Autopilot problem

[Powersalt]

I have a raymarine st6000+ autopilot, which developed a fault 2 years ago and the fluxgate compass had to be replaced. Well blow me but the compass appears to have gone again. IT was fine on the trip out but on the way back the compass sticks on 150.

I just wondered if any others have had re occuring problems with this kit or if a electrical expert might be able to give advice as to why they should keep failing. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[hlb]

Had one for ten years, it's like a guided missile. Only problems, the pump dont like getting wet, bit daft as it's besides the rudders. Only other one, is bleeping SHALLOW WATER, but it's not conected to a depth sounder. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

No other trouble. Oh, except when the shower leaked into a junction box, it did not like that.

 

[spannerman]

The compasses usually give very little trouble, what does the course computer look like, is it a black case with external ribbing on it, if so these have a tendency to fail with the same symptons you have as they get older, Raymarine can repair them if you send it in. A simple test is to remove the compass and manually rotate it to see if the reading alters on the head unit, also you can very gently tilt it from side to side and listen if you can hear the pendulum tapping as it swings. If it doesn't you can remove the 4 small screws which hold the dome cover and check to see if its hung up inside.

 

[hightech]

We used to see a number of compass come back with dry joints on the circuit board inside the compass. 5 mins with a soldering iron used to sort them out though.

If you get the unit open, you will see it has a fish tail into a connector, a gentle pull on the tailwillrelease itfrom the connector. If you then look at the tail there will be 6 terminals, one of them goes nowhere the other five can can be measured with an ohmmeter. You should see two connect together with about 8 ohms resistance, then the other thre will alsoconnect to each other across two pairs you will see about 4 ohms and across the last pair you will see 8 ohms, i.e. a centre tapped coil. the values are plus or minus a coupleof ohms. any majordifference or open circuit and there is your fault, trace the tail up to the top and look to see if there is adry joint or broken wire. About 80% were fixable!

 

[Powersalt]

yes its a black ribbed case, fixed on the inside by the engine control casing.
I did remove the fluxgate and it has like a metel ball inside and it was not jammed in any way. Oh and the compass reading did not turn when I turned the unit.

 

[Powersalt]

how is the compass fixed into the black box. This sounds silly but I could not work out how the clips into the main unit work,
I shall have to remove it next weekend.

What signs are there to indicate its the main unit? or do I have to test the fluxgate for elimination

 

[Powersalt]

ok, but what if its the black box

 

[blueglass]

have used the same set up for 5 years now and found it pretty bombproof other than 2 occasions in the middle of a passage when it suddenly turned ther boat round in tight circles - anyone experienced this? Both times we were in quiet areas of the med and later when I checked in Rod heikel's pilot he said GPS anomolies had been reported in the area. What GPS problems could cause that? A few miles further on and all OK again.

 

[DAKA]

[ QUOTE ]
found it pretty bombproof other than 2 occasions in the middle of a passage when it suddenly turned ther boat round in tight circles - anyone experienced this?

[/ QUOTE ]

Have you changed your batteries or been low on power ?

Mine has also done this once 4 years ago and again last weekend, just enough time not for me to immediately remember what to do.

I think the compass deviation memory is lost as power falls.

Your autopilot will reset itself but not to the correct setting you are used to.

If you stay within close track values then the autopilot will work normally but if a large wave knocks you off track then the autopilot may think 270' turn is closer than 30' that you would choose.

I suggest a recalibration may be in order, easy to do takes about 5 minutes


press standby for 2 seconds
turn a slow 360' circle
adjust autopilot readout to be the same as gps and press standby for 2 seconds.

Hope it works, it sorted mine out /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[blueglass]

interesting DAKA but no we didn't have any previous low battery issues. I just switched it all off and steered manually for half an hour and then tried again and it resumed normal accurate service without any recalibration. I guess just a glitch but glad to hear Im not the only one - a bit disconcerting at the time.

 

[SolentPhill]

I was told dont put anything in the area where the compass is located as it will effect it. I had a sauce pan in the locker and it caused big problems. Then I stored spare sheets and had problems so left it empty and never had a problem. Its static and magnets that causes issues