Maker Pro
Maker Pro

Re: Autohelm/Raymarine ST7000 autopilot problem - randomly goes hard port and locks the wheel

S

Steve Lusardi

Jan 1, 1970
0
It may not be the autopilot. I assume, because you declared no other reference, that reference is your fluxgate compass. You must
first determine if the problem is coming from the autopilot or the compass. The easiest way is to swap out the compass and see if
the problem returns. However, you should review the compass's location on the boat and make certain it isn't close to other
magnetic fields. Also it would be helpful, when this next occurs, to reverse your track and sail the identical path again to see
if you can reproduce the problem relative to the boats position and track. This problem is not uncommon and provides incentive to
use a Satellite Compass.
Steve
 
B

Bruce in alaska

Jan 1, 1970
0
Wayne.B said:
There is something in your description that I don't understand. You
say that: "In either standby, auto or track, the AP will go nuts -
wheel goes hard to port all the way". Does this mean that the problem
sometimes happens when you are in "standby", i.e., autopilot not
engaged? That would imply that your unit is coming out of standby
with no input from you, a very dangerous situation of course. If so,
I'd recommend turning off the AP circuit breaker until the issue is
resolved.

Have you contacted RayMarine technical support? That's where I'd
start.

Before going much farther, IF the unit does this in Standby, then I
would start looking for a intermittent SHORT in the Autopilot to
Steering Solenoid wiring. Sounds very much like a Sticky Jog Switch that
is wired in parallel with the AutoPilot Output Switching.

Just say'en... From a 45 Year Marine Electronics Tech...
 

errolofdanvers

Feb 6, 2011
1
Joined
Feb 6, 2011
Messages
1
MY ST4000 does the same thing . worked ok Salem harbor mass to Boothebay maine
then started to go off hard to port never to starboard .
Unit is circa 1986 and raytheon/Raymarine in Merrimac NH will not look at it due to age.
I have schematics I will test off the boat to see if anything shows up.

I am thinking one of the output transistors is intermittently bad and shorts out or possibly a moisture problem I will check gasket again but it seems to be OK Come to think of it

we had heavy rain and fog the previous day

Errol
 
Top