TWL: Wood Freeman Auto Pilot
At 01:25 AM 11/27/2000 EST, SobreElMar@aol.com wrote:
Hi all!
Anyone out there with experience with Wood Freeman autopilots? I have a
model 8231 system installed as original equipment aboard my 55' wood DeFever
Pilot House LRC which was built in 1971.
Arild replies:
I serviced one W- F autopilot last year which was installed on a 1971 boat.
The rudder sensor cable rusted causing it to hang up.
The sensor mechanism is a floating card with pins that make electrical
contact with pins inset into the top glass surface.
You have to remove the binnacle top to see these.
These pins are subject to salt air and subsequent corrosion. Check to
make sure these are completely clean.
The drive motors are actuated by mercury wetted contacts. This is a good
design since you never get burned contacts.
The autopilot is more electrical than electronic and as such fairly easy
to service.
BTW the conpany is still in business and can supply spare parts.
They can also advise you on service procedures.
Regards
Arild
Hi all!
Anyone out there with experience with Wood Freeman autopilots? I have a
model 8231 system installed as original equipment aboard my 55' wood DeFever
Pilot House LRC which was built in 1971.
The unit works great and has ever since I have owned the boat. The only
problem is that on some occasions it takes quite some time, an hour or more,
before the unit will actually engage and hold a compass heading. Once it
does so, then it works flawlessly. I suspect the older style of autopilot
has a much less sophisticated method for reading its compass and this maybe
in need of cleaning or service. I am reluctant to mess with the system as it
does work very well once engaged. It will steer through remote by using
course correction buttons at all times even before it will hold compass
heading.
Looking forward to hearing from one of you with an older trawler who has
this same very heavy duty autopilot.
Mike Schachter
M/V Sobre El Mar
55' DeFever raised pilot house LRC.
Here http://www.woodfreeman.com/index2.html is the contact info on Wood
Freeman. Michael Freeman michael@woodfreeman.com is very responsive.
BTW, WF is coming out with an upgrade for the Model 500 so it can talk to
the GPS unit. ETA: early next year.
Bob
M/Y Susan Marie
Hatteras 58 LRC
Chesapeake Bay
From: SobreElMar@aol.com
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2000 01:25:50 EST
To: trawler-world-list@samurai.com
Subject: TWL: Wood Freeman Auto Pilot
Hi all!
Anyone out there with experience with Wood Freeman autopilots?
----- Original Message -----
From: SobreElMar@aol.com
To: trawler-world-list@samurai.com
Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2000 11:25 PM
Subject: TWL: Wood Freeman Auto Pilot
Hi all!
Anyone out there with experience with Wood Freeman autopilots? I have
a
Mike:
I have a model 500 installed as original equipment on my 1981 60' DeFever.
When I thought it was not working, I called Wood Freeman in Tacoma WA and
spoke with an engineer. Since my boat is in Seattle, he asked me to bring it
to the factory and they would test all components.
When I arrived at the factory, the owner met me and proceeded to test all of
the components on their bench. Everything worked fine, but he noticed a
original circuit board that was upgraded 10 years ago/ He replaced the board
and tuned up everything he could.
He then went through a complete seminar on the auto pilot, its workings and
operations. He spent over three hours with me and would not take a penny for
his time or the part he replaced.
I replaced all the components and went through the checkout and calibrations
which took about two hours. The next day I went on a test drive and it
worked perfectly and has for the last 18 months.
Mine does not have the ability to couple with an autopilot or GPS, but it
holds the heading better than I can. I see no reason to replace it.
Wood Freeman is about ready to introduce some new models which will bring
them into the space age. If they are as bullet proof as the old 500 is it
should be great.
They have a Web site and will respond to e-mail and phone calls. How
unusual for a 50 plus year old company.
Don and Glenda Sorensen
Esperanza
A retrofit upgrade for the 500 is coming in early 2001, according to Michael
Freeman.
Bob
M/Y Susan Marie
Hatteras 58 LRC
Chesapeake Bay
From: "Donald N Sorensen" DonAergo@worldnet.att.net
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2000 20:14:38 -0700
To: SobreElMar@aol.com, trawler-world-list@samurai.com
Subject: TWL: Re: Wood Freeman Auto Pilot
Mine does not have the ability to couple with an autopilot or GPS