1. AmelYachtOwners | Main
  2. Topics

Raymarine Autopilot Computer Error & Ladybug New Owners

Mark Reardon
 

We're happy to introduce ourselves as the new owners of SM 216, Ladybug based in Boston MA, USA. We took ownership from Miles, who many of you know well. The vessel is in top shape, and we had a nice delivery sail with Miles from Newport to Boston. We're appreciative of the care and education he has provided -- thrilled to be a part of this community.

And now onto the question at hand...our autohelm Raymarine 300 (computer) / ST7000 (control unit)  stopped working this morning with the error "NO LINK" displayed on the ST7000 control unit. I tried removing the wires connected to the NMEA network (thinking perhaps the NMEA network was the issue), rechecked the connection between the ST7000 and the computer (it has ~14V on the cable), checked the input voltage to the computer (~24V), cycled the power a few times, and disassembled the computer (no obvious/melted components). It seems to display the error regardless of which motor is connected. The only change in the boat from when it was working to now was the introduction of a new wire from the engine room through the opening above the sink to access a 110V outlet (tough to imagine, but perhaps a wire was dislodged somewhere?)

Has anyone encountered the "NO LINK" error on an autohelm? Any suggestions?

Mark & Martha
SM 216, Ladybug
Boston, MA, USA
CW Bill Rouse
 

NO LINK is usually displayed when the course computer is OFF, but the control head is somehow receiving voltage. Do you have other Raymarine instruments connected to the Sea Talk Network?

Also, are you sure about the computer is a 300? Does it look like this? If so, this is an old one and likely the cause of your issue, unless there is a Yes answer to my question above.
image.png

CW Bill Rouse Amel Owners Yacht School
720 Winnie, Galveston Island, Texas 77550 
   

On Sun, Nov 27, 2022 at 2:14 PM Mark Reardon <markr25@...> wrote:
We're happy to introduce ourselves as the new owners of SM 216, Ladybug based in Boston MA, USA. We took ownership from Miles, who many of you know well. The vessel is in top shape, and we had a nice delivery sail with Miles from Newport to Boston. We're appreciative of the care and education he has provided -- thrilled to be a part of this community.

And now onto the question at hand...our autohelm Raymarine 300 (computer) / ST7000 (control unit)  stopped working this morning with the error "NO LINK" displayed on the ST7000 control unit. I tried removing the wires connected to the NMEA network (thinking perhaps the NMEA network was the issue), rechecked the connection between the ST7000 and the computer (it has ~14V on the cable), checked the input voltage to the computer (~24V), cycled the power a few times, and disassembled the computer (no obvious/melted components). It seems to display the error regardless of which motor is connected. The only change in the boat from when it was working to now was the introduction of a new wire from the engine room through the opening above the sink to access a 110V outlet (tough to imagine, but perhaps a wire was dislodged somewhere?)

Has anyone encountered the "NO LINK" error on an autohelm? Any suggestions?

Mark & Martha
SM 216, Ladybug
Boston, MA, USA

Mark Reardon
 

Nope, no other devices on the Sea Talk as far as I can tell. 

And yes, that’s the one!



9E2EF495-98D6-4B37-A44C-700750F0ABA1.jpeg

E48AC508-7058-4508-9743-2019DBF83DB1.jpeg

CW Bill Rouse
 

If the 7000 control head cannot get power from any source other than the 300, it is likely a fault in the 300, or possibly one of the two Seatalk wires that connect to the 7000 is loose or broken between the 300 and the 7000 control head. 

Best,

CW Bill Rouse 
Amel Owners Yacht School
+1 832-380-4970 | brouse@...
720 Winnie, Galveston Island, Texas 77550 
www.AmelOwnersYachtSchool.com 
Yacht School Calendar: www.preparetocastoff.blogspot.com/p/calendar.html


   


On Sun, Nov 27, 2022, 18:18 Mark Reardon <markr25@...> wrote:

Nope, no other devices on the Sea Talk as far as I can tell. 

And yes, that’s the one!
Mark Erdos
 


Hi Mark and Martha

Welcome!

Congratulations of obtaining a fine Amel. I am familiar with Lady Bug and the perfect condition in which Miles maintained her.

On that unit, the first thing I would check is the connection for the 0183 NMEA network. The connections (plugs) unique to Raymarine can be problematic. IMO, it is actually very easy to connect the unit without the pins making any kind of contact.

 

With best regards,

 

Mark

 

Skipper

Sailing Vessel - Cream Puff - SM2K - #275

Currently cruising - Tahiti


On 11/27/2022 10:14 AM, Mark Reardon wrote:

We're happy to introduce ourselves as the new owners of SM 216, Ladybug based in Boston MA, USA. We took ownership from Miles, who many of you know well. The vessel is in top shape, and we had a nice delivery sail with Miles from Newport to Boston. We're appreciative of the care and education he has provided -- thrilled to be a part of this community.

And now onto the question at hand...our autohelm Raymarine 300 (computer) / ST7000 (control unit)  stopped working this morning with the error "NO LINK" displayed on the ST7000 control unit. I tried removing the wires connected to the NMEA network (thinking perhaps the NMEA network was the issue), rechecked the connection between the ST7000 and the computer (it has ~14V on the cable), checked the input voltage to the computer (~24V), cycled the power a few times, and disassembled the computer (no obvious/melted components). It seems to display the error regardless of which motor is connected. The only change in the boat from when it was working to now was the introduction of a new wire from the engine room through the opening above the sink to access a 110V outlet (tough to imagine, but perhaps a wire was dislodged somewhere?)

