Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 17-08-2015, 17:07   #1
Registered User

Join Date: May 2015
Location: Pewaukee, WI
Boat: Grand Banks 36 CL
Posts: 9
Why is my Robertson AP200DL sleeping on the job

Robertson AP200DL autopilot sleeping on the job Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post
When I am in autopilot in calm to 2 ft seas the autopilot can work fine for hours. Once the seas pick up a bit, the autopilot loses control and alarms fairly frequently. What happens is that I will note that it has not corrected for awhile, and the an alarm sounds saying that we are more than 20 degrees off course. The code that is set is F80 -off course warning. When this happens the autopilot brings it right back in, but on occasion it over corrects.

To me, the laymen it seems like for some reason it stops auto piloting until the alarm wakes it out of it's stupor.

Any idea on where I should start looking? By the way I have one control on the flybridge and one in the pilothouse. They both have the same problem.
myronf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-08-2015, 06:58   #2
Registered User

Join Date: May 2015
Location: Pewaukee, WI
Boat: Grand Banks 36 CL
Posts: 9
Re: Why is my Robertson AP200DL sleeping on the job

Any ideas on my Autopilot problems?

Myron
__________________
Miss Bailey
Grand Banks 36
myronf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-08-2015, 16:18   #3
Registered User
 
DeepFrz's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Winnipeg
Boat: None at this time
Posts: 8,462
Re: Why is my Robertson AP200DL sleeping on the job

Check your fluxgate compass. It sounds like maybe the fluxgate compass jams when the boat starts bouncing around. The manual can be downloaded here.
Manuals
DeepFrz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-08-2015, 16:32   #4
Registered User
 
Cheechako's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,477
Re: Why is my Robertson AP200DL sleeping on the job

or possibly the auto pilot being overpowered by the rudder when the water is rough sends it into some mode ....?
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard











Cheechako is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26-08-2015, 05:57   #5
Registered User

Join Date: May 2015
Location: Pewaukee, WI
Boat: Grand Banks 36 CL
Posts: 9
Re: Why is my Robertson AP200DL sleeping on the job

there is some water in the area where my fluxgate is mounted. Any chance that splashing water would cause my symptoms?

Thanks
Myron
__________________
Miss Bailey
Grand Banks 36
myronf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2015, 14:45   #6
Registered User

Join Date: May 2015
Location: Pewaukee, WI
Boat: Grand Banks 36 CL
Posts: 9
Re: Why is my Robertson AP200DL sleeping on the job

Update.

I just got back from a 6 hr cruise today. The waves were 0-2 ft. After about 45 minutes the above problem of going way off course occurred. After shutting the unit off and then turning it on, the unit would work 5 minutes to as long a 1/2 hr before going off course. I have convinced myself that the problem is not rough water related.

any ideas would be appreciated.

If it is the fluxgate compass how do i troubleshoot it?
__________________
Miss Bailey
Grand Banks 36
myronf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-09-2015, 14:16   #7
Registered User

Join Date: May 2015
Location: Pewaukee, WI
Boat: Grand Banks 36 CL
Posts: 9
Re: Why is my Robertson AP200DL sleeping on the job

I checked and cleaned all connections and they looked good. Took it out for a ride.

I also drained and refilled the hydraulic reservoir. The autopilot work fine for 25 minutes or so, then started to screw up. It started drifting to port. At 20 degrees off, the alarm went off and then it woke up and corrected to starboard.

I believe that it always drifts to port when it screws up and only does it when warmed up. It does not seem to be wave dependent. Any ideas?

Thanks
Myron
__________________
Miss Bailey
Grand Banks 36
myronf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13-10-2015, 07:45   #8
Registered User
 
Sailor954's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Wherever the anchor is set.
Boat: GAME PLAN, Celestial 48, Center Cockpit Cutter
Posts: 39
Re: Why is my Robertson AP200DL sleeping on the job

Two things come to mind. I have the same unit and am familiar with it.
First, and most likely, is to check the area around the flux compass for anything that might influence the compass. Cans of food in a adjacent locker were the offending gremlins in my case. I think the specs call for 2 feet clearance. I went with 3 and that did the trick.
I would also check the power source to make sure it's not fading in and out due to any number of reasons.

Hope this helps


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum
Sailor954 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Singlehanding - Sleeping - Good Idea ? kingfish The Sailor's Confessional 332 24-02-2018 03:51
For Sale: Robertson AP200DL components Pau Hana Classifieds Archive 1 03-02-2014 18:43
Looking for Crew Job / Boat Tender / Delivery Job livingsoon Meets & Greets 1 01-10-2009 14:32
Sleeping Patterns for Live-Aboards? Pelagic Liveaboard's Forum 11 12-06-2008 19:51

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:16.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.