AC12/42 commissioning....

[lateral]

I bought a spare off Ebay as I'm trying to accumulate the gear for sustained shorthand/ singlehanding.
Current AC12 works great coupled to a RM type 1 drive.
A few days ago I thought I better test the new computer so de-wired the AC12,
(4 wires, 2 plugs.) and popped in the AC42 with fuse from AC12.

Powered up and did dockside, factory reset, rudder reference, rudder test, success, yada yada. Went sailing and on hitting auto it immediately turned.
OK, so turned off & went sailing.
Back in berth did a couple of tests and it worked correctly, albeit turning the wrong way when I swung the arse of the boat from side to side.
Once I had corrected my dislexic setup it did maintain its heading correctly when I swapped port for starboard in the setup. (In berth, 0 cog)
When I go back for sea trial/ compass calib I'm picking this will not solve the original problem? I'm picking it will keep turning to reciprocal heading.
I couldn't test how far it would turn previously as I was in a very narrow channel.
If so, do I have to set the compass with 180° offset?
Odd that the AC12 didn't do that.

[transmitterdan]

It’s a bit hard to follow what you are doing from your writing. But if I understand correctly you had port/starboard reversed. Any autopilot wired backwards like that will always turn the wrong way and send the boat in a circle no matter what brand it is.

[lateral]

Originally Posted by transmitterdan

It’s a bit hard to follow what you are doing from your writing. But if I understand correctly you had port/starboard reversed. Any autopilot wired backwards like that will always turn the wrong way and send the boat in a circle no matter what brand it is.

Thanks TD. Will go out and give it a try.

[Shoalcove]

My AC42 works great. I agree that you have something wired backwards. Get that sorted, calibrate it and then (why not?) pack the AC12 for the backup. The AC42 is a heavy duty unit that seems like a great choice as primary.