Auto pilot repair

[capsco]

My Cetrek autopilot does not work, so I sent it back to The Service Centre, they have just sent me an estimate to repair it, I am still sat down after 4 hours.

They say it needs new PCB, but note that if the board is flexed there is activity therefore they suspect a crack somewhere.

Is it not possible to have these things repaired anymore, I would welcome any suggestions as it is just not economical to go with their suggestions.

 

[omega2]

http://www.marineelectronicsystemsltd.co.uk/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/ give this chap a bell John Rice is his name, he will be most likely to assist.

 

[tross]

Modern PCB are quite good and it is unlikely that is the problem. More likely, it is one of the surface mount components that has a joint problem. It is a common fault when PCB are subject to a lot of vibration. No enough design is done on these units to check for vibration induced failure. Yes, I am involved in the manufacture of these things.

 

[capsco]

Thanks for the input David, are you able to offer me any advice on how I should proceed?