Autohelm 4000 issue

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Robert1224

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Jan 22, 2008
99
Hunter 30_74-83 Rochester, New York (Lake Ontario)
Ahoy,

I have an Autohelm 4000 that has been working perfectly until recently. When I now set it to a heading all is well, but only for a few moments. The time to sounding (control unit error message beeping) varies in length. This just started, it will be holding a course fine for a minute or two and then it is unable to and sounds the beeper that it isn't able to steer correctly. I have tried, re-seating it, powering off and on, varying steering sensitivity settings and none of these corrected the issue.

Has anyone seen this before or have insight into how to resolve this issue. I prefer not to replace the unit. I have included a few pictures of the unit....

Thanks, Bob
 

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MikeHoncho

MikeHoncho

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Dec 28, 2015
1,909
Laser, Hunter H30 Cherubini Tacoma
Does it respond to manual input in both directions?
Mine would respond manually and hold a course sporadically. I found the ribbon cable to the fluxgate compass cracked. The moving part is the fluxgate compass. Check the wire where it slips into the socket.
I found a brand new one in the UK for $49 + 20 shipped.
Mine is a 3000 but I believe they use the same compass.
 
MikeHoncho

MikeHoncho

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Dec 28, 2015
1,909
Laser, Hunter H30 Cherubini Tacoma
Looked up the reciept. WaveInn. 120 us delivered. Part # M022.
 
R

Robert1224

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Jan 22, 2008
99
Hunter 30_74-83 Rochester, New York (Lake Ontario)
MikeHoncho said:
Does it respond to manual input in both directions?
Mine would respond manually and hold a course sporadically. I found the ribbon cable to the fluxgate compass cracked. The moving part is the fluxgate compass. Check the wire where it slips into the socket.
I found a brand new one in the UK for $49 + 20 shipped.
Mine is a 3000 but I believe they use the same compass.
Click to expand
Mike,
Thanks for the insight. I will check out the cable with an intense light and magnifying glass and see if I find anything.
Regards,
Bob
 
rardiH36

rardiH36

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Jun 21, 2007
2,117
Hunter Cherubini 36_80-82 Sausalito / San Francisco Bay
Just in the one in a million chance you haven't considered/checked. Be sure that something iron/steel hasn't been put near, or moved up against your fluxgate compass. That happened to me several years ago. Wasn't paying attention, and after doing some plumbing work underneath a cabin seat locker, I left the plastic case containing my socket set right next to the fluxgate compass. Leaving the berth for an outing a few days later, my 4000ST+ wouldn't maintain course when I wanted to go forward to pull up the fenders. The course kept changing randomly. Remembering the work I had done, I removed the socket set from the fluxgate area. The autopilot immediately behaved normally again.
 
R

Robert1224

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Jan 22, 2008
99
Hunter 30_74-83 Rochester, New York (Lake Ontario)
MikeHoncho said:
What was the outcome?
Click to expand
Mike,
Still working on it. It has been a bit difficult because it is intermittent. I opened the control unit and found the 2 connector 12 volt DC input connector was slightly raised from the pins on the board. I slid it down perhaps 1/8 of an inch. Went sailing and it worked fine for the sail which was a few hours long. Went out again this past Saturday and did a (26 + nm) day sail. It started to require pressing "Standby" and "Auto" again to keep it limping along. I am going to inspect the ribbon cable tonight with a magnifying glass and bright light. I'll post here as soon as I know more.
Cheers,
Bob
 
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