Autohelm AH800 fault

[contessaman]

Hi guys , just a long shot. My AH800 has developed a fault where it seems to have lost sensitivity / response. If the boat goes off course it makes a token gesture correction in the correct sense but nowhere near enough or like as much as it used to. Any similar faults or known culprits within the unit or electrical boffins with any ideas out there ? The mechanics of the unit are fine in stby you can motor it fine both ways . Cheers

 

[earlybird]

I'd look inside, in particular check if any wiring to the compass unit is damaged. Reassembly of the case needs care but is quite doable. Also, try putting it in a warm, dry place for several days. After that its a repair specialist I think.

 

[Bilgediver]

Hi guys , just a long shot. My AH800 has developed a fault where it seems to have lost sensitivity / response. If the boat goes off course it makes a token gesture correction in the correct sense but nowhere near enough or like as much as it used to. Any similar faults or known culprits within the unit or electrical boffins with any ideas out there ? The mechanics of the unit are fine in stby you can motor it fine both ways . Cheers

Have you accidently turned the sensitivity control to wrong end of the scale ?

 

[Refueler]

Have you accidently turned the sensitivity control to wrong end of the scale ?

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????? Pray - where would that be ?? Serious question. I've had an AH800 and AH1000 for donkeys years and never heard about any sensitivity option ...

 

[contessaman]

I wondered this? The old ones had a knob for gain and dead band. That's exactly what it seems like is wrong but alas the AH 800 has no such control

 

[Refueler]

I wondered this? The old ones had a knob for gain and dead band. That's exactly what it seems like is wrong but alas the AH 800 has no such control

You can alter dead band on the later AH800 ... sea state its called now ... when its active ... but that's all.

 

[LadyInBed]

I'd look inside, in particular check if any wiring to the compass unit is damaged.

Also check for water ingress at the bottom of the fluxgate compass well, they are / used to be a bitch for letting in water!
In the winter, I used to open my AH1000 up and store it in the airing cupboard.
A not uncommon problem is the contacts on the ribbon cable connector to the fluxgate compass.