Raymarine Autopliot Disengages After Turning off the E120Classic

[ernoquic]

Hello,

My autopilot an S3 and ST6002 smartcontroller disengages after a few minutes from auto if I turn my E120 Plotter off?
This is not a big problem but I like to shut off the plotter on longer trips (we did the atlantic and the plotter was on for 19 days)!!!
I checked all the cables but cannot find it.
The Raymarine Techs told me to disconnect the red Seatalk wire to the E120, but my GPS signal and autopilot connection is not any longer on the E120.




Best Regards,

Erno Straatmann
S/V Tara
from the Netherlands
currently on a mooring in Bonaire

[capngeo]

Ern... Welcome to CF!

Your pic doesn’t show up because you linked to a “closed” Yahoo account. Also the filename extension needs to be a valid image file such as .jpg or .bmp

[colemj]

Are you navigating to a waypoint, or just to a compass heading? If to a waypoint, then the plotter supplies that information to the AP and turning it off will disengage the pilot.

Also, do the pilot computer or compass get its power through the plotter? It sounds like it may be since disconnecting the seatalk cable disconnects the power to it (if I understand your description correctly).

Have you tried just engaging the AP with the plotter turned off?

Mark

[ernoquic]

Hello,

Thanks for your replies!
I am navigating on a course on the ST6002 display and not to a waypoint, The pilot has his own power. And it disconnects after 5 or 10 minutes, later i can put it on Auto again for a few minutes till it disengages.
I have not tried to go on autopilot just without the plotter on, because I always put the boat on course and than put it on Auto!

Erno

P.S. sorry for my Enlish

[ernoquic]

Tommorow I will try to go on autoplilot. with the E120 in OFF mode and an other option without seatalk connected.

Best Rregards,

Erno

[sy_gilana]

Hi. I think the Ray-techs told you to dis the red wire on the seatalk bus, not the power wire. Ok the course computer is not mentioned in your message. Also the gps connection is not mentioned. IF you have a ST GPS, connected to the Course Computer and the Control head, you should be able to maintain a course without any plotter attached. The heading info is read by the fluxgate compass, or do you have a gyro? Please can you advise what gear you have and how connected something like...
Course computer with rudder feedback and fluxgate and joystick
Seatalk bus connected to ST6002+GPS+Plotter+CourseComp

The fact that it takes a few minutes usually indicates loss of position fixing information. Please try to tell more...

[colemj]

Originally Posted by ernoquic

Hello,

Thanks for your replies!
I am navigating on a course on the ST6002 display and not to a waypoint, The pilot has his own power. And it disconnects after 5 or 10 minutes, later i can put it on Auto again for a few minutes till it disengages.

Does it show an error message when it disengages? Something like "DRIVESTOP" or "RUD REF" or "LOW BATT"?

Mark

[ernoquic]

Hello,

I Put an Photo on this link;
869759 - Cruisers & Sailing Photo Gallery

The autopilot just goes from auto to standby in about 5 or 10 minutes after I shutdown the E120

The GPS is connected to the S3 (non Gyro)coursecomputer to the first seatalk connection together with another seatalk cable wich goes to the ST6002 and other displays.

I have an flexgate compass to conected to the S3 fluxgate port.
The second seatalk connection is to the instruments in the saloon multi display, vhf etc.

Best Regards,

Erno