Raymarine ST1000 drawing too much power

[caguy]

Has anyone had a similar problem with the st1000 or other models drawing too much power. Even when the battery is full it will cause the low battery warning on the radio and gps to go off. The warning sounds only when the motor in the AP actuates. I have a feeling that the motor may need to be replaced. The rod moves easily and is unrestricted.
Has anyone else had the same problem and what was the fix. I should mention that I have them on the same circuit breaker as the gps and radio, but I can't see how that would make a difference.

 

[heritage]

A wheel or tiller pilot should always be on it's own power circuit. The motor draws a lot of amps every time it starts up, which causes a voltage drop in the circuit.

I would either run a separate wire directly to the battery, with a fuse near the battery, or if you have room on your dc panel, add another breaker for the pilot. The wire should be as robust and short as possible.

 

[sailaway78]

Power usage

Heritage is right in being seperately wired. Also, make sure the wiring going to the motor on the AP is large enough. If you have the radio and gps and the AP on the same circuit, the total draw is probably over 5 amps when the motor is on. Too small a wire size will certainly cause a voltage drop when pulling 5 amps.

 

[caguy]

I'll try running a separate wire. The wire I am running now is 12 guage tinned copper. It is a shorter distance directly to the battery so I will fuse and run it to there. The switch panel is a PITA to get to anyway.
I'll let you know how that works.
Thanks,
Frank

 

[Stu Jackson]

Frank, when you do it, just put a simple toggle switch on it. You can even mount the toggle switch right near the plug for the AP. Maine Sail uses this: http://genuinedealz.com/voltage-drop.html It's pretty fun and easy to use.

 

[caguy]

Frank, when you do it, just put a simple toggle switch on it. You can even mount the toggle switch right near the plug for the AP. Maine Sail uses this: http://genuinedealz.com/voltage-drop.html It's pretty fun and easy to use.

Stu what is the reason for the toggle switch. I usually unplug it at mastup storage. When I have it plug in an not using it I put it on standby. There are no low battery warnings when on stand by. I only get warnings when the AP motor runs.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Frank, I just like to have things I/O before I plug and unplug. Our AP (wheel) can remain in place, so we have a switch. IIRC, I didn't have a switch on our tillerpilot on our C25. I was trying to make more work for you!!! But if there is a plug that does NOT have a cover, a switch would still be a good idea. If you have a DriPlug with a cover, maybe no need, but still...

 

[caguy]

I have the plug inside the upper back side of the coaming to keep it out of the weather and nobody kicks or bumps it. I have the remote control plug in the same place.

According to the manual it should only be drawing about 1.5 amps when steering. Would this be enough to draw the circuit down to 11.8 if the battery is fully charged?

 

[Stu Jackson]

According to the manual it should only be drawing about 1.5 amps when steering. Would this be enough to draw the circuit down to 11.8 if the battery is fully charged?

Frank, good location idea for your plug.

As far as this question, though, it all depends on how big your battery is and how long you're using the AP, right? All a battery does is store energy. How long you use a "load" and how big it is is the ONLY answer to your question.