Has anyone encountered the "NO LINK" error on an autohelm? Any suggestions?

Mark & Martha
SM 216, Ladybug
Boston, MA, USA

Mark Reardon
 

Thank you, Mark and Bill! Mark, I disconnected the NMEA pins — you’re right, they don’t seem to be smartly designed for a good connection. Unfortunately that didn’t solve the issue. 

Working again! For any others who might have a similar issue in the future, a new board (thanks to Miles for holding onto a spare) on the computer unit fixed the “NO LINK” issue displaying on the ST7000. The board swap on the 300 wasn’t too difficult. 

Still not sure what happened — and may take Bill R up on his kind offer to connect with a vendor who repairs Raymarine boards.

And/or if anyone happens to have a spare board for a Raymarine 300 24V autohelm computer to have a working spare, let me know. 

43BB0C89-CDA2-42B8-80A2-12599639293F.jpeg

Richard Dallett <dallettrichard@...>
 

The connection from the computer to the auto pilot is to the clutch and not the motor.  Check with Bill Rouse, but the way I understood him, the computer should be set to 12 volt, not 24, as the clutch runs on 12 volt though the motor is 24. Indeed, when I had my pilot rebuilt by Raymarine it came back with 2 wires labelled 12 volt and 2 wires labelled 24.

Richard Dallett
A54/68 Mamba
dallettrichard@...
CW Bill Rouse
 

Raymarine has never made a 24-volt clutch for 24-volt Autohelm Drives, but Raymarine Course Computers are made to use with all sorts of drives. So the 24v Course Computer has a selection process to select 12v for a clutch. Sometimes the process involves the placement of a fuse, and in other cases, it involves a slide switch. I am not sure, but I believe the 300 is the same as the 400, requiring the correct placement of a fuse...see below.

image.png


CW Bill Rouse Amel Owners Yacht School
720 Winnie, Galveston Island, Texas 77550 
   

On Mon, Nov 28, 2022 at 9:48 AM Richard Dallett <dallettrichard@...> wrote:
The connection from the computer to the auto pilot is to the clutch and not the motor.  Check with Bill Rouse, but the way I understood him, the computer should be set to 12 volt, not 24, as the clutch runs on 12 volt though the motor is 24. Indeed, when I had my pilot rebuilt by Raymarine it came back with 2 wires labelled 12 volt and 2 wires labelled 24.

Richard Dallett
A54/68 Mamba
dallettrichard@...

Danny and Yvonne SIMMS
 

Hi all, some years ago in French Polynesia I had similar problems. The techs after long and arduous investigations told me the fault was in the course computer so I dropped the pick and ordered a new unit. In the two week wait I took the advice of a 12 year Cruiser and checked the electrical connection to the 12 volt clutch. He was right and the techs wrong. I found some corroded connections, fixed them. Done. Sme 7 or 8 years later, same again. Again bad connections.
Worth a look perhaps. I guess with the continuous on and off of current to the clutch as course corrections are made these connections are subject to forces not experienced with other equipment.
Kind Regards
Danny
SM 299
Ocean Pearl

On 29/11/2022 04:48 NZDT Richard Dallett <dallettrichard@...> wrote:
 
 
The connection from the computer to the auto pilot is to the clutch and not the motor.  Check with Bill Rouse, but the way I understood him, the computer should be set to 12 volt, not 24, as the clutch runs on 12 volt though the motor is 24. Indeed, when I had my pilot rebuilt by Raymarine it came back with 2 wires labelled 12 volt and 2 wires labelled 24.

Richard Dallett
A54/68 Mamba
dallettrichard@...

Mark Reardon
 

Hi Danny,

Interesting … were the corroded connections on the course computer board itself? Or the connectors
to join the wiring to the board? Or in the wiring to the clutch itself?

Mark & Martha
SM 216, Ladybug
Boston, MA, USA
Danny and Yvonne SIMMS
 

Him Mark. It was down near the clutch for the linea drive. There was a junction box and that was where the connection was corroded.
Kind Regards
Danny
SM 299
Ocean Pearl

On 29/11/2022 13:24 NZDT Mark Reardon <markr25@...> wrote:
 
 
Hi Danny,

Interesting … were the corroded connections on the course computer board itself? Or the connectors
to join the wiring to the board? Or in the wiring to the clutch itself?

Mark & Martha
SM 216, Ladybug
Boston, MA, USA

Dan Carlson
 

Mark, you might check e-bay for newer computers. There is forward comparability with the Smart Pilot S3G and also the X-30 computers.  

If Bill's contact is still in the repair business he may also help you with sourcing a newer compatible course computer.  

Yes, it is nice to have autopilot spares.

Best regards Daniel and Lori Carlson on sv BeBe, SM #387 


On Mon, Nov 28, 2022, 11:01 AM Mark Reardon <markr25@...> wrote:

Thank you, Mark and Bill! Mark, I disconnected the NMEA pins — you’re right, they don’t seem to be smartly designed for a good connection. Unfortunately that didn’t solve the issue. 

Working again! For any others who might have a similar issue in the future, a new board (thanks to Miles for holding onto a spare) on the computer unit fixed the “NO LINK” issue displaying on the ST7000. The board swap on the 300 wasn’t too difficult. 

Still not sure what happened — and may take Bill R up on his kind offer to connect with a vendor who repairs Raymarine boards.

And/or if anyone happens to have a spare board for a Raymarine 300 24V autohelm computer to have a working spare, let me know. 
Richard Dallett <dallettrichard@...>
 

1 - 13 of 13