Autohelm ST7000 Problem

[varekai]

My Autohelm ST7000 is giving me a problem. On auto it will work for about 5 min. then it will start to go off course and then I get "Drive Stopped" message. Does anyone know what could be doing this. I also put it on auto on mooring then hit + 10 deg. wheel moved +5 degrees then -10 degrees and no wheel change then I got Drive Stopped message.
Any ideas???

[Capn Dan]

If you get wheel movement when pushing +10 but not -10, then you probably have a bad course computer, possibly bad transistors.

[varekai]

Originally Posted by Capn Dan

If you get wheel movement when pushing +10 but not -10, then you probably have a bad course computer, possibly bad transistors.

I got it to go to port and starboard twice and then to stopped and gave me the message drive stopped

[DeepFrz]

If its an electro/mechanical linear drive unit, take it apart and clean out the carbon and replace the brushes.

[Capn Dan]

If you are getting equal and good movement in both directions, the try removing the rudder reference and see what happens.

A faulty rudder reference can cause the drive stop error. Some course computers will work without the RR some will not.

[cool cat]

I am not sure if the right place to ask a ST 7000 question, but here it is. I have a unit that is giving me problems. Currently if you push auto pilot it engages the hydraulic pump but the compass reading is stuck at one number 56 degrees ( this number will vary by a few degrees) which is not he magnetic compass direction. If I turn the power of and on many times it once in a while will come up with the proper magnetic heading ( if I put a metal object by the flux gate compass it will alter the magnetic reading) but when it is turned off it reverts back to a 56 degrees. There are no metal objects near the fluxgate compass. So if any one can advise me I am trying to figure out if the problem is the flux gate compass or the course computer.

[Capn Dan]

Start witth checking the fluxgate connections at the computer and then test the fluxgate per this link:

https://raymarine.custhelp.com/app/a...etail/a_id/134

[sabray]

A failure in the drive motor will cause this check connections at board and the drive motor.mine did this and i replaced drive motor reconnected all lines even soldered in new diodes ray marine was great walking me through this. End all was computer is dead bought new x ~30.

[surfmachine]

mate, maybe the power wires to your motor are reversed, try reversing them, worked on mine.

Then, maybe recalibrate the fluxgate compass or move it to a new position and do the sea trial calibration again?

But, sounds to me like the wires to the motor are reversed?
Good luck from Keith.

[cool cat]

Thank you Capt Dan. I went to the web site and used their method for checking flux gate compass . All ohm reading were good is their any way to check the course computer.

[Capn Dan]

The easiest way is to switch out with another computer. There is no simple way to test the computer like with the fluxgate.

When in STBY, does your compass respond?

[cool cat]

The compass only responds to boat movment if you turn it on and off many many times and then it may come up with the proper magnetic reading, and then it will respond. Most of the time it reads 56 +/- a few degrees no mater which way the boat points.

Thank You
Paul

[Capn Dan]

Since you just tested the compass & all was OK, the problem is most likely in the computer. If you have any other sea talk instruments or nmea connections interfaced with the computer or control head, disconnect them and see if that makes any difference.

[cool cat]

Hi Capn Dan This st 7000 is going to drive me crazy. About a month ago I hooked up my garman gps to the nmea input and removed ray marine gps unit that was corroding away. Just now I powered up the system after removed the garman interface. ( I am in Bonaire) It started up the first time with the correct magentic bearing the I shut it off and now it wants to come back on at 56 degrees each time.

[Capn Dan]

Bonaire is probably as good as any place to go crazy and that is why autopilots were put on this earth!

If in Stby and it goes to 56 and you get no change when you move the compass, I would say you are probably in the market for a new computer. They can be repaired, but probably not in Bonaire.

If nothing else, you may still be able to use the AP in Track mode. The computer will utilize info from the GPS, not the fluxgate.