[C320-list] Issues with ST4000+ Autopilot

[John Stetson]

Thanks for all the great ideas. I will probably replace the belt and check
all the wires and terminations. I will report back with any findings.



John Stetson
Morning Star…Again #578


On Wed, Jul 17, 2024 at 1:54 PM Dave Hupe via C320-list <
c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

> 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
> > >>
> > >>
> >
>
>