ST6000-Puzzling Problem

[PrincessoftheLake]

Those of you with flawless memories may recall that I have posted ad nauseum about the ongoing problems with my autopilot. This is the status of all the system components:
1. Fluxgate compass-tested ok
2. Course Computer-Sent to Raymarine, bench tested, found to be good.
3. Rudder Reference Transducer (thanks to my friend Danny S from OLO) brand new and installed works perfectly.
4. Rotary drive-Sent to Raymarine, repaired and sent back.

The problem is even after all that it still doesn't work. When the AP is turned on all it does is turn hard to starboard and stays there until it comes up against the rudder stop and then it errors out. What is this??? I have a Raymarine certified tech at my marina who is pulling his hair out over this thing. Suspecting a wiring issue he isolated the AP wiring from the rest of the boats electrical system and put clean power on it and still the damned thing will only swing to starboard.

Does anyone have any ideas or thoughts on this? I am simply beside myself. Any thoughts or suggestions would be gratefully accepted. Thanks!

 

[Steve Dion]

Do you have any stereo speakers near any of the AP components?

The make speakers that help to minimize the magnetic interference.

 

[kloudie1]

Couple of things come to mind..... (I am assuming that the power and fluxgate connections are secure and no iron in its vicinity) First.. when a 4000+ is turned on the first thing it does is drive for a few seconds to reposition the belt.. I know yours does not have a belt but I wonder if somehow that is going on..?? Second; have you tried the master boot song and dance to be sure the control head is listening to the rudder sensor?? I have attached a copy .. might as well try that to get the computer's attention..

However, automatic transducer detection and rudder bar display won't occur unless enabled in Dealer Setup. This is an undocumented requirement from Raymarine. The setup sequence is as follows...

1. Install and connect transducer.
2. Enter Dealer Setup mode by pressing & holding Standby for 14 seconds.
3. Press +1/-1 simultaneously to get Cal Lock screen.
4. Press Disp to get Pilot Type screen.
5. Use +1/-1 to change type to a different pilot type, any type.
6. Press Standby for two seconds to save setting and exit Dealer Setup.
7. Repeat Dealer Setup mode, change back to correct pilot type (wheel or tiller,) exit Dealer Setup.
8. Enter User Setup mode by pressing & holding Standby for 2 seconds.
9. Press Disp five times to change to the Bar Selection screen.
10. Press +1/-1 to select "Rudd Bar" or "Steer Bar".
11. Press Standby for two seconds to save setting and exit User Setup.
12. Power down and back up.
13. Rudder reference transducer should now be detected and displayed on the screen

 

[Witzend]

Do you have a chat plotter connected to it? If so, make sure you don't have a route active thus, it's being commanded to follow.

 

[rpwillia]

Drive Motor Wires

On the newer S1 Autopilot there was something about if the motor drove the rudder to one side to reverse the 2 wires that go to the drive motor. Tried that?

Here is what it says in the S1 AP Manual at http://www.raymarine.com/SubmittedFiles/Handbooks/Autopilots/s1Wheel-Tiller/81282_1_WEB.pdf

Check the autopilot steering sense
1. Manually center the wheel, then press the auto key so the SmartPilot is in
Auto mode.Check that the display shows AUTO.
Be ready to press standby if the rudder moves hardover.
2. Press the +10 key once.
3. Check that the rudder moves to starboard a few degrees and then stops.
• if the rudder drives hardover, immediately press standby to prevent fur
ther rudder movement
4. If the rudder moves to port or the rudder drives hardover:
i. press standby
ii. turn off the power
iii. reverse the motor wires connected to the SmartPilot computer
iv. switch on the power and re-check

 

[DannyS]

Princess, I have no idea how or where to begin the diagnosis, I'm just glad to hear that the sensor worked! It wasn't doing any good sitting in the box.

 

[Benny17441]

Just switch the wires going from the control box to the motor.

 

[PrincessoftheLake]

Thank you Danny!

Princess, I have no idea how or where to begin the diagnosis, I'm just glad to hear that the sensor worked! It wasn't doing any good sitting in the box.

Yes, thank you so much for the gift! I seriously owe you a dinner? A night on the town? You pick. Are you going to be in Bayfield over the 4th? Let me know and we'll plan something, ok?

 

[rpwillia]

Did you get it fixed?

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[PrincessoftheLake]

Not yet. Reversing the wires to the rotary drive unit did not fix it. The hair pulling continues.:bang:

 

[DougM]

I am assuming that ALL of the wiring connections were checked for contact and are tight. Is there a possible break in one of the wires? That needs to be checked with a tester as the break might not show through the wire insulation. One difference on my boat, which has hydraulic steering, was that the rudder sensor connections at the computer had to be reversed because the sensor unit was mounted in a technically upside down configuration. This was done by design on my boat because of space considerations.