Auto pilot is slipping
Auto pilot is slipping
I have a Raytheon sportpilot on my 96x. The unit seams to opperate fine for the first few minutes when turned on, then after having made a few minor course corrections it starts to slip, you can hear the electric motor working but the wheel and course are unaltered. It slips most often when trying to turn to port. Has anyone had this happen with the same unit? If yes, did you make repairs?if so, how? or send out to shop?
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Billy
- First Officer
- Posts: 439
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2004 3:50 pm
- Location: Dunn NC 2001-26X140 "XX"(DoubleCross)
Yes, happened to mine.
First time was a broken belt. Covered under warranty.
Second time motor was replaced by factory.
Now the unit will only do a correction of a few degrees. When a change is input, the motor hums a second, in an attempt to turn the wheel and then quits. It will not do a major change.
Not engaged, it requires about 20 lbs. of pressure, measured at the end of the wheel spoke, to manually turn port and about 15 lbs. to turn starboard. I removed the unit, opened it, then powered up, and watched as I pushed the buttons. I'm not a tech, so I can't really tell you exactly is happening. It appears the unit is fighting itself. It looks like a spring type clutch system. The unit tries to turn, the springs stretch, then everything goes back to where it was. Actually, no belt slippage.
Not wanting to tear it apart beyond repair, I elected to stop at that point. Have been debating sending back to the factory for a $350 repair or just going with something new. As much as I like my SportPilot, it has been a real problem. I would like to keep it, but don't know if throwing more money at it is the answer. (Plus, I know Victor, and am waiting on his prototype.)
First time was a broken belt. Covered under warranty.
Second time motor was replaced by factory.
Now the unit will only do a correction of a few degrees. When a change is input, the motor hums a second, in an attempt to turn the wheel and then quits. It will not do a major change.
Not engaged, it requires about 20 lbs. of pressure, measured at the end of the wheel spoke, to manually turn port and about 15 lbs. to turn starboard. I removed the unit, opened it, then powered up, and watched as I pushed the buttons. I'm not a tech, so I can't really tell you exactly is happening. It appears the unit is fighting itself. It looks like a spring type clutch system. The unit tries to turn, the springs stretch, then everything goes back to where it was. Actually, no belt slippage.
Not wanting to tear it apart beyond repair, I elected to stop at that point. Have been debating sending back to the factory for a $350 repair or just going with something new. As much as I like my SportPilot, it has been a real problem. I would like to keep it, but don't know if throwing more money at it is the answer. (Plus, I know Victor, and am waiting on his prototype.)
Last edited by Billy on Sun Jul 29, 2007 9:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Frank C
just one (jaded) opinion, but I'm totally sour on Raymarine's stuff. Your autopilot is flakey, Billy's won't work, numerous others have posted pilot difficulties.
I have Raymarine's electronic wind instrument too, which retails at about $800. The windvane connector is a weak point and has failed twice. Once they provided a replacement, second time was beyond warranty. The windvane sells for $400+, so mine is just a workbench dongle.
USA and UK manufacturing was envy of the world just 50 years ago. But now, I prefer major investments (anything approaching a boatbuck) to be made in JP.
I have Raymarine's electronic wind instrument too, which retails at about $800. The windvane connector is a weak point and has failed twice. Once they provided a replacement, second time was beyond warranty. The windvane sells for $400+, so mine is just a workbench dongle.
USA and UK manufacturing was envy of the world just 50 years ago. But now, I prefer major investments (anything approaching a boatbuck) to be made in JP.
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ChrisNorton
- Engineer
- Posts: 132
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2005 6:54 am
If it isn't fixable, I have decided to sell my lightly used sportpilot motor unit since I took it off the boat. Long story, but one night I had guests aboard and what turned out to be a loose wire on the boat's electrical panel was causing the autopilot beeper to stay on. Instead of figuring that out first, I cut the power cord near the power head. The power cord plugs into the motor head, it is not attached. I never reordered a new power cord and eventually took the motor off the boat and don't miss it. It was used for less than two seasons lightly and I verified it still works just fine recently by hooking it back up to the patched wire without reinstalling it. Let me know if anyone wants to buy it.