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Autopilot failure

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Bruno View Drop Down
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Joined: 13 August 2014
Location: Bromont, Quebec
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bruno Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 August 2014 at 20:14
Hello,

I also had all your error messages on my Simrad AP being at sea for another 4 days without the autopilot. Had to replace the computer, which solved the problem. I went to the AC42 being told it was more powerful. The electric consumption may be greater.
Bruno

Hanse 400, 2010 Hull 660, Canadian flag sailing Lake Champlain, VT USA
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Fendant View Drop Down
Admiral
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Joined: 03 November 2012
Location: Switzerland
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Fendant Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 August 2014 at 08:24
"No Autopilot Computer" is a message caused by a well known Simrad Software bug. It apparently "overlooks" from time to time a certain AP message on the Simnet and subsequently Displays the error message. Pushing "Stand by" and "Auto" again fixes it for a certain time. On my boat it seems only to occurr when under sail, never had this under engine power.  They have released a new Software at the end on 2013. AP's from 2014 should not have the issue.
 
I found this info in an Australian Forum, but I have no clue how to update my AP.
Frank
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MasterKeil View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MasterKeil Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 August 2014 at 08:57
There is a brandnew update for AP24 on the Simrad homepage including instructions.
Hanse 370#640 "Nemesis"
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MasterKeil View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MasterKeil Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 August 2014 at 09:01
This is the page:
http://www.simrad-yachting.com/en-US/Support/Downloads/AP24-Autopilot-Software-Update/
Hanse 370#640 "Nemesis"
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CharlesP View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CharlesP Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 August 2014 at 10:59
How do I do the update myself?   I can understand about downloading it to a SD card and then using the card through a Simrad chartplotter. But I have a Lowrence Gen2 chartplotter. Will this update the AP24 in the same way?

Charles
'MERIDIAN LADY'

320 Nr 536 2010

Medway
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charentebob View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote charentebob Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 October 2014 at 09:17
Hi everyone who contributed to my post about the autopilot failure. After 2 visits by technicians the last one was a Simrad agent, the drive motor was identified as the likely problem. The 15 amp fuse in the autopilot computer was blown but this was due to the problem with the motor. I eventually rang Jefa to enquire about repair & spoke to Stig Jensen in their Technical Dept. He  is a very helpful man & spent a long time giving advice & precise instructions.When I mentioned water in the electrical connections bay he immediately said he thought the problem was the motor was burnt-out. He admitted that this particular model had faulty design & it has given them a bad reputation with some people. They stopped manufacture in 2007. I had the misfortune to have one fitted by Hanse from their factory stock in 2008. He told me how to perform an electrical test to be absolutely sure that the motor was dead & not the clutch before shipping it back to Denmark. If anyone wants to know how to perform this test let me know. He assured me that the repaired unit will be like new. The wire exits from a different location & will be joined inside the stern compartment well away from any water. The repair cost 350 Euro, plus 80 Euro shipping plus 25% VAT. I'm refitting the unit this week so will update once the job is done & the system is reset & working, I hope! I am also going to update the Simrad software next April when we start using the boat again as this will help avoid some of the problems others have experienced.
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CharlesP View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CharlesP Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 October 2014 at 09:57
Simrad have told me that the software upgrade cannot be done by me. They said they would do it for me if I return the computer and AP24 to them. Is disconnecting the computer an easy job of simply pulling off connections?

Charles
'MERIDIAN LADY'

320 Nr 536 2010

Medway
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piquet View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 March 2010
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote piquet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 October 2014 at 00:51
This insight may help in some cases with autopilot failure.  I have the ac12 and Simard NSE and jefa drive unit and clutch.   Recently I was departing Auckland for Opua and the across the Tasman to Sydney and just as I left the harbour and engaged autopilot I had the same autopilot response failure.  This has happened on another ocaision in the past AND with lots of trouble shooting and even dockside tests whilst drifting at sea and phone calls to Navico we were able to deduce that there was no power going to the Jeffa drive unit. That is most likely to mean a problem with the autopilot computer.  

My Autopilot computer is located in the starboard aft cabin in a recess under the bunk alongside the engine bay.   It is just aft of the main AC power trip switch and fluxgate compass and other cabling and engine exhaust.  There is a !2v power cable with fuse which attaches to the computer.  Thus had been accidentally dislodged probably by the sparky who installed a new sender in my fuel tank.   Re coupling this wire to the computer sorted out my problem with the autopilot.  It reengaged and works like a dream again.  

I rely heavily on my autopilot as most of my sailing is double handed and long passages.  I am now ¾ of the way up the east coast of Australia.  

But the lesson for me is when I or contractors work in or near the engine bay - just recheck the electrical connections otherwise an unexpected surprise and lots of frustration and time wasting will result.
piquet
Brisbane, Australia
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