screw may be enough, then when the case is apart the stud that is left may unscew with some pliers etc.

cheers, Scotty

Scotty

Good advice - Thanks