[C320-list] Autopilot and 'crazy ivans'

[Jeff Hare]

The crazy turns on a unit that has proper settings is likely to be caused by power sags, inadequate grounding, too many seatalk powered devices in a chain or fluxgate compass interference.

The AP motor should not share the same power and ground with the other instruments. Installers often don't run BOTH a dedicated pwr and gnd, but run new power and rely on existing ground. That's not a good practice without enlarging the existing and. Result could be similar problems as an undersized supply which is a voltage dip when the motor spins up or encounters a heavier load.

Just because it may have worked for years and you didnt add anything doesn't mean that this can't be the cause. Conditions in the wiring and batteries can change and resistances may have changed enough to make this now significant.

Also transmitting the vhf could cause issues too. 

Warren Updike <wupdike at hotmail.com> wrote:

I still have the ST4000+ and still get the Crazy Ivans. From what I
understand, the newer models have a separate course computer with gyro and
accelerometers that do a much better job of steering in adverse conditions:
following seas, large waves, high winds, etc. 

I'd appreciate any comments from those with the newer units as well as
experience with other than Raymarine autopilots.

Warren & Pattie Updike
1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"

-----Original Message-----
From: Jason Alexander [mailto:alexander.jason at gmail.com] 
Sent: Friday, June 03, 2011 7:49 AM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Autopilot and 'crazy ivans'

Is there any major advantage to upgrading to the X-5/S1 if you have an
ST4000 and it's working just fine. I have not kept current on the
Raymarine autopilots. I am considering putting in a chart plotter
next spring and that might drive me to upgrade some other components.

Jason

On Fri, Jun 3, 2011 at 12:11 AM, Rick Sulewski <rsulewski at bex.net> wrote:
> Alan,
>
> It may be helpful to know which autopilot model is causing the crazy
ivans.
>
> Two years ago I upgraded to a Raymarine X-5 with the S1 drive unit and
> experienced similar crazy ivans and the unit was sent back and a new unit
> was installed since the CPU program upgrade did not do the trick.
>
> If you have the older ST 4000, it may be time to upgrade to the X-5/S1
> combo.
>
> Rick
> My-Ria # 277
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Alan Goodman
> Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2011 10:43 PM
> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Autopilot and 'crazy ivans'
>
>
>
> This winter, I posted about my Raymarine wheel autopilot suddenly and
> without warning making aggressive turns to starboard.  I had tested the
> fluxgate compass and the control head per Raymarine service literature ...
> and all checked out.  Some forum members suggested checking (for bad
> connections, broken or damaged electrical wires, etc) the positive supply
> and ground wires comprising the power feed to the control head  ... again
> all checked out.  Consensus was some sort of short or other electrical
> supply problem.  Well, we were right about it being an electrical supply
> problem ... but wrong as to the cause.  In the end it was a low voltage
> problem caused by a 'tired' battery bank.  This Spring I did the 'upgrade
to
> the 2 x 4D house bank and 1 x grp 24 start bank ... so adequate voltage is
> always available to the autopilot ... and without any other changes all is
> well !!  Hope this helps others in the future that may experience the same
> problem.  Alan Hull 67 Holland MI
>
>
>