I have been trying to get my autohelm to work reliably fo rthe past 4 years with no luck. I have move the compass three times. Recalibrated many times. Returned the unit to Raymarine who returned it with "no trouble found" and suggested that I buy a rudder damping unit. The unit may or may not steer reliably. Sometime it will work for a few hours and the start to wander from side to side until it completely loses control. Other times it may not work at all or work for an hour and then wander. I have changed settings and deviation is now 8 degrees. The compass is near midship and easily 4 feet from any electronic or electrical or metal. It is close to the holding tank where it may belong. Any ideas or other experiences with junk from Raymarine???
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Thermal ?
What you describe sounds like it may be a thermal problem. The control head may be getting too hot(your unit may be overly sensitive to elevated temperatures). Try keeping the head cool (remove it from its mount, keep it shaded from the sun, etc.) and see if it still acts up. If it doesn't go back to normal operation and see if the problem returns.
What you describe sounds like it may be a thermal problem. The control head may be getting too hot(your unit may be overly sensitive to elevated temperatures). Try keeping the head cool (remove it from its mount, keep it shaded from the sun, etc.) and see if it still acts up. If it doesn't go back to normal operation and see if the problem returns.
ST4000
Always Use the forum archives on this subject. It has been really well covered. Just look up ST4000 and you'll have hours of reading on just your own question. Start at the link. Stu
Always Use the forum archives on this subject. It has been really well covered. Just look up ST4000 and you'll have hours of reading on just your own question. Start at the link. Stu
Same problem, fixed!
I had the exact same problem with my 4000 wheelpilot. Raymarine Tech support gave me these settings and it solved the problem completely. "Go into the dealer cal Mod (CAL?), go to the rudd Gain and make that a 2 then go to Response and make that a 2, then go to Auto Trim and make that a 2 and then on the Drive Type and again make that a 2, then hit and hold the standby key untill it says Standby." This info came directly from Raymarine. Give it a try and let us know how it works out. Dan
I had the exact same problem with my 4000 wheelpilot. Raymarine Tech support gave me these settings and it solved the problem completely. "Go into the dealer cal Mod (CAL?), go to the rudd Gain and make that a 2 then go to Response and make that a 2, then go to Auto Trim and make that a 2 and then on the Drive Type and again make that a 2, then hit and hold the standby key untill it says Standby." This info came directly from Raymarine. Give it a try and let us know how it works out. Dan
What kind of boat do you have?
and what calibration error did you get, less than 20 degrees? I had a similar problem and what I did was I got a hand compass a walked around the boat to see where there was less interpherance from the metal parts like engines and electronic wiring. I had the engine and all the electronics on. I finallly intalled the fluxgate in the port side under the seat of the aft cabin of hunter 376
and what calibration error did you get, less than 20 degrees? I had a similar problem and what I did was I got a hand compass a walked around the boat to see where there was less interpherance from the metal parts like engines and electronic wiring. I had the engine and all the electronics on. I finallly intalled the fluxgate in the port side under the seat of the aft cabin of hunter 376
RayMarine troubleshooting
Hi AFS - Dan has some good information regarding changing the rudder gain etc, but those settings might not work correctly on your boat. Although sometimes frustrsting, it may help to contact RayMarine directly to have them troubleshoot the problems while you are on the boat. Unfortunately, they only are available during business hours East Coast time (Nashua NH). Their number is 800-539-5539. Might be a good excuse to take a day off of work! Best, Trevor
Hi AFS - Dan has some good information regarding changing the rudder gain etc, but those settings might not work correctly on your boat. Although sometimes frustrsting, it may help to contact RayMarine directly to have them troubleshoot the problems while you are on the boat. Unfortunately, they only are available during business hours East Coast time (Nashua NH). Their number is 800-539-5539. Might be a good excuse to take a day off of work! Best, Trevor
voltage??
you may want to connect a automotive type voltage tester up to the pos. terminal at the controll head and monitor the voltage when it starts acting up. i had the same problem with my st 4000 and found when we were using the power inverter it was drawing too many amps and lowering the voltage at the controller. you can also use this meter to measure voltage drop on the gorund side of the circuit. good luck.
you may want to connect a automotive type voltage tester up to the pos. terminal at the controll head and monitor the voltage when it starts acting up. i had the same problem with my st 4000 and found when we were using the power inverter it was drawing too many amps and lowering the voltage at the controller. you can also use this meter to measure voltage drop on the gorund side of the circuit. good luck.
ST4000 Problems
I have a Hunter 34 and have mounted the compass near midships on the starboard side. I now get 8 degrees deviation. I am going to try the settings Dan gave me again and then throw the thing in the ocean. I sent the unit back to Raymarine and they have returned it finding no problems. They do want to sell me a rudder damping unit though. I have heard good things about B&G units.
I have a Hunter 34 and have mounted the compass near midships on the starboard side. I now get 8 degrees deviation. I am going to try the settings Dan gave me again and then throw the thing in the ocean. I sent the unit back to Raymarine and they have returned it finding no problems. They do want to sell me a rudder damping unit though. I have heard good things about B&G units.
St 4000 power
What size wire feeds the unit? Your wire may be to small or that your connections are not tight. The unit draws up to about fifteen amps running and should see battery voltage loss on the line between the power source and the display head of no less than three percent. If the difference is greater than you will see degraded performance. Check this first and then work with the settings as described above. Sounds like your compass mounting is ok. Ryan Ryan's Marine Alameda, CA
What size wire feeds the unit? Your wire may be to small or that your connections are not tight. The unit draws up to about fifteen amps running and should see battery voltage loss on the line between the power source and the display head of no less than three percent. If the difference is greater than you will see degraded performance. Check this first and then work with the settings as described above. Sounds like your compass mounting is ok. Ryan Ryan's Marine Alameda, CA
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