Simrad WP5000 wheelpilot problem

[alanwilson]

I've got a Simrad WP4000, upgraded to WP5000 wheelpilot: can't change to anything else due to lack of room round the wheel to install. It's fine except (1) very noisy and (2) continually hunts. (1) I can't do anything about. Has anyone any ideas about (2)? Typically when sailing in moderate seas, it will rotate port then starboard for about 2 seconds, back & forth, back & forth; then a pause for a few seconds, then again hunting back & forth. I've tried every setting I can & returned it to Simrad who say it is working perfectly.
Anyone had the same problem?

 

[jackho]

Just a thought - you may have the compass unit too close to the motor and picking up interference !!!???

 

[alanwilson]

Don't think so: it's 1.3m away: should be enough.

 

[Capt. Rob]

Where is your control/FluxGate located on your vessel. It has to be center to boat to cause pendulum to settle down.. if the pendulum is moving all the time the unit will cause it to move all the time. Make sure its installed centered and not port side or starboard. Also you can test this by holding unit in your hands and rocking it to test responses. tilting forward and back then left to right there is about 3 sec delay before action with servo motor.

If while testing it you find tilting it port then back to center "SLOWLY" that the motor runs CW then stops..its good However, If you find motor runs CW then CCW then stops.. then I would check power connections first for proper clean VDC with no AC in it. Its important that the connection to wp5000 and fluxgate gets pure 12VDC. Please make sure your tests are done slowly and not to jar the unit around. your tests should include, just like a clock face start at center with no movement. results motor does not try to rotate motor. wait there 30 sec with no movement of fluxgate. now SLOWLY bend it forward to 12:00 motor should not move then back to center for 5 sec. then to 6:00 and then back to center.. again no motor movement. if its good move onto next test... try now from center to 9:00 and back to center your motor should run fast to turn the wheel however, at 10:00 or 11:00 movements you should see slower movements and the same for 7:00 to 8:00.

When you install fluxgate back.. Make sure its installed at its right level to. If its installed too forward then it will have a false center or resting point and will always be searching for resting/center-point.. Hope this helps all of you!
Regards, Capt. Rob
stargazeriinh@gmail.com

P.S. If your not sure about clean 12VDC.. Hook up to a separate battery and do the same tests.. I have seen inverters and strange things happen with bad power..lol