Autohelm ST6000/7000 help

[petrolhead63]

My ongoing project is nearing completion. currently i have an issue with the autohelm I hope somebody has experience in.
We have ST6000 on main helm with an ST7000 repeater control head on the 2nd station. The first station all seems to function well and as it should although heading is about 7 degrees out according to GPS tracking. I think that can be sorted.
I intend connecting the nmea to the auto pilot but only when it is known good.
The ST7000 control unit on the 2nd station displays as a repeat of what is on the first unit BUT does not work as a controller in any way. None of the buttons function in any way, so it is not right.
The first control unit has two cables into it, which I believe is one to the main computer and the other up to the 2nd station control unit. A third socket is on it...ready for nmea.
The 2nd station control has just one cable in, the second unused cable is cut off but I also believe this would only be the daisy chain to another seatalk instrument or 3rd control unit?

any thoughts on the issue would be great, is it a wiring fault or a set up issue? I wondered if it has been programmed with the 2nd unit as just a repeater..not a controller?

Or is one of the three wires into it not connected/broken somewhere along the route.

Worse would be the ST7000 control unit simply faulty?

Thanks to anybody taking the time to read this long post!

 

[Keith-i]

I don't have any experience of using a repeater but on our st6000 there are quite a few setup menus where you might very well be able to adjust whether it is a repeater or controller. I doubt any wires are broken as seatalk needs all three to send the data down the daisy chain so if you are getting repeat data then the wires must be fine.

 

[superheat6k]

I can send you links to the service and user manuals by PM. As a simple check look closely at the cut off cable and check that none of the three cores strands are touching each other at the cut point.

 

[petrolhead63]

Hi, thanks for the helpful ideas. I will check the cut off cable. I have a user manual and the basic installation one but not a proper full service one so that would be good. I will also check the cable at both ends to the the 2nd station control, although it is thought all three wires need to be connected for it to work I am not certain.....could one cable and earth power it and repeat but without the 12v supply the buttons not power up?
Not one button beeps or works and on reflection the plugs down on the main station have been on and off a few times in winter to remove a panel which the display is mounted on and gain access to other cabling etc.
If all 3 wires are connected well it seems like it could be a faulty control unit so that means I may need another ST7000 or ST6000 control unit ;0(

 

[superheat6k]

Here is link to the ST6000/7000 service manual. I hope it is of some use. If you manage to fix it do come back and tell us what you found.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/s5zx2xbv020z7b4/Autohelm ST6000 ST7000 Inboard Service Manual.pdf?dl=0

 

[petrolhead63]

Thanks, by the way I have always loved the corvette 32 ;0).......fantastic boat!