Auto pilot issue

[Mattyb]

Hi all

Tried to use the autopilot on our new to is boat today but have an issue. It's a course master cm800. When I hit the pilot button to engage the pilot it turns heavily (about half to 3/4 of a turn) to starboard. It then over shoots heavily the correct heading. That problem I think I can get rid if through the menus etc but why would it instantly deviate when I engage the pilot? It is a 25 tonne ketch so steerage is not very reactive but that shouldn't influence the course when the autopilot gets engaged. Any suggestions appreciated


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[colemj]

Are you steering to a waypoint or a compass heading when this occurs? If to a waypoint, then it is attempting to zero out the cross track error before resuming course.

Mark

[Paperbird]

Had that happen. If its a hydraulic system, check for air in the lines. That was our issue


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[FlightPlan]

I had a tech put a waypoint into the computer 600NM from out position at the dock. He was testing something and left it activated. He left after doing his work. Finally I figured it out because I kept seeing DTW 99.99 NM to next WPT. Sounds like it would be simple to discover, but my B&G's don't register above 99.99. Also on another occasion, the rudder reference bar was bent when servicing the packing on the shaft. You might look at that too.

[Mattyb]

Thanks guys. I was steering to compass. There is no nmea set up on this one as when I hit the nav button it just sits there thinking. The air in the lines makes the most sense so far as when I bought it it was low on hydraulic fluid so I will try that and see how I go. Now to figure out how to bleed it

[Mattyb]

Me again! So I did more reading up on bleeding these etc but I just went out to the boat to see what brand etc everything is and going by everything I have read this system should really bleed itself. See the below pic is the pump which is located higher than everything else. By turning full lock to full lock which I have done many times without it engaged should bleed it automatically? I stand to be corrected!


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[Mattyb]

With pic . You can see where the fluid level was when I first got it and made me thought air would have surely got in


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[Paperbird]

The way I can test mine is to put the hydraulic valve in the autopilot position (usually a lever by the helm) and then try to turn the wheel. If the air is all out of the system, the wheel should not move more than a fraction of an inch (excepting play in the cables, etc). If it turns more, that is an indication of air in the system that is being compressed allowing the wheel to turn.


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[Mattyb]

Originally Posted by Paperbird

The way I can test mine is to put the hydraulic valve in the autopilot position (usually a lever by the helm) and then try to turn the wheel. If the air is all out of the system, the wheel should not move more than a fraction of an inch (excepting play in the cables, etc). If it turns more, that is an indication of air in the system that is being compressed allowing the wheel to turn.


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Excellent I will try that. Also just found how to bleed it easily so will do that next weekend and also clear any heading that it may have from previous waypoints if it is capable.

[Mattyb]

So the plot has thickened a bit. There appears to be no air in the lines. Upon closer examination after our last sail when I hit the pilot button to lock on the course the wheel brings itself back to centre and then starts steering back to its course! Once back on the course it appears to hold it very well. Now the question is what programming do I need to do to correct this???? Seems very ofd


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[clownfishsydney]

Try a cold start and set up from scratch.

[Mattyb]

Yeah I guess that is the next step.


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