Autohelm 7000 goes to "standby" about every 9 or 10 minutes

[Rosetta Stone10263]

I'm a new owner of 1996 Beneteau 440. It has an Autohelm 7001. The first sail aboard was about 85 miles across the east end of Lake Ontario last weekend (Sodus Point to Clayton, NY). The Autohelm works fine when engaged, but kicks to Standby every 9 or 10 minutes. We had calm seas at the start, then 3-5 foot from the quarter, then calm again for the last 15 miles up the St. Lawrence. So sea state is ruled out. Occasionally it occurred in less time, but mostly around 10 minute intervals. The previous owner suspects that it might be that the 2 x 4dl AGMs are at the end of their life span being 8 years old (and that there is an intermittent "voltage drop", but the Interface battery monitor showed the batteries only discharging from 100% down to 85% during the trip. No other electronics showed signs of a power interruption. The second afternoon day-sail trip had us motoring for an hour or so after full charge and with balmar alternator feeding plenty of electricity, and it still kicked to Stand-By. I'm scratching my head on where to start diagnosis.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Dan may be able to help you. email him.

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,7129.0.html

 

[Rich Stidger]

I am not 100% sure, but I think I have had this same problem with my Autohelm 7000 when I forgot to turn on the CB for the autopilot. If you have other instruments connected to the autopilot computer, the computer will receive enough power from the instrument power connection to function and even to run the steering motor a little. But there is also a larger CB that supplies power expressly for the steering motor. You should check that the CB is turned on and if it is, check that there is less than 0.1V drop across the CB when the motor is running, ie. the CB is good.

 

[JamesG161]

AutoPilots on Raymarine have a "fail safe" mode if the SeaTalk network detects an error. That safe mode is "Standby" and should give you an audible alarm and sometimes a "SeaTLK" message on the display.
So any loose wire or failing instrument, like your flux compass, will result in an SeaTalk error.
____
Along Rich's post#3 line, if at anytime there is a low voltage at the Controller....
Standby!
_____
On my newly installed Raymarine MFD, I found it needed 12VDC+ or I would get "Standby" and not always at the best time.

Jim...

 

[Rosetta Stone10263]

Thanks guys. That gives me a place to start. There is only one circuit breaker dedicated to the Autopilot. I believe it is power to both the control head and the steering ram, but I'll look to be sure. As far as I know, the previous owner made three trips to the Caribbean and back with it wired this way.

 

[Chief RA]

Batterys definitely suspect, plus a devoted power run is probably best. Turn off as much other DC draw as you can and then test it. Chief

 

[ITMaster]

Also do a factory reset on the entire system

 

[Rosetta Stone10263]

Thanks - all good advice. The boat is hauled and stored for the winter, but I am going to use your suggestions to make a diagnostic list and will go down that list in the spring until it's solved!

 

[Chief RA]

RS: sounds good, let us know what you find. Chief

 

[Rosetta Stone10263]

I will share what I learn...