[C320-list] Issues with ST4000+ Autopilot

[Dave Hupe]

I believe power is an issue.  I found that my autopilot would go Ivan on me if I kicked on my water supply pump while the autopilot was engaged. Your refrigerator might also do the same due to a power draw issue.
Dave Hupe
1994 C320 #32
Holland, MI

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer 
 
  On Wed, Jul 17, 2024 at 12:23 PM, Gary Magnuson via C320-list<c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:   In an effort to simply add my experience with my 1995 hull 205. The auto
pilot demonstrated it habbit of going to port at the most inopportune
times. I have found no logical reason, other than I have no rudder position
indicator on my boat. My maiden voyage was 677 mil3s from Whitehall
zmichigan to Bayfield Wisconsin  in the spring of 2007. Being new to the
boat, I called it a " Crazy Ivan" from the movie The Hunt for the Red
October. I have never found the real problem, but suspected, perhaps,
something like the refrigerator, or some other electrical componant cycling
on or off. Still a mystery to me, but I have learned to just be ready for
it. If left alone in an open part of the lake  it will come back on course,
so I don't use the AP when the course is critical.  Anxious to hear of a
real fix someday.

Gary Magnuson
Time A Weigh
1995 # 205

On Tue, Jul 16, 2024, 9:08 PM Ferris Wills via C320-list <
c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

> John,
>
> I see a similar behavior: when I first engage the ap, it will occasionally
> veer to port immediately. This happens maybe one in twenty engagements.
> Otherwise it works as expected. I simply disengage and reengage and that
> always works.
>
> When I first bought Argo (#505) two years ago, the ap was not working - I
> disassembled the wheel mechanism, replaced the belt and cleaned everything
> . I also rewired the electrical leads to the motor as I found a bad
> connection there. Finished by recalibrating as per instructions in the
> manual.
>
> The weird veering behavior is kinda recent, so I should probably check my
> motor connections again - that seems to be a weak point in the design. I
> don’t have a rudder sensor. Let me know if you get to the bottom of it!
>
> Thx,
> Ferris
> Argo #505
>
> Typos by iPhone
>
> > On Jul 16, 2024, at 6:10 PM, John Stetson via C320-list <
> c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> >
> > Dennis,
> > Thanks for the input, particularly from your hull number!  I have checked
> > the rudder position sensor and it seems to be working fine.  In fact, the
> > whole system seems to be functioning as it should.  I am thinking that
> the
> > intermittent nature of the issue is a wiring problem.  Very frustrating
> to
> > not know when it is reliable and when it is not.
> >
> >
> > John Stetson
> > Morning Star...Again
> > Hull 578
> > 1999
> >
> >> On Mon, Jul 15, 2024 at 4:56 AM Dennis Cookson via C320-list <
> >> c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> John, check that the ST4000 controller is showing the correct position
> of
> >> the rudder at the bottom of the display, adjusting as you turn the
> wheel.
> >> If not, check the wiring from the rudder reference unit (position
> >> indicator) to the SmartPilot unit in the aft lazarette.
> >>
> >> Your vessel was built at the same time as ours and we likely have the
> same
> >> system!  I am currently relocating my rudder reference device as it was
> >> never installed properly and only worked in light winds.
> >>
> >> Dennis Cookson
> >> ‘Catalina’ 0577
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>> On 14 Jul 2024, at 18:32, John Stetson via C320-list <
> >> c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Our Raymarine ST4000+ Autopilot system is original, installed in 1999.
> >>> When activating the AUTO mode, the helm goes hard to port.  We have
> >>> verified the Dealer settings and recalibrated, including successfully
> >>> turning the boat to swing the compass.  Intermittently, the autopilot
> >> will
> >>> work correctly and then, unpredictably, initiate the same turn on its
> >> own.
> >>> We have confirmed that there are no ferrous metals within 0.8 m of the
> >>> fluxgate compass.  Would appreciate any words of wisdom short of
> >> upgrading
> >>> to the Evolution EV-100 Wheel Sail Autopilot.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> John Stetson
> >>> Morning Star...Again
> >>> Hull 578
> >>> 1999
> >>
> >>
>