simrad autopilot on the loose

[ted long]

I purchased a simrad wp5000 autopilot back in May.It has never worked quite right. When I set a heading the first time it works like a champ. I then un-set it, sail for a while by hand, change heading and continue to hand sail. I then set the wp5000 again on the new heading and the thing goes beserk. It totaly changes direction, sometimes as much as 50 to 90 degrees. (very dangerous) Being a computer geek I figured rebooting it would fix it. I have unplugged the power, plugged back in and set the heading, does the same thing. I have verified, by the book, that the wp5000 is set up correctly. The only think I can think of is that I have the control box mounted too close the motor drive and the motor is causing some kind of magnetic/electical interference with the gyro???I'm ready to deep six it....Please help.Ted

 

[Steve Dion]

Cockpit speakers?

Ted:Do you have cockpit speakers on your boat?

 

[ted long]

no speakers

Steve, Nope. Dont have any speakers. The puzzling thing is the very first time I set it will track perfect all day long. But the minute I un-set it, tack the boat and then re-set it, it will then go wild.Ted

 

[Steve Dion]

Try this!

Ted:Get a cheap hand held compass and move it around the area with the fluxgate is to see if there is something that is driving it nuts.If you find nothing, get ahold of Simrad and ask them about testing the unit. Electronics are funny things. They usually go south in the first 90 days of operation. Once you get beyond this point they seem to work forever (until you fry something, that is).

 

[Don]

My experience..

I had similar problems with the Simrad unit that came on my new (to me) boat. It would start out ok, then just start making errant turns, 90 degrees and more.I sent it to Simrad and they said the problem was a slipping belt, not electrical. I was surprised because there was no indication it was mechanical and I assumed it was an electrical issue. $80 bucks or so and they fixed it.Call Simrad and send it to 'em to fix. Since your's in new I would think it's under warranty.Note: they are very particular about RMA (return #'s.) It's like a passport to get into their world.