Raymarine AP No drive detected and invlaid command errors

[davethedog]

Afternoon all, suddenly developed a few issues with the Raymarine setup we have onboard. Has been working fine for the last 2 or 3 years but in the last few weeks had some strange errors and issues with the autopliot side.
In summary when I turn the system on all is good and no issues but when I try to use the autopllot I get the following errors:
Pilot - no drive detected
Pilot - invalid command
Also have noticed that we no longer can see the rudder position on any of the displays.

We have a ACU400 driving a type 2 linear drive,
I have checked all the backbones and Ng cabling and all seems good.
I have tried the diagnostics under maintenance and the ACU400 does not seem to appear in the ALL DATA list, but THINK it used to before though not sure.
The EV1 has a green light and we get heading data etc from that OK.

So, any ideas what it could be as thinking it could be the ACU400 but that is providing power to the Ng network OK.
Have attached a few screen shots and any help greatly appreciated!

DTD

 

[RunAgroundHard]

My Axiom+ showed loss of drive (NECO rotary motor) for two main reasons. The first was when the slip ring / carbon brushes were dirty and this was an intermittent fault. Once cleaned that went away. The second reason is when I don't switch the power onto the NECO motor at the switch panel. Maybe this can give you a clue where to look, check that power is getting to the Type 2 and that the power can actually make the Type 2 stroke. Good luck.

 

[Boathook]

My Axiom+ showed loss of drive (NECO rotary motor) for two main reasons. The first was when the slip ring / carbon brushes were dirty and this was an intermittent fault. Once cleaned that went away. The second reason is when I don't switch the power onto the NECO motor at the switch panel. Maybe this can give you a clue where to look, check that power is getting to the Type 2 and that the power can actually make the Type 2 stroke. Good luck.

A good call about the power.
I had a similar problem with my autohelm and I couldn't remember the fix until you mentioned power to the drive unit. I had a separate switch for the drive due to the power used. The instrument switch turned on all the instrument displays only on my boat. Made sense when I fitted it ....

 

[HunterWanderer]

There are two power connections to the acu. One is the instrument power and the other is the drive power.
Sounds like you may have a poor drive connection.

 

[davethedog]

Thanks but am not seeing the ACU400 showing on the SEATKALKNg network when I run the diagnostics page. So for some reason it no longer shows up.