Autopilot drive motor beeps

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jimali

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Hi

I have an annoying 'feature' with my autopilot. The drive unit is a 2000 vintage Autohelm type 2 rotary drive and a type 3000 course computer (if that matters).
Every time it makes a course adjustment it beeps - its loud enough to be annoying especially if you are asleep in the cabin below.

I have the unit off the boat at the moment with the intention of servicing the unit and replacing the internal drive belt.

Any ideas how to stop it would be really appreciated - I am sure it is not meant to do it.

PS the boat is new to me and has done it all the time.

Thanks in anticipation

Jim
 
Hi

Just for interest I also posted this query on the Raymarine technical forum

Here is the reply I got from them

Unfortunately due to the age of the system, there is no solution available to change the operation of the system. The sound is due to the frequency of power being provided to the drive by the course computer. You will need to change out the course computer in order to change the operation of the system.

They are no maintenance documentation available for the rotary drive units.

Interesting feature!!

Regards

Jim
 
MASH said:
What the **** does "Change out" mean?

Why can't you just disconnect "out" the beeper?

Out.
Click to expand...

I got the same kinds of non responses when I was having problems with a Type 300 course computer. I think Raymarine can't be arsed to support old equipment. A pretty damning indictment methinks.

The power in the system hasn't changed due to age and, if it has, it's for a reason which Raymarine probably know of :(
 
MASH said:
Why can't you just disconnect "out" the beeper?
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with the rotary drive unit (I've dismantled and fixed a linear one), but surely it doesn't have an actual beeper in it? What would be the point?

I think they're saying it's something a bit like the buzz you sometimes get in a wire-wound transformer, but a bit higher pitched.

Pete
 
MASH said:
What the **** does "Change out" mean?
Click to expand...
It's a ghastly American expression creeping into our language meaning
"the replacement of a spent, used, dysfunctional or otherwise inferior part or object with a new one"
 
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Hi

I spoke to Raymarine at LIBS yesterday. They knew nothing about it.

There is no beeper. They thought the sound was because the controller uses pulses to control the motor and a bit like transformer noise is induces a high frequency beep. They suggested trying messing around with the settings but otherwise £2000 for new controller and associated grub bins.

A bargain for something that is 14 years old and otherwise works perfectly!! How many years should something that is not an insignificant cost last

Earplugs my be the cheap option
 
I had exactly the same problem on my boat just before we left on the ARC. The thought of 3 weeks with the constant beeping was too much to contemplate. But it was a real pain to work out where it was coming from. We tried the motor itself, changed the display unit, and checked the gyro compass, before taking advantage of the Raymarine Engineer who was on site at Las Palmas. He wasn't sure what was causing it either but changed the printed circuit board on the course computer as it was the only part we hadn't tested and , presto, no more noise. 5 years on, the beep, beep hasn't returned. I kept the old PCB as a spare (as it was fine, apart from the noise) but I'm relieved to say, we never needed to use it. So, a new PCB for you I suspect.
 
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Interesting. My autohelm is same type and vintage with the same course computer. I have exactly the same problem now into its third year. Zefender was kind enough to point out the likely solution to me some time back but as yet I have not bitten the bullet as it works well in all other respects.
 
SteveSarabande said:
I have a beeper on my old tiller pilot. It beeps when it fails to auto-steer. Maybe yours has one you can disconnect
Click to expand...

Autopilot systems have a beeper in the control head, but it would be nonsensical to put one in the drive unit which is normally squirrelled away in the bottom of a locker / engine bay / etc.

Pete
 
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