[C320-list] Autohelm

[Allan Field]

Joan - First a story.  On Sunday evening, I sent an e-mail to Raymarine
through their website regarding the ST 4000.  The problem I had was that I
needed the proper clamps for a new wheel I bought.  At 8:30 AM the next
morning, I received a reply asking for additional info. I immediately
replied.  At 8:40 AM, I received another reply with the part number.  The
point is that after this experience, I would try to work with Raymarine
before upgrading.  I was super-impressed by the service level.

Now for your issue.  When I first bought my boat, the autohelm took me all
over the place... except where I wanted to go.  For the most part, the boat
would veer about 15-25 degrees off course to port, swing back through 15-25
degrees to starboard, and then start the cycle all over again.  I fiddled
for months with the settings.  Finally someone from this list sent along
what turned out to be the correct settings for the ST 4000 for the C320.
After using the settings, I have never had another problem.  But again, if I
did, I would try and work with Raymarine first just because they are so
incredibly responsive.  

Following are the settings that worked for Sea Shadow.

An important setting is drive type = 2.
 
 Calibration Lock             OFF
     Pilot Type               4000whl
     Rudder Gain                 2
     Response                    2
     Turn Rate Limit            20
     Align Rudder               0
     Rudder Limit               20
     Off Course Alarm            20
     AutoTack                   100
     AutoTrim                    3
     Drive Type                  2
     Variation                   0
     AutoAdapt                  nth
     Latitude                   The correct latitude for the location of
                                      the boat.
     Rudder Damp               4
     Cruise Speed              A

Good luck and let us know if this works!

Allan S. Field
Sea Shadow - #808

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-List-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:C320-List-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Sweetwater Yacht
Charters
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 1:03 PM
To: C320-List
Subject: [C320-list] Autohelm

We have never been able to get the Autohelm on Persistence to work
correctly. Apparently the previous owner had problems too. I have decided to
replace the unit this year. The old unit is the ST4000 (not the ST400+)
My question: I think I can get an upgrade from Raymarine to go from the
ST4000 to the ST4000+. This would be much cheaper since it would work with
the equipment already installed. Has anyone done this? Also, does anyone
have suggestions for a better system? My feeling after doing research is
that the ST4000+ is adequate, but not great. Of course, the service
department would like me to buy a nice, expensive system! I sail on the
Great Lakes (primarily Lake Michigan) so I don't need anything really heavy
duty, but we do some long distances when delivering so it can't be
light-weight either.

-Joan
 C320 #90 Persistence

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