This week I started having issues with my Ramarine autopilot setup,
after 2 years of no-problem-usage.
The ST8001 control head shows the error message "drive stopped". The
symptom is that the autopilot appears to fall asleep or lose interest,
and then wanders off on its last correction. If I hit the standby
button, and then rehit Auto, it often but not always seems to "re-
awaken" the autopilot , but after 2 or 3 minutes the same thing would
happen.
Over the course of 24 hours the problem grew to the point that it will
no longer come back after hitting standby and the auto.
today I tried to do the initial setups again (dealer, sea trial, etc)
but it would not engage the drive.
I have a motor drive, not hydrolic. and I belive there is nothing
wrong with it, nor nothing stuck in it.
I have checked the rudder sensor and have not found anything wrong
with that either.
If the wheel doesn't lock when you push the "Auto" button, you aren't getting power to the motor and clutch. You can check the output from the processor unit to see if it is putting out 12 volts when you push the "Auto" button. If you see 12 volts at the processor output, it is a wiring or motor problem. If you aren't, it is a problem in the unit itself which may require it to be returned to Raymarine for service.
We had a similar problem a couple years ago, and it was because the brushes in the motor were worn and stuck, so that they were not consistently making contact with the rotor.
Carl "Gambei" B 411 #53
On Nov 30, 2007 5:46 AM, Mark R. <m...@goreads.com> wrote:
> This week I started having issues with my Ramarine autopilot setup, > after 2 years of no-problem-usage.
> The ST8001 control head shows the error message "drive stopped". The > symptom is that the autopilot appears to fall asleep or lose interest, > and then wanders off on its last correction. If I hit the standby > button, and then rehit Auto, it often but not always seems to "re- > awaken" the autopilot , but after 2 or 3 minutes the same thing would > happen.
> Over the course of 24 hours the problem grew to the point that it will > no longer come back after hitting standby and the auto.
> today I tried to do the initial setups again (dealer, sea trial, etc) > but it would not engage the drive.
> I have a motor drive, not hydrolic. and I belive there is nothing > wrong with it, nor nothing stuck in it.
> I have checked the rudder sensor and have not found anything wrong > with that either.
As someone else has already mentioned, the problem may possibly be with a lack of power at the linear drive. use a volt meter at the connections leading to your drive unit below deck and while the control head is in auto. if you have at least 12vdc, then the issue is likely in the linear drive unit itself.
Your description of the troubles sounds just like the problem we had early on with our type 2 drive unit, at very random times, not long after installing our RayMarine type 2 linear drive autopilot. Our symptoms were that the drive would just stop in one position, and the boat would wander off course with the steering locked. in our case the linear drive still had power and the clutch was engaged as it should have been. You could not hand steer which made things onboard a bit interesting the first couple of times it happened. We also had a message on the control head but I don't recall if it was "drive stopped" as you are seeing or if it was something else, it has been several years since that problem happened.
When I spoke with the service center by phone, they asked that the next time it happened, to "bump" the drive with my hand as hard as I dared to see if the drive came back to life, ours did and this indicated a bad set of motor brushes. I removed the drive and the autopilot control head as a precaution and drove them to our local service center about an hour away on my next day off. They changed what they called "soft" brushes for a new set of brushes, cleaned the motor armature and did a test on their test stand, all at no cost to me. while I waited they also did a software update to the control head so that I had the latest software version for our ST6001 control head. I don't think I was in the service center more than about 45 minutes total. That was done in mid 2003 and I have never had an issue since that repair.
I feel reasonably confident, with how you have described your troubles, that you are experiencing the same problem we had. the good news is that if I am right it will be an easy fix once the unit gets to RayMarine for a repair. try giving the linear drive unit a "whack" with something soft and see if the drive comes back to life, my guess is that it will and you will then know exactly what you are dealing with.
I found Rick's comments and your description spot on.
I had the same error message - multiple times - and your symptoms of 'falling a sleep" are exactly what I was experiencing. I did the same resets as you.
Since my unit was still under the 2 year warranty, I had numerous conversations with the tech. guys at Rarymarine. All the techs (3 different guys) sail that it was mostly likely the rudder sensor.
I found, however, that it was actually the power to the drive unit. That is why I think Rick's thoughts were right on the money.
I made sure the connection to the drive unit was strong, it wasn't, and since then I have not had any problems.
David *Temptress *Madison, WI
On Nov 30, 2007 4:46 AM, Mark R. <m...@goreads.com> wrote:
> This week I started having issues with my Ramarine autopilot setup, > after 2 years of no-problem-usage.
> The ST8001 control head shows the error message "drive stopped". The > symptom is that the autopilot appears to fall asleep or lose interest, > and then wanders off on its last correction. If I hit the standby > button, and then rehit Auto, it often but not always seems to "re- > awaken" the autopilot , but after 2 or 3 minutes the same thing would > happen.
