Raymarine Autopilot computer

[RupertW]

After a season trying to get the thing to work it's now time for me to replace my Raymarine S3 Course Computer with something that works.

The hydraulic ram seems to work fine - push 10 degrees to port and the wheel turns to port and vice versa. The compass works when in standby and the rudder indicator works all the time. The local boatyard tech has been convinced for the last year that the computer is the issue and I've finally run out of other ideas.

So as the S3 seems to be obsolete and unavailabl then does anybody know if the new raymarine course computers are compatible with the rams that work with the S3?

I'd hate to spend 1.5k and find I need to spend at least that again on a new ram.

 

[bendyone]

I use a S2 computer with a vetus ram and helm with a simrad pump. Works well for me.
Sounds like your S3 is not giving the power to the pump when in the auto steer setting.

 

[RupertW]

I use a S2 computer with a vetus ram and helm with a simrad pump. Works well for me.
Sounds like your S3 is not giving the power to the pump when in the auto steer setting.

Interesting to know you can mix and match like that.

The behaviour is that it keeps the boat on an approximate straight course then either or over-corrects with stronger and stronger turns of the wheel. Whilst the binnacle compass is showing the boat going off, say 90 degrees, the auto helm compass display shows 5 or 10 degrees difference changing backwards and forwards.

 

[noelex]

The drive units are usually compatable. The computer just supplies them with 12 (or 24v). The only issue is if the computer can supply enough current I would still check with Raymarine to be sure.
Raymarine have an annoying habit,however, of making the computer and the display incompatible when they do an upgrade. So check this carefully.

Raymarine used to good at answering technical queries, but they have changed hands and I not sent any questions to them for a few years.

 

[nigelmercier]

So what's it actually not doing properly

 

[RobbieW]

It might be worth getting the code on the chip in the S3 refreshed. I've read, on an OCC forum (I think this is open for read to all), of folk with similar sounding problems doing this and fixing the autopilot.

 

[demonposter]

Hi Rupert, just a couple of things:

You generally find that the newer control units work with the older course computers but the other way around is when you have issues mainly due to calibration or being able to access advanced options inside the newer computers.

Would be able to offer more advice if you could find out the s/w version inside of the course computer. To do this push and hold the "standby" key for about 10 seconds until a Vx.xx appears on the control unit, push the "display" key once and this will page over to a 2nd version which is the one I am interested in? The first software version is the version of s/w on the control unit the second is the s/w version of the course computer, I had problems with V4.13 which had issues with bridged heading and could cause compass issues.

The new SPX range of course computers are available with both the ST6002 and the ST70 colour autopilot controls so if you have the ST6002 then you should be fine. If you have a ST6001 or earlier then I would ring Raymarine and ask them for advice or indeed to test this as I suspect that you may have an issue

 

[Hants Marine Tech]

After a season trying to get the thing to work it's now time for me to replace my Raymarine S3 Course Computer with something that works.

The hydraulic ram seems to work fine - push 10 degrees to port and the wheel turns to port and vice versa. The compass works when in standby and the rudder indicator works all the time. The local boatyard tech has been convinced for the last year that the computer is the issue and I've finally run out of other ideas.

So as the S3 seems to be obsolete and unavailabl then does anybody know if the new raymarine course computers are compatible with the rams that work with the S3?

I'd hate to spend 1.5k and find I need to spend at least that again on a new ram.

Hi Rupert,
You could get this checked out by myself, I am an ex raymarine technician and in the process of starting up my own repair business, I have over 15 years experience with them.
I would be happy to check this for you FOC and just charge for and work that needs to be done, i can also upgrade to the latest software for you, let me know if this is viable for you and I will send u my email addy
Regards