Raymarine Autopilot Error Message
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Mark R.
Nov 30, 2007, 5:46:24 AM11/30/07
to Beneteau Owners
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.
Your thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.
-Mark
"Calpurnia"
Beneteau 461
http://GoReads.com
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.
Your thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.
-Mark
"Calpurnia"
Beneteau 461
http://GoReads.com
Carleton Bryant
Nov 30, 2007, 8:59:47 AM11/30/07
to Benetea...@googlegroups.com
Mark,
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
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
Rick Donovan
Nov 30, 2007, 10:07:49 AM11/30/07
to Benetea...@googlegroups.com
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.
This is a link to the factory repair web site for Merrimac, New Hampshire that I use for any RayMarine problems or questions.
david grove
Nov 30, 2007, 8:24:22 PM11/30/07
to Benetea...@googlegroups.com
Mark:
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
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
Mark R.
Dec 3, 2007, 5:03:24 PM12/3/07
to Beneteau Owners
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.
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.
Matt Reidy
Dec 3, 2007, 5:41:04 PM12/3/07
to Benetea...@googlegroups.com
$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.
paul pryor
Dec 3, 2007, 5:58:57 PM12/3/07
to benetea...@googlegroups.com
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
>
Paul
OC351
>
Bob C
Dec 3, 2007, 7:56:34 PM12/3/07
to Benetea...@googlegroups.com
West Marine sells a liquid remover (not sure of manufacturer) that softens them and facilitates removal with scraper.
Bob
Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.
Larry Cohan
Dec 3, 2007, 7:59:43 PM12/3/07
to Benetea...@googlegroups.com
paul pryor <hpp...@msn.com> wrote:
Not sure abt the 'scrape' part but thought of electric drill w/attachment of wire brush. What are the thoughts of the group?
A palm sander has done a good job for me. Just hold it against the
shaft with one hand while turning the prop with the other.
Larry
Larry
Brian Mikiten
Dec 3, 2007, 9:54:30 PM12/3/07
to Benetea...@googlegroups.com
Try WD-40. I've heard it works well but haven't tried it yet. It may not work for dried barnacles but don't remember specifically.
Brian
Jim Martin
Dec 3, 2007, 11:51:33 PM12/3/07
to Benetea...@googlegroups.com
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.
Jim Martin
32s5 Aquila
_ _
Jim Martin
32s5 Aquila
_ _
Noble, Milner E.
Dec 4, 2007, 9:06:40 AM12/4/07
to Benetea...@googlegroups.com
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: Benetea...@googlegroups.com [mailto:Benetea...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Jim Martin
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2007 11:52 PM
To: Benetea...@googlegroups.com
Subject: {Beneteau Owners} Re: Raymarine Autopilot Error Message
Chris C. Hunsicker
Dec 4, 2007, 10:21:04 AM12/4/07
to Benetea...@googlegroups.com
Paul,
Loosen barnacles with Aurora Marine Algae Strip and scrape
with a wooden scraper to avoid damage. Works well and easily.
Chris
B 311
Carleton Bryant
Dec 4, 2007, 1:54:39 PM12/4/07
to Benetea...@googlegroups.com
Mark,
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
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
Rick Donovan
Dec 5, 2007, 7:48:13 AM12/5/07
to Benetea...@googlegroups.com
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.
Rick Donovan
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