ST4000 Help

[Deliquescent]

Towards the end of the season my ST4000 Auothelm became unusable. When I turned it on and engaged it the boat would suddenly start stearing all over the place. The rudder bar display on the control unit was 20 degrees off from the position of the helm so I thought it had to be the Rudder position sensor. However, when I took out the boat again it registered ok until I started sailing. The boat would do circles. I am thinking it could be the drive belt slipping? Any thoughts would be really appreciated on this.

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

By any chance, did you mount any electronics or perhaps a speaker anywhere near the unit? The only reason I ask is because I did exactly that and the symptoms were very similar.

Good luck and Merry Christmas..........

 

[Sandman20948]

I agree. I have seen the same thing happen when an iPad or a speaker was too close. I had a voltage problem that drove my 3000 nuts. It had been working and then one day, it was all over the place. I metered the voltage and went up and down between 11 and 13.

 

[Coriolisbc]

I had a similar problem with my Autopilot, turns out that the compass for the autohelm is located behind the aft bottom drawer in the galley, ( near the bottom of the fridge,) I had stored cans of food in the drawer, and that was enough to put it off 20 degrees or so, when I removed the cans, problem solved

 

[Anonymous 121765]

I have the ST4000 with a control unit mounted to the pedestal.
Twice over the years, the fluxgate compass came loose inside the control unit.

I ended up using locktite to stop this.

If you cannot find what is causing the problem,
you NEED to pay to have someone look at it pal.....

CR

 

[redhead78]

If this seems to only happen when sailing, it may be power, these things are power hogs, and if batts are down this will happen. Red

 

[Deliquescent]

Thanks Guys, this is great stuff. I don't have anything new near the instruments and I don't have a lap top so I will rule that one out. However, I do have 2 bad batteries which I am replacing in the spring so this could be the issue. Also, I did pack up the drawers in the galley with various items. I will have to clean out the drawers and see what happens. I do have the same set up as Captanron. If the easy stuff is not the answer, then I will check the control unit. Ron: is it difficult to get inside the control unit? What does the fluxgate compass look like?

 

[kmart]

Ok I could use some help on my autohelm st 4000 as well. Mine has been working fine for several years. Just recently it started not being able to hold a course. The course seemed to be stuck and never change. I tried to recalibrate. But it would not take. I then did a factory reset. Now course reads 000 and never changes. And still won't calibrate. I checked the connections and they seem ok. I don't know what to test or try next. Last resort is to replace whole system with the raymaine x5. But when all done. that's $1500 that I don't have to spend. Any sugestions?

 

[Anonymous 121765]

D,

The control unit is a simple 4 screw unit. Keep the front face down when opening.

There is a slotted screw-type adjustment for compass set above/under equator setup on the back cover (red color?). when opening, pull back cover straight up. The setting has a slotted end which fits in a matching groove in the motherboard.

Do not inadvertently turn the adjustment. When closing up, be careful that the setting is correctly aligned with the slot on the board. It's thin plastic so be easy with it.

The fluxgate compass is easy. Mine came loose several times over the years from vibrations thru the boat. It's a simple gyro, with two screws that secure it in it's cradle. If it's loose, you'll see it right away. I finally used Loctite & have not had the problem since.

One other thing, I've had it where the AP went off or didn't respond. I have bulkhead mounted plugs with pins. The screw terminals will loosen up on me (usually once a year). When this happens I retighten them. Also check to make sure all your plug/pin connectors are clean.

I always tell folks that it doesn't take much to **** up 12 volt systems.
Let us know what you find pal.....

CR

 

[boardfun]

Autogyro placement

I had the same problem. There is a remote mounted gyro unit. Mine was mounted in behind my drawer. Unfortunately, my tools were in one of the drawers! I moved all the metal away and the ST 4000 now works fine.

James
1983 Catalina 30 m25

 

[Cayennita]

I had the same problem. There is a remote mounted gyro unit. Mine was mounted in behind my drawer. Unfortunately, my tools were in one of the drawers! I moved all the metal away and the ST 4000 now works fine. James 1983 Catalina 30 m25

I had voltage problems on mine due to cables getting old. I installed new cable of larger gauge and a much shorter run eliminating the breaker panel. Installed a dedicated breaker on the line. Now reads a much higher voltage and no more problems.