AUTOPILOT SAFETY

Sea Angel · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:00 pm Post subject: AUTOPILOT SAFETY

HISTORY:
My SmartPilot, S1G, computer needed factory repair [flat rate fee]. It was sent back to RayMarine in NH and it was repaired and upgraded. The work was impressive.

SAFETY WARNING.... When you remove the unit ---double check the wiring! Make sure you have a lot of safe sea room for all the maneuvers needed.

All the wires follow a silk screened color code matched with the cabling wires; with the usual Red as "+" and Black as "-" power wires to the terminal block; EXCEPT the Hyd. Pump.

After I reinstalled the S1G I went through the Dealer and User settings on the ST6001 ..all seemed normal. I left the dock and went out to the Lower Ches. Bay to Swing the Compass, Align the Heading and Cal the A/P.

The procedure to Swing the Compass and Align the Heading had positive results, giving me the expected 10 degree variation.

With the S1G CPU , the next step is to enter the AUTO LEARN mode, where the boat's A/P cpu performs a 9 step process of turns to do the final cal. of the 'gyro' and cpu match. You are told to increase the speed: 8kts. to 15kts..

I got Sea Angel up on plane and engaged the "AUTO LEARN" , AS I HAD DONE MANY TIMES BEFORE THE REPAIR. Step 1 of the procedure seemed normal... THEN... The CD went HARD to port at abt 45 degrees and in any other boat, I would have rolled.. I hit the "STANDBY" switch without any affect! I cut the throttles, all this happened VERY fast! It got my attention.... Shocked

I went back and checked all the wiring and menu items. I found the
POWER STEARING was selected 'on'; it should be 'OFF', after this I checked on the saved data ... It was all gone... deviation = '0', vis '10', etc..

I tried it again and the same results with a HARD to port, but I held the speed to the minimum. Each time this hard over occured, the stearing was jammed against the piston ends and I had to wait for the pressure to bleed off which took abt 30 seconds. I'm glad there wasn't any boating traffic and the Bay was 'flat'.

The clue was the Rudder display was correct in all fashions. The Hyd. Pump is a reversable, Type 4, pump. I reversed the wires to the Hyd. Pump and all was HAPPY.

The reversed function of that pump was a real danger to anyone not ready and careful.

LESSON>>>>> CHECK the WIRING AND LABEL ALL the wires. I had labeled all mine before removal; EXCEPT the pump! There the terminal block is marked "A" and "B". I will try to get a close up pix and post it later of the block.

ART

journey on · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:06 pm Post subject:

Excellent advice. And since we're all human, try some careful tests first. As you did at low speed.

One can't be perfect, but recovery is the essence of life.

Boris

Sea Angel · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 4:04 pm Post subject:

Boris,

This was an example of the old ASSUME adage which make an "a.. out of u and me". I can look at something several times and 'think' it is correct, but it is only what I want it to be. Patience and determination do prevail.

I hope to get back to the marina soon and give Sea Angel a good workout and burn some of the August gas out of her and take those pixs of the wiring. This also gives me a good excuse for a 'get-put-of-jail-free' card from the house. [I really have to find an additional boating partner so I don't have to impose on my Mate all the time.]

ART

thataway · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 5:33 pm Post subject:

I take detailed photos before I take anything apart, which may be questionable when it is time to put back together. Second, I use a labler, and label the wires, hoses and fittings, so that I can see which way they go back together.

Doryman · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 8:40 pm Post subject:

Bob, what labeler do you use? I have a Brother unit designed for putting labels on bottles, etc. Not sure if that will work on wires, hoses, etc.

Warren

Sea Angel · Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:06 pm Post subject:

Today I went to the boat and took a few pixs of the A/P wiring for future reference. I also added a couple of closer shots of the wiper arms from inside the cabin.

The label stock on the cables are from "PANDUIT", 'INSTA_CODE' wire marker dispenser cards; #PSWM-1500. They come in various sizes. I've used they when I was working in TV to label , almost everything that wasn't cosmeticly needed. They are easy to write on and last many years.

The L.Ches. Bay was smooth till abt 1430L, winds SE@10 with 1' waves, Temp. abt 76F. Took Sea Angel out to the 4th Island of the Ches. Bay Bridge Tunnel and returned to a partially blocked entrance channel to the Lynnhaven Inlet as a dredge was being moved., just careful going.

A/P tracking and all worked GREAT.

Art