Raymarine EV100 wheel pilot disengaging

[Jim Hardesty]

Having troubles with my Raymarine wheel pilot. It's the grey one that comes with the EV100.
The lever disengages during use.  Did a search here and others have had the problem, but I didn't see that anybody fixed it.  I've tried adjusting tension more and less without success.  Rubber band is the temp fix.  Does anyone have a fix? 
Jim

[senorquill]

Mine does the same thing when i do 24+ hour sails, it just happens at some point. I have a band girth hitched and I lash it down so it wont happen.

[waughoo]

I chartered a boat once that did this and used my wife's hair band to hold it in place.  Worked for the trip.  I suspect a rebuild of the bushings and a new belt is what you need.

[Jim Fitch]

You have to very carefully and very very lightly lubricate only the inside of the clutch rollers (#5 in the diagram) but don't let any lubricant get on the belt.  Try it and it will stop the clutch from popping out.  I read it in some response on some website that someone from Raymarine gave them this tip but the manual has never included it.

[Jim Hardesty]

I contacted Raymarine here is the reply.

Response By Email (Timothy Germano) (06/09/2022 12:35 PM)
Hello Jim,   
Two questions for you:
1.) How old is the pilot?
2.) When was the last time the internal belt was replaced?

These belts typically only last 3-4 years before you run out of tensioning depending on how often it is being used. At that time the belt would need to be replaced: P/N 18083 which can be ordered from any RayMarine dealer https://www.raymarine.com/buy/find-a-dealer/ (we do not sell direct currently)

Timothy Germano
Product Support
Raymarine

- Check out our CustHelp page. Access your Support Account tickets & FAQs:
https://raymarine.custhelp.com

Ordered one on Amazon $19.99, replaced the belt.  Was easy half the time was removing steering wheel and wheel pilot.  Had it out for a sail, seems to work as new, no disengaging.  Will see how it does in other conditions.  3-4 years sounds like a very short life.  I don't think I got that with the 6 months sailing season in Erie.
I'll do the lube as Jim Fitch suggested next time.  Jim, did that stop the squeaking? 
Good news is 20 bucks and less than an hour to fix.
Jim

[Colonel Butler]

I endorse the fix described above regarding disassembly and cleaning the tension rollers and applying a very light lubrication to the bushing go the roller cams. I used a drop of silicone lube applied with a toothpick. Its been working fine for two seasons but will probably have to be re-done soon. Make sure you have the correct side down when you open up the belt drive! You can get the disassembly instruction from the ray marine web site.

[KeelsonGraham]

And don't forget the freshwater purge after every trip. The PO obviously didn't do this on my boat. The exposed wire reinforcing coroded. The belt snapped 150 miles offshore. Made for a fun 30 hours of manual helming!

[tvorgitch]

If there is no spray back to the wheel, what is the point of the freshwater purge? I see no harm, but I'm usually in a rush to grab a beer or something. 

[KeelsonGraham]

I suspect that the number of wheel pilots directly subjected to sea spray is vanishingly small. Nevertheless, you ignore the manufacturer's warning at your peril.

I guess that the amount of maintenance you do on your wheel pilot is in direct proportion to the consequences of it failing. Little coastal daysails - minor headache.

[Jim Hardesty]

what is the point of the freshwater purge?

Mine squeaks if I don't flush it out. Very annoying. I keep a little squirt bottle and when it starts to squeak I squirt it with water while it's engaged. 
So far, over 200 miles, no disengaging.  Working good. 
Jim