Autohelm ST 5 Log fault.

[Chris_Robb]

Log packed up this weekend. Symtoms - display reading 0 knots, but occaisionally gave a reading for a few seconds to start with - then nothing. the Paddle is clean and when spun gives no reading. Is it more likely to be the sender unit or the head? any ways of checking with a multimeter?

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[Talbot]

I presume that you only have the log, cause if you had the wind as well, you would be able to look at apparent/true wind and assess whether you were getting a speed from the log unit. Suggest a query to raymarine tech support?

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[Chris_Robb]

No - I have the complete set - so there is no difference in the apparent wind - does the tranducer send direct to the wind intrument? if it does - must be the transducer that is not working

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[billmacfarlane]

My old St 50 transducer packed up after 10 years use with a similar problem. I had to get a new skin fitting as the new transducer didn't fit the original hole.

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[Talbot]

again I dont have all the answers, but with this data, the tech support people at Raymarine should be able to tell you what needs doing - ring 023 9269 3611 and ask for tech support.

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[Piers]

Better still, call that number and dial 1614 for Dave Wellcome - he's their technical guru and has helped many forumites.

<hr width=100% size=1>Piers du Pré
http://www.dupre.co.uk

 

[Chris_Stannard]

Have you tried fitting a different paddle wheel (eg your spare) just incase the magnetic bit has become demagnetised.

<hr width=100% size=1>Chris Stannard

 

[Chris_Robb]

is it possible to change just the paddlewheel? I don't have a spare one.

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[qsiv]

If you get to an expensive stage you can drop in a solid state transducer that generates the same number of pulses as the paddle wheel - no more clearing weed and barnacles, and another step to drier bilges!

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[Chris_Robb]

Where can you get hold of tha solid state (dopler effect?) transducer. Will it fit the autohelm? Do they work when covered in crud on the outside?

BTW - the wind was fantastic over the weekend thank god. Really wanted the log as I have never had the spinnaker set in 26 knots of wind, to see what she was doing.

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[qsiv]

A number of people do them - some require interface boxes. The one I know about is from <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bandg.com>B&G</A>, which is unlikely to be the cheapest, but is the one specified for the new boat.

Just check the pulse per mile issue (most seem to use the same rate).

As for the wind - the midweek forecasts seemed more accuarate than the later forecasts. That weekend in Jersey, we had an absoluute flat calm on Saturday - sea was like a mirror, so there was a monumental diffence in just 70 miles or so.

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[Chris_Robb]

Thanks for that.

Chris

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