Re: [Catalina380] Cure for Paddlewheel on knotmeter binding
I had a similar problem. What is probably causing your paddle wheel to not spin is bio-film (read that organic crud). It's not soluble in anything, but you can usually make it go away with a mild abrasive (a scotch brite comes to mind). You shouldn't need to get much more aggressive than that.
On the other hand, if you can't get the wheel to spin freely with that treatment, the only lubricant that MIGHT work would be powdered graphite. Any hydrocarbon based lubricant would probably sause the plastic parts to sewll and make the problem worse.
If all else fails, buy a new sensor. Cut the old cable close to the paddle wheel. Cut the cable for the new sensor about 1 - 2 feet from the new sensor. Splice the four wires (matching color) inside the cable with the heat shrink, glue sealed crimp on butt
connectors.. I did this on my C-320 with a Raymarine ST-60 speedo. Worked fine till I sold the boat two years later, and it still works fine after five more years and two subsequent owners.
Steve Alchemist C-380 #71
--- On Thu, 2/23/12, smilingjack37 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
From: smilingjack37 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> Subject: [Catalina380] Cure for Paddlewheel on knotmeter binding To: Catalina380@yahoogroups.com Date: Thursday, February 23, 2012, 9:18 AM
New boat to us, and previous owner did not have the knotmeter installed in hull fitting, just the plug was installed.
Boat is still on the hard, and bottom of plug has bottom paint on it, which led us to believe that the knotmeter was not working.
Was able to get someone to watch meter while I turned the paddlewheel.
Meter is working, but paddlewheel is binding, and I doubt if it would turn at all at very low speed.
Any work that has to be done on the sender unit is highly restricted because of the length of free cable and it's position in the forward cabin.
Two questions;
1. Has anyone ever cut the cable and installed male and female plugs in order to remove sender from boat and work on it
2. Before I attempt to remove the pin, and ream out hole in the paddlewheel with the appropiate number drill, does anyone know of a chemical that I could use to clean out whatever crud has gotten on the pin to restrict the movement of the wheel. I have some very powerful penetrating oils, but I feel that might be a very temporary cure if the amount of play is not increased to normal.
Thanks
Jack
CAT 380 #68
JaxSan
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