B&G Network Pilot - Oscillating Rudder

[mikejdavison]

Hi folks,

When I turn my Pilot on (ie: go from stand-by to "auto" in compass mode) the pilot immediately starts to drive the rudder back and forth from about 10 or 15 degrees starboard, and then to port and back and forth. It's constant, and quick. To this point, I haven't had the nerve to leave it doing this for more than 30 or 40 seconds before returning to stand-by.

SOME DETAILS:

I have an aged but (formerly) very reliable B&G Network Pilot autohelm. My setup includes a hydraulic ram - the same one driven by the helm. There is no play in any of the mechanics, and she's responding nicely to the helm. I have 2 angle sensors on the rudder - an old mechanical one that predates Moses and just works, and the electronic one that feeds into the pilot. The two displays agree. The electronic compass also agrees with the binnacle.

I just put the boat back in the water after an extended haul during covid, and in the process when I was messing with things, there is a CHANCE that I messed up a setting as I was tinkering, but I'm not certain. Anyhow, whether I caused the problem or not, I have gone through all of the settings and commissioning settings using the commissioning manual, and my untrained eye has not found anything too unusual.

Does anyone have any wisdom in the lost art of Network Pilot behaviour?