Tiller pilot st2000 going crazy

[mattonthesea]

Recently, George, the tiller pilot has decided to fully extend or retract his arm irrespective of any settings given. I have checked the compass gimbal and wiring but no change. If he is kept absolutely still then he is ok but as soon as he is moved he just goes whirr crazy.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[MoodySabre]

Have you installed any new equipment or radio speakers within compass interference distance?

 

[Ink]

Has it got wet recently? Sometimes a couple of days in the airing cupboard works wonders.

Ink

 

[mattonthesea]

Thanks but no new equipment and no rain (whilst in use).

 

[Scotsailor]

Is your mobile phone well away from the autopilot? … this has caused difficulties for me in the past

 

[mattonthesea]

Phone on chart desk!

Is your mobile phone well away from the autopilot? … this has caused difficulties for me in the past

 

[Yosilas]

Mine too is called George after George III the OS.

I had this problem a few years ago and sorted it by recalibrating it according to the instructions in the manual.

 

[RupertW]

Has it reversed its orientation? In other words does it now think it’s on the port not starboard side. The key presses to change sides are not that complicated so might just have been accidentally done when tacking or fiddling with it.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I'd agree with those who suggest that you check which side it is set up for - the full extension of the ram does sound like what happens if that's wrong.

However, unfortunately, these aren't particularly long-lived , and are subject to water ingress. When my previous one went west, it started to behave in erratic ways much as you describe. As it was on the SeaTalk bus, it also started to send other equipment haywire - things like the log sudden;y reading in km/h rather than knots! I tried all the drying out tricks, but nothing worked;, and I eventually bought a replacement, which I have made a cover for!

 

[mattonthesea]

Mine too is called George after George III the OS.

I had this problem a few years ago and sorted it by recalibrating it according to the instructions in the manual.

Thanks all,

I downloaded the manual (both of my tiller pilots have come with a boat) and surprised to find out what it can do if I had things to connect it to ?

Recalibrated it and all fine now.

I do love the helpfulness of this parish. ?

Matt