My ST4000 autopilot is 14 months old now and has worked flawless up till now, I was sailing along when it just went nuts and if you let it go on long enough it would show no data on the instrument and at times would start zig zagging the boat and then the no data would go away and would sound the off course alarm, it is interfaced with my Garmin gps connected with a data link connector. I unplugged the gps and still the same thing, I did move a gallon can of alchohol away from the fluxgate compass and it seemed to take care of the problem till the next day, so what I have is intermittent so far. I have a deviation of 9 and am real happy with that. any suggestions Tim Welsh Hunter 34 S/V Cabo Wabo
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keep ferrous metals away!
That steel can of alcohol was probably your entire problem-you need to keep anything ferrous away-3 or more feet at least- from the fluxgate
That steel can of alcohol was probably your entire problem-you need to keep anything ferrous away-3 or more feet at least- from the fluxgate
Chuck's Comment a Good One
Well, Tim, it seems like you solved the problem yourself! Chuck's comment about keeping ferous metals away is excellent. The fluxgate can have a hard time "seeing" through a sea of magnetic fog. Several years ago I had a problm with my autopilot and found it was due to a metal container several feet away. Once relocated further away the problems went away. Not all magnetic fog problems are inside the boat either. I was once motoring along on a windless day and was passed by a tug towing a barge. Once the barge was almost passed me I went below to check the chart and felt an odd sensation - sort of like getting disoriented or seasick. Looked out the port and all I saw was black. That's odd. Went topside and found the boat was headed right for the barge heaped with scrap metal! These experiences prove tne necessity of providing the fluxgate with a clear view of the earths magnetic field otherwise things won't work right. I could mention a few more, like the day my wife stashed her tin cans in the bilge, etc. Another area of concern is the location of the wiring for the fluxgate and any AC wires or the inverter - best if a distance is kept between the two. Whenever my wife turns on the inverter she (tries to) tell me so I can put the autopilot on Manual.
Well, Tim, it seems like you solved the problem yourself! Chuck's comment about keeping ferous metals away is excellent. The fluxgate can have a hard time "seeing" through a sea of magnetic fog. Several years ago I had a problm with my autopilot and found it was due to a metal container several feet away. Once relocated further away the problems went away. Not all magnetic fog problems are inside the boat either. I was once motoring along on a windless day and was passed by a tug towing a barge. Once the barge was almost passed me I went below to check the chart and felt an odd sensation - sort of like getting disoriented or seasick. Looked out the port and all I saw was black. That's odd. Went topside and found the boat was headed right for the barge heaped with scrap metal! These experiences prove tne necessity of providing the fluxgate with a clear view of the earths magnetic field otherwise things won't work right. I could mention a few more, like the day my wife stashed her tin cans in the bilge, etc. Another area of concern is the location of the wiring for the fluxgate and any AC wires or the inverter - best if a distance is kept between the two. Whenever my wife turns on the inverter she (tries to) tell me so I can put the autopilot on Manual.
CHECK THE VOLTAGE TO THE AUTOHELM
I HAVE HAD GOOFY EXPERIENCES WITH RAYMARINE AUTO PILOTS WHEN THE VOLTAGE DROPS BECAUSE OF EITHER A LOW BATTERY, LOOSE CONNECTIONS, ETC...
I HAVE HAD GOOFY EXPERIENCES WITH RAYMARINE AUTO PILOTS WHEN THE VOLTAGE DROPS BECAUSE OF EITHER A LOW BATTERY, LOOSE CONNECTIONS, ETC...
thanks for the input
Thanks for the input guys, it still acted up after I moved the can of alchohol, it was the next day though, I really do need to check my voltage though, I hadn't been back to the docks in a few days and my batterys had been run pretty hard, next time it acts up I'll kick on some reserve batterys and see what happens. Tim Welsh Hunter 34 Cabo Wabo
Thanks for the input guys, it still acted up after I moved the can of alchohol, it was the next day though, I really do need to check my voltage though, I hadn't been back to the docks in a few days and my batterys had been run pretty hard, next time it acts up I'll kick on some reserve batterys and see what happens. Tim Welsh Hunter 34 Cabo Wabo
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