Funny, I had pretty much the same experience. Just installed a whole new Raymarine X-5 on my MacGregor 26X, used it the first time this past Saturday, and was really annoyed at the noise. I have a complete brand new system—computer, fluxgate, controller, wheel drive.
Seems to me there are two aspects of the noise.
A) It’s just plain noisy whenever the motor activates. Maybe it’s possible to add some dampening material, a complete pain-in-the-rear trial & error process.
B) The motor activates way too often—constantly making little adjustments that are reversed moments later. In waves, it produced a series of rapid wheel oscillations that exactly matched the waves. Very impressive response-- very annoying. There is a “Response Level” parameter, lowering this value should cut down on helm activity. It helped a little bit for me. Maybe there are some other settings buried in there that would help, like "Rudder Gain" and "Rudder Damping".
If anyone has found solutions, please share!
Ted Grant
PS: The instructions on temporarily changing the Response level are on page 41 of the manual, reproduced here:
Response level
The principal method of adjusting the performance of an SPX-5 Wheel system is by
changing the response level. This controls the relationship between the SPX-5 Wheel
system’s course keeping accuracy and the amount of helm/drive activity.
Screen Text Effect on operation
RESPONSE 1-3 This setting minimizes the amount of rudder activity but may compromise
short-term course keeping accuracy,
RESPONSE 4-6 This setting gives good course keeping with crisp, well controlled turns
under normal operating conditions.
RESPONSE 7-9 This setting provides the tightest possible course keeping and greatest
rudder activity. This can lead to a rough passage in open waters as the
SPX-5 Wheel system may fight the sea.
To temporarily change the response level:
1. Press -1 and +1 or resp to access the RESPONSE screen.
2. Use -1 or +1 to adjust the setting.
3. Press disp to confirm the change.