Raymarine Autopilot
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Duane Siegfri
Our Raymarine S3G course computer is not working again. The first repair in 2017 was just a software issue that was easily remedied. This time I'm getting the same "Drive Stopped" error message on the ST7001 control head. I have checked symptoms, and it seems tha1t the rudder reference, clutch, motors and compass are all working. I've waiting to hear back from Dan Gerhardt about repairing the S3G, I don't know if he is still in business.
I'm starting to consider replacing the control head, compass, and course computer. I'm hoping to be able to keep the drive units with their 12V clutches. If you replaced your AP and kept the drive units, what did you use? What was really frustrating was I had purchased a spare S3 Course Computer from Dan Gerhardt in 2017. I just installed it, thinking this would be easy, and it had more problems than the original equipment! It would not engaged the clutch. I've kept it double bagged in zip-locks and it still has problems. Thanks, Duane Wanderer, SM#477
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Danny and Yvonne SIMMS
Hi Duane, Years ago when going through French Polynesia I had the same. I too was told it was the course computer by two different techs who came on the boat and did a lot of diagnostic tests. We ordered a new one and waited 3 weeks in Raiatea to receive it. In the mean time a long term cruiser told me the problem would be a poor electrical connection between the computer and the rudder area. Having lots of time I finally listened to him and checked all the connections. In a junction box near the rudder I found corroded connections. I cut them back and reconnected. Problem fixed. Now, 10 years later during my pacific voyaging this year I had the beginnings of the same problem again. I checked the same connections and found corrosion. Problem fixed. Regards Danny SM 299 Ocean Pearl
On 19 December 2019 at 05:52 "Duane Siegfri via Groups.Io" <carlylelk@...> wrote:
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Duane Siegfri
Danny,
Thanks for your reply, but I'm sure it's not the rudder sensor. Raymarine gave me the resistance between various pairs of the four rudder sensor wires and they were all within spec. If there was corrosion the resistance would be too high. Thanks, Duane
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Danny and Yvonne SIMMS
Hi Duane, I'm fairly sure it was the wires to the drive motor that had the corroded connections , not the rudder sensor. The techs advising me did all those diagnostics too. Its not a hard job to check all connections. Regards Danny SM 299 Ocean Pearl
On 19 December 2019 at 06:40 "Duane Siegfri via Groups.Io" <carlylelk@...> wrote:
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Hi, have a look at brushes dust inside linear drive to avoid bad electrical connections. That happened to me.
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All the best to all GIOVANNI Eutikia SM2k 428 Inviato da iPhone
Il giorno 18 dic 2019, alle ore 19:13, Danny and Yvonne SIMMS <simms@...> ha scritto:
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Hi Duane, Dan G is still responding to emails, however he was cruising in Mexico. When one of my S3G's was declared dead by Dan I was able to source a Smart Pilot X30 on eBay from a weekend sailor that needed something shinier. It had a better wiring harness and other than that it was pretty much plug and play. That model uses all the same drives, compas, rudder indicator and seatalk. Best regards, Daniel & Lori Carlson on SM#387, sv BeBe
On Wed, Dec 18, 2019, 11:52 AM Duane Siegfri via Groups.Io <carlylelk=aol.com@groups.io wrote: Our Raymarine S3G course computer is not working again. The first repair in 2017 was just a software issue that was easily remedied. This time I'm getting the same "Drive Stopped" error message on the ST7001 control head. I have checked symptoms, and it seems tha1t the rudder reference, clutch, motors and compass are all working. I've waiting to hear back from Dan Gerhardt about repairing the S3G, I don't know if he is still in business.
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JOHN HAYES
Duane
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We had 2 problems in our Raymarine auto helm Which we sorted in the mid pacific 1 the springs holding the carbon brushes on the armature needed tightening to apply more pressure 2 when we pulled the actuator arm to bits the tiny ball bearings were dry so we filled the arm and ball bearings with lithium grease and reassembled It has gone ever since with us sailing another 4000 miles I have also purchased a new motor unit as a Spare part ein the USA for peace of mind. While dealing with the issue I noticed in the hand book that the unit should be sent to an autohelm agent for service every two years Seasons greetings John Hayes Nga Waka sn 141 Wellington New Zealand
On 19/12/2019, at 9:13 AM, Giovanni TESTA <giovannitesta53@...> wrote:
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Raymarine S3G On eBay now: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Raymarine-S3G-AP-Autopilot-Course-Computer-E12092/233389734433?hash=item36571cba21:g:mscAAOSwuWpdv1gl:sc:FedExHomeDelivery!77550!US!-1 But, Dan Gerhardt is a better solution. --
On Wed, Dec 18, 2019 at 5:41 PM JOHN HAYES <johnhayes862@...> wrote:
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eric freedman
I would also check the drive belt for missing teeth and the planetary gear. If you do not have the bronze gears in the drive section I would change them out. Did you try applying Dc to the clutch to make sure it is engaging, its 12 volts. I would also try putting voltage to the drive motor.
