St4000 Autopilot Tracking

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Howard Sherman

I have a ST4000 autopilot that does not track properly. This unit was already installed in the boat when I purchased it and has performed fine until recently. On an upwind heading with the pilot engaged, the boat wanders off course in all wind conditions. In a puff the boat will pull upwind sometimes as much as 10 degrees before the pilot is able to bring the boat back on course. By the time it responds, the wind eases back and the pilot now will over compensate in the other direction. I've tried adjusting the sensitivity selection to level 2, and also adjusted the rudder gain to no avail. This unit used to track right on course making small corrections as we sail along. I understand sailing down wind is harder on a pilot,and tracking is more erratic, but I,ve never had problems like this sailing up wind in light to moderate air with small waves. I would appreciate any help you be able to provide. Thanks, Howard Sherman S/V Escape
 
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Bill Boudreau

Compass issue?

This pilot had worked on your boat and you had not changed any of the setting, so you shouldn't have to do any adjusting. It would have to have something wrong with one of the components. It is steering strictly off the compass, and this is the first place I would look. Make sure that nothing has changed with the installation and that you significant other has not stowed his/her new set of pots and pans near the compass. Has any new equipment been installed lately? Maybe something with a small pump, motor, speaker, etc. The best thing at this point might be to redo the compass linearization. Please record the "deviation" number it displays when going through this procedure.
 
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David Hirtle

ST4000 Autopilot tracking

Good Morning, Open the manual that came with the book and read the portion reguarding setting the fine tuning adjustments. I can't remember what they are called but as you read you will note that you can make what is referred to as "dealer adjustments" which really aren't difficult...If I can do it, anyone can! Mine would over correct, and by reading the book It discribed to a "t" what it was doing and how to adjust it. Good Luck!
 
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Terry Cox

REPLY TO BRUCE MULFORD

Howard, please see my reply to Bruce Mulford's problem. Yours sounds similar to his and mine. Terry
 
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