autohelm tuning

[snowleopard]

having a struggle with my ST5000+ (hydraulic). it weaves 10-15 degrees either side of the course in calm conditions, consuming a lot of amps and making it unusable for windward sailing.

i spoke to the bods on the boat show stand but they dismissed me with a contemptuous 'its just a matter of tuning' and went off looking for someone to sell something to.

i've tried adjusting all the possibly relevant parameters (rudder gain, rudder damping etc.) in the setup but am getting nowhere. does anyone know the correct tuning sequence before i throw £1200 worth of kit in the skip and change to another manufacturer?

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[bob_tyler]

Have a look here:- http://www.raymarine.com/raymarine/SubmittedFiles/Handbooks/Legacy_Handbooks/Autopilot/ST5000Hydraulic.pdf

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[dick_james]

Try the website in the states. They have a customer service section that answers technical queries within three days. Took less than a day to answer my question. They also have a whole load of FAQs you can search through. Very helpful. I've had the same response from staff at boat shows. If you don't wave plastic cards or fifty pound notes at them they don't want to know.

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[cliff]

Tell me in which skip and when you are dumping it please - 24 hour notice required so I can be there! Better still parcel it up and post it to me - I will happily pay the postage.

Always fancied a spare one just in case. (Autohelm that is)

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[Rohorn]

Hi Snowleopard...is this recent, or has it always been like it? Seem to remember you've got a two cylinder on crosshead type set up. Mine weaves due to play in steering. Poor mechanical, not hydraulic. Maybe there's some effect which looks like play to the Autohelm. Do you have checkvalves? Maybe some crud in there?....Cheers R.

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