Raymarine ST 60 Wind Linearizing

[Chris Burti]

I've had this issue since 2007 and have been unsuccessful in finding a solution.

Problem: ST 60 Wind instrument will not linearize (no beeps, no flashing numerals/dashes) and (obviously) will not hold calibration for wind direction...speed seems ok.

The operational symptoms are that the heading slowly migrates aft even when headed into the wind. This would lead one to suspect a loose grub screw...not the case...checked repeatedly.

What I've done:
1. Followed the calibration and troubleshooting instructions in the owner's manual. (very slow turns, multiple repeated turns, faster turns, turns in both directions)
2. Checked connections and voltages.
3. Called Raymarine tech support.
4. Sent instrument and sensor to Raymarine for bench testing...both test good.
5. Reinstalled and followed the calibration and troubleshooting instructions in the manual.
6. Checked connections and voltages.
7. Read everything that I could find on the internet on the issue. I found lots of suggestions for trying different things such as set forth above, but I could not find any reported solutions when the initial linearization could not be succesfully completed.

Question:
Has anyone actually found a successful procedure to get the instrument to linearize after having had this problem initially?

 

[Rick486]

Mine has been squirrely since new in 2008. Every week or two I must go into dealer cal and reset defaults and that seems to bring it to it's senses.

 

[Bill Roosa]

So which is the problem, cant linerize or the unit reads incorrectly after a while?
or both?
I'm getting the impression the unit will go through the linerization set up just fine but it does not fix the problem. Is that correct?

 

[Chris Burti]

No...it will not linearize at all and if you force the calibration, it just migrates around aft after a while. It is quickly apparent that it did not accept the linearization or calibratuion and it is not a question of operating properly for a few days and then going nuts.

An extensive internet search seems to show that several other owners have the same problem and that the Raymarine techs consulted didn't know how to deal with it (mine says it must be the cable), but all of the threads that I found died off without revealing a solution, just a lot of frustration. I have a Marine tech advisor who says he knew someone who found a solution for the same problem, but lost the email...:~(

 

[Ken13559]

Bad cable? That's the one thing not checked ...right? Oh how do you do linearising? Motor the boat around? Once I saw a Raymarine tech, goes up mast and hand turn the windex around slowly. That will do I suppose.

 

[Chris Burti]

Tested the cable with a multimeter and extention, tests fine...yes...linearization is doing a couple of slow circles to align the instrument electronically with the vane. It is supposed to beep twice and flash the numbers...this does not happen... If it doesn't linearize, you can't calibrate.

 

[Bill Roosa]

OK, I'm with Ken, check the cable for corrosion at the connections. The way this unit works is it sends an 8 volt signal up to the unit and then the vain sends back two variable voltages representing fore-aft and port starboard. If the unit has corrosion then the wires and corroded connections start to heat up due to the small current in them and the corrosion imparts additional voltage drop and is seen as a change in the indicator position to the control head.

99.44% of all electrical problems on boats are corroded connections.

I’m betting that the control head reports the same “drift” consistently. That is to say that it starts out small and always goes in the same direction and ends at the same point. This would also explain the failure to linerize as the control head is not seeing a consistent change in the voltages as you turn the boat.

 

[Chris Burti]

We have tried/examined/cleaned the connections repeatedly with no effect...but since I now have to replace the cups due to an unrelated breakage, will of course try again. The only usuual suspect that we haven't tried is to substitute a brand new cable and I am trying to find one to borrow to test that. As I have said...others have reported the same problem after running all the tests.

I was having a similar problem with the control head for my A/P and the RM tech sent me a procedure for a hard reboot of the control head that completely solved the issue. I am hoping someone out there has a similar software solution.

 

[John T1594]

ST-60

I have the same problem with my 11 year old ST-60. I spoke to the tech at Raymarine and he advised that the sending unit and rotor rarely fails and it was my display unit that was shot. I hope he is correct because these units are $500.

 

[RichH]

We have tried/examined/cleaned the connections repeatedly with no effect...but since I now have to replace the cups due to an unrelated breakage, will of course try again. The only usuual suspect that we haven't tried is to substitute a brand new cable and I am trying to find one to borrow to test that. As I have said...others have reported the same problem after running all the tests.

I was having a similar problem with the control head for my A/P and the RM tech sent me a procedure for a hard reboot of the control head that completely solved the issue. I am hoping someone out there has a similar software solution.

Since you are removing the mast head unit for repair anyway, I suggest you direct connect the masthead unit to the course computer with 'as short as possible' connection wires ... eliminates or validates that the mast wiring connectivity, etc. is/isnt the cause.

 

[Chris Burti]

A good suggestion Rich, and worth the extra trip up and down. Thanks.