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i3DGear Marine
Autopilot and Instrument Parts
Economical - 100% Compatible Autopilot Parts
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Autohelm Autopilot Identifier
Autohelm and Raymarine produced a number of different autopilot models, and it is somewhat confusing to know what model DRIVE UNIT you have to order the correct parts.
The first thing to know is that the Autohelm 4000, ST4000, ST6000 etc name is referring to your CONTROL HEAD (ie. display / control unit), and has little to do with your DRIVE UNIT model.
There are two types of DRIVE UNITS - open belt units (older) and enclosed belt units (newer). We'll cover the enclosed belt units first as they are more common.
MK1 Drive Unit - Autohelm 4000 / ST4000
The most popular Autohelm model. We have almost every single part for this autopilot replicated, improved, and available for purchase (click here).
The MK1 drive unit is an enclosed belt unit (ie. the belt is inside). It is most often paired with an Autohelm 4000 rectangular black box control head, but can also be driven by the newer ST4000 LCD display units and other control heads.
Identifying features:
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entirely black wheel drive case
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7 plastic rollers about 1.25" (3cm) diameter inside
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lever looks like this below:
Common Problems with Autohelm MK1 drive:
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wheel jams or 2 halves are loose - replace the 7 rollers
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roller post broken off inside - will cause jamming - we sell a broken post repair kit
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lever won't stay engaged - check the eccentric cam that the lever is attached to by taking off the metal plate inside. Hold the cam with one hand and wiggle the lever. If the cam is loose on the shaft replace the eccentric cam with our 3D printed stainless steel one piece cam.
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belt slips - replace the belt and/or adjust the belt tension. See our Autohelm 4000 Service Guide on our INFORMATION page.
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motor spins, but wheel moves jerky and can hear grinding in gear box - replace planetary gears.
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motor not spinning - check and replace motor connectors or motor.
MK1 Problems
MK2 Drive Unit - Raymarine ST4000 / ST4000+ and EV-100
Newer drive unit. Made by Raymarine after they acquired the Autohelm brand. We have many of the parts replicated, improved and available (click here).
The MK2 drive unit is an enclosed belt unit (ie. the belt is inside). It is most often paired with a Raymarine ST4000 or ST4000+ Grey LCD Control Head, but can also be used with other control heads. Raymarine now sells the MK2 as the EV-100 Evolution system which is the identical drive unit with a modern control head known as the P70.
As a note, the motor enclosure and electrical connectors are the same as the MK1 model. The motor itself is slightly different and the gearbox is entirely different. We sell the motors and replacement gears also.
Identifying features:
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entirely grey wheel drive case
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no rollers inside - uses a bearing race
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lever looks like this below:
Autohelm 3000 / ST3000 Wheel Pilot - Open Belt Drive
This is an open belt system with a bullet shaped motor and a 3 piece lever. The control head will be either an Autohelm 3000 rectangular black box, or a square Autohelm ST3000 as in the photos below. We have all parts for this autopilot, including the lever, clutch bracket, control head brackets, motor nose cone/drive gear, bearings and even a new improved wheel belt drum (click here).
Please note that this is not the same as the Autohelm ANALOG 3000! They are named the same, but are very different. See below for the ANALOG 3000.
Identifying features:
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Lever is 3 pieces
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Control head is a black box (square or rectangular) as shown below
Autohelm ANALOG 3000 Wheel Pilot - Open Belt Drive
This is a VERY old open belt system with a bullet shaped motor and a 2 piece lever. The control head is a barrel shape with an analog dial and a compass rose on top. We have all parts for this autopilot, including the lever, clutch bracket, control head brackets, motor nose cone/drive gear, bearings and even a new improved wheel belt drum (click here).
Please note that this is not the same as the Autohelm 3000 and ST3000 above! Note the motor looks the same, but the control head is not the same. They are named the same, but are very different.
The control head bracket and lever look very similar to the ST3000 above, but they are not compatible. Please make sure you order the correct bracket or lever.
Identifying features:
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Lever is 2 pieces
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Control head is a barrel shape with a compass rose and dial on top, as shown below
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