Autohelm 2000

[neil_s]

My Autohelm tiller pilot has steered us (unless the wind gets over F6) all season except for one annoying problem. It will only let me into the 'cal' menu on a very intermittent basis. By 'intermittent' I mean only once this year! You're supposed to press the 'standby' button for 5 secs and then it displays the first cal parameter which is rudder gain. Pressing 'auto' cycles through the other parameters. Most of the time, mine displays 'CAL' instead. If you keep your finger on the 'standby' button, you get a 'PO7" message, whatever that means. Anybody got any ideas? I've tried a fresh battery, switching cal mode on or off, random button presses and posting a message on Raymarines website. I'm fresh out of ideas - anybody got a clue?

 

[PaulJ]

I had a 2000 some time back that didn't calibrate as it said in the instructions. They do change these things from time to time, perhaps your instructions are not for the same mod state as the autopilot......? I suggest you ring Raymarine, I have always found them extremely helpful.

 

[cpedw]

When I had similar trouble with my 2000, Raymarine suggested this fix:

"Your ST2000 thinks it is an Autohel 800. It has been reset for some reason. There is a way to change this through button pushing:

Hold in the +1 and -10 keys for ten seconds . Unit will display type setting, i.e. 800. Release the keys and hold them in again for another 10 seconds until the display begins flashing the type setting. Toggle this setting to the appropriate type with the plus and minus keys. Repeat holding in the +1 and -10 keys for another 10 seconds to exit this calibration mode and save the changes to the settings.

You will now be able to get into calibration as per the manual and adjust the performance of the pilot."

It might be worth a try.
Derek

 

[neil_s]

Many thanks for your reply. Raymarine are just down the road from my workplace, but so far I have only managed to e-mail them. Will try and phone this week!

 

[neil_s]

Many thanks for your reply. I tried your suggestion, but I found my Autohelm is already set to '2000'. Its a useful bit of information to keep with the manual, though! I will try phoning Raymarine this week.

Regards

Neil

 

[VMALLOWS]

Great to know you are all having success with your new autohelm 2000s.

Just in case anyone is still using the (really old) 2000s (the ones with a round unit with a compass thing on top) I'm happy to try to help.

Vic

 

[bedouin]

How old would that be?

I'm told my AH2000 is about 1986/87 vintage and it doesn't sound anything like those described in this thread.

 

[VMALLOWS]

Bought the boat (new) 1984. Bought autohelm 1985. First one conced out a year or two later because mounted in cockpit. Repaired it several times. bought second one at boat jumble for £35. Mounted inside, still going strong.

 

[VMALLOWS]

I think your one sounds like a 'tiller pilot' from around the mid eightees..........but there must be lots of experts out there ...........

 

[roger]

I have had just this problem. The instructions in my hand book were wrong. I got help from the electronics expert attached to Darthaven Marina. As fa as I remember the sequence is to press the requisite button(s) (cant remember which right now) for 5 seconds then press again and hold for something like 10 seconds when eventually the cal mode proper will be displayed. However the method varies with the model. I gave my manual to someone in Sweden who managed to get his Ahelm calibrated when those instructions did not work for me. If in difficulties mail me and I'll check out my notes.

 

[philip_stevens]

There was an Operating Supplement for SeaTalk Autohelm 2000 Autopilots.

I quote.

Entry into Calibration Mode.
The procedure for accessing calibration mode has been modified to provide extra protection against accidental entry:
~Press the "Standby" key for 5 seconds until the display shows "CAL".
~Within 10 seconds press "Standby" again for 5 seconds.
The pilot will now enter calibration mode as normal. All other caibration operations are as stated in the Operation and Installation handbook.

endquote.

I hope this sorts out your problem.

regards,
Philip

 

[Piers]

Try calling Dave Wellcome of Raymarine - 02392 693611 and dial 1614 when the auto operator answers. He is an engineer guru on autopilots.

Piers du Pré
www.playdeau.com

 

[neil_s]

Thanks for the reply. That's the answer! I can now set up the calibration for my Autohelm. I just have to wait 'till next season to try it out!

Neil Sinclair

 

[neil_s]

Thanks,Piers. I will make a note of it. Phillip Stevens had the answer to the problem, though.

Neil