Great weather for a February sailing weekend in the Puget Sound. Only one problem: I simply could not get my Raymarine ST4000 auto pilot to function.
Symptoms:
1. With auto pilot on, the chart plotter shows a correct heading marker but the boat graphic is on a different course.
2. When auto pilot is engaged, the ship hold course for about 5 seconds then slowly starts to turn off course. Course change is normally to stbd but as the course gets farther off, the rudder angle continues to increase until maxed.
What I've tried so far:
1. Following instructions left by the previous owner (who got the procedure from a Raymarine rep) I did the dealer cal and told the system it was an ST 5000. Then powered down...powered back up and did the dealer cal again, this time setting back to an appropriate ST4000. This reset all settings to default.
2. During dealer cal, set the deviation to 16 East in accordance with the charted deviation.
3. Went into standard cal settings and set compass heading.
What I have not done:
1. I attempted the compass swing but the weather conditions prevented a smooth slow course change. Therefore, after several attempts (at least 2 full turns each) I could not get the deviation to set. I will try this again at the first opportunity.
Finally, I spoke to the previous owner who indicated the dealer cal process fixed it right away with no additional settings other than entering compass deviation.
So...not beaten but getting close. Any advice would be appreciated. I want so much to just sit in the stern sheets and keep a lookout while the ship steers herself. Thanks!
Symptoms:
1. With auto pilot on, the chart plotter shows a correct heading marker but the boat graphic is on a different course.
2. When auto pilot is engaged, the ship hold course for about 5 seconds then slowly starts to turn off course. Course change is normally to stbd but as the course gets farther off, the rudder angle continues to increase until maxed.
What I've tried so far:
1. Following instructions left by the previous owner (who got the procedure from a Raymarine rep) I did the dealer cal and told the system it was an ST 5000. Then powered down...powered back up and did the dealer cal again, this time setting back to an appropriate ST4000. This reset all settings to default.
2. During dealer cal, set the deviation to 16 East in accordance with the charted deviation.
3. Went into standard cal settings and set compass heading.
What I have not done:
1. I attempted the compass swing but the weather conditions prevented a smooth slow course change. Therefore, after several attempts (at least 2 full turns each) I could not get the deviation to set. I will try this again at the first opportunity.
Finally, I spoke to the previous owner who indicated the dealer cal process fixed it right away with no additional settings other than entering compass deviation.
So...not beaten but getting close. Any advice would be appreciated. I want so much to just sit in the stern sheets and keep a lookout while the ship steers herself. Thanks!
