[C320-list] Repairs for Legacy Autopilots

[Robert Sloat]

Rod-If you can’t get the autopilot into calibration mode, then you may have a problem with the control head.  Mine would not respond to any input and also gave the dreaded STLK FAIL message.  Even when the autopilot was on with the error message, you could not get true wind on the wind instrument.  The main processor interfered with the wind instrument.  When the autopilot was depowered and all Seatalk cables disconnected from it did the wind instrument work fine.  The fluxgate compass inputs to the autopilot were on spec so the diagnosis was a faulty autopilot.  I don’t have the autopilot settings for C320s handy but they have been floated around over the last year and may be on the C320 site archives.  Sometimes the fluxgate compass can cause troubles for the autopilot.  There are spec resistance settings for the various fluxgate connections.  Again I don’t have those handy but did find them on Raymarine support. 

On Aug 7, 2014, at 5:57 PM, Rod Boer <rod.boer1 at verizon.net> wrote:

> Hi Bob,
> 
> Thanks for the timely information.  I am having problems with calibrating
> "Audrey", which is my affectionate name for the auto pilot when she is
> operating properly.  I will contact Dan and see if it needs service or if
> there is a way to get everything working by a pressing and ordered sequence
> of buttons. Thanks again.
> 
> Rod 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
> Of Robert Sloat
> Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2014 12:09 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Repairs for Legacy Autopilots
> 
> Mates-I just had my ST 4000+ wheel autopilot  control head which Raymarine
> no longer services repaired by Dan Gerhardt who was mentioned a few months
> ago by a fellow C320 owner on this site. Costs vary with the amount of work
> and my repair was a lot less than what Raymarine charged the last time this
> unit was repaired 6 years ago.  He turned it around in a few days and it is
> running fine with all the original settings intact.  His contact info is
> c250 at mydurango.net.  He is out of that great sailing community of Durango
> CO!  He also buys and sells autopilots and services autopilots from
> Raymarine, Raytheon and Autohelm. He told me he has done other instrument
> repair but with varied success.  Advise dropping him a note if you have an
> autopilot repair need for cost and shipping information.  I don't know if he
> does autopilot repairs for units that Raymarine still services.  
> 
> I am not Gerhardt's agent nor is he related.  I am just delighted to get the
> repair done quickly in the middle of the season and saving me a lot of angst
> over spending a lot of money for an upgrade replacement and the hassle of
> installation a control computer along with the instrument display or taking
> a chance on buying a used control head over eBay..  
> 
> If your legacy autopilot control head breaks down, the alternative if you
> cant't get it repaired could be well over a $1000 for a new display and
> control computer or looking on eBay for a used control head which would be
> cheaper.  Most of the ST 4000 + control heads on eBay when I last looked
> were used and cost well over twice my $150 repair cost which included
> including return shipping if prepaid.  While the upgraded Raymarine
> autopilot is very good looking, it doesn't match the 2002 area ST60 +
> instruments I have on the Nav Pod.
> 
> One thing I learned about the Raymarine ST 4000+ is that both the display
> and the control computer are in the control head which is the instrument
> itself.  This apparently was a poor design as this is the second time it has
> been repaired over 13 seasons.  STKL FAIL error message is bad news on the
> instrument.  The newer wheel autopilots have a separate instrument and
> course computer, the latter installed some where else on the boat. And you
> might have to get a separate drive motor which may not be a direct
> replacement for the drive motor for the 4000 + possibly requiring more holes
> to drill in the Edson pedestal and maybe moving the engine instrument box a
> little.
> 
> Bob Sloat
> Savannah 894 (2002)
> Waukegan Harbor, IL
> 

Bob Sloat