> Over the course of 24 hours the problem grew to the point that it will > no longer come back after hitting standby and the auto.
> today I tried to do the initial setups again (dealer, sea trial, etc) > but it would not engage the drive.
> I have a motor drive, not hydrolic. and I belive there is nothing > wrong with it, nor nothing stuck in it.
> I have checked the rudder sensor and have not found anything wrong > with that either.
Thank you to each that took the time to reply. I tested the power to
the drive when the control panel was in "auto" mode and I was getting
12+ volts.
I then tested several times to see if I could get it to engage, and I
no longer could.
I then tryied the suggested method of "tapping" the stainless steel
band on the motor, and magically the unit would now work again,
although only temporarily (say 4 or 5 minutes). I could then it
suspend, followed by auto, and it would again reengage. I think I
only had to use the mallet 2 more times over 4 hours, but clearly the
motor is damaged.
I sent an email this morning to Raymarine, explaining the situation.
Following is their response.
From raymarine tech via email:
The drive unit that had open brushes, were on the clutch but these
drive units were replaced with the current style back in 1987. So it
sounds like you have a problem with the brushes in the motor and these
are not replaceable. A new motor is the fix for this. The dealer in
your current area should be able to order you a motor. If you have the
T1 Rotary drive unit, the replacement motor is part number N001.
Any thoughts ? At $1200 for a new motor, I would appreciate it if you
disagree and think the brushes could / can be replaced, if you would
email me or reply to this note.
$1,200 for a drive motor sounds like robbery to me!
I'm about to send my ST4000+ control head/display in for repair - I guess the $200 flat fee is a bargain. I'm glad my motor still works... I would have thought the price of the motor would have been less than the electronics in the controller.
[mailto:Beneteau-Owners@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Mark R. Sent: Monday, December 03, 2007 5:03 PM To: Beneteau Owners Subject: {Beneteau Owners} Re: Raymarine Autopilot Error Message
Thank you to each that took the time to reply. I tested the power to the drive when the control panel was in "auto" mode and I was getting 12+ volts.
I then tested several times to see if I could get it to engage, and I no longer could.
I then tryied the suggested method of "tapping" the stainless steel band on the motor, and magically the unit would now work again, although only temporarily (say 4 or 5 minutes). I could then it suspend, followed by auto, and it would again reengage. I think I only had to use the mallet 2 more times over 4 hours, but clearly the motor is damaged.
I sent an email this morning to Raymarine, explaining the situation. Following is their response.
From raymarine tech via email: The drive unit that had open brushes, were on the clutch but these drive units were replaced with the current style back in 1987. So it sounds like you have a problem with the brushes in the motor and these are not replaceable. A new motor is the fix for this. The dealer in your current area should be able to order you a motor. If you have the T1 Rotary drive unit, the replacement motor is part number N001.
Any thoughts ? At $1200 for a new motor, I would appreciate it if you disagree and think the brushes could / can be replaced, if you would email me or reply to this note.
All: Boat on hard and have barnacles on shaft and propellor. For fee can have yard remove ... they say they 'scrape' barnacles off. I was thinking of just doing it myself in Spring. Not sure abt the 'scrape' part but thought of electric drill w/attachment of wire brush. What are the thoughts of the group? Any expert advice? Hope all have a great holiday! Paul OC351> >
.hmmessage P { margin:0px; padding:0px } body.hmmessage { FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY:Tahoma } All: Boat on hard and have barnacles on shaft and propellor. For fee can have yard remove ... they say they 'scrape' barnacles off. I was thinking of just doing it myself in Spring. Not sure abt the 'scrape' part but thought of electric drill w/attachment of wire brush. What are the thoughts of the group? Any expert advice? Hope all have a great holiday! Paul OC351
--------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.
> All: Boat on hard and have barnacles on shaft and propellor. For > fee can have yard remove ... they say they 'scrape' barnacles off. > I was thinking of just doing it myself in Spring. Not sure abt the > 'scrape' part but thought of electric drill w/attachment of wire > brush. What are the thoughts of the group? Any expert advice? > Hope all have a great holiday! > Paul > OC351
We had a similar issue with the alternator on our Audi allroad - pricing. They wanted over $ 600 for the part and 4 hours for installation. At the suggestion of our Catalina owning dock neighbor I took it to an automotive electric shop that specializes in rebuilding alternators. They rebuilt it for $ 200. I would bet you could find a shop to rebuild your autopilot motor.
Mark R. wrote: >Thank you to each that took the time to reply. I tested the power to >the drive when the control panel was in "auto" mode and I was getting >12+ volts.
>I then tested several times to see if I could get it to engage, and I >no longer could.
