Raymarine Smart Controller loses connection

[gstent]

Any ideas why my Raymarine Smart Controller has started to randomly lose connection to the pilot and other data? Seems to be an intermittent fault - how do I diagnose?

[transmitterdan]

Is this a wireless controller? If so, which one?

[Emerald Sea]

Raymarine have a technical forum. It would be worth a try to ask this question there. They will need a full description, as would someone here on CF to aid in finding a solution.

[transmitterdan]

Assuming the OP has the wireless Smart Controller then there are some possibilities for random disconnection. Trouble shooting steps below assume that it used to work perfectly and now it has changed which is what the OP suggested.

1) The wireless base station is powered by the Seatalk network. It can be installed by discrete wiring or via the standard Seatalk connector. Either way, if the base station loses power momentarily then it will disconnect from the handheld controller and take some time to reconnect. Check the Seatalk cable connecting the base station to the network for loose wires or plug.

2) Sometimes the radio signal from the base station can be blocked by metal or even thick fiberglass. Has anything been changed about the installation such as new equipment or repairs to the boat itself? If so, there may be something blocking the radio signal or merely weakens the signal.

3) The radio frequency used by the wireless system is similar to that used by cordless phones (not cell phones) and those annoying flying drones. It's possible some other radio signal nearby is causing interference. To diagnose this idea requires a bit more information about when and where the disconnection happens.

4) Lastly the handheld unit is battery powered. The battery may be aged and reducing the range.

[NirvanaBob]

Not posted anywhere in Raymarine's Smart Controller manual is that IF the Smart Controller battery runs down, you will lose all connectivity to the autopilot and all data feeds to the Controller. And worse, more often than not, the Autopilot goes tomastandby. So, be sure that your Smart Controller is charged when you use it, and while in use, plug it in to recharge while in use. Cheers, Bob

[knockabout]

had trouble with smart controller she told me to f... off she was listening to an ebook / after checking the plotter the boat was on course and sails trimmed so I left it how it was / the problem went away after it got hungry

[gstent]

Fantastic help I will follow up on those suggestions and keep them in mind - I need to educate myself particularly about Seatalk wiring and connections.

[jamhass]

Likely the battery. Readily available. Just be very careful with disassembly. The halves of the shell are held together with little prongs and matching mortises that can be broken. Any battery rebuilding place will have a replacement, likely with greater capacity. Even found them easily in Mexico.