It is a rather simple device and should not be difficult to repair. I also recall somewhere way back in my memory that I had an issue with the screw in the center of the clutch, a little too tight or loose and the drive showed an error. .
Fair Winds Eric Amel Super Maramu #376
From: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io [mailto:main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io] On Behalf Of CW Bill Rouse
Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2019 7:20 PM To: main@amelyachtowners.groups.io Subject: Re: [AmelYachtOwners] Raymarine Autopilot
Raymarine S3G On eBay now: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Raymarine-S3G-AP-Autopilot-Course-Computer-E12092/233389734433?hash=item36571cba21:g:mscAAOSwuWpdv1gl:sc:FedExHomeDelivery!77550!US!-1
But, Dan Gerhardt is a better solution.
On Wed, Dec 18, 2019 at 5:41 PM JOHN HAYES <johnhayes862@...> wrote:
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Duane Siegfri
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't each drive have a clutch? Our boat has two drive units, a linear and a rotary. We have the same error for both drives so I doubt that both clutches / drives failed simultaneously.
The clutch works when the "Auto" button is engaged since you cannot turn the wheel. I connected the "Power" wires directly with the "Motor" wires outside of the Course Computer and the motor ran. So both the clutch and motor is operable. The problem is when "Auto" is engaged, no voltage is being sent to the "Motor" wires. Dan Gerhardt replied to me already and I'm sending him the Course Computer tomorrow. I'll let y'all know what happens. Again, thanks for all the thoughtful replies! Duane
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eric freedman
Duane, You are absolutely correct. Each drive has a clutch. Therefore, I would check the wiring as the fault is on both drives. Possibly the rotary switch that connects one drive or the other. The Course computer is definitely a suspect. One time my S3G started to seek and not head in the direction that the control head was set for. I spent over a hour with Raymarine on the phone trying to calibrate the computer.. They said I was doing something wrong. I said I will just swap out the course computer with my spare. They said I would have to recalibrate it. It did lock on immediately without calibration.
I sent it to the chief poobah at Raymarine and he found a cold solder joint on the circuit board. Problem solved. Fair Winds Eric Amel Super Maramu #376
From: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io [mailto:main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io] On Behalf Of Duane Siegfri via Groups.Io
Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2019 8:49 PM To: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io Subject: Re: [AmelYachtOwners] Raymarine Autopilot
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't each drive have a clutch? Our boat has two drive units, a linear and a rotary. We have the same error for both drives so I doubt that both clutches / drives failed simultaneously.
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Thomas Peacock
Hi Duane,
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Lots of good suggestions on trouble-shooting your bad AH. We had major problems with the non-mechanical part of the system, and decided to replace, keeping the Raymarine AH drives by the rudder and in front of the wheel. The Raymarine ACU-400 was a very simple plug and play solution. The computer fit in nicely above the galley sink near the AH that drives the wheel. A new fluxgate (actually, part compass, part inertial guidance) unit fits in well behind the dining settee, similar to the old unit. The cockpit display/control is a standard size display similar to the depth/wind gauges. Your call as to where to put it. I made the mistake of not replacing the old rudder sensor, as it appeared identical to the new one. However, there were some control issues with it that then disappeared when I replaced it with the new rudder sensor. The ACU-400 does allow for 12V clutch operation. You will have to run proprietary Raymarine networking in order to connect the fluxgate, computer, and display; the Raymarine network easily interfaces with NMEA-2000. I see you are in Martinique. My boat is in the marina in Le Marin, I am returning January 11 if you are still around. Tom Peacock SM #240 Aletes Martinique
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Duane Siegfri
Hi Tom,
Thanks for the details on your new autopilot, very helpful. We were docked right next to your boat at Caraibe Greement while we were getting a new rig. I hope we do get a chance to get together, but we will probably have moved on by then. Duane
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