>I then tryied the suggested method of "tapping" the stainless steel >band on the motor, and magically the unit would now work again, >although only temporarily (say 4 or 5 minutes). I could then it >suspend, followed by auto, and it would again reengage. I think I >only had to use the mallet 2 more times over 4 hours, but clearly the >motor is damaged.
>I sent an email this morning to Raymarine, explaining the situation. >Following is their response.
>>From raymarine tech via email: >The drive unit that had open brushes, were on the clutch but these >drive units were replaced with the current style back in 1987. So it >sounds like you have a problem with the brushes in the motor and these >are not replaceable. A new motor is the fix for this. The dealer in >your current area should be able to order you a motor. If you have the >T1 Rotary drive unit, the replacement motor is part number N001.
>Any thoughts ? At $1200 for a new motor, I would appreciate it if you >disagree and think the brushes could / can be replaced, if you would >email me or reply to this note.
Those little shops are still around -- just hit the yellow pages. I had a starter motor for a 3o-year-old tractor rebuilt this way -- it was like new. -Milner
________________________________
From: Beneteau-Owners@googlegroups.com [mailto:Beneteau-Owners@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Jim Martin Sent: Monday, December 03, 2007 11:52 PM To: Beneteau-Owners@googlegroups.com Subject: {Beneteau Owners} Re: Raymarine Autopilot Error Message
We had a similar issue with the alternator on our Audi allroad - pricing. They wanted over $ 600 for the part and 4 hours for installation. At the suggestion of our Catalina owning dock neighbor I took it to an automotive electric shop that specializes in rebuilding alternators. They rebuilt it for $ 200. I would bet you could find a shop to rebuild your autopilot motor.
Thank you to each that took the time to reply. I tested the power to the drive when the control panel was in "auto" mode and I was getting 12+ volts.
I then tested several times to see if I could get it to engage, and I no longer could.
I then tryied the suggested method of "tapping" the stainless steel band on the motor, and magically the unit would now work again, although only temporarily (say 4 or 5 minutes). I could then it suspend, followed by auto, and it would again reengage. I think I only had to use the mallet 2 more times over 4 hours, but clearly the motor is damaged.
I sent an email this morning to Raymarine, explaining the situation. Following is their response.
>From raymarine tech via email: The drive unit that had open brushes, were on the clutch but these drive units were replaced with the current style back in 1987. So it sounds like you have a problem with the brushes in the motor and these are not replaceable. A new motor is the fix for this. The dealer in your current area should be able to order you a motor. If you have the T1 Rotary drive unit, the replacement motor is part number N001.
Any thoughts ? At $1200 for a new motor, I would appreciate it if you disagree and think the brushes could / can be replaced, if you would email me or reply to this note.
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----- Original Message ----- From: paul pryor To: beneteau-owners@googlegroups.com Sent: Monday, December 03, 2007 4:58 PM Subject: {Beneteau Owners} Barnacle Removal
All: Boat on hard and have barnacles on shaft and propellor. For fee can have yard remove ... they say they 'scrape' barnacles off. I was thinking of just doing it myself in Spring. Not sure abt the 'scrape' part but thought of electric drill w/attachment of wire brush. What are the thoughts of the group? Any expert advice? Hope all have a great holiday! Paul OC351
This sounds like the same problem we had with ours. I removed the motor and checked the brushes. In our case there was plenty of material left on the brushes, they were simply stuck in their copper enclosures. I freed them up, cleaned them and sprayed them with corrosion block and the motor has worked fine for the last three seasons.
Carl "Gambei" B411 #53
On Dec 3, 2007 5:03 PM, Mark R. <m...@goreads.com> wrote:
> Thank you to each that took the time to reply. I tested the power to > the drive when the control panel was in "auto" mode and I was getting > 12+ volts.
> I then tested several times to see if I could get it to engage, and I > no longer could.
> I then tryied the suggested method of "tapping" the stainless steel > band on the motor, and magically the unit would now work again, > although only temporarily (say 4 or 5 minutes). I could then it > suspend, followed by auto, and it would again reengage. I think I > only had to use the mallet 2 more times over 4 hours, but clearly the > motor is damaged.
> I sent an email this morning to Raymarine, explaining the situation. > Following is their response.
> From raymarine tech via email: > The drive unit that had open brushes, were on the clutch but these > drive units were replaced with the current style back in 1987. So it > sounds like you have a problem with the brushes in the motor and these > are not replaceable. A new motor is the fix for this. The dealer in > your current area should be able to order you a motor. If you have the > T1 Rotary drive unit, the replacement motor is part number N001.
> Any thoughts ? At $1200 for a new motor, I would appreciate it if you > disagree and think the brushes could / can be replaced, if you would > email me or reply to this note.
I think Jim's suggestion is something I would also try before giving $1200 up. You always have RayMarine as a backup plan if they can't fix the current motor.
