Autopilot malfunction. Any ideas?

[snowranger]

Out of the blue, my autopilot (older RayPilot 650) started turning full rudder to port when I turn it on. The unit is not linked to my GPS so I set my course adn press "Auto" and adjust periodically. Now, whenever I turn it on, it turns full to the right and even if I turn the know left, it still does it. In fact, when I turn it on Auto and quickly spin the knob to the left, it just goes straight and won't turn left whatsoever.
Any ideas?

[Sea Draggin]

I would start with your ground connection and go from there.

In morehead, we call Fernando from TW Electronics and turn his loose on it. He can always hunt down the loose connection.

[snowranger]

I hope it is that simple!

[Shortfin]

If not wires it is probally the feedback unit

it is not to hard to test

had to deal with that last season

[algdog]

it may be the rudder indicator. check the connections and see if it is connected to the linkage, it may just be disconnected, they all seem to be connected with small nuts and bolts that may wiggle loose. if it is all connected you can disconnect and have someone look at the unit as you rotate the indicator left or right. the display should tell you that it is steering left or right. if the display tells you that the indicator is not moving. it is probably shorted or broken.

[Banshee]

its the Gyro compass, been there done that.
JW

[Talbot29]

Did you move something metal near the gyro compass? That might do it...

[Fast Forward]

Call Rmarine and they will walk you through it. It may be the rudder angle indicator which you can test in standby by turning the wheen left and right and watch the display. Make sure the rudders are centered when the indicator is. You may also have a bad compass. If you do a slow turn with the boat and the compass heading moves consistantly through the circle it is not the compass. Hopefully something simple because raymarine doesn't fix those any more.

[snowranger]

Thanks a bunch guys! That should get me started. I have to confess that the autopilot is one system I have neglected as it is a "non essential" system. Until I made a couple canyon runs without it...

[frankypettolina]

Any of the above mentioned fixes could be the one. I would start simple- connections, angle indicator, than move on.

It probably has a bottle of bourbon stuck under the rudder itself. I have noticed the Blackjack steering erratically all over the ocean more so in the afternoon than in the AM most days- coincidence i think not