I recently purchased a Legend 37.5 with the ST4000, which worked for a short while, then would fail and turn off in another direction repeatedly. Talking with other owners they say this one failed for them, and the successor also doesn't work any better. Does anyone with the 37.5 have a better solution? There doesn't appear to be enough room below to handle an arm actuated system.
Failed Autohelm ST4000 Autopilot
- Thread starter srmorgan11
- Start date
This might be a stupid proposal but by any chance is anything metallic now stored near the fluxgate compass ? Even a screwdriver blade will have an impact. When I had that problem years ago, after checking all connections, I found out that an umbrella had been stored in the cobert where the compass was. When the boat got to 172 degrees, the pilot would make a 90-degree turn to port ! I removed the umbrella and everything got back to normal. Good luck
There was along thread about this exact issue not that long ago. Search the old threads. There was a ton of useful pointers in that discussion. I will look, as well. I use a CPT wheel pilot.
Ben
Ben
It would not be uncommon for the "computer" on the ST4000 to fail due to age and corrosion. I switched my Legend to the newer Raymarine X-5 wheel pilot that was the ST4000s replacement. Yes, I know that it is a marginal unit for the size of the boat however the price was the deciding factor. Also, you can keep your existing wheel motor unit from the ST4000 and the X-5 will drive it and you can keep the new wheel unit as a spare. It isn't a unit I would trust for extended offshore work in storms but it should last under normal recreational conditions.
As a bonus the X-5 now comes with a fluxgate compass that works well. I mounted mine under the salon table so it is away from metal and current carrying wires and near the center of the boat.
Thanks for the offer, that would be great, I am at Baypoint Marina in Norfolk in the Little Creek area. 954-643-5800
Not ignoring the possibilities of malfunctions due to metal items too close to the fluxgate compass, physical dislocation of the compass, etc. I had the same problem last year and was advised by a well regarded installer of both Garmin and Raymarine systems that this symptom most often is indicative of failure of the computer that operates the system.
I have a autohelm 3000 that failed a couple of months ago... or so I thought.
In my attempt to clean up the boat wiring in the lazerette area and tie things up nice and tidy afterwards, I found that the wiring was too close to the back of the autopilot control head.
I was online trying to find the troubleshooting and repair instructions, and reading other people's woes with them and it dawned on me what the problem may be....
So before I opened up the unit to attempt a repair, I tried it again but I cut the wire ties loose and let them hang like they did before, AND shut off the electric propane valve as the wires went behind the control head.... the autopilot works perfectly fine again.
So now I am going to reroute the wires to keep the autopilot working for as long as it's able to....
These units do fail (the electronics are a bit sensitive), but I think sometimes the failure is caused by something the boat owner does and doesn't realize it.... and then they blame the unit... and try to fix it as I almost did....
As expensive as they are to replace, check all possible causes of erratic behavior before deciding the unit has actually failed....
A common problem for low voltage communications wiring. Does not take much current flowing in a nearby wire to disrupt the signal. ALWAYS use communication wiring that has a ground sheath around the outside of all the wires and make sure the sheath is actually grounded.
I use a cpt wheel pilot. I absolutely love it! I have a 37.5 legend, too. The CPT is very strong and absolutley silent. I have a bunch of videos online if you want to see it in action. This day the CPT took us all the way home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg2pH4D0pRI&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Ben