Autohelm woes

[Roger_D]

Have ST 7000 autohelm self steering + set of wind, speed depth log etc ST50s on board. Previous owner said it all worked, but I find that heading on Autohelm is anywhere from 20 to 180 degrees out when swiched on. (it also sometimes reduces the heading value when turning to starboard!)

The main log reverts to 0 everytime it is powered up..(not just the trip log) Although the autohelm will hold the boat on a course, as soon as I alter it with the + or - buttons, it goes round in tight circles.

I cannot find the fluxgate compass (without systematically dismantling the boat) The previous owner did not know where it was.

Prior to releasing the boat, the previous owner removed a Yoeman plotter connected to an old decca machine which had been upgraded to GPS(I am told), I wonder whether this was telling the autohelm its heading, but if so how could it now maintain a heading without directional imput?

Very confused. I will have a more serious go at finding the fluxgate, but am wondering if it exists. Tracing the wiring is hard. Any views would be gratefully received.

 

[mainmarine]

on the back of the ST7000 is there a row of 5 connectors marked compass, if so and they are wired up, then the fluxgate must be somewhere, they can be mounted low down but must be on a vertical bulkhead facing forward. If you have a separate ST50 compass then the fluxgate could be connected to this, 5 wires again.

 

[Roger_D]

Thanks, there are 6 coming out of one end and 4 out the other of the course computer Unfortunately not at the boat, but will take cover off to see which is connected to the Fluxgate this w/e...

 

[ShaunG]

Have you reconfigured the unit and linerised it, you can download the manuals Here
the diagrams in the manuals may help you source the fluxgate, if your log is not keeping it's memory it may be the same with the Autopilot, it may also have lost its memory of it's settings and defaulted back to factory

Good Luck

 

[achwilan]

apart from purely electrical problems, i think you should locate the fluxgate compass: some time ago i saw a boat playing antics for weeks ... till the skipper discovered the place the fluxgate was, and he had put a radio set (eg loudspeaker magnet...) just above it...

 

[Roger_D]

Thanks all very much for the advice, I will now search with new vigour for the fluxgate & plough through the several hundred pages of manuals. I did note that the vhf radio is some 6 inches above the course computer, but was ever thus and presumably worked before.

 

[mandlmaunder]

Sounds like Fergus-d got it .find the compass and you will almost undoubtedly find something big and magnetic within 2 feet, but remember that is 2 feet in any direction