Wiring Autohelm ST-4000 control motor

[johnkountz]

I'm installing an ST-4000 and I wanted feedback on how others have run the wiring from the wheel mounted motor to the control unit.

On my C250 I drilled a hole in the wheel guard and ran the wire down through the guard and then through the deck. The other option would be to drill a hole into the pedestal and run the wires down through it.

'89 #936 - Tranquility

[tandm]

Our boat has the Autohelm wiring running through the pedestal.  It was installed by the previous owner so I can't give you much advice on the installation. The hole has a grommet that fits tightly around the wire to keep moisture out and protect the wire from the aluminum.  If I had to do it myself, I would be worried about keeping it clear of the pedestal's internal moving parts. However, in 2+ years of owning the boat this has not been a problem.

td

[rirvine]

The wires to my ST4000 motor run from the control unit into the pedestal guard via the hole in the back of the enclosure and exit from the guard about 1/2 down the starboard side of the guard and hence to the motor.  Because the motor end has a large connector, the wire has to be threaded starting at the motor end.

[SailDan]

As in the case of "Pregrine", our ST-4000 was also installed by the previous owner with the wiring run through the pedestal.  Has worked great with no problem since 2000 when we brought "Weal Sea".
Dan H.

[Mike Smith]

John -

I installed an angled pedestal guard and Navpod housing on Breezer last spring. Here is the resulting thread. Briefly, I was concerned about the three 12V power (the PO ran separate #10 12V wires to each instrument and the compass light!) and two data cables running inside the pedestal, so I moved everything but the wire for the compass light to the pedestal guard. I didn't want to drill into the pedestal itself, so drilled two 7/8" holes through the cockpit floor where the pedestal guard legs attach to accomodate the various 12V power and data cables. I ran one 12V power cable up the port pedestal guard leg to a terminal strip in the Navpod housing. From there power goes to the autopilot head which in turn powers the speed and depth instruments via SeaTalk and the GPS. I ran the 12V autopilot drive cable from the ST4000 head down the same port leg to a hole I drilled just opposite the autopilot drive motor then out to the motor, sealing the hole with a rubber gromet. I wanted to keep the 12VDC circuits in the same leg to avoid any possible interference with the instruments. I ran the  data cables (depth and knotmeter) down the starboard leg. Since I have my GPS mounted in the center of the pedestal guard just below the Navpod housing, I drilled a hole in the bottom of the Navpod housing and dropped the GPS power/data cable down to connect to the GPS. It was pretty easy to do and I had a lot of help from the other C34 owners on this board.

Mike

Mike and Jan Smith
S/V Breezer WCX8545
www.mikejansmith.com

[This message was edited by Mike & Jan Smith "Breezer"  '88 #688 on December 01, 2003 at 08:57 AM.]

[saltydog]

Another 2 cents worth: My wiring run through pedestal and has been no problem for 7 years. If you run in pedistal guard tubing requires additional hole in cockpit sole which could be another source of leakage.
Jeff