Westiculo
Senior Member
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2017
- Messages
- 271
- Location
- US
- Vessel Name
- Rose Mary
- Vessel Make
- 42 Grand Banks Motoryacht - 1985
Currently on a cruise to Maine and having autopilot troubles. I have a two station Robertson ap200dl autopilot with an octopus 1012 linear drive linked directly to the rudder. The autopilot head has been working inconsistently, throwing an error that says it’s off course periodically. Initially I thought i didn’t have it in the right setting, but it keeps happening more frequently to the point that now i can tell something is wrong. Each time it does this the boat swings way off course. Checked the compass input in comp mode and it seems to get steady, continuous reads. Don’t think it’s the problem.
The error happens when using the autopilot from either station, which makes me think its not related to the computer. Gotta be the pump? I have never serviced the pump over the 3 years I’ve had the boat (do they need service?). After we anchored, I tried the autopilot in power steering mode and the pump seems to do what it’s supposed to.
Any ideas? Anything you think I should test to narrow in on the problem?
The error happens when using the autopilot from either station, which makes me think its not related to the computer. Gotta be the pump? I have never serviced the pump over the 3 years I’ve had the boat (do they need service?). After we anchored, I tried the autopilot in power steering mode and the pump seems to do what it’s supposed to.
Any ideas? Anything you think I should test to narrow in on the problem?