I installed a new ST4000 Wheel Pilot in my Hunter 29.5 in June of 1999. While it works ok, it is not as precise as I would have expected. It will wander 15 /- degrees each side of the course it is set on. I have tweaked all of the dealer setup settings on a trial and error basis. Is there a particular setting, or a recommended set of settings for a boat the size of the 29.5? (If there is you could e-mail it to me at mulf@aol.com). Or, could it be the location of the compass? I had it on the hull floor dead center under the helm, with results like the above. Then I moved it forward to bottom of the stbd hanging locker, which puts it low but off center about 2 feet. Both locations had single digit deviations after orientation, althoug the new location is within 2 feet of the batteries. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for participating on this wonderful web site.
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Jack Gilmour
Beware the charger
The batteries ae mostly lead and shouldn't be much problem. The on board charger, however is full of iron. My compass had to be moved farther from the charger.
The batteries ae mostly lead and shouldn't be much problem. The on board charger, however is full of iron. My compass had to be moved farther from the charger.
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Rob Springate
Unable to fine tune ST4000
I to have had fitted, by a dealer, an ST4000 wheel pilot and i am having the same problems you are disribing,which under sail in light winds is impossible.If any one can help please e-mail me at. r.springate@technocom.com
I to have had fitted, by a dealer, an ST4000 wheel pilot and i am having the same problems you are disribing,which under sail in light winds is impossible.If any one can help please e-mail me at. r.springate@technocom.com
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Bill Boudreau
Wheel Pilot Calibration
You have a small number of turns on the wheel from lock to lock. Probably around 1.75. I would recommend you change the following setting from the default in this order. Please do these one at a time while evaluating performance after each change. Also, make sure that you have previously gone throught the compass linearization with a deviation of 10 or below. 1. Change the Rudder Gain from 5 to 2 2. Change the Auto Trim from 3 to 2 3. Change the Response from 1 to 2 4. Change the Drive Type from 1 to 2
You have a small number of turns on the wheel from lock to lock. Probably around 1.75. I would recommend you change the following setting from the default in this order. Please do these one at a time while evaluating performance after each change. Also, make sure that you have previously gone throught the compass linearization with a deviation of 10 or below. 1. Change the Rudder Gain from 5 to 2 2. Change the Auto Trim from 3 to 2 3. Change the Response from 1 to 2 4. Change the Drive Type from 1 to 2
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Bill Boudreau
Reply to Jack
The lead thing and the batteries is correct. However, on occasion you will see a low linearization deviation number when swinging the fluxgate, but the compass location will still have to be changed to be at least 3 feet form the batteries? This has something to do with the field that can be created while the batteries are charging.
The lead thing and the batteries is correct. However, on occasion you will see a low linearization deviation number when swinging the fluxgate, but the compass location will still have to be changed to be at least 3 feet form the batteries? This has something to do with the field that can be created while the batteries are charging.
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Bill Murray
Steering cables
This is really off the concept of "what is wrong with the autopilot" but I had excatly the same problem with my 29.5 and the 4000 Autopilot. I corrected it when i discovered that I hhad too much slack in the steeing cables. this allowed teh boat too wander too far before the small corrections made by the autopilot had to be reinforced by big corections - hence wandering all over the lake. I adjusted the steering cable tension and have not had any problems at all since. Bill Murray Good Faith h29.5
This is really off the concept of "what is wrong with the autopilot" but I had excatly the same problem with my 29.5 and the 4000 Autopilot. I corrected it when i discovered that I hhad too much slack in the steeing cables. this allowed teh boat too wander too far before the small corrections made by the autopilot had to be reinforced by big corections - hence wandering all over the lake. I adjusted the steering cable tension and have not had any problems at all since. Bill Murray Good Faith h29.5
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Bill Doyle
Initial Set-up / Deviation
I had the same problem so I called Raytheon. The customer support guy asked about the deviation during the set-up when you make 2 circles and initialize everything. I told him that my dealer had set everything up so I was sure it wasn't that. But I agreed to re-do it to give hime the deviation value. I then re-tested the auto-pilot and my varience went from /- 20 degees to nil. I've concluded that maybe my dealer didn't perform that portion of the task. My suggestion is to go through the set-up again. Bill Doyle Calico Dragon - C320
I had the same problem so I called Raytheon. The customer support guy asked about the deviation during the set-up when you make 2 circles and initialize everything. I told him that my dealer had set everything up so I was sure it wasn't that. But I agreed to re-do it to give hime the deviation value. I then re-tested the auto-pilot and my varience went from /- 20 degees to nil. I've concluded that maybe my dealer didn't perform that portion of the task. My suggestion is to go through the set-up again. Bill Doyle Calico Dragon - C320
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Terry Cox
SAME PROBLEM
Bruce, I think my problem was similar to yours. It snaked. I double checked everytthing, and got lip service from tech support. I finally found my problem and it was the gain setting defaulted from one to five every time I shut the power to the unit, or started the engine with the unit on. Now whenever I first head out I always reset the gain to one, which is the automatic steering setting. So, when I first power it up, press the and - keys together for about two seconds. This brings up your gain setting (mine always reads five) then change it to one. This should correct the snaking problem. It did for mine. Just remember to always reset it everytime you power up the head. Good luck. Terry
Bruce, I think my problem was similar to yours. It snaked. I double checked everytthing, and got lip service from tech support. I finally found my problem and it was the gain setting defaulted from one to five every time I shut the power to the unit, or started the engine with the unit on. Now whenever I first head out I always reset the gain to one, which is the automatic steering setting. So, when I first power it up, press the and - keys together for about two seconds. This brings up your gain setting (mine always reads five) then change it to one. This should correct the snaking problem. It did for mine. Just remember to always reset it everytime you power up the head. Good luck. Terry
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Bruce Mulford
To Terry Cox
Terry: Many thanks for the input. I'm headed down to the boat tomorrow and will try it out if possible. Forecast seems to be 15 to 18 kts per weather.com and 20 to 25 per noaa so not sure i'm more like to be hanging on tight than I am using the autopilot.
Terry: Many thanks for the input. I'm headed down to the boat tomorrow and will try it out if possible. Forecast seems to be 15 to 18 kts per weather.com and 20 to 25 per noaa so not sure i'm more like to be hanging on tight than I am using the autopilot.
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Guest
Reply to Terry
Some more "lip service" for you. There are two ways to change the gain. The way you are doing it is a temporary change for quick adjustments while underway. If you change it in the Dealer Setup of the autopilot, then it will be changed for good. Let me know if you have any problems.
Some more "lip service" for you. There are two ways to change the gain. The way you are doing it is a temporary change for quick adjustments while underway. If you change it in the Dealer Setup of the autopilot, then it will be changed for good. Let me know if you have any problems.
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Terry Cox
THANKS
Bruce, thanks for the tip. I tried the change you suggested back when I was having the problem, but it would not stay. I'll try it again. Terry
Bruce, thanks for the tip. I tried the change you suggested back when I was having the problem, but it would not stay. I'll try it again. Terry
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