Autohelm ST4000+ Problem

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Serenity
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Autohelm ST4000+ Problem

Post by Serenity »

After some tinkering and a new belt, my Autohelm ST4000+ mark I is almost working. It seems to over steer and not straighten out the wheel soon enough. The result is an S-shaped path through the water.

Has anyone had this problem? Can anyone send me the configuration settings that work for their PDQ32?

Many thanks in advance!
-Dennis
Serenity 1998 PDQ32 #34
Portsmouth, RI
http://www.sailingserenitysquared.com
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thinwater
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Re: Autohelm ST4000+ Problem

Post by thinwater »

The computer averages the course over a few minutes, even when the wheel is not engaged, if the unit is on. Does this happen when you are going straight for several minutes, or only when engaging after turning onto the course?
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Re: Autohelm ST4000+ Problem

Post by amytom »

Read the manual about the gain control and response profile.
That may be your issue.
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Re: Autohelm ST4000+ Problem

Post by Iriemon »

Hi Dennis, I had a similar problem with my autopilot before. There are a bunch of parameters that can affect this, including the deviation setting and latitude position, which if I recall ended up being my problem.

Next time I get to the boat (might be a few days) I'll note all the autopilot settings and post them.

Bryan
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Serenity
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Re: Autohelm ST4000+ Problem

Post by Serenity »

Thanks, everyone, for your replies!

Thinwater: the situation is that I get the boat steering straight under power. I engage the autopilot lever and press the "auto" button. When making corrections, the auto pilot seems to do too little too late and the boat swings past the desired heading every time.

Iriemon: your settings would be greatly appreciated.

Amytom:
I am digging through the manual, as you suggested...
Link to the ST4000+ mk 1 manual: https://raymarine.app.box.com/s/nwf2s5h ... 3273045869
...and learned a few things:
- turn limit should be set to 20 degrees for sailboats
- drive type should be 1 for mechanical steering
- autoadapt should be N for northern hemisphere, S for southern (at high lattitudes)
Serenity 1998 PDQ32 #34
Portsmouth, RI
http://www.sailingserenitysquared.com
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Re: Autohelm ST4000+ Problem

Post by Iriemon »

Here are my autopilot settings from the "Dealer Calibration" inputs:

Vessel type: Sailboat
Drive Type: 3
Rudder alignment: 0
Rudder limit: 25
Rudder Gain: 4
Counter rudder: 2
Rudder dampening: 2
Autotrim: 1
Response: 2
Turn rate limit: 20
Off course angle: 20*
Power steer: 1
Autotrack angle: 100*
Gybe inhibit: on
Wind type: APP'
Wind trim: 5
Cruise speed: 5
Autoadapt: nth
Latitude: 26*
Variation: 0*
Autopilot reset: off

Note my boat is in Miami. I you are in higher latitudes, you'd need to adjust the latitude setting accordingly. These settings result in the default settings when you power up the autopilot. In flat water I usually reduce the gain and to reduce wear and battery usage. If I am in open water I'll reduce the response for the same reason.

Good luck.

Bryan
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Re: Autohelm ST4000+ Problem

Post by Serenity »

Awesome, thank you, Brian!
Serenity 1998 PDQ32 #34
Portsmouth, RI
http://www.sailingserenitysquared.com
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Re: Autohelm ST4000+ Problem

Post by Serenity »

FIXED! I turned off "auto trim" and now it works completely differently.

Thanks for the input, Bryan, Drew, and Amy/Tom!
Serenity 1998 PDQ32 #34
Portsmouth, RI
http://www.sailingserenitysquared.com
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