Autopilot System Details

The autopilot system consists of two ST7000 heads, course computer, and a Type 2 linear actuator. The ST7000 controls are located at the nav station and at the helm.

The linear actuator, rudder position sensor, and wire splices are located under the aft bunk. If the rudder position sensor fails the autopilot system will not function. This can be seen by seeing the rudder position no responsive to wheel movements or a hard over rudder indicated on the autopilot.

The course computer is located above the navigation station instrument panel behind and above the aft facing angled panel. This computer is facing aft mounted on the bulkhead that forms the forward edge of the navigation station.

Actuator and Actuator Wiring

The actuator and actuator wiring are located under the aft bunk in the H49. Here also you can see the steering quadrant and the stainless rack that holds the steering equipment in place to move the quadrant. In the first photo you can see the wiring harness coming from the actuator to a terminal strip that I installed a few years back. The existing wiring was nasty and the terminal strip provides an easy and quick way to change actuators only using a screw driver, if you have taken the time to put terminal ends on your spare actuator.

In the top of this photo behind the steering quadrant you can see the actuator. We run a Raymarine type 2 full time and carry a type 1 unit as a spare. We also carry a spare type 2 motor as a spare to repair the type 2 assuming there was no other failures.