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Battery Replacement

I have always made great use of my electronic autopilot. This was supplied
by Greenham Regis when I bought the boat. I fitted the system myself
which means that I know where all the cable runs are and can keep an eye
on things generally.
The system benefits from a Mamba Drive attached directly under the steer-
ing pedestal. As such, it is over engineered for a 37 foot boat, but does the
job brilliantly with power to spare.

In addition to the ST6000 con-
trol head at the chart table that
I fitted, I have used a remote
controller in the cockpit. I start-
ed with the S100 which used a
couple of AA batteries, and pro-
gressed to the Raymarine Smart Controller
which has inbuilt rechargeable batteries. The 1. The original battery pack
later system allows any data from the Rayma-
rine SeaTalk network to be sent to a number of screen types on the hand
held unit. The allows a screen for SOG and COG, a screen with current Lat &
Long, a screen with VMG and true and apparent wind angles for upwind
sailing etc etc. It also allows the system to be recharged at the end of a
cruise, ready for the next voyage.
However, the rechargeable battery packs do not last forever, and will need
to be replaced after a some years of use. If you Google the replacement
battery pack you will be amazed to find prices quoted of between £60 and
£75. This seems a little steep to me for what is 2 rechargeable 1640 mAh
AA batteries, some wires and the small
plastic socket that plugs into the Smart
Controller.
Now, I am no electrician, but I felt sure
that I could make something myself and
save some money.
If you read the Smart Controller Manual,
2 The white power socket
it states that battery replacement can

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