Raymarine ST60 Wind Instrument

[Sailfree]

Tried e bay but only a new display for £275.

I need a secondhand display unit to try as current unit goes for mostly 30 min but sometimes for 10hrs. Just want to eliminate display as the problem or if faulty - get it fixed.

Checked voltages at mast base and transender seems OK.

 

[nigelmercier]

Have you considered one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390621046337

I bought one as a bare PCB, but haven't built it yet.

 

[Sailfree]

Not sure it will help. Every time I measure voltages from wind vane they are working ok.

After 2 yrs and paying raymarine £300 to replace mast cable I think I am looking for a intermittent wiring fault from base of mast to display or a display fault.

Raymarine agent says it's impossible to locate intermittant fault that can go 10hrs working perfectly so go for component replacement until fault eliminated.

That's where I am now!

Green Regis advise that some upgrade their instruments at SIBS so may be secondhand ST60 available then.

 

[nigelmercier]

What are the symptoms of the fault?

 

[Sailfree]

Switch on instruments always OK at first.

Sometime between 10min and 10hrs display will go dead with wind speed indicted by 3 horizontal dashs and wind direction going to due N. Occasionally before failing the wind direction wildly oscillates.

Head unit has been of/on about 6 times and contacts now greased with electrical grease - contalube 550. Mast base voltages always seem OK. Mast wiring replaced by Raymarine agent.

When fault first developed it often went say a month perfectly OK. On recent 7 week cruise it switched off fairly quickly but last two trips it went for 5hrs and 10hrs before failing.

Been hoping it would get worse and permanently fail then fault would be easy to find & fix!

 

[nigelmercier]

I'm feeling a bit guilty because I do actually have a spare, but I'm using it at the moment. I guess we could do a swap and I could try to fix it.

Have you taken it apart and cleaned the internal contacts? I removed the motor and gave the whole PCB and case an ultrasonic bath.

 

[Andrew G]

Can you temporarily replace the cable from the base of the mast to the back of the instrument to rule that section of cable out as a cause? (I had a similar problem that was an intermittent cable fault). Andrew

 

[pelissima]

I have the exact same symptom for quite some years now.
But I have noted that it is very much related with voltage.
That is when sailing and instruments are reset, then no problem as long as voltage remains below aprox 13Volts. Turn the engine on or hook 220 mains from pontoon, voltage goes above 13 Volts and ST60 wind goes dashes. Pls see if yours has similar behavior.

 

[Sailfree]

Thanks for suggestions.

Next step is that I will check display connections.

I will then put in temporary cable - good idea I had not thought of that and envisaged taking had linings down to discover cable route.

Getting a bit fed up with Raymarine problems as having finally upgraded software on E80 & E120 now find RADAR doesn't work - might be a co-incidence and separate failure.

 

[pelissima]

I'm afraid you will find the connections to be in good condition. If your display can be removed easily and you have access to another boat with same display you might put yours there and watch its behavior. I did this and verified my transducer and cabling are ok

 

[nigelmercier]

I'm afraid you will find the connections to be in good condition...

Psychic? Or someone who hasn't seen what damage a small leak can do to electronic gear.

 

[Sailfree]

Had a good talk with Raymarine at SIBS today - they could not be more helpful.

For a deposit they are going to lend me a short display lead and spare mast head unit.

1. Disconnect existing display and check connections

If no obvious problems:-

2. Move display to base of mast and use short cable - leave running and see if it cuts out.

If it cuts out & got strong assistance to climb mast (where are small boys that go up chimneys when you need them!)

3. Replace mast head unit

If OK buy masthead unit If cuts out still return display to Raymarine for checking

Any better ideas?

 

[Andrew G]

Very helpful and should track down your problem - but also ensures Raymarine get your business rather than switching to another brand . . .
Re battery voltage, that may be an issue but I would have thought that too low was more of a problem, or any spikes (eg engine, HF radio etc)? In any case it should operate within quite a decent range. Andrew

 

[pelissima]

Psychic? Or someone who hasn't seen what damage a small leak can do to electronic gear.

Or someone who he and a few of his friends had bad experiences on ST60 wind electronics so their confidence on the specific instrument is now seriously shaken.
By the way do we have any news on this one?

 

[ctva]

Mine is erratic in the readouts despite checking connections, servicing the masthead unit completely and checking the cable. It is 15 years old so I have come to the conclusion that throwing several hundred pounds and possibly not sorting it is pointless. So I'm going to bite the bullet and get a garmin system which is uptodat and not old technology. Any modern system would suffice I think but I like the Garmin stuff.

 

[Sailfree]

Mine is erratic in the readouts despite checking connections, servicing the masthead unit completely and checking the cable. It is 15 years old so I have come to the conclusion that throwing several hundred pounds and possibly not sorting it is pointless. So I'm going to bite the bullet and get a garmin system which is uptodat and not old technology. Any modern system would suffice I think but I like the Garmin stuff.

I am waiting for end of boat show to visit Raymarine and borrow spares.

Would a garmin interface with Raymarine chartplotter?