Autohelm ST3000 Confused

[infamous-bob19215]

I have an ST3000 which has been incredibly reliable only to reccently become intermittently confused. When leaving port I have to follow the creek in a North Westerly direction and generly use the Autohelm to steer while I deploy the sails. Lately it has been unable to hold a course gradually incrementing to starboard untill the off course alarm goes off. I mention the direction only because I think the first time it happened it only had a problem when pointing NW.
I recall the first time this happened I searched the old web site and found a number of postings on the subject. I am now unable to find any.
It does often come around and start working but I have not found any ryme or reason. One posting I recall suggested a reset by steering 360 degrees in both directions but to no avail.
Another posting I recall posed the question have you install anything new lately? To which I realized I had installed a pair of speakers in the cockpit.
When it happened again I removed the closest (port) speaker but it made no difference.
My next step is to try connecting it to temporary power away from the cockpit and see if there is any difference. I'm thinking if the speakers are having an effect it may take time to ware off.
Any suggestions anyone has will be greatly appreciated.
Also if any one has a working unit they want to part with I might consider purchasing it.

 

[sailingdog]

Has this problem only been since you installed the stereo speakers? If so, then its probably related to them.

Is the ST3000 a wheel pilot or a tiller pilot? Where is the fluxgate compass mounted??

 

[Stu Jackson]

ST3000 Recalibration

Bob, U wrote: "One posting I recall suggested a reset by steering 360 degrees in both directions but to no avail."

What that meant was to completely recalibrate the unit, not simply driving around in circles.

What you need to do is find the instruction manual and set the unit up by a series of key strokes to recalibrate it. That's what's required when you first buy it and commission it. I don't know if Autohelm still has the manuals online anymore for the ST3000. I don't have the manuals here, they're on the boat. You could try a Google search for the manuals.

We have one and love it, wish I could find another to purchase for a reasonable price as a backup.

We installed the head on the cockpit coaming even with the wheel so we can use it both behind the wheel and from the cockpit when singlehanding. We also have cockpit speakers and have had no trouble with the unit.

For sailingdog: the fluxgate compass is mounted inside the control head, it's a completely self-contained unit and one that worked. Why they stopped making a unit that actually worked properly with a built-in fluxgate compass is beyond me - very little of what they've made since works without great problems for skippers. It's a wheel unit with a motor and belt.

 

[lrschultz]

Here is the link to the manuals.
http://www.raymarine.com/default.aspx?site=1&SECTion=3&Page=657&Parent=166

 

[Terry in Naples]

I had this happen a few years back to an autohelm 3000. I sent the unit in (when you could do that, can't now) and was told the unit crashed. I bought a new one. They do not fix them any longer as they want you to buy a new model. Might try ebay, I have seen a few on there for a couple hundred or so.

 

[kloudie1]

I agree with Stu, it needs a recalibration per the manual .. page 58-59, (from the manual graciously provided by LRSchultz) . Anything ferrous (iron, steel, some stainless) near the compass sensor will affect it and if the stereo speakers weren’t magnetically shielded, they can be making a difference not only in your autopilot but also in your steering or main compass.

 

[infamous-bob19215]

Autohelm Confused

Thank you all for your kind responses, everything you have told me will be very helpful in getting to the bottom of the issue.
The speakers are not shielded so I am going to start there.
I will download and review the calibration section to prepare for that if removing the speakers does not solve the problem.
I have visited eBay a while back w/o any luck.

 

[Stu Jackson]

You're welcome

However, if it was my boat, I'd do the recalibration first before I removed the speakers.

If that does work, think of all the effort you've saved.

 

[rortega46]

I realize this is an old thread but I am having problems w/ an ST3000 Autohelm. The problems are: (1) it oversteers at times (~20 degrees to port then ~20 degrees starboard) even in calm conditions, and (2) at times will unexpectedly veer off course 30 to 40 degrees. Can having an iphone or ipad near the control head affect it? I have tried to re-calibrate per the manual but can't figure get to the calibration screen where it shows a function # and setting level. Does any have any ideas why I can't get to the calibration mode? Would reducing rudder gain reduce oversteers? Any idea or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[stephen Penny]

Re: ST3000 Recalibration

Stu,

This week I replaced a working Autohelm 3000 with a new Smartpilot X-5 wheel autopilot. It is available with extra belts and complete manual.

 

[Snotter]

Raymarine has bumped up their warranties to 3 years according to panbo.com. It is apparant that their 'FLIR' parent company (panbo claims they are Ray's sugar dady) wants to improve Raymarine's reputation. I'd recommend that you send your AP to them.

I sent them my AP and it came back with a firmware revision and it worked better than ever. They didn't charge me a dime eventhough my warranty long expired.

I use to complain to this forum that Ray never answered their phones. Since FLIR bought them out, I no longer have any complaints about their tech service.

 

[rortega46]

How does the Smartpilot X-5 with the Autohelm 3000

Stu,

This week I replaced a working Autohelm 3000 with a new Smartpilot X-5 wheel autopilot. It is available with extra belts and complete manual.

How does the Smartpilot X-5 compare to the Autohelm 3000? It must be simpler to get going since you don't need to install the heard unit and belt but do you find it works better in light and heavy air conditions?

 

[Dave602]

My experience with mine and an ST4000, there is a big difference. The learning function of the X-5 really helps. It corrects much faster. Going dead down wind is no problem now. The St4000 would wallow off course. The X-5 stays pretty much right on once it learns how fast your boat responds.