I have a 1992 Hunter 35.5 with the Autohelm 4000 self steering. The system worked well for the 1st several years I owned the boat but now loses its course to port constantly. It does not seem to make a difference whether under sail or motor or the state of the sea - it consistently drifts off to port. I have taken the system apart at the helm and cleaned it thouroughly and the belts appear to be in good order. I don't know if the controling fluxgate compass can be at fault or if it is mechanical in nature. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks Don
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Where is your fluxgate compass installed?
Could it be that something is stowed near the fluxgate compass and is causing your boat to go off course?
Could it be that something is stowed near the fluxgate compass and is causing your boat to go off course?
maybe a short?
Don: If you lock your compass and then turn, does the compass show your off course? I have the same system as yours I think and I have a short in my wiring. The compass will stop working and not tell the autopilot it's off course. If I jiggle the wires it will wake up. I know...gotta fix that before it becomes a bigger problem...but intermediate shorts like that are hard to fix. Will have to re-wire the whole electronics and I'm not ready for that yet.
Don: If you lock your compass and then turn, does the compass show your off course? I have the same system as yours I think and I have a short in my wiring. The compass will stop working and not tell the autopilot it's off course. If I jiggle the wires it will wake up. I know...gotta fix that before it becomes a bigger problem...but intermediate shorts like that are hard to fix. Will have to re-wire the whole electronics and I'm not ready for that yet.
Installed Anything Lately?
Have you installed any new electronic appliance nearby this season? That could be the source of the problem. When I first got by boat that has A/H, I transmitted over the H/H VHF and was reaching over to the control unit (flux comp) at the same time. The boat made a sudden turn to port as I was transmitting.
Have you installed any new electronic appliance nearby this season? That could be the source of the problem. When I first got by boat that has A/H, I transmitted over the H/H VHF and was reaching over to the control unit (flux comp) at the same time. The boat made a sudden turn to port as I was transmitting.
do the 360
I have the same problem with mine, once in a while. Funny how we all have the problem to port and not to starboard. When mine acts up, I follow the instructions and re-calibrate it by making a large-radius, 360 turn. The unit must be turned on and in stanby mode.
I have the same problem with mine, once in a while. Funny how we all have the problem to port and not to starboard. When mine acts up, I follow the instructions and re-calibrate it by making a large-radius, 360 turn. The unit must be turned on and in stanby mode.
Watch That VHF
If I am at the helm and I press transmit on my handheld VHF, like Paul my boat veers to port. If I stand well away from the helm, it is not affected. My 4000+ wanders a little but I can live with it.
If I am at the helm and I press transmit on my handheld VHF, like Paul my boat veers to port. If I stand well away from the helm, it is not affected. My 4000+ wanders a little but I can live with it.
any speakers near the flux gate.
Don: Do you have ANY speakers (usually means magnetics) near the fluxgate? Maybe you could put a traditional compass near the fluxgate and see if something is driving it? Miking up the VHF, stereo etc.
Don: Do you have ANY speakers (usually means magnetics) near the fluxgate? Maybe you could put a traditional compass near the fluxgate and see if something is driving it? Miking up the VHF, stereo etc.
What does it do exactly?
Will the unit steer both directions? Ie: does the motor turn both ways properly as it should? If the motor only turns in one direction, it may be a defective power transistor (MOSFET) or two. No one at Autohelm will give you a part number or sell you one. You can get a replacement part at Radio Shack four for a buck or so. It is a little difficult to solder in but I did it once and fixed the problem. The other possibility is stray magnetic fields or big ferrous objects like tool boxes, etc. If you want me to help, email e0550@comcast.net. I am just around Birch Point from Blaine marina. I have a spare ST4000 somewhere downstairs I could dig out, too.
Will the unit steer both directions? Ie: does the motor turn both ways properly as it should? If the motor only turns in one direction, it may be a defective power transistor (MOSFET) or two. No one at Autohelm will give you a part number or sell you one. You can get a replacement part at Radio Shack four for a buck or so. It is a little difficult to solder in but I did it once and fixed the problem. The other possibility is stray magnetic fields or big ferrous objects like tool boxes, etc. If you want me to help, email e0550@comcast.net. I am just around Birch Point from Blaine marina. I have a spare ST4000 somewhere downstairs I could dig out, too.
Oh Oh
Autopilots seem to have a soul unto themselves. I struggled with several different brands for several years. I now have a below deck system on my new (to me) boat that is great. Figure on spending close to 4K, but it will work. I am convinced that the lower price units ($2K or so) are a hit and/or miss proposition.
Autopilots seem to have a soul unto themselves. I struggled with several different brands for several years. I now have a below deck system on my new (to me) boat that is great. Figure on spending close to 4K, but it will work. I am convinced that the lower price units ($2K or so) are a hit and/or miss proposition.
A couple of simple things:
I had a C34 with the 4000 and it would disengage by itself. A bungy cord solved that but that's too obvious. I had an O'Day28 with a 3000 and after about 12 years I had to replace the drive motor. It only cost $40 and was easy to do. Worked as good as new afterward. Call Autohelm/RayMarine, they helped me.
I had a C34 with the 4000 and it would disengage by itself. A bungy cord solved that but that's too obvious. I had an O'Day28 with a 3000 and after about 12 years I had to replace the drive motor. It only cost $40 and was easy to do. Worked as good as new afterward. Call Autohelm/RayMarine, they helped me.
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