Autohelm ST7000 Problem

[cool cat]

Hi Capn Dan If I hook up the Garman GPS how can I get the autopilot to the track mode as you suggest. Paul...

[Capn Dan]

Set the GPS to track to a waypoint. Set the AP to AUTO and hit track.

[cool cat]

Thank you Capn Dan I will try this out and see how it works. Paul...

[varekai]

If your rudder referance is off 3-5 degrees on an autohelm ST7000 can it cause a "Drive Stopped" error?

[Capn Dan]

The "Drive stop" message is caused when the computer shuts down the drive. This can be caused by 1) a faulty rudder reference, 2) drive exceeding the preset stop limits, 3) the AP can not turn the rudder. The last can be caused by a bad drive, bad steering parts, excessive weather helm.

If your rudder indicator is 3-5 degrees off, it would cause the AP to think that is has exceeded it's pre set rudder limits earlier than it should. It would also let the rudder travel too far on the opposite side. You can center the rudder display in the set up program.

[varekai]

I finally found the problem. There are transistors on the side of the computer, they look like round disks. Took out the 2 screws holding them in then pulled out the transistors and cleaned the two prongs on them put them back and have not had a problem all summer so far. I spoke to 4 autohelm Techs, 2 told me it was the computer so I should buy a new one, 1 said it was the reference arm and the third said it was the drive.